Mobile crop monitoring system of smart farm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm, and more specifically, comprises: a smart farm; a photographing unit moving inside the smart farm and photographing a crop in the smart farm; an analysis unit provided so as to be spaced apart from the smart farm and receiving and analyzing an image from the photographing unit; and a monitoring unit provided so as to be spaced apart from the smart farm and receiving and displaying the image from the photographing unit or an analysis result from the analysis unit.

Description

Mobile crop monitoring system for smart farms

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, and more specifically, to a mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm that moves within a smart farm, monitors crops within the smart farm, collects crop condition data and pest data, and analyzes captured images to provide information on the presence of pests, pesticide spraying cycles, and crop harvesting times.

[0002] Typically, farms cultivate and produce a variety of agricultural products, including grains, fruits, and vegetables. Recently, cutting-edge agricultural technologies, such as hydroponics and smart farms, are being introduced to cultivate high-value-added agricultural products. In particular, smart farm systems allow even non-agricultural professionals to easily create a growing environment by regulating temperature and humidity appropriately for each crop's growth conditions and supplying nutrients necessary for crop growth. Furthermore, they are emerging as an advanced farming method that allows for the production of high-quality crops by proactively monitoring the growth status of growing crops and proactively diagnosing crop harvest times and pest outbreaks. For example, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0085889 (June 17, 2024) discloses a method for managing a smart farm's operation schedule, as well as a server and system utilizing the same.

[0003] However, in the conventional cases as mentioned above, pest damage continues to occur as the passive method of adjusting pesticide spraying cycles without information on the characteristics and occurrence mechanisms of the pests is being carried out, and recently, the thrips are expanding their host range of domestic crops, and the occurrence and damage are on the rise.

[0004] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm that moves within a smart farm, monitors crops within the smart farm, collects crop condition data and pest data, and analyzes captured images to provide information on the presence of pests, pesticide spraying cycles, and crop harvesting times.

[0005] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems to be solved by the present invention that are not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0006] A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a smart farm; a photographing unit that moves inside the smart farm and photographs crops within the smart farm; an analysis unit that is provided apart from the smart farm and receives and analyzes images from the photographing unit; and a monitoring unit that is provided apart from the smart farm and receives and displays images from the photographing unit or analysis results from the analysis unit.

[0007] In addition, the smart farm according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a wire provided inside the smart farm, the photographing unit includes a drone unit that moves along the wire, and the drone unit includes a first camera provided on one side of the drone unit to photograph the crops, such that as the drone unit moves along the wire, the first camera photographs the crops at a location spaced from the ground within the smart farm.

[0008] In addition, the wires according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are characterized in that they are arranged in a plurality of rows and parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the smart farm.

[0009] In addition, the photographing unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an RC unit that is provided inside the smart farm and moves along the ground, and the RC unit includes a second camera that is provided on one side of the RC unit and photographs the crops, such that as the RC unit moves along the ground inside the smart farm, the second camera photographs the crops near the ground inside the smart farm.

[0010] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the smart farm further includes a sensor unit provided on one side of the smart farm to measure the internal environment of the smart farm and transmit the measured environment to the analysis unit, and the sensor unit includes a temperature sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the smart farm, a humidity sensor for measuring the internal humidity of the smart farm, and an air quality sensor for measuring the internal air quality of the smart farm.

[0011] By the means for solving the above problem, the mobile crop monitoring system of the smart farm of the present invention is effective in that it moves within the smart farm and monitors crops within the smart farm, collects crop condition data and pest data, etc., and analyzes the captured images to provide guidance on the presence of pests, pesticide spraying cycle, crop harvesting time, etc., thereby facilitating the growth of crops and improving their quality.

[0012] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and effects of the present invention not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0013] Fig. 1 (a) is a drawing showing the configuration of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1 (b) is a drawing showing a control configuration.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a drone unit of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the configuration of the RC unit of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the configuration of a drone unit of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the configuration of wires of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the configuration of wires of a mobile crop monitoring system of a smart farm according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, and the present invention will be described in detail.

[0020] The terms used in this invention have been selected from widely used, common terms, taking into account their functions. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Therefore, the terms used in this invention should be defined based on their meaning and the overall content of the invention, rather than simply their names.

[0021] When a part of a specification is said to “include” a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0022] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0023] Specific details, including the problems to be solved, means of solving them, and the effects of the invention, are included in the embodiments and drawings described below. The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail, along with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a smart farm (100), a photographing unit (200) that moves inside the smart farm (100) and photographs crops within the smart farm (100), an analysis unit (300) that is provided spaced apart from the smart farm (100) and receives and analyzes an image of the photographing unit (200), and a monitoring unit (400) that is provided spaced apart from the smart farm (100) and receives and displays an image of the photographing unit (200) or an analysis result of the analysis unit (300). In addition, the system further includes a sensor unit (500) that is provided on one side of the smart farm (100) and measures the internal environment of the smart farm (100) and transmits the measured result to the analysis unit (300).

[0026] First, the smart farm (100) is provided. The smart farm (100) uses information technology to measure and analyze the temperature, humidity, sunlight, carbon dioxide, soil, etc. of the crop cultivation facility, and operates a control device according to the analysis results to change it to an appropriate state, thereby forming a farming space that facilitates the growth of crops. For example, the smart farm (100) may include a crop growth room where a growing environment necessary for the growth of crops is created, a growing environment creation unit that creates a growing environment so that the inside of the crop growth room becomes an environment necessary for the growth of crops, and a nutrient supply unit that supplies a nutrient solution so that crops can be planted and the planted crops can grow, and the smart farm (100) may be provided in any form as long as it can easily grow crops.

[0027] Next, the above-mentioned photographing unit (200) is provided. The photographing unit (200) moves inside the smart farm (100) and photographs crops within the smart farm (100) and wirelessly transmits the photographed images to the analysis unit (300) or monitoring unit (400).

[0028] More specifically, the smart farm (100) includes a wire (110) provided inside the smart farm (100), and the photographing unit (200) includes a drone unit (210) that moves along the wire (110), and the drone unit (210) includes a first camera (217) that is provided on one side of the drone unit (210) and photographs the crops, so that as the drone unit (210) moves along the wire (110), the first camera (217) photographs the crops at a location spaced from the ground within the smart farm (100).

[0029] Here, the wires (110) may be arranged in a plurality of rows and parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the smart farm (100). At this time, the wires (110) serve as a guide to support at least a portion of the drone unit (210) and guide the transport of the drone unit (210) so that the wires (110) can be transported separately. For example, the plurality of wires (110) may be provided with a plurality of drone units (210) so that they can be transported. In addition, the wires (110) may be installed near the ceiling of the smart farm (100) along the longitudinal direction of the smart farm (100). That is, the plurality of drone units (110) move along the length direction of the smart farm (100) near the ceiling of the smart farm (100) along the plurality of wires (110), so that the first camera (217) can photograph crops located away from the ground within the smart farm (100). At this time, the image photographed through the first camera (217) can be transmitted to the analysis unit (300) or the monitoring unit (400) in real time.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the drone part (210) includes a drone frame (211) provided in a form that covers both sides of the wire (110), a drive roller (212) provided on the central side of the drone frame (211) and rotating so that the drone frame (211) can be transported along the lower part of the wire (110), a tension control roller (213) provided on each side of the drone frame (211) based on the drive roller (212) and rotating so that the drone frame (211) can be transported along the upper part of the wire (110), a power module (214) provided on the upper part of the drone frame (211) and supplying power to the drive roller (212), the tension control roller (213), or the first camera (217), and a power module (214) provided on the lower part of the drone frame (211) and supporting the first camera (217). It includes a gimbal (215) and a control module (214) provided between the drone frame (211) and the gimbal (215) to control the drive roller (212), the tension control roller (213), the power module (214) and the first camera (217).

[0031] More specifically, the drone frame (211) is made of a corrosion-resistant material, and is formed with a front side (211a) and a rear side (211b) formed in an inverted triangle shape, and the wire (110) is formed to be placed between the front side (211a) and the rear side (211b). In addition, the drive roller (212) and two tension control rollers (213) are provided between the front side (211a) and the rear side (211b), and the drive roller (212) and the two tension control rollers (213) are rotatably coupled to the drone frame (211). Here, the two tension control rollers (213) each support the upper surface of the wire (110) downward, and the drive roller (212) rotates in a manner to convexly push the lower surface of the wire (110) upward, thereby allowing the drone frame (211) to be transported along the wire (110). That is, the drive roller (212) and the two tension control rollers (213) alternately support the lower surface and the upper surface of the wire (110), so that the drone frame (211) can be transported due to the static friction between the drive roller (212) and the wire (110) as the drive roller (212) rotates while being hung on the wire (110). At this time, the drone part (210) may include a motor (not shown in the drawing) provided on one side of the drone frame (211) to provide driving force so that the driving roller (212) can rotate, and the driving roller (212) may be formed to have a larger diameter than the tension control roller (213).

[0032] In addition, the power module (214) is provided to protrude upwardly at the upper end of the drone frame (211) and serves to supply power to the drive roller (212), the tension control roller (213), or the first camera (217). At this time, the power module (214) includes a contact-type charging terminal (not shown in the drawing) and can be charged by making contact with a power supply unit (not shown in the drawing) installed on one side of the smart farm (100). That is, when charging of the power module (214) is required, the drone unit (210) moves to the power supply unit along the wire (110), and then the power module (214) can be charged when the contact-type charging terminal makes contact with the power supply unit.

[0033] In addition, the gimbal (215) is formed to protrude from the lower portion of the drone control module (218) and serves to support the first camera (217). At this time, the gimbal (215) is a 3-axis gimbal and is equipped with a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor to minimize shaking when shooting a video. For example, the gimbal (215) may be formed in a 'ㄷ' shape and the first camera (217) may be equipped at an end. Lastly, the drone control module (218) includes a case made of a waterproof material of IP66 or higher, and the combined weight of the drone control module (218), gimbal (215), and first camera (217) provided on the lower side of the drone frame (211) is formed to be heavier than the combined weight of the drone frame (211) and power module (214), thereby minimizing vibration and shaking of the first camera (217). Accordingly, according to the instruction signal of the analysis unit (300), the drone control module (218) controls the drone unit (220) to move to a corresponding location, and controls the first camera (217) to take close-up photographs of crops at a location where pest damage, etc., is suspected.

[0034] Next, the above-described photographing unit (200) includes an RC camera (220) that is installed inside the smart farm (100) and moves along the ground, and the RC camera (220) includes a second camera (225) that is installed on one side of the RC camera (220) and photographs the crops, so that as the RC camera (220) moves along the ground inside the smart farm (100), the second camera (225) photographs the crops near the ground inside the smart farm (100).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the RC car body (220) includes an RC car body (221) equipped with wheels to be able to move along the ground, an RC car sensor (222) provided on one side of the RC car body (221) to sense location information of the RC car body (221), a lift (223) provided on the upper side of the RC car body (221) and supporting the second camera (225) provided at an end and enabling the second camera (225) to be raised and lowered, and an RC car control module (224) that controls the RC car body (221), the RC car sensor (222), the lift (223), and the second camera (225).

[0036] More specifically, the above-mentioned RC car body (221) is provided so that it can move along the ground inside the smart farm (100), for example, as a ground drone. Here, the RC car body (221) can be formed in any form as long as it can move along the ground inside the smart farm (100) according to transmitted instructions.

[0037] And, the above-mentioned RC sensor (222) may include a LIDAR sensor, a GNSS sensor, a GPS sensor, an AHRS motion sensor, or an optical sensor, and the analysis unit (300) collects the location information of the RC sensor (222) through the RC sensor (222) and enables 3D mapping of the internal farming space of the smart farm (100). In addition, the RC control module (224) controls the RC main body (221) to move to a corresponding location according to the instruction signal of the analysis unit (300), controls the lift (223) so that the second camera (225) can take close-up pictures of the crops at the corresponding location at a point where pest damage, etc. is suspected, and controls the second camera (225) to start taking pictures.

[0038] Next, the analysis unit (300) is provided. The analysis unit (300) is provided separately from the smart farm (100), and receives, stores, and analyzes images from the photographing unit (200). For example, the analysis unit (300) includes a pest object identification AI model, pest capture time-series change data generation, and micro-insect analysis and prediction models such as thrips based on pest capture images, thereby predicting pest occurrence and enabling the application of an appropriate pesticide. In addition, the analysis unit (300) may control the photographing unit (200) to be moved to a location where pest damage is suspected so as to take close-up photographs of the corresponding crop.

[0039] Next, the monitoring unit (400) is provided. The monitoring unit (400) displays the captured images of the shooting unit (200) or the analysis results of the analysis unit (300), such as the presence of pests and diseases, pesticide spraying cycle, and crop harvesting time, so that the worker can check the status of crops in the smart farm (100) in real time.

[0040] Next, the sensor unit (500) includes a temperature sensor (510) for measuring the temperature inside the smart farm (100), a humidity sensor (520) for measuring the humidity inside the smart farm (100), and an air quality sensor (530) for measuring the air quality inside the smart farm (100), and serves to transmit each measurement value to the analysis unit (300) or the monitoring unit (400).

[0041] Based on this configuration, crops within the smart farm (100) are photographed in real time and the photographed images are analyzed to provide information on the presence of pests, pesticide spraying cycles, and crop harvesting times.

[0042] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4, the drone unit (210) or the RC unit (220) may further include a capturing unit (216) that forcibly captures pests by irradiating light capable of attracting pests or emitting an attractant pheromone. More specifically, the capturing unit (216) includes a case (216-1) provided at the lower portion of the drone control module (218), a light (216-2) provided at the inner upper portion of the case (216-1) and irradiating light, and a collection box (216-3) provided at the lower portion of the case (216-1) and capturing pests. At this time, the inside of the collection box (216-3) may contain pheromone, and the capturing unit (216) may be installed in the drone unit (210) or the RC unit (220) by replacing the first camera (217) and the second camera (225), respectively. For example, at least some of the plurality of drone units (210) are installed with the first camera (217), and the remaining drone units (210) except for at least some of the plurality of drone units (210) are installed with the capturing unit (216), so that filming and pest capture can be performed simultaneously while moving inside the smart farm (100).

[0043] On the other hand, the wires (110) may be arranged in a grid shape inside the smart farm (100). Therefore, there is an advantage in that the plurality of drone units (210) can move along the wires (110) in a grid shape, thereby capturing crops inside the smart farm (100) in more detail.

[0044] On the other hand, the wire (110) may be formed in a circular or oval shape based on the center of the smart farm (100). Therefore, there is an advantage in that the drone unit (210) can continuously photograph crops at the same angle while moving along the circular or oval wire (110). Here, the wire (110) may be formed in a straight line, a grid shape, a circular shape, or an oval shape, and may be applied to a single smart farm (100).

[0045] As a result, the mobile crop monitoring system of the smart farm of the present invention has the advantage of moving within the smart farm, monitoring crops within the smart farm, collecting crop condition data and pest data, etc., and analyzing the captured images to provide guidance on the presence of pests, pesticide spraying cycle, crop harvesting time, etc., thereby facilitating crop growth and improving quality.

[0046] In this way, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical configuration of the present invention described above can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention.

[0047] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as being exemplary and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0048] [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100: Smart Farm

[0050] 110: Wire

[0051] 200: Filming Department

[0052] 210: Drone Department

[0053] 211: Drone Frame

[0054] 211a: Front

[0055] 211b: Rear

[0056] 212: Drive roller

[0057] 213: Tension adjustment roller

[0058] 214: Power module

[0059] 215: Gimbal

[0060] 216: Capture Unit

[0061] 216-1: Case

[0062] 216-2: Infant lights

[0063] 216-3: Collection box

[0064] 217: Camera 1

[0065] 218: Drone control module

[0066] 220: Alcikabu

[0067] 221: Alsica body

[0068] 222: Alcica sensor

[0069] 223: Lift

[0070] 224: Alsica control module

[0071] 225: Second camera

[0072] 300: Analysis Department

[0073] 400: Monitoring Department

[0074] 500: Sensor section

[0075] 510: Temperature sensor

[0076] 520: Humidity sensor

[0077] 530: Air quality sensor

Claims

1. Smart farm; A photographing unit that moves inside the smart farm and takes pictures of crops within the smart farm; An analysis unit that is provided separately from the smart farm and receives and analyzes images from the camera; and A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, characterized by including a monitoring unit that is installed separately from the smart farm and receives and displays an image from the photographing unit or an analysis result from the analysis unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above smart farm is, Includes a wire provided inside the above smart farm; The above filming department, A drone section moving along the above wire; The above drone part, Including a first camera provided on one side of the drone section to photograph the crop; A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, characterized in that the first camera photographs crops located away from the ground within the smart farm while the drone unit moves along the wire.

3. In paragraph 2, The above wires are in multiples, A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, characterized in that each of the smart farms is arranged in a line parallel to each other along the length of the smart farm.

4. In paragraph 1, The above filming department, It includes an RC car that is installed inside the above smart farm and moves along the ground; The above RCAB is, Including a second camera provided on one side of the above-mentioned RC unit for photographing the crop; A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, characterized in that the second camera photographs crops near the ground within the smart farm while the above-mentioned RC camera moves along the ground within the smart farm.

5. In paragraph 1, It further includes a sensor unit provided on one side of the smart farm, which measures the internal environment of the smart farm and transmits the measured data to the analysis unit; The above sensor part, A temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the smart farm; A humidity sensor that measures the humidity inside the smart farm; and A mobile crop monitoring system for a smart farm, characterized by including an air quality sensor that measures the air quality inside the smart farm.

Images