GPS-Controlled Dispensing System for Randomized Agronomic Input Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural practices involve applying uniform agricultural inputs across entire fields, leading to inefficiencies and waste due to soil and topography variations, making it difficult to maximize crop yields and accurately translate small plot results to larger production fields.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing GPS-controlled machines to randomly and replicate agricultural input levels within predefined test plots within management zones of a field, allowing for site-specific, region-specific, and weather-specific agronomic responses by defining multiple application rates and randomly assigning treatment locations, enabling accurate data collection and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If uniform agricultural inputs are applied across entire fields, then application simplicity is maintained, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to soil and topography variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidresource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The field is divided into management zones based on soil and topography characteristics. Each zone receives tailored input applications rather than uniform treatment across the entire field, resolving the contradiction between application simplicity and resource efficiency by automating zone-specific dispensing decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different input rates and types are applied to different management zones according to their specific soil and topography conditions. This localizes the input quality to match local field conditions, improving resource efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If site-specific input applications are implemented, then resource efficiency is improved, but measurement and data collection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoiddata collection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates data collection from yield monitors and soil sensors that provide feedback on input effectiveness. This feedback loop enables continuous optimization of input applications while automating the measurement and analysis processes, thereby improving resource efficiency without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual data collection and analysis methods are replaced with automated electronic sensors, GPS tracking, and computer-controlled dispensing systems. This substitution reduces the human effort and complexity involved in measuring and implementing site-specific input applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If small plot research testing is conducted, then input evaluation precision is improved, but result applicability to production fields deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput evaluation precisionVSAvoidresult applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional small plot testing to three-dimensional field-scale testing that incorporates spatial variations in soil, topography, and management zones. This dimensional expansion maintains measurement precision while improving the applicability of results to actual production fields by testing under realistic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If multiple application rates are tested with replications, then data reliability is improved, but equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controlled dispensing system is designed to handle multiple input types and application rates through a single multi-functional platform. This universal equipment can replicate treatments and manage various rates without requiring separate specialized devices for each function, thereby improving data reliability while limiting equipment complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11089773B2System and method for controlling machinery for randomizing and replicating predetermined argonomic input levels

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 PREMIER CROP SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A controller is operatively connected to a dispensing system and configured to change the dispensement of an agricultural input from the dispensing system in different predetermined locations within at least one predefined test plot in a management zone of an agricultural field. The predetermined locations have been randomized and replicated for quantifying the agronomic response in a statistically valid manner.