Camera-Based Pest Sprayer Using Image Recognition for Targeted Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pest management in plantation fields relies on uniform pesticide application, which can harm beneficial insects and lead to yield losses due to inadequate dosage and spatial variation in pest densities across fields.

Innovation Solution

A method using image capture devices to recognize and identify insect populations, determining quantities, and controlling treatment units based on thresholds to activate or deactivate pesticide application, ensuring minimal impact on beneficial insects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If uniform pesticide application is used across the entire field, then pest management coverage is ensured, but beneficial insects are harmed and biodiversity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest management coverageVSAvoidharm to beneficial insects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different treatments to different zones within the field based on locally detected pest densities. Image capture devices and sensors monitor specific areas, and the control system adjusts pesticide application rates for each zone, ensuring that beneficial insects in low-pest areas are protected while maintaining effective pest control in high-pest areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The field is divided into multiple zones based on pest population distribution detected by image capture devices. Each zone is managed independently with tailored pesticide application, replacing the uniform field-wide treatment approach. This segmentation allows differential management that protects beneficial insects in zones where pest pressure is low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pesticide dosage is reduced to protect beneficial insects, then biodiversity is improved, but yield losses occur due to inadequate pest control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of beneficial insectsVSAvoidfield yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts pesticide application rates based on real-time or near-real-time pest population monitoring. Image capture devices continuously assess pest densities, and the control system modifies treatment intensity accordingly, ensuring adequate pest control to protect yields while minimizing unnecessary pesticide applications that would harm beneficial insects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where sensor data on pest populations and beneficial insect presence continuously inform treatment decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures that pesticide application is optimized to maintain yield protection thresholds while avoiding excessive dosing that would harm beneficial insects, enabling adaptive management throughout the growing season.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If farmers manually inspect plantation spots to evaluate pesticide application, then treatment decisions can be made, but time consumption increases and complete field coverage is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment decision accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection with automated image capture devices, sensors, and computer vision algorithms. These devices rapidly scan and analyze pest populations across the entire field, providing objective, data-driven treatment decisions without the time constraints and subjectivity of manual inspection, while achieving complete spatial coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the field management system to automatically assess pest populations and determine treatment requirements without continuous human intervention. Image capture devices and sensors perform the inspection function autonomously, and the control system generates treatment recommendations or automatically executes prescribed treatments, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to manual farmer inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If pesticide application is increased to ensure adequate pest control, then yield protection is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates and biodiversity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyield protectionVSAvoidpesticide quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of pesticide application rate from a fixed uniform value to a spatially variable value based on detected pest densities. Image capture devices identify zones with different pest pressure levels, and the control system adjusts application rates accordingly, maintaining yield protection in high-pest zones while reducing or eliminating applications in low-pest zones, thereby reducing total pesticide quantity used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12075770B2Camera based pest management sprayer

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 BASF AGRO TRADEMARKS GMBH

AI summary

Method for pest treatment of a plantation field, controlling device for controlling a pest treatment of a plantation field and a treatment device having said controlling device, wherein the treatment considers a pest insect population and a beneficial insect population.