EP3877903A1

EP3877903A1 - Method for controlling the operation of a machine for harvesting root crops

Info

Publication number: EP3877903A1
Application number: EP19808699.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Bösenberg; Wolfram STROTHMANN
Original assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-11-07
Filing date: 2019-11-05
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Also published as: JP2022509749A; IL283026A; BR112021004941A2; US20210378170A1; DE102018127845A1; CN112970033A; EA202191203A1; WO2020094655A1; CA3118975A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a machine (2) for harvesting root crops (4) and/or for separating root crops (4) from other harvested material comprising admixtures, in which method at least one test image (8) of at least one harvested material portion moved relative to a machine frame (12) by means of at least one conveying element (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10K, 10T) is recorded by at least one optical image acquisition unit (6), wherein an evaluation device generates a separating device adjusting signal on the basis of a test data set generated with the aid of the test image (8) or formed by same for adjusting at least one operating parameter of a separating device of the machine (2). The invention also relates to the aforementioned machine.

Description

Process for regulating the operation of a machine for harvesting root crops

The invention relates to a method for regulating the operation of a machine for harvesting root crops and / or for separating root crops from further crop material, and the machine. In the method, at least one test image of at least one part of the crop that is moved relative to a machine frame by means of at least one conveying element is recorded by at least one optical image acquisition unit.

The test image shows crop that was previously picked up or put in by the machine for harvesting root crops. The conveyor element as part of the machine serves the locomotion of the crop within the machine, with at least a portion of the crop directly contacting the conveyor element.

The laid-open specification US 2018/0047177 A1 discloses a method in which a recorded test image is used to calculate a speed of the conveying element. The actual speed of the conveyor element is then adjusted on the basis of the calculated speed.

A disadvantage of the known, generic methods is that, depending on the harvesting conditions, there is significant damage to the root crops or a large large amount of admixture comes from minced fruits unloaded from the machine. In addition, it is therefore generally proposed in US 2018/0047177 A1 to change the harvesting rate or one or more configurations of the machine as a function of a server-based evaluation of three-dimensional data of the crop picked up by the sensors of the machine.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method in which the protection of the root crops is improved, the greatest possible proportion of admixtures being separated from the root crops.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a generic method in which the evaluation device generates a separating device setting signal for setting at least one operating parameter of a separating device of the machine on the basis of a test data record generated or formed by the test image.

The machine is a self-propelled or towed vehicle for harvesting root crops, especially potatoes, beets, carrots or chicory. During the execution of the method, the machine is moved in particular in the direction of rows, in particular planting embankments of the root crops to be harvested, and these are taken up as part of the crop in a continuous process from the ground. After picking up the crop, at least part of the crop, in particular root crops and / or admixtures, is at least partially removed from the at least one conveyor element relative to the machine frame the machine. In particular, the conveyor element is rotating and is designed as a conveyor belt, preferably as a screen belt, or as a rotating screen star.

Alternatively, the machine can also be a machine for separating root crops from additions to the crop, e.g. of clods, stones or earth.

The separating device is part of the machine with any individually adjustable separating elements and preferably acts together with one or more conveying elements. Alternatively, the separating device is part of the conveying element, is at least formed by it (e.g. in the case of sieve belts provided with vibrating devices) or forms one or more conveying elements (e.g. in the case of roller enterers). In operation, movement of the crop relative to the separation device exerts a movement impulse on at least one component of the crop, in particular on the root crops or the additions. The separating device is provided, for example, in the form of a roller earth electrode, in particular with revolving separating elements in the form of rollers, wherein different parts of the crop are at least not moved in the same direction by the separating device.

The optical image capturing unit is in particular arranged above the conveying element in a stationary manner on the machine and on the conveying element and thus in operation on a flow of crop located between the image capturing unit and the conveying element or a component thereof, in particular chopped fruit. ten or admixtures. The method according to the invention is carried out in particular during the harvesting or cutting with the machine and is preferably repeated here.

The test image is, in particular, a multidimensional, preferably two-dimensional, image, on which at least part of the harvested crop with root crops, quantities and / or the conveying element is depicted. On the basis of the test image recorded by the image acquisition unit, the test data record is either already generated by the image acquisition unit or by the evaluation device. Alternatively, the test data record can be formed by the test image itself. This applies in particular to image acquisition units whose test images already have a format suitable for the subsequent analysis in the evaluation device. The test data record is in particular a data record created by processing, for example filtering and / or other images, at least temporarily in the system, the information of which, for example color information in the form of one or more color values, is evaluated in the evaluation device. It can be available as an image file, table, matrix or vector field, for example. The test image or the test data set already created in the image acquisition unit is transmitted from the image acquisition unit to the evaluation device. The optical image capturing unit is designed in particular as a digital photo or video camera for two-dimensional recording of the test image or as a line scan camera. If reference is subsequently made to the test image in connection with the processing of the image information in the evaluation device, this can be the test data record in this context. The evaluation device is used to evaluate the test data set. The evaluation device comprises at least one processor and is designed either as a central computing unit or as a decentralized system comprising at least one processor and at least one memory with different positions on components of the machine. It is therefore a local system to carry out any evaluations directly on site and to provide the results directly.

The operating parameter is a variable, which relates to the geometry of the separating device or a separating element thereof, the position or orientation relative to the machine frame or to the conveying element, a speed of the separating device and / or an engine power. The operating parameter can be used to set how or to what extent the separator interacts with the crop or at least a part thereof. In particular, a variation of the operating parameter can vary how much admixture downstream of the separating device remains with the root crops, based on the conveying path over which the root crops are to be conveyed within the machine. The operating parameter is in particular independent of a conveying speed of the conveying element, which serves to convey at least the root crops, while they rest on the conveying element and move in the same direction as the conveying element. The operating parameters define how aggressively the separator operates when separating root crops and additives. If the aggressiveness is too low, too much of the additions will not be separated from the root crops. If the aggressiveness is too high, not only additives, but also root crops will be damaged or separated and the yield reduced. By generating the separating device setting signal and in particular by sending it to a separating device control device, the operating parameter is preferably set in accordance with the crop or part of the crop shown with the test image. On the basis of the disconnect device setting signal, the disconnect device control device in particular increases or decreases the operating parameter. For this purpose, the disconnecting device control unit in particular sends out an electrical signal, preferably to an actuator. Through the separation device control device, in particular through the electrical signal, in particular a hydraulic pressure, a pneumatic pressure, a current, a voltage, a force and / or a moment for driving or for adjusting the separation device or the operating parameters is adjusted. The separator control unit is in particular part of the same computing unit as the evaluation device.

The method enables continuous optimization of the operation of the separation device. In particular, the aggressiveness of the separating element or the separating device can be continuously optimized, thus ensuring that the root crops are handled gently and, at the same time, that ingredients are separated from the crop effectively. In particular, the evaluation device for providing the separating device setting signal evaluates the test data records locally on the machine or on a tractor directly connected to it. As a result, an almost instantaneous control is possible when an undesired condition is detected on a separating device, and blockages or damage are avoided accordingly.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the evaluation device calculates at least one first portion of the test image formed by at least one image area. The at least one image area at least partially depicts a defined component of the crop or the machine. A cleaning characteristic value is calculated in particular on the basis of the first portion.

Before calculating the first share, the component that is statistically represented by the first share is predefined. The test image and / or the test data set are in particular divided into a plurality of preferably equally large image areas. The image areas, which at least partially show the component, together form the first portion. The portion is in particular a portion of these image areas, which at least partially show the constituent parts, of the entire image, the first portion being formed on the basis of a ratio of the number of image areas or on the basis of their common areas.

The first portion is a measure of the extent of image areas which represent the component and thus a measure of the density of the component in the field of view of the image acquisition unit or the portion of the test image to be viewed. The part is in particular at least partially a root crop component, whereby the first component at least approximately indicates a concentration of root crops. An image area is in particular evaluated as a component and is assigned to the first component if at least 50% to 100% of its area shows the component. Alternatively, the proportion can be obtained by summing up the individual pixels that represent the component. In particular, the at least one image area can also be assigned only partially to the first portion or preferably partially assigned to different portions. This is particularly advantageous if, within the framework of the preferably model-based classification method, it is not possible to clearly assign the image area to a corresponding component. In this case, probabilities for the assignment to different proportions are preferably determined. The image areas are particularly preferably assigned proportionately or partly to different proportions according to the probabilities. As a result, the relationships between the components are mapped even more precisely.

By calculating the first portion, a characteristic value is calculated which particularly identifies the composition of the crop. On this basis, the operating parameter can be regulated particularly advantageously, since the cleaning performance of the conveying element or of the separating device comprising the conveying element is strongly dependent on the composition of the crop. In the event that the first portion indicates a concentration of admixtures, the operating parameter can preferably be varied with an increasing first portion in order to produce a greater separation effect or separation performance. The cleaning characteristic value is train at least calculated on the basis of the first share or equal to the first share.

The at least one image area which forms the first portion is preferably identified as showing the defined component, in particular on the basis of a test sub-record generated on the basis of the image area. In particular, the image area is identified on the basis of a test value contained in the test image and / or in the test sub-data record, preferably color information. The color information includes, in particular, black-and-white, gray and / or color channel values of a color space.

The test sub-data set, the test value or the color information is preferably classified by a model-based, statistical classification method. An image area is therefore assigned to the first portion in particular if the result of the classification process is assigned to the defined component of the crop or the machine. The classification method uses in particular a neural network, a random forest, a Bayesian classifier, a support vector machine and / or a decision tree. By using the classification method, the result of the calculation of the first portion, in particular of different portions, is particularly robust and powerful in terms of the composition of the crop.

The test value or the color information is particularly preferably compared with one or more reference values or reference ranges and based on this rend an image area either the first portion or not. Like the test image, the reference image is preferably to be acquired by the optical image acquisition unit, with a user in particular having to mark different parts of the reference image as different components. This form of differentiation enables a particularly reliable identification of a relevant component on the test image. Particularly preferably, at least one of the test values of the test sub-data set, which in particular comprises the color information, is compared with at least one reference value and an image area is particularly assigned to the first portion if at least the at least one test value of the test sub-data set lies within an assigned reference value range. This reference value range is limited in particular by a maximum value and by a minimum value, with different test values preferably having to lie in the respectively assigned reference value ranges in order to add the first portion to the image area.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the evaluation device automatically or automatically further develops a model on which the classification method is based upon the input of exemplary image areas of the reference image which are to be attributed to the first portion. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation device automatically calculates or changes the at least one reference value range upon input of exemplary image areas of a reference image that are to be attributed to the first portion. In particular, the reference values, reference value ranges or the model or model parameters thereof are at least not completely predefined manually by the user. Instead, it is sufficient to would take the evaluation device to enter at least one exemplary image area, which shows the component. Based on the image area, the evaluation device automatically determines the at least one reference value, the at least one reference value area or the model or model parameters thereof. Thus, the evaluation device adjusts itself to various applications to a large extent. The greater the number of entered image areas, the more precisely the reference values or the reference value areas or the model or model parameters thereof can be determined.

The method is particularly robust when the entered image areas show the component under different brightness and / or soil conditions. The method can therefore be used reliably even under different application conditions. The evaluation device particularly preferably adjusts the at least one reference value or the reference value ranges during the repeated execution of the method, if necessary with exemplary identification of relevant components by the operator, from which training data for the algorithm can be mapped.

The evaluation device automatically extends the scope of the reference data, in particular on the basis of further sensors such as brightness sensors for measuring the ambient brightness, which the evaluation device assigns to test data records recorded essentially at the same time. Alternatively or additionally, the user of the method, ie in particular the driver or operator of the machine or a machine coupled to it, has the option of the at least one component manually marked on visualized test images to expand the scope of the reference data of the evaluation device. For example, based on the information provided by the user or on the basis of data stored in the evaluation device, the user can differentiate between, for example, potatoes, herbs, stones, loose earth and clods and calculate the respective proportions.

The method according to the invention is preferably carried out automatically after it has started, with the exception of entering any training data that may be present in the form of marking components. The driver or operator of the machine is easier to operate.

The image areas forming the first portion are preferably additionally identified on the basis of respectively adjacent image areas or image sub-data sets formed by them. In particular, color information, in particular comprising black-and-white and / or gray values, included in the test sub-data sets is used for this purpose. The assessments of the image areas are therefore not based solely on the data assigned to them, but rather the additional data associated with the surrounding image areas are used. In this way, brightness and / or color gradients can be determined and the identification takes place on the basis of a broader data basis.

The different image areas are preferably weighted differently when calculating the first portion. The contribution of the image areas forming the first part is therefore different. This makes it possible not to share the first to be calculated purely on the basis of the perspective representations of the test image, but in particular to weight the image regions which show a component of the crop that is further away from the image acquisition unit than image regions which show a component closer to the image acquisition unit. This enables a perspective-adjusted first portion to be formed and thus a particularly realistic picture of the crop composition on the conveying element can be achieved.

The entire test image or a coherent part of the test image is preferably divided into partial image areas. The partial image areas in particular each comprise the same number of pixels of the test image, preferably exactly one pixel. The test image part is a part or section of the test image which comprises a plurality of partial image areas. To calculate the first portion, only the image areas showing the portion that belong to the test image part are taken into account in particular. For this purpose, the test image part is defined in particular so that it depicts sensitive and monitored zones within the machine. The image area forming the first portion thus comprises in particular several partial image areas of a test image part.

The test image or part of the test image is in particular rastered into a plurality of partial image areas, each of which is preferably rectangular. When the sub-image areas are formed by exactly one pixel, a particularly large database for evaluating the condition of the crop with regard to its individual components is created, and thus a particularly sensitive control of the operating parameter is made possible. At the same time, those of conventional 2D digital cameras are also Gel of a maximum of a few million pixels of data delivered for an evaluation device equipped with one or more current processors can be processed promptly without further notice.

The test image preferably comprises a plurality of test image parts, for each of which the evaluation device calculates a first portion, in particular a plurality of portions of image areas, the test image parts preferably depicting crops of different conveying elements conveying from a separating device. The test image parts thus show in particular different sections of the same conveying element, one of which is arranged in the conveying direction in front of a separating device or a separating element thereof and another behind the separating device or a separating element thereof. Alternatively, the test image parts show different conveying elements, which represent alternative conveying paths for different components of the harvested crop (for example, a conveying element for cleaned root crops, a conveying element for selected additions). The cleaning or separation performance of the associated separating device can be evaluated particularly comprehensively by calculating the first proportion for these different test image parts. In particular, the first portion of a crop flow to the separating device can be compared with the first portion of a mixed crop outflow from the separating device or the separating device and the effectiveness of the separating device can thus be determined. Alternatively, the composition of the harvested material, which is connected to a separating device and is thus conveyed away from the conveying elements, is determined once for harvested crops and for harvested crops. Depending on the effectiveness of the separation device, the operating parameters in particular ter set. Likewise, the test image parts shown or present in the respective test data sets can show part of a conveying element in front of a separating or deflecting element of the separating device and part of the conveying element after the separating or deflecting element. If the image analysis shows that excessive proportions of, for example, root crops appear behind an deflecting element in an undesired area, this deflecting element can be positioned differently, for example lower above the conveying element, which increases the separation performance.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the test image parts preferably show different conveying elements after a separating device, in particular a conveying element for discharging a root crop mixture and a conveying element for discharging additions after the same separating device. In this case, a first proportion of a component, for example root crops, is preferably determined for both test pattern parts. Alternatively, different proportions are calculated for the different parts of the test pattern. This allows, for example, a proportion of admixtures in the root crop mixture outflow to be compared with a proportion of root crops in a stream of sorted admixtures and, based on this, a separating element comprised by the separating device with regard to its position to the conveying elements or with regard to its speed.

The image areas forming the first portion preferably show root crops or parts thereof and a second portion forming image areas or portions thereof. The evaluation device thus calculates at least two different parts. The evaluation device particularly preferably calculates at least four shares le, a first share for root crops, a second share for herb components, a third share for soil and a fourth share for damaged areas. The total of the shares is in particular <1. Alternatively, the first portion can also be a blended portion, the second portion a root crop portion, etc. In addition or as an alternative, shares for clods and / or stones are preferably calculated.

Alternatively or additionally, at least two image capturing units and at least two conveying elements are provided in a further development according to the invention, the first image capturing unit taking a first test image of a crop part conveyed by a separating device by means of the first conveying element, the second image capturing unit a further test image one of the Separating device is picked up by means of the harvested crop part conveyed by the second conveying element and the separating device setting signal is generated on the basis of at least one of the test data records formed by, preferably both, the two test images or based on the water generated test data sets. The test data records are evaluated in each case as described above or in particular with regard to the respective proportions.

A plurality of parts in the calculation of the evaluation device can provide a more precise picture of the composition of the crop or the occupancy of the conveying element. As an alternative to identifying image areas on the basis of limit values, all image areas of the test image or of a test image part are necessarily assigned to a portion. A degree of correspondence between test subjects calculated on the basis of the image areas is preferably data sets are evaluated with reference sub-data sets and each image area is assigned to the part for which the greatest agreement is found.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning characteristic value is determined by means of a deviation of the first portion from a threshold value calculated by the evaluation device. In particular, the threshold value characterizes an optimal utilization of the conveying element, wherein a deviation from a defined amount triggers a change in the operating parameter. The cleaning characteristic is based in particular on a plurality of components and preferably further data, in particular sensor data.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the separating device setting signal is calculated on the basis of a plurality of cleaning characteristic values, in particular calculated chronologically one after the other, or at least one previously calculated cleaning characteristic value flows into the calculation of the cleaning characteristic value. In particular, a moving average value of the cleaning characteristic value is calculated and forms the basis of the separating device setting signal or the cleaning characteristic value curve is smoothed, in particular using a low-pass filter. With these measures, the method according to the invention is particularly susceptible to faults and can therefore be used particularly robustly.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one further sensor transmits sensor data to the evaluation device, which flow into the calculation of the separation device setting signal. The sensor is in particular: a sensor, preferably a touch sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, for measuring a crop layer thickness on the conveying element, a sensor for measuring a drive power, for example in the form of a pressure sensor for measuring a hydraulic oil pressure, and / or a speed sensor, in particular for measuring a speed of rotation Conveyor element drive. In particular, a slip of the conveying element is determined on the basis of the speed sensor and is transmitted to the evaluation device in the form of the sensor data. Using a humidity sensor, further information can flow into the calculation of the disconnector setting signal.

On the basis of this additional information available in the sensor data, which goes beyond that provided on the basis of the test image, the evaluation device has a much more precise picture of the cleaning situation in the area of the conveyor element, which in turn can influence the operating parameters in a better coordinated manner.

The evaluation device preferably triggers either an increase or a decrease in the operating parameters by means of different separating device setting signals. In particular, the evaluation device or the disconnecting device control device comprises a fuzzy controller, a PID or three-point controller, as a result of which either the increase, the decrease or the maintenance of the current operating parameter is triggered as an alternative to one another. An increase is triggered in particular when the cleaning characteristic value has a predefined first threshold value is exceeded, a reduction is triggered accordingly if the cleaning characteristic value falls below a predefined, second threshold value.

The operating parameter is preferably a distance between two conveying elements, the conveying elements being able to function together as a separating device due to the distance, or a separating element of the separating device or the separating device to a conveying element. In particular, the operating parameter is a distance between two conveyor rollers of a roller table rotating during operation, between which soil is sieved. Alternatively, the operating parameter is a distance between a conveyor element designed as a screen belt and a separating element formed as a deflecting roller, the separating element extending across the conveying element and a lateral deflection of the root crops from the conveying element. The deflection roller rotates during operation about an axis of rotation which is angled in a plan view of the conveying element by less than 90 ° to the conveying direction of the conveying element. Alternatively, the separating element is designed as a finger band in operation, which is located above the conveying element and whose fingers projecting outward comb during operation through the crop arranged on the conveying element. Again, alternatively, the separating element is designed as a non-rotating stripping device which is arranged above a coarse herb belt interacting with a sieve belt and stripping of root crops from herb deposited on the coarse herb belt. The distance is in each case adjustable in particular by means of a hydraulic or mechanical adjusting device, as a result of which the aggressiveness of the separating element of the Separating device in cooperation with the conveyor element or the separation performance of the conveyor elements can be changed particularly easily.

Alternatively, the operating parameter is a depth of penetration of at least one share of the machine into the ground. This allows the amount of additives in the crop to be influenced in a simple manner.

As an alternative or in addition to the above, the operating parameter is a separation speed, in particular a rotation or rotation speed, of the separation device or a separation element of the separation device. In particular, the separation speed is a rotational speed of the above-described finger band or a rotational speed of the above-described deflection roller. Alternatively, the separating speed is a rotational speed of an angled separating device, e.g. in the form of a fine herb band, which is operated in such a way that admixtures are conveyed upward as possible and flamboyants roll down against the direction of movement of the section of the separating device facing them.

Preferably, the operating parameter is alternatively characterized as the angle of attack of the conveying element, the separating device, ie at least one separating element of the separating device. In particular, the operating parameter is the angle of attack of the cutting device, which is also referred to as a fine-grain elevator. Due to the angle of attack, the inclination of the conveying plane of a fine herb belt of the separating device is changed relative to a horizontal and thus the aggressiveness of the separating device is set. In an alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating parameter causes a change in an air flow speed or an air mass flow rate per time, the corresponding separating device separating due to air flow. In this case, an engine output, for example represented by an engine speed, can be the corresponding operating parameter. The air in turn causes the separation of root crops and admixtures, in particular herb is blown off from a crop flow and thus removed. In such an air separation device, which can also be used in a stationary manner, the operating parameter is preferably a speed of an associated blower or the angle of attack of an associated unit in the form of an air baffle, which, for example, divides an air stream into a main air stream and a cross air stream.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, in particular several of the aforementioned operating parameters are set by the same or different disconnector setting signals. For this purpose, a set of rules can be stored in the evaluation device, which, for the desired additional or minimum separation power of the respective separating device, gives corresponding signals for the respective adjustable quantities.

Preferably, after triggering an operating parameter change for a defined period or a defined conveying path of the conveying element, no further operating parameter change is triggered. This applies in particular only to the same operating parameter and / or at least one operating parameter at least a separator arranged downstream in operation. This ensures that there is no over-regulation of the separating element and that every operating parameter change is based on a well-founded data basis, which already takes into account a previous operating parameter change.

The disconnecting device setting signal is preferably transmitted to the disconnecting device control unit in a wired manner, in particular by means of CAN bus or Ethernet, or wirelessly, the disconnecting device setting preferably being released beforehand by an operator via an input at an interface. As a result, existing or at least established systems for communication transmission can be used to set the separating element, and the reliability of the method can be increased in particular by an operator being shown the resulting or to be made setting of the separating device instead of an automatic setting, in particular in the driver's cabin an interface has to be released via a corresponding entry.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by a machine for harvesting root crops and / or for separating root crops from other crop quantities. The machine has a machine frame, a conveying element, an image acquisition unit, a separating device and an evaluation device. The machine is trained to carry out the above or following procedure. The evaluation device preferably comprises a graphic processor unit, in particular a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or GPGPU (General Pur pose Graphical Processing Unit) and / or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) -based processor unit. This type of evaluation device enables the test data set to be evaluated in a particularly resource-saving manner and in particular locally. It is understood that the evaluation device designed as an EDP device has other conventional means, for example for power supply, interfaces and memory.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the machine has at least one sensor coupled to the evaluation device, in particular a tactile or ultrasonic sensor for measuring a crop layer thickness on the conveying element, a sensor for measuring a drive power, for example a pressure sensor for measuring a hydraulic oil pressure, and / or an ordered speed sensor on a conveyor element. By means of this sensor, the conveying speed signal can also be calculated on the basis of measured, physical variables, whereby the meaningfulness of the variables calculated with the evaluation device is significantly increased and their susceptibility to errors is reduced. A moisture sensor can also provide additional information that contributes to the setting of one or more of the separation devices as part of the analysis of the evaluation device.

The machine preferably has a plurality of image recording units, each recording at least one test image from the same conveying element, during operation. Alternatively, the machine preferably has several in operation, each with at least one test image of different, in particular from a same separator conveying, Förderele elements receiving image acquisition units. Alternatively, one of the two image acquisition units can be directed toward a discharge area, for example a separating device that separates air flow. The plurality of image acquisition units enables the composition of the crop, in particular a course of the first portion along a conveyor line and in particular on different parts of the conveyor line, to be tracked after a separating device of the machine Adjust shares. Correspondingly, in accordance with the method described or described above, an analysis is carried out for the conveyor route areas detected by the respective test images in the at least one evaluation device. While preferably only one central evaluation device is provided for evaluating the data of the image acquisition units, the respective image acquisition units can also be assigned their own evaluation devices. These can then control the respectively assigned separation devices, in particular in coordination with other evaluation devices. Alternatively or in addition, a central evaluation device is responsible for generating the disconnector setting signals and forwards them to a machine control.

The image capture unit is preferably arranged in such a way that the test image shows at least two alternative conveying paths of the entire conveying path for different crop components, in particular for flare fruits and for additions. This means that two conveyor elements can be watch, each with a test image part of the test image depicting a section of the different conveying elements or the crop on it. In particular, one of the conveying elements is designed to convey sorted additions and another of the conveying elements is designed to convey cleaned flesh fruits.

This enables a particularly comprehensive picture of the cleaning performance and thus the capacity of the conveying element and / or the separating device comprising the conveying element to be captured.

The image capturing unit is preferably arranged such that, during operation, the test image at least partially depicts at least two conveyor element sections separated by a separating device, in particular a separating element of a separating device. The conveying element sections are only separated by the separating element of the separating device in the representation by the test image and are each encompassed by the conveying element. The separating element is closer to the image capture unit than the conveyor element and the latter is thereby covered by the separating element on the test image. This positioning of the image acquisition unit makes it possible to calculate at least a first portion for each of two individual test image parts and thus to directly evaluate the effectiveness of the separating element and the associated separating device. In particular, the composition of a crop before reaching the separating element is compared with the composition of at least a portion of the crop after passing through the separating element.

The conveyor element is preferably designed as a sieve belt or hedgehog belt, which in operation is in particular under at least one that extends across the conveyor element stretching and crop laterally deflecting deflection roller runs ver. Alternatively, the conveyor element is designed as a screen star or conveyor roller, the conveyor roller being in particular comprised by a roller table.

As an alternative or in addition to the above, the machine is designed as a machine for separating root crops from other crops. According to an advantageous development, the machine is operated in particular stationary, that is to say without a continuous, local advance of the machine during operation.

According to another advantageous development, the machine is a potato harvester or a beet harvester.

Further details and advantages of the invention can be found in the schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments described below;

It shows:

1 shows a program flow chart of a method according to the invention,

2 shows an associated program flow chart for determining the separating device setting signal,

3 shows an associated program flow chart with the processing of the cleaning characteristic values, 4 an associated program flow chart for setting the separating device,

5 is a view of a test image and its partial evaluation,

6 shows an object according to the invention,

Fig. 7 u. 8 the object according to FIG. 6 in different side views,

Fig. 9 likes a partial view of the object. 6 element with a Förderele,

10 is a detailed view of a portion shown in FIG. 9 area of the device according to FIG. 6,

11 the object according to FIG. 10 from a different perspective,

12 is a representation of the test image of the image acquisition unit according to FIG. 10,

Fig. 13 like a separator of the machine. 6 with an image acquisition unit,

14 is a schematic test image taken from the perspective of the image acquisition unit shown in FIG. 13, Fig. 15 another separator of the machine like. 6 with an image acquisition unit,

16 is a schematic representation of a test image taken from the perspective of the image acquisition unit shown in FIG. 15,

Fig. 17 like a further detailed view of a machine. 6 with a wide ren image acquisition unit,

18 is a schematic illustration of a test image viewed from the perspective of the image acquisition unit according to FIG. 17,

19 shows a detailed view of a further device according to the invention,

20 shows a further detailed view of a further device according to the invention.

Parts with the same or similar effect are provided with identical reference numerals, where appropriate. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also lead to further developments according to the invention with the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but always at least in combination with the features of one of the independent claims. In the The items listed in the list of figures are sometimes only partially shown in individual figures.

The method according to the invention serves to regulate the operation of a machine 2 for harvesting root crops 4 (cf. FIGS. 6 to 8). In the method, at least one test image 8 is recorded by at least one optical image acquisition unit 6, which shows at least one conveying element, initially generally numbered 10, relative to a machine frame 12 of the machine 2, showing crops comprising root crops 4.

The test image 8 is transmitted to an evaluation device which generates a separator setting signal for setting at least one operating parameter of a separating device of the machine (2) on the basis of a test data record generated on the basis of the test image or formed by it. The illustrations shown as test images only show schematically the parts relevant to the invention without any borders or boundaries. Digital images taken by a camera, in particular, may have further information not shown in the figures. For example, these can already be masked or filtered on the camera side or when creating or editing a test data record.

In an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, starting from a crop flow 1.1, an evaluation of the composition of the crop is carried out before the first separating element by means of the method described above (block 1.2) (FIG. 1). In addition, before the entrance and after the exit Another separator also calculates the composition of the crop flow (blocks 1.3 and 1.4). Finally, the composition of the crop flow is again determined at the input of a third separating device. This results in respective proportions A1 and A2 of root crops and additions (blocks 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 and 1.9). Depending on the desired separation performance at the individual separation devices, the individual portions A1 and A2 of root crops or admixtures for the respective separation devices are offset against one another in the evaluation device (block 1.10). This is followed by the setting of the operating parameters of the respective separation devices (block 1 .1 1) in order to optimize the performance on the respective separation device.

The determination of the disconnecting device setting signal is shown in a greater degree of detail in FIG. 2. Starting from a test image 8, the relevant parts of the test image are extracted (block 2.1) for the purpose of providing the test data record. For this purpose, a mask or region of interest (ROI) can be predefined based on the position of the image acquisition unit (block 2.2), on the basis of which the distances between the test image that are to be taken into account and those that are not to be taken into account are distinguished. On the basis of the relevant image section of the test image and the test data record now available for processing, the proportions of the individual image areas showing the harvested crop components are now calculated (block 2.3). For this purpose, the color information in particular can be evaluated. These values can be taken from a reference table or specified by an operator (block 2.4). On the basis of a threshold value definition (block 2.5), the deviations of the calculated proportions from the threshold value are calculated (block 2.6). The threshold value is, for example, an ideal value for the proportion under consideration (e.g. root crop, quantity 1, quantity 2). This is followed by low-pass filtering in order to smooth the determined deviations (block 2.7). This will be a pleasure. Block 2.8 defined filter time constant used. A cleaning characteristic value RS is then calculated based on the smoothed values of the deviations for the individual positions along the conveyor path and the respective proportions (block 2.9). For simplification, controller parameters can be used, according to which, for example, a cleaning characteristic value RS_1 (A1) on a first monitored conveyor line is set to 1 for a portion A1 in the form of root crops if the deviation is too large and therefore too many additions in the considered test pattern (part) are available. The cleaning characteristic value RS for a portion A1 can be set to zero if there are sufficiently small deviations from an ideal value. On the basis of the cleaning characteristic value RS_1 (A1) of block 2.9, the disconnector setting signal can be generated, for example, using a three-point controller (block 2.10).

By means of the method according to the invention, for example, the relationships between the products present in a crop flow in front of a separating device and then after a separating device, for example on a conveying conveying element for products, ie root crops (4), and a conveying conveying element for admixtures (5) evaluated separately. In the event that a single camera monitors both conveying elements, separate regions of interest for the admixture and for the root crop-promoting conveying element defined. Depending on whether too many potatoes (root crops 4) are conveying the conveying element on the admixture or there are too many admixtures on the conveying element conveying the product, parameters of the separating device which influence the separating threshold are adjusted accordingly. In particular, the fingers of a finger band or brushes of a brush band can be placed higher or lower and / or the finger or brush band can run slower or faster.

In an exemplary implementation of the three-point control system according to FIG. 3, one first listens to cleaning parameters RS_1 (A2) - RS_n (A2), that is to say cleaning parameters for the components A2 describing additives (block 3.1). For example, it is a matter of considering the proportions of admixtures in the crop in the form of stones before and after a separating device or before and after a conveyor section comprising a plurality of separating devices. The cleaning parameters are in accordance with the above diction "zero" or "one". It is then checked in block 3.2 whether the sum of the cleaning characteristics RSJ (A2) (with i = 1 ... m) is zero. If the answer is in the negative, in block 3.3 the memory 3.4 of the last cleaning parameters and, if appropriate, associated crop material compositions are first queried at the respective positions. If a check in block 3.5 shows that a change in the separation device settings is sufficiently long ago, a degressive operating parameter signal is generated in block 3.6 for the respective separation device. The queried cleaning characteristics from the memory can also be taken into account. The setting of the separation implements (block 3.7) is less aggressive, so that fewer root crops remain in the crop or crop flow on the conveyor. The last cleaning characteristic value (s) RSJ (A2) are entered in the memory 3.4, if necessary with the respective proportions A2 (block 3.15).

In the event that the sum of the cleaning parameters RSJ (A2) (with i = 1 ... m) is equal to zero, then in block 3.8 cleaning parameters RSJ (A1) relating to the parts A1, e.g. Root crops, heard or are queried accordingly. It is then checked whether the sum of these cleaning values is zero again (block 3.9). If so, the last cleaning parameters RSJ (A1) are also entered again in the memory 3.4 (block 3.10). A change in the operating parameters is not necessary and a neutral operating parameter signal or no operating parameter signal is output (block 3.1 1). If the total of the cleaning values for the A1 components is not equal to zero, the old values are queried from the memory again under 3.12 and a check is made in block 3.13 to determine whether sufficient time has passed since the last operating parameters were changed. If this is the case, an operating parameter for more aggressive setting of the disconnecting devices is output under 3.14.

For the implementation of the specifications according to FIG. 3 in block 3.7, separation device actuators must be controlled. For this purpose, according to FIG. 4 in regulation 4.1 based on the specifications of blocks 3.6, 3.1 1 and 3.14, device-specific changes in the operating parameters are determined taking into account the current settings (4.2) of the respective device. For example, speeds of the separator elements, speeds, distances or inclinations. From this, manipulated variables for the separation device actuators of the respective separation devices are defined in block 4.3, via which the separation devices are set (block 4.4).

Fig. 5 shows an example in the upper part of the figure, a test image 8, which shows the transition from a conveyor element 10a to a conveyor element 10b. On this conveyor section there are root crops 4 and 5 admixtures, which can include stones and herbs. According to those defined in the training of the algorithm or via a database, for example a table with color information e.g. In the HSV format, given classifiers, individual partial image areas 16 are checked for the presence of the same components. Thus, based on the assignment of the respective image areas to the individual portions, shown exemplarily in FIG. 5 at the bottom left, there is a portion distribution of individual portions of root crops 4 and additions 5 in test image 8. A1 thus shows the proportion of root crops 4 in the test image or the corresponding test data set, A2 the percentage of cabbage and A3 the percentage of stones. This assignment is preferably based on the color information of the individual pixels, i.e. an image area 19 which is assigned to a portion corresponds in particular to an area of a pixel.

The cleaning characteristic value, generally designated RS, is based on an example, but is preferably based on a deviation of the first portion A1 from a threshold value R, which indicates an optimal proportion distribution of root crops 4 on the observed point on the conveyor line. For example, the cleaning characteristic value RS is set to 1 if there is a deviation of> 50% from the cleaning value and to 0 if the deviation is <50% of the cleaning value then stored accordingly or processed in the further program flow according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The machine 2 according to the invention is designed as a drawn potato harvester according to FIG. 6, a large number of conveying elements 10 and their associated separating devices being held by a machine frame 12 which is only partially numbered. There are a plurality of image capturing units 6 along the conveyor path, which pick up the crops transported on the conveyor elements 10 including root crops 4. 6 indicated for image acquisition units 6 is a transition from a first conveyor element 10 A in the form of a screen belt to a second conveyor element 10B in the form of a screen belt, which is additionally enclosed by a coarse herb belt, and to Transition from this second screen belt 10B to a further conveying element 10C comprising a further separating device. In addition, on the output side of this separating device, a conveying element 10E leading to the picking table is monitored with a further image capturing unit 6, wherein at the same time a further conveying element 10F provided for remnants of admixtures 5, in particular stones, is detected.

An evaluation device can be positioned at any, but preferably in the vicinity of the reading table, centrally accessible location.

A driving speed signal or information relating to the setting of the separating devices can be given to a towing vehicle by the evaluation device, for example via a cable 12.1 which can be seen in FIG. 6. The machine shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the side view can be provided with optical image acquisition units 6 at further positions. Thus, additional image acquisition units can additionally be arranged directly in the area of a lifting device 29 or a drop step leading to a bunker 33.

9 and 10 show the arrangement of an optical image acquisition unit 6 arranged above a first drop stage between a conveying element 10A and a conveying element 10B, the field of view of which is directed downward. A light source 7 provides illumination of the field of view in order to capture a sufficiently illuminated test image 8. The conveying element 10A is a sieve belt which, coming from a digging device 29, already sifts a portion of admixtures 5, in particular soil and / or clods, and extends over a drop level to a wide area res, conveying element 10B formed as a sieve belt. This conveying element 10B additionally has a coarse herb belt which is provided for separating the herb present on the potatoes or in the crop. Correspondingly, stripping devices 32 are arranged across the width of the conveying element 10B.

A height H of the stripping device 32 above the conveying plane of the conveying element 10B can be set by means of the separating device setting signal. This is one way of influencing the separation performance of the separation device designed as a herb strip. In addition, a relative speed of sieve belt to coarse herb belt 43 can be adjustable. 10 is only for the sake of clarity the coarse herb belt 43 and not the actual conveyor element 10B shown in the form of a sieve belt (see FIG. 14).

A test image 8 resulting from the field of view of the optical image acquisition unit 6 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11 is shown in detail in FIG. 12. The evaluations described above are carried out on the basis of the deviations of the proportions of the detected and classified objects from the threshold values R on the basis of a test data record created from or formed by this test image 8.

Starting from the conveying element 10B, the crop still present is transferred to a further conveying element 10C with a conveying direction 1C. This is a separator in the form of several superimposed, rotating Umlenkwal zen 24 assigned. The crop is transported in the direction of the conveying element 10D via an impulse exerted by the latter (FIG. 1 3).

A distance H between the conveying element 10C and the lower deflecting roller 24 can be adjusted for the purpose of varying a separation performance and thus represents the adjustable operating parameter. If necessary, there are further distances between the individual deflecting rollers 24 in order to intensify the deflection or a possible separation function in the herb between the Deflection rollers 24 is drawn, variable in terms of the distance from each other. Alternatively or additionally, a variation of the separation performance or deflection results from the adjustability of the circulation speeds of the deflection rollers 24. A height H of the lower ends of fingers 26 of a separating device designed as a finger band 26.1 and belonging to the conveying element 10D can also be set as one of several operating parameters. The height H describes the distance of the fingers 26 from the upper edge of the conveyor element designed as a hedgehog belt. In addition, an angle of attack of the finger band 26.1 can be designed to be adjustable with respect to a perpendicular to the conveying plane of the conveying element. The same applies to the rotating speed of the finder tape 26.1.

The image acquisition unit 6 shown in FIG. 13 generates the test image 8 shown in FIG. 14, in which a test image part 8A relevant in the present exemplary embodiment is defined by filtering or masking. For monitoring a separation device performance, in the present case a separation performance of the deflection rollers 24, a test image part 8B, which is viewed behind the deflection rollers 24 from a conveying direction 1 C, can additionally be selected. In particular, the area in front of the deflecting rollers 24 is monitored for the setting of the separating device. The test data record then results from the corresponding test image part 8A.

If an associated cleaning characteristic value RS for the test image part 8A results in a too low separation performance of an upstream or illustrated separation device, the separation device can be set more aggressively. Alternatively, in the event that the cleaning characteristic in the test image part 8B indicates an excessive separation performance, for example due to excessive proportions of admixtures 5 in the form of clods behind the deflection rollers 24, which are at least partially to protect the potatoes are required on the subsequent conveying path, a distance H of the deflection rollers 24 from the conveying element 10 can be reduced and the separating device can thus be set less aggressively.

Another optical image acquisition unit 6 arranged in the area of the conveyor belts 10C and 10D is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. This image capture unit 6 can be used in addition or as an alternative to the image capture unit 6 according to FIG. 6. In particular, it serves to monitor the effect of the separating and deflecting device formed by the steering rollers 24. This water monitoring unit is also assigned a light source 7 for better illumination of the monitored area.

Another optical image acquisition unit 6 is arranged with an associated light source 7 above a picking table with a view of a conveying element 10E and a conveying element 10F (FIG. 17). By means of masking, the test image parts 8A and 8B shown in the test image 8 according to FIG. 18 are selected which, on the one hand, serve as a conveying path, the conveying element 10E with conveying direction 1E for the removal of root crops 4, and, on the other hand, as another conveying path, the conveying element 10F with conveying direction 1F for conveying away monitor of admixtures 5 in the form of stones and / or clods. The evaluation described above is used to check whether the proportions of root crops 4 on the conveying element 10F are too large. If this is the case, the method according to the invention becomes the upstream one

Cutting device set sharper. This separating device is located above the conveyor element 10D designed as a hedgehog belt and is in particular as a finger belt provided with fingers 26 shown by way of example and in dashed lines, nevertheless arranged behind the cover 40 located in front of it in the illustration shown. For example, the distance of the fingers 26 from the conveying element 10D is reduced in order to convey more crop material in the form of root crops 4 onto the conveying element 10E via an associated chute 41. If too many admixtures 5 in the form of stones and / or clods are detected on the conveying element 10E, the rotational speed of deflection rollers 24 can be reduced, for example, since with a less impulse exerted on admixtures 5, a better deflection of any stones in the direction of the Conveyor element 10F takes place. Addition 5 rut then slide over a slide 42 improved on the conveying element 10F.

19 illustrates the use of the method according to the invention in a further separating device, in the present case in the form of a fine-grain elevator. Correspondingly, the test image 8 shown in FIG. 19 shows a conveying conveying element 10K with a conveying direction 1K, which leads via a drop stage to a separating device designed as a fine-grain elevator with a herb band 30. This transports in the direction 31 any fine herb present in the crop flow, while potatoes and heavier admixtures of the crop stream that land on the herb belt 30 fall back into the gap between the conveying element 10K and the fine grain elevator due to the inclined position of the herb belt 30 that can be predetermined via an adjustable angle a . If the proportions of root crops 4 or admixtures 5 in test image parts 8A and 8B lie outside the reference values, the separating device can be more aggressive or aggressive, for example by adjusting the angle of attack a or by changing the speed of the herb band 30. can be set to be less aggressive in order to achieve the desired separation performance.

20, the distance H between individual conveying elements 10T is designed to be adjustable. The conveyor element thus forms the separator directly with 10T. In the individual test image parts 8A and 8B of the test image 8, the quantity fraction is preferably calculated and used for setting the separation device performance. Here, as described above, a perspective cleanup is carried out on the basis of the “fish-eye” representation of the image acquisition unit 6.

Other alternative embodiments of the invention may e.g. be trained as self-driving beet harvesters or as a cleaning section in potato or beet storage technology.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Method for regulating the operation of a machine (2) for harvesting root crops (4) and / or for separating root crops (4) from further harvesting, including mixing, in which at least one test image (8 ) of at least one part of the harvested crop which is moved relative to a machine frame (12) by at least one conveyor element (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10K, 10T), characterized in that an evaluation device based on a a disconnect device setting signal for setting at least one operating parameter of a disconnect device of the machine (2) is generated on the basis of the test image (8) or is formed by the test data set.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation device evaluates the test data records locally on the machine (2) or a directly connected towing vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the evaluation device calculates at least one of at least one image area (19) formed, first portion (A1) of the test image (8), the at least one image area (19) at least partially depicts a defined component of the crop or the machine (2), a cleaning characteristic value (14) in particular being calculated on the basis of the first portion (A1).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one image area (19) forming the first portion (A1) is preferably the basis of a test sub-data set generated on the basis of the image area (19), in particular at least one color information comprised thereof, as the defined component of the crop or machine (2) is identified.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the test sub-data record, in particular at least one test value comprised thereof, preferably the color information, is classified by a model-based, statistical classification method in particular, and an image area (19) in particular then the first part ( A1) is added if the result of the classification procedure is assigned to the defined component of the crop or the machine (2).

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the at least one test value of the test sub-data set, in particular the color information, is compared with at least one reference value (R) and an image area (19) in particular then the first portion (A1) is added if at least the at least one test value of the test sub-data set lies within an assigned reference value range.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the evaluation device upon input of exemplary image areas (19) of a reference image to be assigned to the first portion (A1) is assigned to the classification method. basic model is automatically developed further and / or the at least one reference value range is automatically calculated or changed.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that different image areas (19) are weighted differently when calculating the first portion (A1).

9. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the entire test image (8) or a coherent part of the test image (8A) is divided into partial image areas (16) which in particular each have the same number of pixels of the test image (8) , preferably exactly one pixel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the test image (8) comprises a plurality of test image parts (8A, 8B), for each of which the evaluation device has a first part (A1), in particular several parts (A1, A2, A3) is calculated on image areas (19), the test image parts (8A, 8B) preferably depicting crops of different conveying elements that are conveyed by a separating device.

1 1. Method according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the image areas (19) forming the first portion (A1) show root crops (4) or parts thereof and a second portion (A2) forming image areas (5) or Show parts of it.

12. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 1 1, characterized in that the cleaning characteristic (14) is determined by means of a deviation of the first portion (A1) calculated by the evaluation device from a threshold value (R).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the separating device setting signal is calculated on the basis of a plurality of cleaning characteristics (RS) calculated in particular one after the other in time, or at least one previously calculated cleaning characteristic value (RS) is calculated in the calculation of the cleaning characteristic value ( RS) flows.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims with at least two image acquisition units (6) and at least two conveyor elements (10), characterized in that the first image acquisition unit (6) has a first test image of a separating device by means of the first conveyor element (6) removed crop part is recorded, the second image acquisition unit (6) another test image of a crop removed by the separating device by means of the second conveying element (6) is partially recorded and the separating device setting signal based on at least one of the two formed by the two test pictures or on the basis of this test records are generated.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further sensor, in particular an ultrasonic or tactile sensor, for measuring a crop layer thickness on the conveying element, a sensor for measuring the drive power, a moisture sensor and / or a rotation - number sensor, sensor data transmitted to the evaluation device, which flow into the calculation of the disconnector setting signal.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation device triggers either an increase or a decrease in the operating parameter by means of different separating device adjusting signals.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that after triggering an operating parameter change for a defined period of time or a defined conveying path of the conveying element (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E,

10F, 10K, 10T) no further change in operating parameters is triggered.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating parameter is a distance (F1) between two conveying elements (10T) to one another, a separating element (32) or the separating device to the or another conveying element (10C).

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating parameter is a separation speed, in particular a rotational or rotational speed, a separating element (24, 26, 30) or the separating device.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating parameter is an angle of attack (a) of the conveying element (10) or the separating device.

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating parameter is an engine power and / or an angle of attack of an associated unit.

22. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disconnecting device setting signal is transmitted by wire, in particular by means of CAN bus or Ethernet, or wirelessly to a disconnecting device control device, the disconnecting device setting preferably being released beforehand by an operator via an input at an interface .

23. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating device setting signal and / or the operating parameters are mapped for an operator and / or are used automatically for setting the operating parameters.

24. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical image acquisition units only 1 D or 2D

Collect information.

25. Machine (2) for harvesting root crops (4) and / or for separating root crops (4) from further crop, which has at least one machine frame (12), a conveying element (10), an image acquisition unit (6), a separating device and has an evaluation device and is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

26. Machine (2) according to claim 24, characterized in that the evaluation device comprises a graphic processor unit, in particular a GPGPU, and / or an FPGA-based processor unit.

27. Machine (2) according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by at least one sensor coupled to the evaluation device, in particular an ultrasound or touch sensor for measuring a crop layer thickness on the conveying element (10), a sensor for measuring a drive power, a speed sensor arranged on a conveying element (10) and / or a moisture sensor.

28. Machine (2) according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized by several at least one test image (8) during operation of the same conveying element (10) or of the same separating device or of different conveying elements (10, in particular, conveying away from the same separating device) ) or image capturing units (6).

29. Machine (2) according to one of claims 25 to 28, that the image capturing unit (6) is arranged so that the test image (8) at least two in operation at least one separating element (24, 32) at least partially depicts separate conveying element sections.

30. Machine (2) according to one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that the image acquisition unit (6) is arranged such that the test image (8) forming at least two alternative conveying paths conveying elements (10) of the machine (2) for shows different crop components, in particular a conveying path for flare fruits (4) and a conveying path for additions.

31. Machine (2) according to one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that the conveying element (10) as a sieve belt (10A, 10B, 10E) or as a hedgehog belt (10C,

10D), which runs in operation, in particular, under at least one deflecting roller (24) extending across the conveying element (10) and deflecting the crop thereof, or as a sieve star (1 OP, 10Q, 10S) or as a conveying roller (10T), in particular includes a roller table (10M), or is designed as a plow share.