Surveillance system of edaphic status

Abstract

A surveillance system of edaphic status is suitable to cooperate with a mobile electronic device with a photographing function, and incudes: a detecting device for generating and outputting detection values by detecting feature(s) of soil; a mobile application program being installable in the mobile electronic device and allowing the mobile electronic device to receive the detection values, record the detection values and picture(s) produced by photographing the detected soil, in a detection-end investigation history, and output at least a part of the detection-end investigation history; and a server device configured to receive and record the detection values and the picture(s) and monitor changes in the detection value. Therefore, it is possible to monitor edaphic status in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a monitoring system, and more particularly to a soil condition monitoring system. Prior Technology

[0002] When conducting field surveys to understand the state of the soil, the surveyors usually first insert the probe of the soil testing instrument into the soil, then visually observe the values ​​displayed on the soil testing instrument's screen and manually record the values. Only after returning to the monitoring station do they compare the data obtained from this field survey with the data obtained from previous field surveys to observe changes in the soil state.

[0003] However, because the test results are not immediately transmitted back to the monitoring station, it is not conducive to timely understanding of the soil condition. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a soil condition monitoring system that overcomes the problems of prior art and can monitor soil condition in real time.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a soil condition monitoring system is provided, suitable for use with a mobile electronic device having a shooting function, and includes: a detector, which can communicate with the mobile electronic device and is used to detect at least one feature of the soil to generate and output at least one detection value (e.g., but not limited to multiple detection values ​​of the same type but at different time points, or multiple types of detection values ​​(e.g., detection values ​​of different types at the same time point or detection values ​​of different types at different time points)); a mobile application, which is installed in the mobile electronic device and, when executed by the mobile electronic device, allows the mobile electronic device to receive the at least one detection value from the detector and record the at least one detection value and at least one corresponding photograph (e.g., but not limited to one photograph corresponding to multiple detection values) in a detection end survey process, thereby outputting at least a portion of the photographs and corresponding detection values ​​in the detection end survey process, wherein the at least one photograph is generated by the mobile electronic device taking pictures of the site where the detector is located; and a server device, which can communicate with the mobile electronic device and is used to receive and record the detection values ​​and photographs in at least a portion of the detection end survey process from the mobile electronic device and monitor changes in the detection values.

[0006] Alternatively, the mobile application may also provide a detection end user interface and display the detection end user interface through the mobile electronic device, the detection end user interface being used to present the at least one detection value and the at least one photograph.

[0007] Alternatively, the mobile application may graphically present the change in at least one detection value in the user interface of the detection device via the mobile electronic device.

[0008] Optionally, the mobile application allows users to add notes to the detection values ​​and photos obtained by the mobile electronic device in the detection terminal user interface, and to record the notes in the detection terminal investigation process for output to the server device; and the notes are either manually entered into the detection terminal user interface or automatically loaded into the detection terminal user interface by scanning a barcode by the mobile electronic device, the barcode being stored in the mobile electronic device and linked to the detection terminal user interface.

[0009] Alternatively, the mobile application allows at least a portion of the investigation process of the detection terminal to a third party via the mobile electronic device through the user interface of the detection terminal.

[0010] Alternatively, the mobile application obtains the location of the mobile electronic device from the mobile electronic device and records it during the detection process for output to the server device; the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the detection values ​​and photos obtained by the mobile electronic device.

[0011] Alternatively, the action application may determine whether the detection value exceeds a warning range, and if the detection value exceeds the warning range, define the detection value as abnormal and generate an abnormal prompt.

[0012] Alternatively, the server device may have a server-side user interface to display the detection values ​​and photos received from the mobile electronic device.

[0013] Alternatively, the server device can record the photograph and the obtained detection values ​​in a server-side investigation process.

[0014] Alternatively, the servo device determines whether the detected value exceeds a warning range, and when the detected value exceeds the warning range, the servo device defines the detected value as abnormal and generates an abnormal prompt.

[0015] Alternatively, the servo device may determine whether the duration of the abnormal detection value has reached a time threshold. When the duration reaches the time threshold, the servo device may issue an abnormality alert according to a notification cycle.

[0016] Alternatively, the type of the at least one detection value may include deep humidity, shallow humidity, deep temperature, shallow temperature, potassium content, phosphorus content, nitrogen content, conductivity, pH value, or a combination thereof. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0017] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after studying the detailed description in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be displayed on a user interface of a mobile electronic device; Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be displayed on a user interface of a mobile electronic device; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the investigation process at the detection end of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the investigation process at the detection end of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be displayed on a user interface of a mobile electronic device; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be displayed on a user interface of a mobile electronic device; Figure 7 is a partial schematic diagram of the instrument-side survey process generated by the detector of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a partial schematic diagram of the instrument-side survey process generated by the detector of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a soil condition monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be displayed on a user interface of a mobile electronic device. Implementation

[0018] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a soil condition monitoring system 1 is suitable for use with a mobile electronic device 2 (detection end) with a shooting function, and includes a detector 10 (instrument end), an application 20 (or mobile application) suitable for installation on the mobile electronic device 2, a server device 30 (server end), and an application 40 (or server application) suitable for installation on the server device 30.

[0019] The detector 10 includes a sensor 11, a controller 12 electrically connected to the sensor 11, a display 13 electrically connected to the controller 12, a communication module 14 electrically connected to the controller 12, and a control module 15 electrically connected to the controller 12.

[0020] Sensor 11 is adapted to be inserted into or buried in the soil and includes one or more sensing elements, each of which can detect a characteristic of the soil and generate a corresponding detection value. The types of detection values ​​include, but are not limited to, deep humidity, shallow humidity, air humidity (Air_RH), deep temperature (EX_Temp), shallow temperature (Temp), air temperature (Air_Temp), potassium content, phosphorus content, nitrogen content, conductivity, pH value, or combinations thereof.

[0021] The controller 12 controls the operation of the entire detector 10 and displays one or more detection values ​​obtained by the sensor 11 at each time point to the operator via the display 13, and outputs one or more detection values ​​obtained at each time point via the communication module 14. For example, the controller 12 controls the sensor 11 to periodically detect soil characteristics, such as, but not limited to, once every 4 seconds.

[0022] Furthermore, the controller 12 can also allow the investigator to set the operating mode of the detector 10 through the control module 15, such as, but not limited to, the detection cycle, data output cycle, and whether the data recording mode is manual or automatic.

[0023] In one example, controller 12 can automatically record the detected values ​​at each time point in an instrument-side investigation process, as shown in instrument-side investigation process 16A in Figure 7.

[0024] In another example, the controller 12 can also manually record the detected values ​​at each time point in an instrument-side investigation process according to the operator's operation of the control module 15, as shown in the instrument-side investigation process 16B in Figure 8.

[0025] The instrument-side investigation process is implemented, for example but not limited to, by at least one list (e.g., but not limited to an Excel spreadsheet) and can be stored in an internal memory of the electrical connection controller 12 or in an insertable memory (e.g., but not limited to an SD card).

[0026] The mobile electronic device 2 is, for example but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc., and includes a storage device 201, a processor 202 electrically connected to the storage device 201, a display module 203 electrically connected to the processor 202, a communication module 204 electrically connected to the processor 202, a camera module 205 electrically connected to the processor 202, a control module 206 electrically connected to the processor 202, and a positioning module 207 electrically connected to the processor 202.

[0027] Users of mobile electronic devices 2 (such as, but not limited to, investigators conducting fieldwork) can download the application 20 to storage 201 and execute the application 20 via processor 202.

[0028] When application 20 is executed, processor 202 can establish a database 21 (or detection database) in storage 201 to store data related to the detection. It can also communicate with the communication module 14 of the detector 10 via communication module 204. Therefore, processor 202 can communicate with detector 10 (e.g., but not limited to Bluetooth communication) to periodically, non-periodically, or continuously receive detection values ​​output by detector 10 and record them in database 21. The method of recording detection values ​​includes, but is not limited to, automatically recording the received detection values ​​in a detection investigation process within database 21.

[0029] The investigation process at the detection end can be implemented, for example but not limited to, by at least one list (e.g., but not limited to an Excel spreadsheet). Optionally, the list records a note corresponding to the same photograph and multiple sets of detection values ​​at different time points, and the type of feature group of a set of detection values ​​at a given time point depends on the type of soil characteristics that the sensor 11 can detect. Therefore, the investigator can select a portion to view in the user interface 22, as described in the examples shown in Figures 4, 5, and 9.

[0030] Furthermore, when the application 20 is executed, it can also provide a user interface 22 (or detection end user interface) connected to this database 21 and display this user interface 22 to the investigator through the display module 203. The investigator can also operate this user interface 22 through the control module 206.

[0031] When the application 20 is executed, the processor 202 allows the investigator to select part or all of the content from the investigation process at the detection end to present on the user interface 22 for the investigator to review, based on the investigator's operation on the user interface 22.

[0032] In one example, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the user interface 22 has a function key P6 that enables data browsing. Therefore, when this function key P6 is selected, it becomes a function key P8 that can access data in the database 21. When this function key P8 is selected, the user interface 22 will provide one or more function keys P10 as options for the investigator to select from the data to be viewed. When a function key P10 is selected, the processor 202 will load the corresponding data group (e.g., but not limited to various types of detection values ​​corresponding to the same photo) from the database 21 into the user interface 22.

[0033] When the application 20 is executed, the user interface 22 can access the photo album in the storage 201 and the camera function of the mobile electronic device 2 through the processor 202.

[0034] In one example, as shown in Figure 3, the user interface 22 has a function key P3 that can be linked to the photo album of the mobile electronic device 2. Therefore, when the function key P3 is selected, the investigator can select the required photo from the photo album, such as, but not limited to, a photo taken on the day of the test that contains the tested soil and the vegetation slope on it in the field of view. Then the processor 202 loads this photo into the user interface 22 (as shown in Figure 5) and records it in the test end survey process and points it to the test values ​​received during this survey period.

[0035] In one example, as shown in Figure 3, the user interface 22 has a function key P4 that can call up the camera module 205 of the mobile electronic device 2. Therefore, when the function key P4 is selected, the processor 202 can call up the interface that can operate the camera module 205 for the investigator to operate. In this way, the processor 202 can drive the camera module 205 to take a picture of the scene where the detector 10 is located according to the investigator's operation of the control module 206. Then, the picture is loaded into the user interface 22 and recorded in the investigation process of the detection end and pointed to the detection value received during the investigation period.

[0036] When the application 20 is executed, it allows the processor 202 to graphically display the changes in the collected detection values ​​in the user interface 22.

[0037] In one example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when function key P6 is selected, it transforms into function key P9, which enables data visualization. Therefore, when function key P9 is selected, user interface 22 retrieves data from database 21 through processor 202, and then presents the retrieved data in a graphical manner (e.g., but not limited to charts (e.g., but not limited to line graphs)) to show the changes of various detection values ​​of detector 10 over time.

[0038] When application 20 is executed, it allows investigators to manually add a note to the detection value and its corresponding photo in the user interface 22 via the control module 206. This note will be recorded by the processor 202 in the detection end investigation process and will point to the corresponding detection value and photo. The note may be, for example, but is not limited to, the place name or area name of the location where the soil detected by the detector 10 is located.

[0039] In one example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the user interface 22 has a notes field F1 for investigators to manually enter notes. In another example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the user interface 22 has a notes field F2 similar to the notes field F1 shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0040] When executed, application 20 also allows investigators to scan a barcode (e.g., but not limited to, a QR code) on user interface 22 using a mobile electronic device 2. This barcode contains a note that is assigned to the test value and its corresponding photograph and automatically loaded into user interface 22. This note is also recorded by processor 202 in the test investigation process and points to the corresponding test value and photograph. This barcode is created by the investigator pre-entering the note into a barcode generator or barcode generation website, and then stored in database 21 for retrieval by user interface 22.

[0041] In one example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the user interface 22 has a function key P1 that can access and scan barcodes in the database 21. Therefore, when function key P1 is selected, the user interface 22 uses the processor 202 to retrieve the barcode and invokes the automatic barcode scanning function of the mobile electronic device 2 to scan the barcode and obtain a note. The processor 202 then loads this note into the note field F1 of the user interface 22. In another example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the user interface 22 has a function key P7, similar to function key P1 shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0042] Furthermore, when the application 20 is executed, it can call the positioning function of the positioning module 207 through the processor 202. Therefore, at each time point when the detection value is collected through the processor 202, the application 20 can obtain the location of the mobile electronic device 2 (e.g., but not limited to GPS coordinates) from the positioning module 207 through the processor 202 and point it to the detection value collected at this time point, and record this location and its corresponding detection value in the detection end investigation process.

[0043] In this embodiment or other embodiments, if the positioning function of the mobile electronic device 2 is enabled when taking a photo, the processor 202 will record the location (GPS coordinates) of the mobile electronic device 2 at the time of taking the photo in the detailed information of the photo. Therefore, the application 20 can also obtain the location of the mobile electronic device 2 during this survey from the detailed information of the photo loaded in the user interface 22 through the processor 202, and record this location and its corresponding detection value in the detection end survey process.

[0044] When the application 20 is executed, the user interface 22 can call the communication module 204 through the processor 202 to upload part or all of the detection end investigation process to the network 3.

[0045] In one example, as shown in Figure 2A, the user interface 22 has a function key P2 that can link to the database 21 and upload part or all of the detection end investigation process to the network 3. Therefore, when this function key P2 is selected, the processor 202 uploads the detection values, photos, location of the mobile electronic device 2, and notes recorded in the detection end investigation process during this investigation period to the network 3 through the communication module 204. Alternatively, when this function key P2 / P5 is selected, a function key P12, as shown in Figure 2B, can be generated that can pause or stop data upload.

[0046] In another example, as shown in Figure 3, the user interface 22 has a function key P5 that can link to the database 21 and upload part or all of the detection end investigation process to the network 3. Therefore, when this function key P5 is selected, the processor 202 uploads the detection values, photos, location of the mobile electronic device 2, and notes recorded in the detection end investigation process during this investigation period to the network 3 through the communication module 204. Alternatively, when this function key P5 is selected, a function key as shown in Figure 2B, which can pause or stop data upload, can also be generated.

[0047] In addition, when executed, application 20 allows investigators to share at least a portion of the investigation process at the testing end with a third party via mobile electronic device 2 on user interface 22.

[0048] In one example, as shown in Figure 5, the user interface 22 has a function key P11 that can link to other applications installed in the mobile electronic device 2 (e.g., but not limited to social media (e.g., but not limited to LINE), email, etc.), thereby sharing with third parties through these other applications. Therefore, when this function key P11 is selected, at least a portion of the investigation process can be shared with a third party.

[0049] Furthermore, the database 21 can selectively store an alert range corresponding to each detection value. The alert ranges corresponding to various detection values ​​in the database 21 are either built into the application 20 or, as shown in Figure 6, set by the investigator in the user interface 22. Therefore, when the application 20 is executed, the processor 202 can determine whether the received detection value exceeds its corresponding alert range. When a detection value exceeds its corresponding alert range, the processor 202 defines this detection value as abnormal and generates an abnormal prompt. The abnormal prompt can be presented, for example, but not limited to, through flashing lights or text prompts on the user interface 22, or through sound effects emitted by the audio device of the mobile electronic device 2.

[0050] The servo device 30 includes a storage 301 for storing the application program 40 described above, a processor module 302 electrically connected to the storage 301, a communication module 303 electrically connected to the processor module 302, a display module 304 electrically connected to the processor module 302, and a control module 305 electrically connected to the processor module 302.

[0051] The processor module 302 includes one processor or multiple processors that can communicate or be electrically connected to each other to control the operation of the server device 30. The terminal monitor can execute the application 40 through the processor module 302. When the application 40 is executed, it will establish a database 41 (or terminal database) in the storage 301 through the processor module 302 to store data related to detection and monitoring.

[0052] Furthermore, application 40 can also allow communication module 204 of mobile electronic device 2 to establish communication with communication module 303 via network 3 through processor module 302. Therefore, processor module 302 can receive detection values, photos, and the location of mobile electronic device 2 uploaded by mobile electronic device 2 via network 3 from communication module 303, and record them in one of the server-side survey processes in database 41. The server-side survey process is implemented, for example, but not limited to, by at least one list (e.g., but not limited to an Excel spreadsheet), in which the same photo corresponds to a note and one or more sets of detection values ​​at time points, and the type of feature group of a set of detection values ​​at a time point depends on the type of soil features that sensor 11 can detect. In one example, the form of the server-side survey process is the same as that of the detection-side survey process shown in FIG9.

[0053] When application 40 is executed, it can provide a user interface 42 (or server user interface) connected to the terminal database through processor module 302 and display it to the terminal monitor through display module 304. The terminal monitor can also operate this user interface 42 through control module 305. Processor module 302 can display data obtained from communication module 303 in user interface 42.

[0054] Optionally, the terminal database pre-stores a warning range corresponding to each detection value. This warning range is either built into the application 40 or set by the terminal monitor in the user interface 42. Therefore, when the application 40 is executed, the processor module 302 can determine whether the received detection value exceeds its corresponding warning range. When the detection value exceeds its corresponding warning range, the processor module 302 defines the detection value as abnormal and generates an abnormal prompt. The abnormal prompt can be presented, for example, but not limited to, through flashing lights or text prompts in the user interface 42, or through sound effects emitted by the sound device of the server device 30.

[0055] Optionally, the terminal database pre-stores a notification cycle and a time threshold corresponding to each detection value. Therefore, when application 40 is executed, it can use processor module 302 to determine whether the duration of the abnormal detection value has reached the corresponding time threshold. When the duration reaches the time threshold, processor module 302 periodically issues an abnormal notification according to the corresponding notification cycle. The notification cycle can be built into application 40 or set by the terminal monitor in user interface 42, and this setting is stored in the terminal database.

[0056] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, refinements, and combinations of embodiments made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention. For the scope of protection defined by the present invention, please refer to the appended claims.

[0057] 1: Monitoring System 10: Detector 11: Sensor 12: Controller 13: Monitor 14: Communication Module 15: Control Module 16A: Instrument-based survey process 16B: Instrument-based survey process 20: Applications 21: Database 22: User Interface 30: Servo device 40: Applications 41: Database 42: User Interface 2: Mobile electronic devices 201: Storage 202: Processor 203: Display Module 204: Communication Module 205: Camera Module 206: Control Module 207: Positioning Module 3: Network 301: Storage 302: Processor Module 303: Communication Module 304: Display Module 305: Control Module F1, F2: Remarks / Notes P1, P2, P3, P4, P5: Function keys P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12: Function keys

Claims

1. A soil condition monitoring system, suitable for use with a mobile electronic device having a camera function, comprising: a detector, communicable with the mobile electronic device and used to detect soil characteristics to generate and output detection values ​​of different types at the same time point; a mobile application, to be installed in the mobile electronic device and, when executed by the mobile electronic device, allowing the mobile electronic device to receive the detection values ​​from the detector and record the detection values ​​and their corresponding photographs in a detection end survey process, thereby outputting a photograph and its corresponding detection values ​​in a portion of the detection end survey process, the photographs being generated by the mobile electronic device taking pictures of the site where the detector is located; and a server device, communicable with the mobile electronic device and used to receive and record the detection values ​​and photographs in the portion of the detection end survey process from the mobile electronic device and monitor changes in the detection values.

2. A soil condition monitoring system, suitable for use with a mobile electronic device having a camera function, and comprising: a detector, communicable with the mobile electronic device and used to detect a characteristic of the soil to generate and output multiple detection values ​​of the same type at different time points; a mobile application, to be installed in the mobile electronic device and, when executed by the mobile electronic device, allowing the mobile electronic device to receive the detection values ​​from the detector and record the detection values ​​and a corresponding photograph in a survey process at a detection site, thereby outputting photographs and corresponding detection values ​​in at least a portion of the survey process, the photographs being generated by the mobile electronic device taking pictures of the site where the detector is located; and a server device, communicable with the mobile electronic device and used to receive and record the detection values ​​and photographs in at least a portion of the survey process at the detection site and monitor changes in the detection values.

3. A soil condition monitoring system, suitable for use with a mobile electronic device having a camera function, and comprising: a detector, which can communicate with the mobile electronic device and is used to detect various characteristics of the soil to generate and output various types of detection values; a mobile application, which is installed in the mobile electronic device and, when executed by the mobile electronic device, allows the mobile electronic device to receive the detection values ​​from the detector and record the detection values ​​and a corresponding photograph in a detection end survey process, thereby outputting a photograph and the corresponding detection value in at least a portion of the detection end survey process, the photograph being generated by the mobile electronic device taking pictures of the site where the detector is located; and a server device, which can communicate with the mobile electronic device and is used to receive and record the detection values ​​and photographs in at least a portion of the detection end survey process from the mobile electronic device and monitor changes in the detection values.

4. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile application also provides a detection end user interface and displays the detection end user interface through the mobile electronic device, the detection end user interface being used to present the at least one detection value and the at least one photograph, the mobile application allowing annotations to be added to the detection value and photograph obtained by the mobile electronic device in the detection end user interface, and recording the annotations in the detection end investigation process for output to the server device; and the annotations are either manually entered into the detection end user interface or automatically loaded into the detection end user interface by scanning a barcode through the mobile electronic device, the barcode being stored in the mobile electronic device and linked to the detection end user interface.

5. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile application also provides a detection end user interface and displays the detection end user interface through the mobile electronic device, the detection end user interface being used to present the at least one detection value and the at least one photograph, and the mobile application allowing at least a portion of the detection end investigation process to a third party through the mobile electronic device on the detection end user interface.

6. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile application obtains the location of the mobile electronic device from the mobile electronic device and records it during the investigation process at the detection end for output to the server device; the location of the mobile electronic device corresponds to the detection values ​​and photos obtained by the mobile electronic device.

7. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the action application determines whether the detected value exceeds a warning range, and when the detected value exceeds the warning range, defines the detected value as abnormal and generates an abnormality prompt.

8. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile application also provides a detection end user interface and displays the detection end user interface through the mobile electronic device, the detection end user interface being used to present the at least one detection value and the at least one photograph, the mobile application graphically presenting the change of the at least one detection value in the detection end user interface through the mobile electronic device.

9. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server device records the photograph and the obtained test values ​​in a server-side survey process.

10. A soil condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the servo device determines whether the detected value exceeds a warning range, and when the detected value exceeds the warning range, the servo device defines the detected value as abnormal and generates an abnormality prompt.

11. The soil condition monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein the servo device determines whether the duration of the abnormal detection value reaches a time threshold, and when the duration reaches the time threshold, the servo device issues an abnormality alert according to a notification cycle.

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