Agricultural Dosing via On-Board Micro-Meteorological Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural input application methods, particularly for Plant Protection Products (PPPs), fail to account for the very local and specific context of a farm, leading to inefficiencies, such as uneven distribution, evaporation, leaching, and non-optimal interaction with crops, due to reliance on generic weather forecasts and lack of precise data integration.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method using on-board weather sensors on agricultural machines to collect and transmit micro-meteorological data to a remote server, which processes this information along with contextual spray data to provide real-time dosing recommendations for optimal input application, eliminating the need for specialist technicians and improving crop yields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If generic weather forecasts are used for input application, then the forecasting system is simple and easy to operate, but the precision and relevance of the forecasting data deteriorates due to lack of local specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the forecasting system into multiple components: generic weather forecasts are divided into specific micro-meteorological conditions for different zones within the agricultural area. Each zone has its own sensors and forecasting model, allowing precise local predictions without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between generic forecasts and application decisions: a processing system that receives both generic forecasts and local sensor data, combines them, and generates zone-specific recommendations. This intermediary reconciles the simplicity of generic forecasts with the precision needs of local application.
2Manufacturing precision
If on-board sensors and remote processing systems are deployed, then the dosing precision and local context integration improve, but the device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the agricultural machinery to autonomously collect its own micro-meteorological data through on-board sensors, process this data remotely, and automatically adjust dosing parameters without requiring external specialist intervention during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote processing system serves multiple functions: it processes micro-meteorological data, integrates contextual spray data, generates dosing recommendations, and provides guidance to operators. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single versatile platform.
3Productivity
If real-time micro-meteorological data collection is implemented, then the timing and dosing of inputs can be optimized, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and pre-processing micro-meteorological data before the actual dosing decision is needed. Historical data and predictive models are prepared in advance, so when dosing time arrives, the system can quickly retrieve and act on pre-analyzed information rather than processing everything in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
Data collection and processing occur continuously rather than intermittently, ensuring that the system is always ready with updated information. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and ensures that dosing decisions are based on the most current micro-meteorological conditions without requiring pause for data gathering.
4Reliability
If contextual spray data and multiple parameters are integrated, then the agronomic optimization improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring all parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into integrated sensor systems. Instead of separate devices for each parameter (temperature, humidity, wind, soil moisture), combined sensor packages collect multiple micro-meteorological parameters simultaneously, reducing the overall complexity of deployment while maintaining comprehensive data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing the dosing of inputs to be applied to a surface includes an electronic device housed on board an agricultural machine and a remote management server. The electronic device includes a weather sensor for measuring a weather condition, a central unit for collecting a weather datum containing information relating to the measured weather condition, and first communication means for transmitting the weather datum to the management server. The management server includes a processor for processing the weather datum and usage-specific data so as to generate a dosing recommendation for the inputs on the basis of a predetermined and learning dosing model, and second transmission means for transmitting the dosing recommendation to a communication terminal.