Adhesive Mat Hue Selection for Agricultural Grit Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the distribution of agricultural grit, such as fertilizer grains, using adhesive mats or plates are unreliable under varying lighting conditions and prone to contamination, and require complex adaptation for different types of fertilizers.
Innovation Solution
Adhesive mats or plates with a collecting surface having a hue that differs by at least 20° in the HSI/HSL/HSV color space from the grit, allowing for reliable identification and quantification through image analysis, and featuring high color saturation and brightness for improved contrast and contamination resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dark adhesive mats (medium gray to black) are used to provide contrast for light-colored fertilizer granules, then contrast in camera images is improved, but reliability of identification and quantification deteriorates under varying lighting conditions and for different fertilizer types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color theory by selecting adhesive mat colors that are complementary to the colors of fertilizer granules. Different mat colors (e.g., green for blue fertilizers, yellow for gray fertilizers, red for pink fertilizers) are chosen to maximize color contrast in the HSV color space, ensuring reliable detection across various lighting conditions and fertilizer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the color parameter (hue) of the adhesive mat based on the specific fertilizer type being applied. By adjusting the hue angle in the HSV color space to be at least 20° different from the fertilizer granule color, the system maintains reliable contrast and detection accuracy across different agricultural scenarios.
2Reliability
If adhesive mats are adapted to specific fertilizer types to optimize contrast, then identification reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational ease deteriorate due to complex adaptation and exchange requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where a single adhesive mat color selection methodology can be applied to all fertilizer types. The HSV color space-based selection process provides a unified approach that works for any fertilizer color, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mat types or complex adaptation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables operators to independently select the appropriate adhesive mat color by referencing the fertilizer granule color and applying the 20° hue difference rule. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manufacturer-provided adaptation procedures or specialized exchange protocols.
3Measurement precision
If adhesive mats are used to collect fertilizer granules, then distribution measurement is enabled, but contamination and unreliable quantification occur under varying lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By selecting adhesive mat colors that differ by at least 20° in hue from the fertilizer granules in the HSV color space, the patent ensures consistent color contrast that is relatively insensitive to variations in lighting conditions. This color differentiation maintains measurement precision even when lighting varies or contamination occurs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable detection and quantification of agricultural grit across different types and lighting conditions, with automatic image processing and calibration for accurate distribution measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the collecting surface has a hue that differs from a hue of the grit in the HSI/HSL/HSV color space by a color angle of at least 20°
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes methods for determining the distribution of agricultural spreading material (2) and for selecting the color of an adhesive mat (4) used for this purpose, as well as a corresponding adhesive mat (4). Accordingly, spreading material (2) is collected on a collection surface (4b) of at least one adhesive mat (4), and the distribution of the spreading material is determined by image analysis. Because the collection surface (4b) has a color tone (11) that differs from a color tone (12) of the spreading material (2) in the HSI/HSL/HSV color space by a color angle of at least 20°, and in particular at least 40°, reliable detection and quantification of the spreading material on the collection surface is possible for a variety of fertilizer types and under different lighting conditions.