Abstract:
A visual, GNSS and INSS (gyro) system for autosteering control uses crop row and furrow row edge visual detection in an agricultural application in order to closely track the actual crop rows. Alternatively, previous vehicle tracks can be visually detected and followed in a tramline following operating mode. GNSS and inertial (gyroscopic) input subsystems are also provided for supplementing the video input subsystem, for example when visual references are lost. Crop damage is avoided or at least minimized by avoiding overdriving the existing crops. Other applications include equipment control in logistics operations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/027,478, filed Feb. 10, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to automated equipment control using video and other positioning inputs, and in particular to visually, automatically guiding between crop rows and against furrow row edges in agricultural applications. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    GNSS technology advanced vehicle and machine guidance and control in various technical fields, including the field of agricultural guidance by enabling reliable, accurate systems, which are relatively easy to use. GNSS guidance systems are adapted for displaying directional guidance information to assist operators with manually steering the vehicles. For example, the OUTBACK S™ steering guidance system, which is available from Hemisphere GPS LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Hiawatha, Kans. and is covered by U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,303 and No. 6,711,501, which are incorporated herein by reference, includes an on-board computer capable of storing various straight-line and curved (“contour”) patterns. An advantage of this system is its ability to retain field-specific cultivating, planting, spraying, fertilizing, harvesting and other patterns in memory. This feature enables operators to accurately retrace such patterns. Another advantage relates to the ability to interrupt operations for subsequent resumption by referring to system-generated logs of previously treated areas. 
         [0006]    Another type of GNSS vehicle guidance equipment automatically steers the vehicle along all or part of its travel path and can also control an agricultural procedure or operation, such as spraying, planting, tilling, harvesting, etc. Examples of such equipment are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,956, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0186644 shows satellite-based vehicle guidance control in straight and contour modes, and is also incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,348 is incorporated herein by reference and discloses an articulated equipment position control system and method whereby a working component, such as an implement, can be guided independently of a motive component, such as a tractor. The implement can optionally be equipped with its own GNSS antenna and/or receiver for interacting with a tractor-mounted GNSS system. 
         [0007]    Ideally crops would be planted in perfectly straight, evenly-spaced rows. Guidance through such fields would consist of following relatively simple straight-line patterns. Such guidance modes are commonly referred to as straight line or “A-B” in reference to the equipment traveling in a straight line between point A and point B in a repeating pattern in order to cover an entire field, which is typically flat and rectangular and therefore efficiently divided into multiple, parallel swaths. However, field conditions in many areas are not suitable for A-B guidance. For example, hilly terrain sometimes requires the formation of constant-elevation terraces. 
         [0008]    Guidance systems accommodate such irregular conditions by operating in “contour following” modes consisting of curvilinear tracks defined by multiple GNSS points along which the equipment is guided. Initial planting passes made with manual and visually-guided navigation, which may or may not be supplemented with GNSS navigational aids, can cause crop rows to deviate from straight lines. Accommodating such irregular crop rows in subsequent operations (e.g., spraying and harvesting) may require the equipment to deviate from straight-line passes. 
         [0009]    “Tramline” (sometimes referred to as “match tracks”) is another operating mode available with some modern GNSS guidance systems. In tramline operating mode the existing crop rows are relatively well protected because the equipment follows or “matches” the previously-driven passes. The equipment wheels or tracks are thus confined between the crop rows. Machine damage from running over crops is thus avoided, or at least minimized. 
         [0010]    Notwithstanding recent advances in GNSS-based guidance accuracy, the natural irregularities of row crop cultivation tend to compromise the effectiveness of navigation based solely on location-finding from satellite signals. Moreover, satellite signals are occasionally lost due to interference from atmospheric conditions, weather and electromagnetic fields (EMF). There are various levels of differential accuracy available for GNNS. The use of these can cause offsets and drifts, especially over the crop growth season from field preparation to harvesting. In order to compensate for such lapses in GNSS reception, inertial navigation systems (INS) with gyroscopes has been utilized for relatively short-term, supplemental guidance input. Many systems accommodate operators overriding the automated functions. For example, an operator may respond to observed, actual field conditions in order to maintain the equipment on course. A system integrating input signals from GNSS, inertial and visual guidance subsystems could optimize guidance solutions in various conditions. Moreover, visually guiding with cameras directed at the crop rows or the furrow row edges can provide relatively accurate positioning solutions, supplemented by GNSS and gyro inputs. The GNSS receivers and inertial devices (i.e. gyroscopes) can be less accurate, and hence less expensive, in such systems where the most precise positioning inputs are from visual references. Highly accurate (i.e. centimeter level) positioning with GNSS signals alone typically involves one or more relatively sophisticated and expensive receivers, and often involves subscription-based broadcast corrections or localized broadcasts from real-time kinematic (RTK) base station GNSS equipment. Custom applicators, who use their equipment on multiple farms, need guidance equipment capable of universal operation for optimizing their productivity while minimizing crop damage. Such equipment should be usable by operators with minimal training operating at optimal speeds and should have the capacity for storing and recalling field data for reuse, for example from season-to-season. Higher equipment speeds also tend to create autosteering discrepancies, which can lead to crop damage from equipment overruns. Hence, visual referencing can accommodate faster equipment even with relatively basic GNSS/INS guidance receivers and sensors. Fields are sometimes planted using a variety of guidance methods, and guidance equipment used in subsequent operations should be responsive to actual field conditions, such as crop locations, without undue reliance on previous equipment and data recorded thereby, which may or may not be sufficiently accurate for subsequent operations. 
         [0011]    Heretofore there has not been available a GNSS, inertial and visual guidance and control system and method with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In the practice of the present invention, a system and method are provided for automatically controlling vehicles and equipment using video, GNSS and inertial input subsystems. For example, agricultural equipment comprising a tractor and an implement can be equipped with a vector position and heading sensor subsystem including a GNSS receiver and antennas and an inertial (gyroscopic) subsystem with X, Y and Z axis sensors for sensing equipment attitude changes through six degrees of freedom. The GNSS and INS/gyroscopic input subsystems can be housed in a common enclosure for mounting on the tractor roof. A video input subsystem can comprise a pair of cameras each mounted on a respective side at the front of the tractor and directed at crop rows, swath edges or previous tracks (tramlines) in the forward path of movement. A microprocessor-based controller processes the inputs and automatically controls a vehicle steering system in response thereto. Depending on the crop growth cycle and the ability for edge detection, the use of visual or GNSS/inertial systems would be nominally better if used as the primary guidance mode. This invention allows manual or transparent switching between these modes. Calibration of the recent line curvatures and offsets from previously logged GNNS tracks can be used to switch between modes while minimizing any crop damage should visual edge detection be lost. The edges can be defined by furrows, physical plants visible against soil or touching plants from adjacent rows. Other aspects of the invention include logistics equipment applications and machine control. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a vehicle control system with GNSS, inertial and video input subsystems and embodying an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a tractor equipped with the control system and coupled to an implement. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the tractor and implement. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the tractor and implement, shown working a field planted in row crops. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the tractor and implement, shown working a field planted in row crops and encountering another field condition with an interrupted crop row. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the tractor and implement, shown working a field planted in emerging row crops. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the tractor and implement, shown working a field planted in row crops in a contour configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the tractor and implement, shown following a tramline comprising previous vehicle tracks. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the tractor and an implement equipped with steering coulters. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a GNSS, INS and video vehicle guidance and control method embodying another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    I. Introduction and Environment 
         [0024]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0025]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are broadly defined to include GPS (U.S.), Galileo (proposed), GLONASS (Russia), Beidou (China), Compass (proposed), IRNSS (India, proposed), QZSS (Japan, proposed) and other current and future positioning technology using signals from satellites, with or without augmentation from terrestrial sources. Inertial navigation systems (INS) include gyroscopic (gyro) sensors, accelerometers and similar technologies for providing output corresponding to the inertia of moving components in all axes, i.e. through six degrees of freedom (positive and negative directions along transverse X, longitudinal Y and vertical Z axes). Yaw, pitch and roll refer to moving component rotation about the Z, X and Y axes respectively. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
         [0026]    II. Preferred Embodiment System  2 . 
         [0027]    Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates a GNSS, inertial and video control system embodying the present invention. Without limitation on the generality of useful applications of the control system  2 , a motive component  6  connected to a working component  8  through an optional articulated connection or hitch  10  is shown (collectively a vehicle  4 ). Also by way of example, the motive component  6  can comprise a tractor and the working component  8  can comprise a ground-working implement. However, the position control system  2  can be applied to other equipment configurations for a wide range of other applications. Such applications include equipment and components used in road construction, road maintenance, earthworking, mining, transportation, industry, manufacturing, logistics, etc. 
         [0028]    The control system  2  can be implemented with a tractor  6  including a microprocessor  12  connected to a graphical user interface (GUI)  14 , which can be original equipment manufacture (OEM) general-purpose components, or special-purpose for the system  2 . The tractor  6  also includes a steering wheel  16  for operating an hydraulic steering system  18 . A position sensor  20  is connected to the steering wheel  16  and provides an output corresponding to its position. The components can be connected and external communications 
         [0029]    can be provided by suitable networks, buses, hardwired and wireless connections, controller area network (CAN)  58  (shown), serial connections and VT. 
         [0030]    A position/heading (vector) sensor  28  can be mounted externally on the tractor  6 , e.g. on its roof, and includes a pair of antennas  30  connected to a GNSS receiver  32 . The GNSS receiver  32  disclosed herein can be adapted for various satellite navigational systems, and can utilize a variety of satellite based augmentation systems (SBAS). Technology is also available for continuing operation through satellite signal interruptions, and can be utilized with the system  2 . The antennas  30  can be horizontally aligned transversely with respect to a direction of travel of the tractor  6 , i.e. parallel to its X axis. The relative positions of the antennas  30  with respect to each other can thus be processed for determining yaw, i.e. rotation with respect to the vertical Z axis. The sensor  28  also includes a direction sensor  34  and inertial sensors  36 ,  38  and  40  for detecting and measuring inertial movement with respect to the X, Y and Z axes corresponding to yaw, roll and pitch movements in six degrees of freedom. Signals from the receiver  32  and the sensors  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  are received and processed by the microprocessor  12  based on how the system  2  is configured and programmed. 
         [0031]    The implement (working component)  8  can optionally be equipped with an implement GNSS receiver  46  connected to an implement microprocessor  48  for steering the implement  8  independently of the tractor  6  via an implement steer subsystem  50 . An optional articulated connection  10  can be provided between the tractor  6  and the implement  8 . Examples of such an articulated connection and an implement steering system are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,465 and No. 7,162,348, which are incorporated herein by reference. The implement  8  can comprise any of a wide range of suitable implements, such as planting, cultivating, harvesting and spraying equipment. For example, spraying applications are commonly performed with a boom  52 , which can be equipped for automatic, selective control of multiple nozzles  54  and other boom operating characteristics, such as height, material dispensed, etc. Automatic boom control  56  can be utilized, for example, to selectively activate and deactivate individual spray nozzles  54  whereby overspraying previously treated areas can be avoided by the system  2  keeping track of previously treated areas and turning off the nozzles  54  when those areas are reached in an overlapping swath situation, which occasionally occurs in connection with irregularly shaped parcels, near field boundaries and in other operating situations. 
         [0032]    A video guidance input subsystem  60  includes one or more cameras  62 . In the agricultural application of the present invention described herein, the cameras  62  are adjustably mounted on each side of the front of the tractor  6  and can be oriented towards crop rows at predetermined distances ahead of the tractor  6  in a look-ahead, forward-predictive configuration. The output of the cameras  62  is received, converted and processed by the microprocessor  12  whereby the detected visual references are utilized for guidance. Without limitation on the generality of useful visual references, agricultural guidance can be based on edge detection using several methodologies depending on the growth state of the crop and rows in the soil. These include: 1) central row using the crop, soil ridge or straw residue for guidance; 2) edge row using edges on either side of the vehicle; 3) tramline following, using previous vehicle tire or tread tracks; and 4) combinations thereof. 
         [0033]    III. Agricultural Applications 
         [0034]    In operation, various guidance modes are available for adapting to particular field conditions. As used herein, guidance includes a graphical (visual, acoustic, etc.) interface with an operator in order to assist him or her in steering the tractor  6 . Guidance also includes autosteering without operator intervention, except possibly through end-of-row turns, which can also be automated. The system  2  is initialized to select operating modes and provide various information about the equipment, such as antenna height, swath width (generally corresponding to the width of the implement  8 ) and other operating variables. Crop edge detection can also be used for guidance in non-row crops, such as wheat. For example, a combine creates a swath edge, which provides a visual positioning reference for the system  2 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows the equipment  4  comprising a tractor  6  and a sprayer  8  operating in a straight-line (A-B) mode with the cameras  62  oriented towards the edges  70  of the crop rows  72  located on either side of the equipment path. In addition to guidance, the system  2  can control the individual operation of the spray boom nozzles  54  whereby the crop rows  72  are properly treated. The microprocessor  12  can be preprogrammed to prioritize the inputs from the GNSS/INS input subsystem  28  and the video input subsystems  60 . For example, the video feed can respond more directly to actual (observed) crop row conditions and locations and the microprocessor  12  can be preprogrammed to override the GNSS and INS guidance input accordingly. The inertial guidance input can be particularly helpful for maintaining the equipment on course when both GNSS and visual signals are lost or interfered with. Relatively accurate gyro guidance can be provided until GNSS and visual signals are locked and normal operations are reestablished. Inertial guidance accuracy tends to degrade and cause course drift, which can be corrected by GNSS and/or visual reference position fixes. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a field condition with an interrupted crop row condition  74 , which is detected by the camera  24  and causes the microprocessor  12  to alert the operator. The system  2  can be preprogrammed to automatically prioritize GNSS/inertial guidance, or continue in a visual guidance mode by guiding off of the left side crop row edge  70 .  FIG. 6  shows emerging, individual plants  76 , which are detected by the video guidance subsystem  22  and avoided by the equipment  4 .  FIG. 7  shows a contour mode of operation with visual guidance being provided by the crop row edges  70  whereby the vehicle  4  is guided along a contour guide path  78 .  FIG. 8  shows a “tramline following” or “match tracks” mode whereby the video guidance subsystem  22  detects and causes the vehicle  4  to follow previous tire tracks  80 .  FIG. 9  shows a modified vehicle  82  including an implement steering configuration whereby coulters  84  interactively guide an implement  86  and adjust for crosstrack errors of the tractor  6 . U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,465 shows such an implement steering system and is incorporated herein by reference. Interactive implement guidance can also be accomplished through a power-articulated hitch tractor-implement connection  10 , as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,348, which is also incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a flowchart of a method embodying an aspect of the present invention and commencing with Start  100 , whereafter the system  2  is initialized at  102  with various operating parameters, such as field course, pre-existing guidance information, swath width, etc. The track followed will be modeled as a real-time radius of curvature, both for long-term nominally straight (A-B) lines and for short-term contour following operations. Visual lock on a crop row edge  70  is confirmed at step  106  and edge following commences at  108  with autosteering enabled at  110 . The GNSS/gyro input subsystems  28  provide nominal turn radius calibration and an X, Y offset from a previously logged track at step  111 . Offsets from the measured crop row edge  70  are used to generate steering commands to optimize on-line performance. A field can be completely treated in visual edge-following mode. An affirmative decision at “Field Complete?” decision box  112  leads to an End at  122  and the operation is terminated. Otherwise (negative decision at  112 ), the operation continues with sampling of the video input subsystem  60  determining if a crop row edge  70  is visible or not at “Edge Visible?” decision box  114 , with a positive decision looping back to continue autosteering in a visual guidance mode  110 . A negative decision at decision box  114  leads to an “Edge Loss” warning at  116  whereafter GNSS/INS guidance is prioritized at  118  and autosteering continues based on GNSS/INS guidance using the last XY offset if a track log is available or curvature if a track log is not available at  120 . If visual lock on a crop row edge  70  is lost, the track will be forward-projected and used by the GNSS/gyro system  28  to enable continuing tracking on this path. “Field Complete?” decision box  112  leads to either continuation of GNSS/inertial autosteering  120  (positive decision) or operation termination at  122  (negative decision). The system  2  also continues to look for a crop row edge  70 . When detected (affirmative decision at  114 ) the system  2  resumes autosteering from an edge visual at  110 . Original planting operations may require GNSS/inertial guidance for lack of visual crop row edges, unless previous season tracks can be visually followed. Emerging crop operations can utilize visual, GNSS and inertial guidance, all integrated by the controller  12 . In full crop operations guidance within the crop rows will often be possible with visual input only, supplemented as necessary by GNSS/INS guidance in end-of-row (e.g., headlands) turns. 
         [0038]    Other applications can benefit from the system and method of the present invention. For example, another exemplary application involves machine control in logistics operations using visual references for controlling such operations as storage and retrieval. In warehousing and dockside environments, GNSS signals are often compromised by structures and cargo containers in which the equipment operates. Visual references can therefore provide primary guidance for navigating and controlling logistics vehicles (e.g., forklifts and cranes), with GNSS and inertial supplementation. Such references can comprise, for example, painted line edges for fine positioning, character recognition for identifying slots for cargo containers and other markings on structures, shelving, containers, etc. As with the agricultural applications discussed above, relatively basic, low-end GNSS/gyro equipment may provide acceptable performance when combined with the relative precision of a video input subsystem. Data bases can be maintained with information associating reference images with GPS-defined positioning information. 
         [0039]    It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above.