Canopy Recognition Control for Variable-Rate Crop Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional farming machines are limited by their unimodal configuration, lacking the ability to adapt or switch modes in response to changing farming conditions, leading to inefficiencies in operations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modal autonomous farming machine that utilizes a canopy recognition model to identify plant characteristics and adjust treatment mechanisms based on these characteristics, enabling variable rate treatments through image processing and control signal determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a farming machine uses a single treatment mode configuration, then the machine structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the machine cannot adapt to changing farming conditions or switch modes for optimal results
Solution Approach 1:
The farming machine implements dynamic mode switching capability where the treatment mode can change in response to detected plant characteristics. The system transitions from a static single-mode configuration to a dynamic multi-mode system that adapts its operation based on real-time canopy analysis, allowing the machine to select between different treatment approaches (e.g., spray vs. non-spray modes) depending on the agricultural situation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sensors and algorithms are used, then the machine learning system is simple, but the system cannot completely understand and respond to varied and complex agricultural conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical and simple electronic sensors with advanced optical imaging systems and machine learning algorithms. Instead of using conventional sensors that detect basic physical quantities, the invention employs camera systems that capture visual data of plant canopies, which are then processed by neural network algorithms to extract detailed agricultural information and enable intelligent treatment decisions.
3Productivity
If a farming machine is locked into a single mode of operation, then the machine structure is simple, but farming efficiency decreases when current mode is not optimal for the task
Solution Approach 1:
The farming machine is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing multiple treatment modes using the same physical platform. The system can operate in different treatment modes (such as spray mode, non-spray mode, or hybrid modes) depending on the agricultural conditions detected by the canopy recognition system, making the machine universally applicable to various farming scenarios without requiring separate specialized equipment for each mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining a variable rate treatment for a farming machine to autonomously apply to identified plants in a field is disclosed. The system applies a canopy recognition model to images captured for each region in the field. The model identifies each plant in the region and the plant's canopy, and then determines canopy characteristics based on the pixels of the image representing the plants in the plant canopy. Control signals for a variable rate treatment are determined based on these canopy characteristics. The treatment mechanism of the farming machine is then actuated using these control signals to apply the determined variable rate treatment to the plant.