US 11,889,780 B2
Method for automating an agricultural work task
Martin Schmidt, Mannheim (DE)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,707.
Claims priority of application No. 102020202396.4 (DE), filed on Feb. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0259148 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. A01B 79/00 (2006.01); A01B 69/04 (2006.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01)
CPC A01B 79/005 (2013.01) [A01B 69/008 (2013.01); G05D 1/0219 (2013.01); G05D 1/0227 (2013.01); G05D 2201/0201 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for automating an agricultural work task which is executable by a soil cultivation implement on an agricultural tractor, comprising:
specifying one or more site-specific target values or weighting factors with respect to process-related or agronomic quality criteria via an interface module according to which the work task is to be executed by the soil cultivation implement, wherein the site-specific target values or weighting factors are specified in the context of work preparation or planning based on an accessible agronomic database including course, height profile, and dimensions of a field surface to be cultivated, and wherein the site-specific target values or weighting factors are uploaded into a memory unit to be retrievable therefrom, wherein the memory unit is associated with a control unit;
converting the target values or weighting factors in an optimization module into process control variables representing working or operating parameters of the soil cultivation implement; and
adjusting the process control variables in a stabilization module by activating positioning or operating units of the soil cultivation implement or the agricultural tractor, wherein the stabilization module includes adjusting the process control variables with variable restrictions including a working depth and a cultivation speed;
wherein in the converting step, feedback data is included with respect to a status of a field surface before or after the cultivation by the soil cultivation implement and with respect to an operating status of the soil cultivation implement or the agricultural tractor in order to modify the process control variables based on a cost function and on the site-specific target values or weighting factors to provide modified process control variables, wherein the feedback data includes a course of stubble rows, a height of stubbles, and a degree of soil compaction which is obtained by a sensor mechanism attached to one of the soil cultivation implement or the agricultural tractor.