Corn Plant Feature Height Measurement Using Depth Image Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing crop features, such as ear height in corn plants, are labor-intensive, lack scalability, and are prone to subjective errors due to manual measurement processes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that process image data for crops, including relative position data, to automatically determine the positions of specific features like corn ears and nodes, using a trained model to transform coordinates into height or size measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual measurement methods are used to assess crop features, then measurement can be performed with simple equipment, but the process is labor-intensive and lacks scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement with an automated vision system using cameras and computer algorithms. The system captures images of crop features (ears, nodes) and uses image processing to automatically determine heights and positions, eliminating the need for manual measurement while significantly increasing productivity and scalability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies (images) of the physical crop features and processes these copies to extract measurement data. By working with image data rather than direct physical measurement, the system enables automated, scalable processing without requiring physical contact with the crops
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement processes are used, then equipment requirements are minimal, but subjective errors occur due to human measurement variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual measurement with automated computer vision processing. The system uses algorithms to consistently identify and measure crop features from images, eliminating subjective human judgment and measurement variability while maintaining simplicity in the actual measurement process
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-validation through automated image processing and coordinate transformation. The system independently calculates heights and positions from captured images without requiring human intervention, ensuring consistent and objective measurements across all crop assessments
3Measurement precision
If automated image processing is implemented, then measurement precision and objectivity improve, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing by capturing high-quality images with appropriate resolution and lighting conditions before analysis. The image capture stage is optimized to ensure that all necessary measurement information is present in the raw images, reducing the computational burden during subsequent processing and enabling faster, more accurate measurements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for processing image data for crops are provided. One example computer-implemented method includes accessing image data specific to a corn plant, where the image data includes an image of the corn plant and depth data indicative of a range between the corn plant and a camera, which captures said image, and identifying, by a computing device, using a trained model, a feature of the corn plant, the feature including an ear of the corn plant and/or a node from which the ear emerges. The method also includes transforming, by the computing device, coordinates specific to the feature into a height of the feature of the corn plant and storing, by the computing device, the height of the feature of the corn plant in a memory.