DESC:AUTONOMOUS AGRICULTURE VEHICLE AND SYSTEM THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of agriculture vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system for accurately and automatically steering autonomous agriculture vehicle through a pre-defined path.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the technological advancements over the last few years, there has been a sudden rise in use of autonomous agricultural vehicles. These autonomous agricultural vehicles include an autonomous tractor. In addition, these autonomous agricultural vehicles help in carrying out various agricultural activities. These autonomous agricultural vehicles help the farmers in completing agricultural tasks and operations in a limited timeframe. The autonomous tractor is a driverless tractor which operates automatically. The autonomous tractor utilizes a global positioning system and other wireless technologies to farm the land. Traditionally, the autonomous tractor is supervised by a user located at a control station. The user monitors the progress of the autonomous tractor in real time. Alternatively, the autonomous tractor may operate with help of a manned tractor in lead. However, the autonomous tractor needs continuous full time assistance from the user or a driver to make turns and travel in a pre-defined path. The user or the driver needs to be seated at a wheel of the autonomous tractor while the autonomous tractor operates in autonomous mode. Further, the autonomous tractor is configured to function according to a real time GPS data provided through a control module for accurate positioning. However, the current technology is meter accurate and does not provide good accuracy. Further, the presently available autonomous vehicle requires a human onboard for operations. Furthermore, the presently available autonomous tractor halts operation or does not perform as expected when satellite signal is low/weak/lost. In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for a system which overcomes the above stated disadvantages.
OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for accurately and automatically steering an agricultural vehicle through a pre-defined path.
[0004] Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce time and human effort employed in various agricultural activities.
[0005] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the autonomous agricultural vehicle with high accuracy of steering through the pre-defined path.
[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to enable one or more users to supervisor and monitor activities of the autonomous agricultural vehicle from a remote location.
SUMMARY
[0007] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for accurately and automatically steering an agricultural vehicle through a pre-defined path. The system includes one or more communication device. The one or more communication devices include global positioning system. The one or more communication devices receive one or more inputs from one or more users. The system includes an autonomous agriculture vehicle. The autonomous agriculture vehicle includes a control module. The control module includes a communication module. The global positioning module facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle according to the one or more inputs from the one or more users. The global positioning module is associated with a plurality of satellite navigation system. The control module includes a plurality of sensor. The plurality of sensor facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle according to the one or more inputs from the one or more users. The control module includes a processing module. The processing module receives and processes a plurality of sets of data from the global positioning module and the plurality of sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for accurately and automatically steering an autonomous agricultural vehicle through a pre-defined path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control module associated with the autonomous agriculture vehicle, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for accurately and automatically steering an agricultural vehicle through a pre-defined path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 includes one or more communication devices 104, a communication network 106, an autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 and a control module 110. Each of the one or more communication devices 104 is associated with one or more users 102. In addition, the system 100 includes one or more reference location antennas 112, a plurality of satellite navigation system 114 and a main server 116. The above stated elements of the system 100 collectively enable accurate and automatic steering of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 through the pre-defined path.
[0012] The system 100 is associated with the one or more users 102. The one or more users 102 may be any person or individual looking to perform various agricultural activities on a piece of land with the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more users 102 may be any person or individual looking to perform various agricultural activities in reduced time. The one or more users 102 may be any person or individual looking to perform plurality of agricultural operations with reduced effort. The plurality of agricultural operations includes ploughing, sowing, harvesting, watering, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, removing weeds and the like. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more users 102 are a farmer. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more users 102 are a gardener. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more users 102 is an agriculturist. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure the one or more users 102 is an orchardist. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure the one or more users 102 is any other human being. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the one or more users 102 is located near the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In another embodiment of the present disclosure the one or more users 102 is at a considerable distance from the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure the one or more users 102 is at any other suitable location.
[0013] The one or more users 102 are associated with the system 100 through the one or more communication devices 104. The one or more communication devices 104 include global positioning system. The global positioning system enables the one or more communication devices 104 to access various global positioning services. The one or more communication devices 104 receive one or more inputs from one or more users 102. The one or more inputs include location data. The location data includes geographical location of the agricultural farm. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the location data includes any suitable data of the like. The one or more inputs include fencing data. The fencing data include boundary of the agricultural farm. The one or more inputs include data of the pre-defined path. The data of the pre-defined path includes complete data of path to be tracked by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more inputs include starting point of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 on the pre-defined path. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more inputs include any suitable data of the like.
[0014] The one or more communication devices 104 display a real time satellite image of a current location to the one or more users 102. The one or more users 102 may navigate the satellite image to any other desired location with an interface provided on the one or more communication devices 104. The desired location corresponds to a farm or agricultural field of the one or more users 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the desired location is pre-saved on the one or more communication devices 104 of the one or more users 102. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more different desired locations are pre-saved on the one or more communication devices 104 of the one or more users102.
[0015] The one or more users 102 plot defines a boundary of the farm or agricultural field on the one or more communication devices 104. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 always operates inside the pre-defined boundary. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 automatically applies brake in case the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 moves out of the pre-defined boundary. The pre-defined boundary corresponds to the area to be operated upon by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to perform one or more of the agriculture operations. The agricultural operations include ploughing, sowing, harvesting, watering, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, removing weeds and the like.
[0016] The one or more users 102 define on the one or more communication devices 104, the pre-defined path for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to follow inside the pre-defined boundary. The one or more users 102 define on the one or more communication devices 104, a moving direction for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to follow inside the pre-defined boundary. The one or more users 102 selects on the one or more communication devices 104, a starting point on the pre-defined path for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to start pre-defined path tracking operation. The one or more users 102 selects on the one or more communication devices 104, a termination point on the pre-defined path for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to stop the path tracking operation. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 terminates automatically on completely tracking the pre-defined path.
[0017] Each of the one or more communication devices 104 includes a memory. In general, memory includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware device include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. The memory is coupled with one or more processors. In general, the one or more processors read data from various entities such as memory or I/O components. The one or more processors execute the one or more instructions which are stored in the memory. The one or more processors provide execution method in real time for updating the one or more users 102 about functioning of every element of the system 100.
[0018] Each of the one or more communication devices 104 includes a global positioning system. The global positioning system of the one or more communication devices 104 facilitates the one or more users 102 in geo-locating the farm or agriculture land. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 are a smartphone device. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 are computer devices. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 are laptop devices. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 is any other suitable communication device. The one or more communication devices 104 provide an interface for the one or more users 102 to connect with the system 100. The one or more users 102 can connect with the system 100 through different one or more devices 104. For example, at a first time a person Y connects with the system 100 through a desktop computer. At another time the same person Y connects with the system 100 with a smartphone device.
[0019] Further, the one or more communication devices 104 are associated with a specific type of operating system. The specific type of operating system includes an android operating system, a windows operating system, a mac operating system and the like. The one or more communication devices 104 are multimedia device. The one or more communication devices 104 support various multimedia contents. In general, the multimedia content keeps the one or more users 102 updated with the real time progress of the various elements of the system 100. The multimedia content facilitates the one or more users 102 in quickly accessing every situation that may arise in the system 100. The one or more users 102 will be updated in real time with precise details of every situation arising in the system 100 with the help of multimedia content.
[0020] The one or more users 102 accesses the one or more communication devices 104 in real time. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 include a web based browser for connecting with the system 100. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 include an application installed on the device for connecting with the system 100. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more communication devices 104 includes any other software platform for connecting with the system 100. The one or more communication devices 104 serves as a platform on the system 100 for receiving different sets of information from the one or more users 102 in real time. The one or more communication devices 104 serves as a platform on the system 100 for delivering different sets of information to the one or more users 102 in real time. The information is accessible through the software platform dedicated for management of system on one or more communication devices 104.
[0021] The one or more communication devices 104 are connected to the communication network 106. The communication network 106 provides a medium for the one or more users 102 to connect with the system 100. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication network 106 is an internet connection. The internet connection is established based on a type of communication network 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of communication network 106 is a wireless mobile network. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of communication network 106 is a wi-fi network with a finite bandwidth. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of communication network 106 is a combination of the any wireless network and wi-fi network for the optimum throughput of data transmission. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of communication network 106 is a long range telemetry network. The communication network 106 includes a set of channels. Each channel of the set of channels supports a finite bandwidth. Moreover, the finite bandwidth of each channel of the set of channels is based on capacity of the communication network 106.
[0022] The system 100 includes the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different elements of the system 100 enable autonomous operation of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 includes a body and plurality of wheels. The body of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 includes a plurality of components which collectively enables various autonomous movements and plurality of agriculture operations by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The plurality of agriculture operations includes ploughing, sowing, harvesting, watering, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting removing weeds and the like. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 is capable of autonomously following pre-defined paths within respective pre-defined boundaries. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 is an autonomous tractor. In another embodiment of the present disclosure the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 is any other suitable vehicle of the like.
[0023] The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 facilitates the one or more users 102 to automate various agriculture activities. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 enables automation of a plurality of agricultural activities. The plurality of agriculture activities includes ploughing, sowing, harvesting, watering, tilling, disking, harrowing, and planting removing weeds. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of agriculture activities includes any suitable agriculture activity of the like.
[0024] The system 100 includes the control module 110. The control module 110 enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to accurately track the pre-defined path as provided by the one or more users 102 in real time. The control module 110 includes a global navigation device and a plurality of location sensors to accurately track the pre-defined path. The control module 110 enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to track the pre-defined path as provided by the one or more users 102 with centimeter level accuracy in real time. The centimeter level accuracy refers to the ability of the control module 110 to position the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 as pre-defined by the one or more users 102 with an error of equal to or less than 10 centimeters. The control module 110 ensures accurate tracking of the pre-defined path by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The control module 110 monitors the movement of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to detect any deviation from the pre-defined path in real time. The control module 110 acts to align the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with the pre-defined path in case of a deviation.
[0025] The control module 110 ensures centimeter level accuracy with the assistance of real time kinetics. In general, real time kinetics refers to satellite navigation technique used to enhance the precision of position data derived from satellite-based positioning systems (global navigation satellites systems). The satellite based positioning systems include global positioning system, global navigation satellites system and the like. Real time kinetics measures the phase of the signal's carrier wave and relies on a single reference station or interpolated virtual station to provide real-time corrections. In addition, the real time kinematics helps provide up to centimeter level accuracy. The control module 110 includes a global positioning device for enabling real time kinetics to ensure centimeter level accuracy and accurate tracking of the pre-defined path by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108.
[0026] The one or more users 102 initiate the process of accurate path tracking by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 through the one or more devices 104. The control module 110 receives different sets of information from the one or more communication devices 104 provided by the one or more users 102. The different sets of information contain information about the accurate position of the farm or agricultural land. The different sets of information contain information about the pre-defined boundary of the farm or agricultural land. In addition, the different sets of information contain information about the pre-defined path for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different sets of information contain information about the pre-defined starting and termination point for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different sets of information contain information to start different elements of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the different sets of information contain any other suitable information.
[0027] The control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test every time the one or more users 102 start the control module 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test every time the one or more users 102 assigns a new pre-defined boundary for the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108. In another embodiment of the present disclosure the control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test every time the one or more users 102 assigns a new pre-defined path for the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test at any other pre-defined time. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure the control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test after every pre-determined period of time. Results of the self-diagnostic test are provided to the one or more users 102 in real time. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 will start or stop the accurate tracking of the pre-defined path based on the result of the self-diagnostic test. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 will start tracking the pre-defined path if all the elements diagnosed in the self-diagnostic test of the control module 110 are functioning properly. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 will stop and send an error report to the one or more users 102 if all the elements diagnosed in the self-diagnostic test of the control module 110 are not functioning properly. The one or more users 102 may take any necessary step to fix the error.
[0028] The control module 110 includes a global positioning device. The global positioning device updates position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with centimeter level accuracy in real time. The control module 110 updates the one or more users 102 with the current location of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in real time. The control module 110 aligns the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with the pre-defined starting position as provided by the one or more users 102. The control module 110 automatically terminates the movement of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 on reaching the termination point. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 makes the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to come back to the starting point after reaching the termination point.
[0029] The control module 110 enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to accurately track the pre-defined path with centimeter level accuracy. The control module 110 ensures that the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 operates inside the pre-defined boundary. The control module 110 automatically applies brakes as soon as any of the wheels of the automatic agriculture vehicle 108 crosses the pre-defined boundary. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 takes any other suitable step to avoid the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 from crossing the boundary.
[0030] The control module 110 includes various sensors. The control module 110 includes a plurality of location sensors. The plurality of location sensors facilitates the control module 110 in accurate positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The plurality of location sensors enables the accurate positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in case the signal of the global positioning device is low or weak or lost. The plurality of location sensors performs various accurate aligning algorithms for accurate positioning of the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108 in real time. The various accurate aligning algorithms align the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with respect to the pre-defined boundary and the pre-defined path.
[0031] The plurality of location sensors corresponds to an optical encoder, an inertial measurement unit (hereinafter “IMU”) and the like. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 includes one or more of optical encoders along with one or more IMU along with one or more any other suitable location sensors. In another embodiment of the present disclosure the control module 110 includes any other type of suitable and accurate location sensors. The control module 110 updates the one or more users 102 in real time with the position data of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 based on the information provided by the plurality of location sensors. The control module 110 updates the one or more users 102 in real time with the position data of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in relation to the pre-defined boundary and the pre-defined path. The control module 110 executes any correction.
[0032] Further, the control module 110 includes one or more obstacle sensors. In general, the function of the obstacle sensor is to sense any obstacle in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more obstacle sensors correspond to an ultrasonic sensor, a light ranging sensor and any other suitable sensors of the like. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 includes one or more ultrasonic sensors along with one or more light ranging sensors along with one or more any other suitable obstacle sensors. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 110 includes any other suitable and accurate obstacle sensors.
[0033] The control module 110 send alerts to the one or more users 102 of any obstacle in front or around the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 based on the information provided by the one or more obstacle sensors. The one or more obstacle sensors provide a real time obstacle feed to the control module 110 in case the one or more obstacle sensor detects obstacle in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The significant obstacle refers to any animal or human being or any object in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. Also, the significant obstacle refers to any object in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The significant obstacle refers to only those objects which are capable of obstructing the path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present disclosure the obstacle feed is a text feed. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the obstacle feed is an image feed. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the obstacle feed is a video. The image and video feeds are provided by the control module 110 with the help of a plurality of cameras on the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of cameras operates in case the one or more obstacle sensors detect any significant obstacle in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108.
[0035] The control module 110 provides the obstacle feed to the one or more users 102. The control module 110 provides the one or more users 102 with a pre-defined plurality of options to take a suitable step to avoid the one or more obstacles. The pre-defined plurality of options is provided on the software platform dedicated for the management of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 on the one or more communication devices 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-defined plurality of options includes blowing a horn of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-defined plurality of steps includes continuing with the path tracking operation. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-defined plurality of steps includes any other suitable options.
[0036] Further, the control module 110 includes one or more motion sensors. The function of the one or more motion sensors is to monitor the movement of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in relation to the rotation of the each of the plurality of wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 operates in farm or agriculture land. In some cases, the farm or agriculture land is completely filled with water up to full capacity for facilitating various agriculture operations. Water logging makes the top surface of the farm or agriculture land very soft and poor for any kind of traction. Poor traction reduces the necessary friction between the farm or agriculture land and the wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. Poor tractions make the wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to rotate on the same place.
[0037] The one or more motion sensors monitor the movement of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in relation to the rotation of the each of the plurality of wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more motion sensors sense the rotation of the wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 at a same place. The one or more motion sensors deliver a real time error feedback to the control module 110. The one or more motion sensors include optical encoders. The control module 110 delivers the feedback of rotation of the wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 at the same place to the one or more users 102. The feedback is provided on the software platform provided for the management of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 on the one or more communication devices 104. The one or more users 102 are provided with a plurality of pre-defined options for avoiding the rotation of the wheels of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 at the same place.
[0038] The system 100 includes one or more reference location antennas 112. The function of the one or more reference location antennas 112 is to enable real time kinetics by accurately updating the real time position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more reference location antennas 112 re-broadcast the phase of the carrier. The global positioning device of the control module 110 compares own phase measurements with the measurements received from the one or more reference location antennas 112. Based on the comparison of the two phase measurements, a correction signal is transmitted by the one or more reference location antennas 112 for real time accurate positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The correction signal enables real time kinetics for accurate positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The correction signal enables accurate tracking of the pre-defined path tracking of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with centimeter level accuracy in real time.
[0039] The one or more reference location antennas 112 enable real time kinematics for accurately and automatically steering the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108 through the pre-defined path. The one or more reference location antennas 112 enables high accuracy for the global positioning module 206 of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The farm or agriculture land will have the one or more reference location antennas 112 installed at a nearest available location. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more reference location antennas 112 are installed inside a pre-defined distance from the farm or agriculture land. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more reference location antennas 112 are installed at any other suitable distance from the farm or agriculture land.
[0040] The system 100 includes a plurality of satellite navigation system 114. In general, the function of the plurality of satellite navigation system 114 is to provide accurate and autonomous geo-spatial positioning. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 enables global positioning devices and small electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) to high precision using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by transmitters from satellites. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 may be used for providing position, navigation or for tracking the position of something fitted with a receiver or global positioning device. The signals allow the electronic receiver to calculate the current local time to high precision which allows time synchronization.
[0041] The control module 110 enables real time kinetics with the assistance of the plurality of satellite navigation system 114. The global positioning device of the control module 110 updates in real time position data of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with the assistance of the plurality of satellite navigation system 114. The one or more reference location antennas 112 updates in real time the position data of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more communication devices 104 display the real time satellite image of the farm or agriculture land to the one or more users 102 with the assistance of the plurality of satellite navigation system 114.
[0042] Further, the system 100 includes a main server 116. In general, the main server 116 is a computer program or device that provides functionality for other programs or device. The main server 116 provides various functionalities such as sharing data or resources among multiple clients or performing computation for a client. The one or more communication devices 104 are connected with the main server 116. However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that more number of one or more communication devices 104 are connected to more number of main server 116. Furthermore, it may be noted that the main server 116 includes a database. However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that more number of the main server 116 includes more numbers of databases.
[0043] The main server 116 is associated with an administrator. In general, the administrator manages the different components in the system 100. The administrator coordinates the activities of the components involved in the system 100. The administrator is any person or individual who monitors the working of the control module 110 and the main server 116 in real time. The administrator monitors the working of the control module 110 and the main servers 116 through a communication device. The communication device includes a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant and the like.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram 200 of the control module 110, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be noted that to explain the elements of the FIG. 2, references will be made to the system elements of the FIG.1. The block diagram 200 illustrates plurality of components of the control module 110. The one or more components of the control module 110 include an initiation module 202, a communication module 204, a global positioning module 206, a plurality of sensor 208 and a processing module 210.
[0045] The control module 110 includes the initiation module 202. The initiation module 202 initiates the process of tracking of the pre-defined path by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The one or more users 102 initiate the process with help of one or more communication devices 104. The one or more users 102 start the control module 110 of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The control module 110 performs a self-diagnostic test every time the one or more users 102 start the control module 110. The control module 110 proceeds to any further process in case the self-diagnostic test indicates no faults in the components of the control module 110. The one or more users 102 define a plurality of parameters on the one or more communication devices 104 for providing the pre-defined path to the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108.
[0046] The control module 110 includes the communication module 204. The communication module 204 enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to send and receive data from the one or more communication devices 104. The communication module 204 enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to send and receive data from plurality of devices and systems. The communication module 204 shares different sets of information between the one or more communication devices 104 and the control module 110. The different sets of information contain information about location of the farm or agricultural land. The different sets of information contain information about the starting point, termination point and the boundary for the path tracking operation of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different sets of information contain information related to the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different sets of information contain information about the real time position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The different sets of information contain information about the feedback of the plurality of sensors of the control module 110 sent to the one or more communication devices 104.
[0047] The control module 110 includes a global positioning module 206. The global positioning module 206 facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 according to the one or more inputs from the one or more users 102. The global positioning module 206 of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 is associated with the plurality of satellite navigation system 114. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 provides high accuracy to the global positioning module 206 of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 enables precise dynamic positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 includes GPS. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 includes GLONASS. The plurality of satellite navigation system 114 includes Beidou. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of satellite navigation system 114 includes any suitable satellite system of the like.
[0048] The global positioning module 206 updates the location of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in real time. The global positioning module 206 includes the global positioning device and the plurality of location sensors. The global positioning device enables real time kinetics for accurate tracking of the pre-defined path by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The global positioning device enables real time kinematics to achieve centimeter level accuracy with the facilitation of the one or more reference location antennas 112. The global positioning module 206 includes the plurality of location sensors. The plurality of location sensors provide accurate positioning to the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in case the signal of the one or more reference location antennas 112 is low or weak or lost.
[0049] The control module 110 includes the plurality of sensor 208. The plurality of sensor 208 facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 as per the one or more inputs from the one or more users 102. One or more of the plurality of sensor 208 recognize one or more obstacles in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 104. The plurality of sensor 208 enables differentiation in moving autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 and stationary autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. For example, in case wheels of the autonomous vehicle do not have enough traction, then wheels will rotate in the same place thereby not displacing the autonomous vehicle. As the wheels are connected to the optical encoders and are still moving the optical encoder has the ability to differentiate whether the autonomous vehicle is moving or not. The autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 steers accurately through the pre-defined path during weak or no signal region of the global positioning module 206 with facilitation of the plurality of sensor 208.
[0050] The plurality of sensors 208 includes optical encoders. The plurality of sensors 208 includes ultrasonic sensor. The plurality of sensors 208 includes light ranging sensor. The plurality of sensors 208 includes one or more cameras. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensors 208 includes any suitable sensors of the like. The plurality of sensor 208 includes the plurality of location sensors. The plurality of location sensors enable accurate positioning of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 in case the signal of the global positioning device or the one or the reference location antennas 112 is low or weak or lost. The plurality of sensor 208 includes the one or more obstacle sensors. The function of the obstacle sensor is to sense any obstacle in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The control module 110 provides the different sets of information provided by the plurality of sensor 208 to the one or more users 102.
[0051] The plurality of sensor 208 provides one or more alerts of the one or more obstacle on the one or more communication devices 104 to the one or more users 102. The one or more cameras send a live fed of the one or more obstacle on the one or more communication device 104 of the one or more users 102. The one or more users 102 respond with one or more steps to the one or more alerts of the one or more obstacle. The one or more users 102 execute one or more steps with facilitation of the one or more communication devices 104. The one or more steps include blowing horn of the autonomous agriculture vehicle. The one or more steps include resuming path tracking by the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more steps include any suitable steps of the like. The one or more obstacle includes one or more humans, one or more animals and one or more objects. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more obstacle includes any suitable object of the like.
[0052] The control module 110 includes the processing module 210. The processing module 210 receives and processes a plurality of sets of data from the global positioning module 206 and the plurality of sensor 208. The processing module 210 processes the plurality of sets of data to enable accurate and automatic steering of the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108 through the pre-defined path. The processing module 210 executes various dead reckoning algorithms on the plurality of sets of data to enable accurate and automatic steering of the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108 through the pre-defined path. The processing module 210 executes various real time correction algorithms on the plurality of sets of data to enable accurate and automatic steering of the autonomous agricultural vehicle 108 through the pre-defined path. The processing module 210 analyzes real time position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with respect to the pre-defined path.
[0053] The processing module 210 analyses the actual position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108. The processing module 210 aligns the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with the pre-defined staring point. The processing module 210 ensures the movement of autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 remains within the pre-defined boundary of the farm or agriculture land. In addition, the processing module 210 aligns in real time position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 with respect to the pre-defined path. The processing module 210 monitors the movement of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 to accurately track the pre-defined path. The processing module 210 coordinates the global positioning device and the plurality of location sensor to enable the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 accurately follows the pre-defined path.
[0054] The processing module 210 provides different sets of information of the different components of the control module 110 to the one or more users 102. The one or more users 102 is provided with the plurality of pre-defined options to provide the feedback to the control module 110 based on the different sets of information. The plurality of pre-defined options is pre stored in the software platform dedicated for the management of the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 on the one or more communication devices 104. The processing module 210 configures the autonomous agriculture vehicle 108 based on the feedback provided by the one or more users 102 from the plurality of pre-defined options.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates the block diagram of a computing device 300, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The computing device 300 includes a bus 302 that directly or indirectly couples the following device: memory 304, one or more processors 306, one or more presentation components 308, one or more input/output (I/O) ports 310, one or more input/output components 312, and an illustrative power supply 314. The bus 302 represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of FIG. 3 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a display device to be an I/O component. Also, processors have memory. The inventors recognize that such is the nature of the art, and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 3 is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device 300 that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “hand-held device,” etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of FIG. 3 and reference to “computing device.”
[0056] The computing device 300 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. The computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computing device 300 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, the computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computing device 300.
[0057] The communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0058] Memory 304 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory 304 may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware device include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. The computing device 300 includes one or more processors that read data from various entities such as memory 304 or I/O components 312. The one or more presentation components 308 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc. The one or more I/O ports 310 allow the computing device 300 to be logically coupled to other device including the one or more I/O components 312, some of which may be built in. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc.
,CLAIMS:What is claimed is:
1. A system (100) for accurately and automatically steering an agricultural vehicle through a pre-defined path, the system (100) comprising:
one or more communication devices (104), wherein the one or more communication devices (104) comprising global positioning system, wherein the one or more communication devices (104) receive one or more inputs from one or more users (102);
an autonomous agriculture vehicle (108), wherein the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) comprising a control module (110), wherein the control module (110) comprising:
a communication module (204), wherein the communication module (204) enables the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) to send and receive data from the one or more communication devices (104);
a global positioning module (206), wherein the global positioning module (206) facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) according to the one or more inputs from the one or more users (102), wherein the global positioning module (206) is associated with a plurality of satellite navigation system (114);
a plurality of sensor (208), wherein the plurality of sensor (208) facilitates to position and steer the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) according to the one or more inputs from the one or more users (102), wherein the plurality of sensor (208) recognize one or more obstacles in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108);
a processing module (210), wherein the processing module (210) receives and processes a plurality of sets of data from the global positioning module (206) and the plurality of sensor (208), wherein the processing module (210) analyzes real time position of the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) with respect to the pre-defined path; and
one or more reference location antennas (112), wherein the one or more reference location antennas (112) enable real time kinematics, wherein the one or more reference location antennas (112) enables high accuracy for the global positioning module (206) of the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108), wherein the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) enables automation of a plurality of agricultural activities.
2. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the control module (110) further comprising an initiation module (202), wherein the initiation module (202) initiates process of tracking of pre-defined path by the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108), wherein the initiation module (202) performs a self-diagnostic test of the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108).
3. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor (208) comprising optical encoders, ultrasonic sensor, light ranging sensor and one or more cameras.
4. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more inputs from the one or more users (102) comprising location data, fencing data, data of the pre-defined path and starting point.
5. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of agriculture activities comprising ploughing, sowing, harvesting, watering, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting and removing weeds.
6. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) steers accurately through the pre-defined path during weak or no signal region of the global positioning module (206) with facilitation of the plurality of sensor (208).
7. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor (208) enables differentiation in moving autonomous vehicle and stationary autonomous vehicle.
8. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108) steers accurately and automatically through the pre-defined path with centimeter accurate positioning.
9. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of satellite navigation system (114) comprising GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou.
10. The system (100) as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor (208) provide one or more alerts on the one or more communication devices (104) to the one or more users (102) of the one or more obstacle in the pre-defined path of the autonomous agriculture vehicle (108).