Fertilizer Grain Distribution Imaging Under Variable Light Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the actual distribution of fertilizer grains during spreading are prone to deviations due to variations in fertilizer quality, spreader settings, and environmental conditions, leading to inaccuracies in the transverse distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of collecting devices such as adhesive mats or measuring trays, combined with image capture by a camera, and subsequent image processing to localize and calculate the actual distribution of fertilizer grains, incorporating adjustments for environmental and camera parameters to enhance localization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If image capture and processing methods are used to determine fertilizer grain distribution, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to deviations in fertilizer quality, spreader settings, and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts camera parameters (exposure time, gain, white balance) based on detected environmental conditions such as light intensity and color temperature. This dynamic parameter adjustment compensates for environmental variations and maintains measurement precision across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects environmental parameters (light conditions, color temperature) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust camera settings before capturing images of fertilizer distribution. This closed-loop approach ensures consistent measurement quality despite changing environmental factors
2Measurement precision
If camera parameters are adjusted to improve picture quality under varying light conditions, then localization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting environmental light conditions and configuring camera parameters without external intervention. The camera module adapts its own settings (exposure, gain, white balance) based on real-time environmental assessment, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex external control systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining an actual distribution of fertilizer grains comprising the steps of laying out at least one collecting device for fertilizer grains; spreading the fertilizer grains over the at least one collecting device using a fertilizer spreader; taking a picture of the at least one collecting device on which fertilizer grains have been spread with a camera; localizing the fertilizer grains in the picture, and calculating an actual distribution of the fertilizer grains on the collecting device and/or along several collecting devices, the method comprising at least one improvement step which improves the localization of the fertilizer grains in the picture.