Method for operating an agricultural working machine

• US 20140088840A1
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Baumgarten, Joachim, Neu, Sebastian, Wilken, Andreas, Heitmann, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 9,043,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/127 Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload

Abstract

A method for operating an agricultural working machine is configured with working assemblies and a control/regulating unit having a display unit and at least one interface for communication in order to control and/or regulate the working assemblies. In the method, an emotional state of an operator is recognized during an interaction with the working machine via the at least one interface and the operating mode of the

Claims

1. A method for operating an agricultural working machine (1, 2) comprising a plurality of working assemblies (20), a control/regulating unit (23) having a display unit (22) and at least one interface (22, 22a) for communication in order to control and/or regulate the working assemblies (20), the method comprising the steps of:

recognizing an emotional state of an operator (24) during an interaction by the operator with the working machine (1, 2) via at least one interface, and

adapting the operating mode of the working machine (1, 2) to the emotional state of the operator (24).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the emotional state of the operator (24) that is recognized is a complex of properties that influence communication with the interface (22, 22a) to the working machine (1, 2).

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating at least one interaction of an operator (24) with the control/regulating unit (23) by the control/regulating unit to deduce the emotional state of the operator (24) and, depending on the result of the evaluation, activating an operating mode from a selection of at least two operating modes of the control/regulating unit (23).

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising recognizing the handling of the operator (24) in the event of an interaction of the operator (24) with the interface (22, 22a) for communication.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting a mechanical action on means for data input (22a) order to recognize the handling.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising carrying out a resistivity measurement on the means for data input (22a) in order to recognize the handling.

7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising detecting a reaction time to a request for input to recognize the handling.

8. The method according to claim 4, further comprising detecting a duration of actuation of the means for data input (22a) to recognize the handling.

9. The method according to claim 4, further comprising detecting a repeat frequency of an actuation of the means for data input (22a) to recognize the handling.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control/regulating unit addresses the operator in a targeted manner depending on the emotional state of the operator.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out whenever the working machine (1, 2) is started up.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out for the first time after a predefinable period of operation of the working machine (1, 2).

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out repeatedly in predefinable time intervals.

14. An agricultural working machine (1, 2) comprising a plurality of working assemblies (20) and a control/regulating unit for controlling and regulating the working assemblies (20), wherein the control/regulating unit (23) comprises a display unit (22) and an interface (22, 22a) for communication with the display unit, and wherein the control/regulating unit (23):

recognizes an emotional state of an operator (24) during an interaction with the working machine (1, 2) via the interface (22, 22a), and

adapts an operating mode of the working machine (1, 2) to the emotional state of the operator (24).

15. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the control/regulating unit evaluates at least one physical interaction of an operator (24) with the control/regulating unit (23) and, depending on the evaluation, activates an operating mode from a selection of at least two operating modes of the control/regulating unit (23).

16. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according claim 14, wherein the control/regulating unit (23) comprises an evaluation unit (44, 45) connected to at least one sensor (42) designed to detect a measurement quantity that permits a conclusion to be drawn about an operating behavior of an operator (24).

17. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 16, wherein the control/regulating unit (23) evaluates the data provided by the at least one sensor (42) and, on the basis of this evaluation, decides which operating mode corresponds to the currently identified operating behavior.

18. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the sensor detects mechanical signals.

19. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the sensor detects electrical or thermal signals.

20. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the control/regulating unit (23) detects, documents, and evaluates the operating behavior.

21. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the control/regulating unit (23) performs the evaluation in settable time intervals.

22. The agricultural working machine (1, 2) according to claim 14, wherein the control/regulating unit (23) is overridden by an intervention by the operator (24), in order to shut off the recognition.