Crop Growth Stage Prediction Using Thresholded Transition Values

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing growth prediction devices have low prediction accuracy for crop growth stages and significant variations in prediction dates across different years.

Innovation Solution

A growth prediction device that includes a stage prediction unit to predict growth stages and a definition unit to define a threshold value for specific growth stages, using integrated growth transition values and actual data to improve prediction accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a growth prediction device uses a simple integrated temperature value method to predict crop growth stages, then the device complexity is low, but the prediction accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction method complexityVSAvoidgrowth stage prediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the simple integrated temperature value into a comprehensive growth transition value by changing the parameters included in the calculation. Instead of using only temperature data, the system incorporates multiple meteorological parameters (precipitation, humidity, wind speed, etc.) and soil conditions to create a more accurate growth transition value that better reflects actual crop development patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the growth prediction process into distinct stages: obtaining historical meteorological data, calculating growth transition values for each time period, integrating these values to form a growth transition curve, and identifying specific growth stages based on threshold values. This segmentation allows for more precise control and accuracy in predicting each growth stage while maintaining systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a growth prediction device uses a simple integrated temperature value method, then the calculation process is simple, but the prediction dates show significant variations across different years

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation process simplicityVSAvoidprediction date consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enhances the calculation by incorporating multiple meteorological parameters beyond temperature alone. By calculating growth transition values that integrate precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and soil conditions alongside temperature, the system achieves more consistent and reliable prediction dates across different years while maintaining a systematic calculation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by comparing predicted growth stages with actual observed growth stages. The system uses actual meteorological data and observed crop development to validate and refine the growth transition values, ensuring that prediction dates remain consistent and reliable across different years through continuous verification and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4706375A1Growth prediction device and growth prediction method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4706375A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706375A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4706375A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention improves growth stage prediction accuracy. A growth prediction device (4) includes a stage prediction unit (6) to predict a growth stage for a crop, and a definition unit (7) to define, when a period from a reference date to an accomplishment date of the growth stage includes a specific growth stage, a threshold value (p) that indicates a prediction date for the specific growth stage with respect to transition data for the growth stage predicted by the stage prediction unit (6). When predicting a next growth stage, the stage prediction unit (6) predicts a date on which transition data for the next growth stage reaches the threshold value (p) to be the specific growth stage.