Chlorophyll Fluorescence Scanning With Focused Light Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chlorophyll fluorescence measurement systems in commercial settings are energy-demanding, have low sensitivity, and require manual operation, which can damage plants, while close-proximity techniques are prone to manual operation and plant damage.
Innovation Solution
A system using an actuated light source that emits collimated or convergently focused light to irradiate small areas of a plant canopy, allowing for wide-area measurements without physical contact and manual operation, combined with an optical sensor and actuator to detect fluorescence from each area, and a controller to distinguish between target and background areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If close-proximity measurement techniques are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manual operation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical fibers as intermediaries to transmit light from the light source to the plant canopy and to transmit fluorescence signals back to the detector. This intermediary approach enables precise close-proximity measurements without requiring complex manual positioning systems, as the optical fibers can be easily deployed and positioned.
2Productivity
If broad-area light pulses are applied, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement area into multiple discrete regions and uses segmented optical fiber bundles to target specific areas of interest. Instead of illuminating the entire canopy simultaneously, the system selectively directs light to individual plant regions or rows, significantly reducing total energy consumption while maintaining high productivity through systematic coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies light locally to specific target areas rather than uniformly across the entire canopy. By concentrating illumination only where measurements are needed and adjusting light intensity locally, the system achieves high productivity with reduced overall energy consumption compared to broad-area illumination.
3Measurement precision
If manual operation is used, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and operation with an automated system that uses computer-controlled light sources, optical fiber positioning, and digital image processing. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with plants during measurements, removing the harmful effects of manual handling while maintaining measurement precision through automated control.
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
The system achieves efficient, non-destructive, and accurate chlorophyll fluorescence measurements across a wide area with lower energy consumption, reducing data processing requirements and improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit substantially collimated or convergently focussed light in order to irradiate small areas of a canopy of a plant crop
Implementation Method 2
chlorophyll fluorescence is the phenomenon by which absorbed light is re-emitted by chlorophyll molecules in the plant during de-excitation
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a system for measuring chlorophyll fluorescence. The system comprises at least one light source configured to emit substantially collimated or convergently focussed light so as to irradiate an area with light; an actuator configured to controllably direct the light from the light source so as to enable the light source to irradiate a plurality of different areas with light; and an optical sensor configured to detect chlorophyll fluorescence from each area irradiated with light.