Creation of image databases for image evaluation

• US 8,954,224 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Behnke, Willi, Kettelhoit, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): RODDEN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US12/615,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20100121541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,918 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50, 701/521, 701/523, 701/33.4, 348/120, 348/148
• US Class Current: 701/33.4
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/1277 for measuring grain quality

Abstract

For creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure, preferably within an agricultural content, the individual images in the image database are generated during the working process of an agricultural working machine by at least one camera system assigned to the agricultural working machine, and the individual images generated by the at least one camera system are linked to specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine, and every individual image, which is linked to specific data, is stored in the image database in a manner such that it may be repeatedly called up and edited.

Claims

1. A method, executed by a data processing unit with a memory, for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure, comprising the steps of

generating individual images during a working process in an agricultural working machine by at least one camera system assigned to the agricultural working machine, the individual images of crop material processing during the working process;

linking, using the data processing unit, the individual images generated by the at least one camera system, to specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine; and

storing, using the data processing unit, every individual image linked to the specific data on the working process in the image database such that the individual images linked to the specific data on the working process are repeatedly callable up and editable during the image evaluation procedure;

wherein the specific data on the working process linked to any of the individual images includes a ground speed of the agricultural working machine.

2. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 1, further comprising

using, as the specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine, specific data selected from the group consisting of specific data on the agricultural working machine, specific data on a crop material processed by the agricultural working machine and specific data on a territory being worked by the agricultural working machine.

3. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 2, further comprising

including in the specific data on the agricultural working machine, specific attributes selected from the group consisting of setting parameters of working units of the agricultural working machine, a position of the at least one camera system in the agricultural working machine, and a ground speed of the agricultural working machine.

4. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 2, further comprising

including in the specific data on the crop material processed by the agricultural working machine, specific attributes selected from the group consisting of a crop material type, a crop material yield, a crop material moisture content, a layer-thickness signal as an indicator of a stand density, and optionally, if the agricultural working machine is a combine harvester, a moisture content of a grain, a portion of non-grain in the crop material, and a portion of damaged grain.

5. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 2, further comprising

including in the specific data on the territory worked by the agricultural working machine, specific attributes selected from the group consisting of position data of the agricultural working machine, a slope of a hillside, and a point in time when harvesting is carried out.

6. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 2, further comprising

including in the specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine, specific attributes selected from the group consisting of manually ascertained quality parameters of the crop material, a manually ascertained hectoliter weight of the crop material, a manually ascertained moisture content of a grain, and a customer'"'"'s quality information.

7. The method for creating an image database as defined in claim 1, further comprising

assigning the agricultural working machine a plurality of said camera systems, linking the individual images of each of said camera systems to specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine;

and

comparing the individual images to one another in the image evaluation procedure with regard for a particular camera position.

8. The method defined by claim 1, further comprising using an individual, stored image in the image evaluation procedure including the specific data on the working process linked thereto, where necessary.

9. The method defined by claim 1, further comprising using an individual, stored image in the image evaluation procedure, during which the linked specific data are modified or added to.

10. A device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure, comprising

at least one camera system assignable to an agricultural working machine and generating individual images in the image database during a working process of the agricultural working machine, the individual images of crop material processing during the working process;

means for linking the individual images generated by said at least one camera system with specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine; and

means for storing each individual image linked to the specific data on the working process in the image database such that the individual image is repeatedly callable up and editable during the image evaluation procedure;

wherein the specific data on the working process linked to any of the individual images includes a ground speed of the agricultural working machine.

11. The device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for storing are selected from a group consisting of a data processing unit and a central computer to which the image database is assigned.

12. The device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure as defined in claim 11, further comprising

means for providing the specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine selected from the group consisting of sensor systems which are internal to the machine and generate a specific data, GPS via which the specific data are transmitted to the means for storing and an input unit manually entering the specific data.

13. The device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure as defined in claim 10, wherein a plurality of said camera systems is assigned to the agricultural working machine.

14. The device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure as defined in claim 11, wherein the means for storing is configured so that the specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine which are linked to the particular individual images are editable in the means for storing.

15. The device for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure as defined in claim 11, further comprising further means selected from the group consisting of

means for transmitting the image database stored in said data processing unit or in said central computer to a component selected from the group consisting of a plurality of agricultural working machines, two stationary computer units and means for calling the image database therefrom.

16. The device defined by claim 10, further comprising means for implementing the image evaluation procedure to utilize the stored image and where necessary, the specific data on the working process linked thereto.

17. The device defined by claim 10, further comprising means for implementing the image evaluation procedure that utilizes the stored image, including modifying or adding to the linked specific data.

18. A method, executed by a central computer with a memory, for creating an image database for an image evaluation procedure, comprising the steps of

generating individual images during a working process in an agricultural working machine by at least one camera system assigned to the agricultural working machine, the individual images of crop material processing during the working process;

linking, using the central computer, the individual images generated by the at least one camera system, to specific data on the working process of the agricultural working machine; and

storing, using the central computer, every individual image linked to the specific data on the working process in the image database such that the stored individual images are repeatedly callable up and editable during the image evaluation procedure;

wherein the specific data on the working process linked to any of the individual images includes a ground speed of the agricultural working machine.

19. The method defined by claim 18, further comprising using an individual, stored image in the image evaluation procedure including the specific data on the working process linked thereto, where necessary.

20. The method defined by claim 18, further comprising using an individual, stored image in the image evaluation procedure, during which the linked specific data are modified or added to.