Crop Information Mapping with Adjustable Field Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural mapping technologies, such as using a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) map, fail to determine the timing and extent of various agricultural works like sowing, flower thinning, pollination, fertilization, and disease control, as they do not account for crop-specific variations and requirements.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that adjusts the target region for information acquisition, acquires crop data at a desired resolution, and generates comprehensive field information by integrating data from multiple regions, using a server to construct a database and adjust regions based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single index map (NDVI) is used for field mapping, then the mapping process is simple and quick, but the ability to determine timing and extent of various agricultural works is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemapping speedVSAvoidagricultural work information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the field mapping into multiple index layers (NDVI, NDRE, NDWI, etc.) instead of using a single NDVI map. Each index captures different crop characteristics, and the system segments agricultural work determination into multiple categories (sowing, flowering, pollination, fertilization, disease control) based on different index combinations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal mapping framework that can determine multiple types of agricultural work (sowing, flowering, pollination, fertilization, disease control) using the same multi-index mapping system. The mapping technology becomes multi-functional, serving various agricultural management purposes simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If crop-specific variations are accounted for in mapping, then the precision of agricultural work determination is improved, but the complexity of the mapping system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrop observation precisionVSAvoidmapping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting different index combinations for different crop types and agricultural work stages. For example, NDVI is used for general green vegetation assessment, while NDRE is specifically used for nitrogen status assessment in certain crops. Each region or crop type receives customized index selection based on its specific characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by using multiple spectral indices with different formulations (NDVI, NDRE, NDWI) instead of relying on a single parameter. This allows the mapping system to capture different aspects of crop health and adjust to various crop types and growth stages by selecting appropriate index parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple indices are used to capture various agricultural aspects, then the comprehensiveness of field management is improved, but the data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagricultural work coverageVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the agricultural work determination into distinct categories (sowing, flowering, pollination, fertilization, disease control), each associated with specific index combinations. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex multi-index data by processing each agricultural work type separately with its relevant indices, reducing overall processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a temporal dimension to the multi-index mapping by determining not only the extent but also the timing of agricultural works. This dimensional approach organizes the complex data by when activities occur in the agricultural cycle, making the data more manageable and interpretable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4681527A1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 OMRON CORP
  • EP4681527A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4681527A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4681527A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An information processing device including an adjustment unit configured to adjust a target region for acquisition of information on a crop; an acquisition unit configured to acquire the information on the crop in the target region; and a generation unit configured to generate the information on the crop in an entire field or part of the field based on the information on the crop in one or more regions.