Under-Canopy Forest Object Identification for Harvest Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing forest harvesting are time-consuming, costly, and dependent on human expertise, leading to inconsistent and arbitrary marking of trees and terrain routing, without considering biodiversity and heritage aspects.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned vehicle equipped with sensors obtains information about forest objects, assigns identities, and makes harvesting decisions, associating markers for autonomous or semi-autonomous harvesting operations, ensuring efficient, reliable, and consistent decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual marking by foresters is used, then harvesting decisions can be made based on expertise, but the process is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting decision qualityVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of foresters walking through forests and marking trees with an automated optical and sensor-based system. An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with sensors captures images and data, which are then processed by a harvester system to automatically identify and mark trees for harvesting, eliminating the need for manual human intervention in the field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the harvester to autonomously perform tasks that previously required human foresters. The harvester uses onboard sensors and processing capabilities to automatically detect trees, determine harvesting decisions based on pre-set criteria, and apply markers without human assistance, making the system self-sufficient in the harvesting preparation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual marking by foresters is used, then harvesting decisions can be made, but the marking is arbitrary and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting decision flexibilityVSAvoidmarking consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the subjective human judgment parameters into objective, quantifiable parameters. The system uses sensor data such as tree diameter, height, species identification, and spatial coordinates to make harvesting decisions based on measurable criteria rather than human perception, ensuring consistent and repeatable results across different operators and time periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the harvester continuously receives data from sensors, processes this information through algorithms, and adjusts its marking decisions based on the analyzed results. The system can verify its decisions against pre-set harvesting criteria and make real-time adjustments, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the marking process throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive object information is collected, then accurate harvesting decisions can be made, but the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject information accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional harvester system that integrates multiple capabilities into a single platform. The harvester combines aerial vehicle functions, sensor arrays for various types of data collection, onboard processing capabilities, and marking mechanisms, allowing one system to perform all necessary functions for harvesting preparation without requiring multiple separate devices or complex coordination between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the complex task of harvesting preparation into distinct functional modules: data collection by sensors, data processing and analysis, harvesting decision making, and marker application. Each module handles a specific aspect of the process, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining high measurement precision through specialized components in each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3991090B1A method for preparing for harvesting of forest using an unmanned vehicle and un-manned vehicle and system using said method

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 DEEP FORESTRY AB

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for preparing for harvesting of forest using an un-manned vehicle (100) configured to move under the canopy in a forest region, the method comprising: for each of at least one object (110) within the forest region: - obtaining, using at least one sensor (120) of the un-manned vehicle (100), information associated with the object (110); - assigning an object identity (ID) to the object (110) based on the obtained sensor information, using processing circuitry (210) comprised in or accessible to the un-manned vehicle (100); and10 - associating a marker (130) with the object (110) and the obtained sensor information or the object identity (ID) assigned to the object (110). The invention also relates to an un-manned vehicle, a harvesting system and a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium.