Automated Grounds Management via Sensor Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gardening and lawn care systems require significant manual interaction to monitor and manage growing conditions, despite advancements in sensor technology, limiting efficiency and effectiveness in maintaining optimal conditions for vegetation.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive system that integrates sensor equipment, task performance equipment, and a yard maintenance manager to monitor and manage growing conditions by comparing current conditions to desirable parameters, directing the operation of task performance equipment to improve conditions automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor equipment is deployed to monitor growing conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication network acts as an intermediary between sensor equipment and the yard maintenance manager system. Sensors transmit data wirelessly through this network, eliminating the need for complex wired connections while maintaining measurement precision. The intermediary handles data transmission and routing, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/wired connection systems with wireless communication for data transmission between sensors and the management system. This substitution eliminates physical cables and complex mechanical interfaces while preserving the ability to monitor growing conditions with high precision.
2Productivity
If automated task performance equipment is used to manage growing conditions, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The yard maintenance manager system automatically receives sensor data, compares current conditions against desirable conditions, and directs task performance equipment without human intervention. The system serves itself by making autonomous decisions about when and how to deploy equipment based on real-time sensor feedback, improving productivity while keeping operational complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where sensor equipment continuously monitors growing conditions, the yard maintenance manager compares measurements to desirable parameters, and automatically directs task performance equipment to correct any deficiencies. This automated feedback loop enables high productivity through intelligent, real-time decision-making.
3Ease of operation
If manual interaction is reduced in sensor operation, then ease of operation is improved, but extent of automation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor equipment and task performance equipment are integrated into an automated system that operates independently. The yard maintenance manager automatically receives data, processes information, and directs equipment based on pre-programmed logic comparing current conditions to desirable conditions. This self-service capability maximizes ease of operation by eliminating manual monitoring and decision-making while achieving high automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system may include sensor equipment, task performance equipment, and a yard maintenance manager. The sensor equipment may include one or more sensors disposed on a parcel of land. The task performance equipment may be configured to perform a task on the parcel. The task may be associated with generating a result that is enabled to be monitored via the sensor equipment. The yard maintenance manager may be configured to interface with the sensor equipment and the task performance equipment to compare measured conditions with desirable conditions to direct operation of the task performance equipment.