System and method for electronic collection of data on an agricultural input

• US 20040158402A1
• Filed: 02/10/2003
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Sommer, Mark Steven
• Granted Patent: US 6,820,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A system and method for electronic input of data in the field comprises a reader for reading a tag associated with an agricultural input. A reading time is associated with the reading of the tag. A tag identifier of the tag and the reading time is communicated to trigger the collection of agricultural input data during performance of an agricultural input. An input identifier is assigned for a corresponding agricultural input. Data is collected substantially contemporaneously with performing the agricultural input. The collected data is stored or made available in a standard format for sharing with at least one of an application and a group of users.

Claims

1. A method for electronic input of data in the field, the method comprising:

reading a tag identifier for a tag associated with an input product;

associating a reading time for reading the tag with the tag identifier;

communicating the tag identifier and the reading time to trigger the collection of agricultural input data during performance of an agricultural input;

assigning an input identifier for a corresponding agricultural input;

collecting data, associated with the assigned input identifier, substantially contemporaneously with performing the agricultural input; and

arranging the collected data in a standard format for sharing with at least one of an application and a group of users.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the collected data comprises at least one of a location of an agricultural machine performing the agricultural input, a date of the performance of the agricultural input, a time of the performance of the agricultural input, a beginning time of performance of the agricultural work, an end time performance of the agricultural work, an application rate of an agricultural input, a setting of a controller for an implement, a monitored rate of an agricultural input, and a machine identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the agricultural input comprises one or more of the following:

seed, fertilizer, a chemical, a herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, water, a crop treatment, a vaccination, a medical treatment, and food.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the standard format comprises a standardized file format containing one or more of the following:

an agricultural input identifier, an agricultural input attribute descriptor, a reading time stamp, location data for a corresponding agricultural input identifier, time stamps associated with location data, an application rate for a corresponding agricultural input identifier, application rate data versus location data, and a machine identifier.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

merging the arranged data from the group of users to form an aggregate informational report for an agricultural operation.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the reading comprises electronically reading a tag identifier from a tag on the agricultural input.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the reading comprises reading a bar-code label and a lot number on a tag associated with the agricultural input.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

assembling the arranged data into an aggregate informational report with standard nomenclature for subsequent data processing.

9. A system for electronic input of data in the field, the method comprising:

a reader for reading a tag data for a tag associated with an agricultural input;

a data formatting module for associating a reading time for reading the tag data;

a communications interface for communicating the tag data and the reading time to trigger the collection of agricultural input data during performance of an agricultural input;

a data collector for collecting collected data input data substantially contemporaneously with performing the corresponding agricultural input; and

a data arranging module for storing the collected data in a standard format for sharing with at least one of an application and a group of users.

10. The system according to claim 9 further comprising a data processor for assigning collected data for a corresponding agricultural input.

11. The system according to claim 9 wherein the collected data comprises at least one of a location of an agricultural machine performing the agricultural input, a date of the performance of the agricultural input, a time of the performance of the agricultural input, a beginning time of performance of the agricultural work, an end time performance of the agricultural work, an application rate of an input, a setting of a controller for an implement, a monitored rate of an input, and a machine identifier.

12. The system according to claim 9 wherein the standard format comprises a standardized file format containing one or more of the following:

an agricultural input identifier, an agricultural input attribute descriptor, a reading time stamp, location data for a corresponding agricultural input identifier, time stamps associated with location data, an application rate for a corresponding agricultural input identifier, application rate data versus location data, and a machine identifier.