Bale identification using photographic image of twine pattern

A bale identification system comprising:

• an initial image sensor operable to capture an initial image;
• a computing device in communication with the initial image sensor and operable to receive the initial image from the initial image sensor, wherein the computing device includes a processor and a memory having a bale identification algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operable to execute the bale identification algorithm to:
• analyze the initial image to identify a unique band pattern of at least one multi-colored band of an initial bale in the initial image;
• associate the unique band pattern with the initial bale;
• and
• save the initial image and the associated unique band pattern in the memory of the computing device, such that the identified unique band pattern of the initial bale is used as an identifier of the initial bale.

A baler implement for baling crop material, the baler implement comprising:

• a bale formation system for forming collected crop material into an initial bale;
• a banding system operable to bind the initial bale of material with each of the plurality of multi-colored bands, wherein the plurality of multi-colored bands includes only one location identification band having a first color scheme and a marker indicating a region of the initial bale, and the remainder of the plurality of multi-colored bands include at least two pattern identification bands having a second color scheme that is different from the first color scheme;
• an initial image sensor positioned to capture an initial image of the region of the initial bale;
• a computing device disposed in communication with the initial image sensor and operable to receive the initial image of the region of the initial bale, wherein the computing device includes a processor and a memory having a bale identification algorithm stored thereon, wherein the processor is operable to execute the bale identification algorithm to:
• analyze the initial image to identify a unique band pattern of the plurality of multi-colored bands of the initial bale in the initial image;
• associate the unique band pattern with the initial bale;
• save the initial image and the associated unique band pattern in the memory of the computing device, such that the identified unique band pattern of the initial bale is used as an identifier of the initial bale;
• associate data related to the initial bale with the identified unique band pattern of the initial bale;
• and
• save the data associated with the initial bale in the memory of the computing device.