Geo-Spatial Crop Imaging for Precision Fluid Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural techniques for producing and harvesting crops are inefficient, as they require significant land, chemicals, time, labor, and resources, posing challenges for sustainable food production to meet the growing global population.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural observation and treatment system that uses cameras, light emitting devices, and a treatment device mounted on a gimbal to identify and treat specific agricultural objects with precision, utilizing artificial intelligence and computer vision to determine target locations and apply treatments efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional agricultural techniques are used for producing and harvesting crops, then food production can be maintained with existing methods, but significant land, chemicals, time, labor, and resources are required, reducing efficiency and sustainability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical agricultural systems with an optical-mechanical system. Image sensors capture visual data of crops, and this optical information is processed by a computing device to identify target objects. The treatment device then applies treatments precisely to identified targets, substituting broad mechanical spraying with targeted application based on visual detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service agriculture through autonomous operation. The image sensors automatically detect crops, the computing device autonomously processes images to identify targets, and the treatment device self-regulates to apply treatments only where needed. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for continuous human intervention in monitoring and treatment application.
2Productivity
If traditional crop production methods are employed, then existing agricultural practices can be maintained, but the amount of time and labor required increases, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation throughout the agricultural process. Image sensors continuously capture crop data, the computing device continuously processes this data to identify targets, and the treatment device continuously applies treatments to identified targets. This uninterrupted cycle of detection, identification, and treatment eliminates idle time between operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of target objects before treatment application. Image sensors capture and store images of crops in advance, the computing device processes these images to pre-identify targets that require treatment, and only then does the treatment device apply treatments. This preliminary sorting and identification phase optimizes the subsequent treatment application.
3Loss of substance
If conventional agricultural spraying methods are used, then all areas can be treated uniformly, but chemicals are wasted on non-target areas, increasing environmental impact and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different treatments to different locations based on local needs. Image sensors capture spatial information about individual crops or plant sections, the computing device identifies which specific locations require treatment, and the treatment device applies chemicals only to those precise locations. This localized approach replaces uniform area-wide spraying with targeted spot treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spraying systems with an optically-guided precision system. Instead of mechanical timers or area-based controllers that spray uniformly, image sensors optically detect target objects, and this visual information guides the treatment device to spray only where needed, substituting blind mechanical operation with sighted precision application.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system may determine a first real-world geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The system can receive captured images depicting real-world agricultural objects of a geographic scene. The system can associate captured images with the determined geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The treatment system can identify, from a group of mapped and indexed images, images having a second real-word geo-spatial location that is proximate with the first real-world geo-spatial location. The treatment system can compare at least a portion of the identified images with at least a portion of the captured images. The treatment system can determine a target object and emit a fluid projectile at the target object using a treatment device.