Electrophysiological Detection for Early Tree Disease Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting diseases in trees, such as Citrus Greening and Gummosis, are ineffective until visible symptoms appear, leading to delayed detection and potential spread of infection in citrus groves.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a data acquisition device to measure voltage potential differences in trees and applies a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to the data for comparison with pre-stored FFT signature data to determine the health of the tree, allowing for early detection of diseases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional visual inspection methods are used to detect tree diseases, then the detection process is simple and does not require complex equipment, but disease detection is delayed until visible symptoms appear
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by measuring voltage potential differences before visible disease symptoms appear. The electrodes are placed on the tree trunk to continuously monitor electrical signals, enabling early detection of diseases like Citrus Greening and Gummosis before they manifest externally, thus preventing spread to other trees
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical visual inspection methods with an electrical detection system. Instead of manually examining tree symptoms, the system uses electrodes to measure voltage potential differences and applies FFT analysis to detect disease-related electrical signal changes, enabling non-invasive early detection
2Reliability
If early detection methods using electrical measurements are implemented, then disease detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into distinct functional modules: electrodes for voltage measurement, a data acquisition device for signal collection, and a computing device for FFT analysis. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system manageable and easier to implement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data acquisition device that bridges the electrodes and the computing device. This intermediary component converts and processes the raw voltage signals from electrodes before transmitting them for FFT analysis, simplifying the interface between the measurement and analysis stages
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
Enables early detection of tree diseases, facilitating timely intervention to prevent the spread of infections within groves by analyzing electrical responses from trees.
Implementation Method 1
receives voltage potential differences over a period of time measured from the bio-organism
Data Source
AI summary
A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises at least two electrodes communicatively coupled to a bio-organism. The system further comprises a data acquisition device coupled to the electrodes for receiving analog signals indicative of voltage potential differences in the bio-organism. In addition, the system comprises logic configured to compare a fast Fourier transform (FFT) signature of the signals received with an FFT signature of a bio-organism known to be healthy to determine whether the bio-organism has a particular disease.