Remote Weather Sensing For Harvesting Conditions

• US 20120256760A1
• Filed: 03/11/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Gerald R., Good, Grant L., Buhler, Timothy Dan
• Granted Patent: US 9,716,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/75 by polling or interrogating the sub-stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Systems and methods for remote query of weather conditions at an agricultural machine use an onboard telemetry unit as a gateway for communication with the machine. The telemetry unit can be coupled to both the machine'"'"'s electrical system at the machine, and a machine'"'"'s controller area network (CAN). A user can call up the machine'"'"'s telemetry unit using a cell phone or personal computer to retrieve weather data such as temperature, humidity and rainfall from a weather station coupled to the machine. A system can provide an alert when a desired predetermined condition is present at a machine, for example an alert that a harvesting or baling condition is present. The system can also enable an operator or fleet manager to check the state of various devices or apparatus at a machine, enabling remote diagnostics via the onboard telemetry unit.

Claims

1. A system for remote querying, comprising:

a telemetry unit configured for bidirectional communication, said telemetry unit configured for coupling to a machine;

at least one sensor coupled to said machine and configured to provide state data; and

wherein said telemetry unit is configured to receive communication from a remote communication device, and in response to said communication, transmit said data to said communication device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said telemetry unit is configured for coupling to an electrical system and a controller area network (CAN) of said machine.

3. They system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured to detect an ambient environmental state at said machine.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor is configured to detect a weather characteristic at said machine.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor comprises a weather station.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor is configured to detect temperature.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor is configured to detect rainfall at said machine.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor is configured to detect air pressure.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein said sensor is configured to detect humidity.

10. A method for remote weather sensing, comprising:

receiving communication from a remote communication device at a telemetry unit coupled to a machine electrical system; and

transmitting sensor data in response to receiving said communication.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising energizing a controller area network (CAN) of said machine in response to receiving said communication.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said telemetry unit is configured for coupling to a controller area network (CAN) of said machine.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving said data in response to receiving said communication.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting sensor data comprises transmitting ambient environmental data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said ambient environmental data comprises temperature data.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said ambient environmental data comprises humidity data.

17. the method of claim 10, further comprising querying said sensor in response to receiving said communication.

18. A system for automatic reporting of a condition at a machine, comprising:

a telemetry unit coupled to said machine and communicatively coupled to at least one sensor at said machine, said telemetry unit configured for bidirectional communication with a remote communication device; and

a condition determination module (CDM) configured for using said sensor data to determine whether a predetermined condition exists at said machine.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said telemetry unit is configured to provide an alert to said communication device when said predetermined condition is present.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said telemetry unit is configured to provide an alert to said communication device when said predetermined condition is absent.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said telemetry unit is configured to energize a controller area network (CAN) at said machine in response to receiving a communication from said communication device.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a harvesting condition.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a baling condition.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein said sensor comprises a weather sensor.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said sensor is configured to detect ambient temperature.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein said sensor is configured to detect humidity.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein said telemetry unit is configured to transmit said sensor data to said communication device.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein said CDM is coupled to said telemetry unit at said machine.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a controller area network (CAN) query module (CQM).

30. The system of claim 18, wherein said telemetry unit is configured to receive communication from said remote communication device and, in response, transmit said sensor data to said communication device.

31. The system of claim 18, further comprising a remote communication device configured to automatically communicate with said telemetry unit.

32. A method for providing an alert, comprising:

receiving sensor data detected at an agricultural machine;

determining whether the sensor data indicates a predetermined condition is present at the agricultural machine; and

providing an alert if the predetermined condition is present.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said receiving sensor data detected at an agricultural machine comprises receiving a weather characteristic detected at the agricultural machine.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said determining whether a predetermined condition is present at the agricultural machine comprises determining whether a harvesting condition is present.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said determining whether a predetermined condition is present at the agricultural machine comprises determining whether a baling condition is present.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein said providing an alert comprises providing an alert at a remote communication device.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said providing an alert at a remote communication device comprises calling the remote user communication device.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein said providing an alert comprises providing a visual alert at a remote communications device.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein said providing an alert comprises providing a maintenance alert.