Harvester with control system considering operator feedback
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling an agricultural harvesting machine having an adjustable crop processor affecting quality parameters of the harvesting process, the control system comprising actuators arranged to control operating parameters of the crop processor, and a controller arranged to automatically control the actuators, characterized in that an operator interface device is connected to the controller to input to the controller an operator input containing information about the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction with at least one quality parameter of the harvesting process, the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction including a satisfied level and a dissatisfied level, and wherein the controller is responsive to the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction to automatically control the actuators based on the operator input.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system utilizes operator satisfaction information for controlling an agricultural harvesting machine having adjustable crop processing structure. The control system includes actuators for controlling the crop processing structure and a controller connected to the actuators and to quality sensor structure. Information for at least one quality parameter of the harvesting process is entered on an operator input device, the entry being dependent on the level of satisfaction the operator perceives concerning the parameter, and the controller controls the actuators based on the operator satisfaction input. The controller stores information about the relationship between the output of the sensor and the satisfaction entry, and this relationship information is used for subsequent control purposes.
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A control system for controlling an agricultural harvesting machine having an adjustable crop processor affecting quality parameters of the harvesting process, the control system comprising actuators arranged to control operating parameters of the crop processor, and a controller arranged to automatically control the actuators, characterized in that an operator interface device is connected to the controller to input to the controller an operator input containing information about the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction with at least one quality parameter of the harvesting process, the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction including a satisfied level and a dissatisfied level, and wherein the controller is responsive to the level of operator'"'"'s satisfaction to automatically control the actuators based on the operator input.
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13. A method of controlling an agricultural harvesting machine having adjustable crop processing structure affecting quality parameters of the harvesting process, wherein a controller controls actuators influencing operating parameters of the crop processing structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing an operator interface device;
b. inputting operator information for at least one of the quality parameters of the harvesting process to the operator interface device, the step of inputting including providing a satisfaction indication when an operator is satisfied with said at least one of the quality parameters of the harvesting process and providing a dissatisfaction indication when the operator is dissatisfied with said at least one of the quality parameters of the harvesting process; and
c. automatically controlling the actuators with the controller based on the inputted operator information, wherein the step of automatically controlling includes controlling the actuators dependent on whether a satisfaction indication or a dissatisfaction indication is provided. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
providing at least one sensor having an output indicative of one or more of the quality parameters of the harvesting process, and storing information in the controller about the relationship between the output of the sensor and the associated inputted information about operator satisfaction with the quality parameter.
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16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the step of controlling the actuators with the controller includes controlling the actuators based on the output of the sensor and on the information previously stored about the relationship between the output of the sensor and the associated inputted information.
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17. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the step of providing a dissatisfaction indication includes providing a quality high indication to the controller when one or more of the quality parameters is greater than a first level of quality and providing a quality low indication to the controller when one or more of the quality parameters is less than a second level of quality.
Specification