Harvester Crop Height Mapping for Higher-Resolution Yield Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop yield maps lack resolution and fail to identify the underlying causes of yield variability, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential overuse of inputs.
Innovation Solution
Integrate crop height sensors on agricultural machines to generate geo-located crop height maps, which are overlaid with yield maps, enabling the prediction and display of yield variation causes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite imagery or drone remote sensing is used to create crop yield maps, then coverage area is increased, but map resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - a crop height sensor mounted on the harvesting machine - that acts as a mediator between the large-scale monitoring need and high-resolution measurement requirement. This sensor provides detailed crop height data at the exact location where harvesting occurs, bridging the gap between remote sensing coverage and ground-level precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to yield map creation by incorporating the vertical dimension (crop height) through sensors mounted on the harvesting machine. This third dimension provides additional information about crop conditions that correlates with yield, enabling higher resolution mapping without sacrificing coverage area.
2Productivity
If larger harvesters are used to increase harvesting efficiency, then productivity is improved, but map resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function across multiple sensors positioned at different locations on the harvesting machine. Rather than relying on a single monitoring point, multiple sensors capture crop height data from different positions, maintaining high resolution even as the machine size increases to improve productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional yield monitoring systems are used, then yield data is collected, but information about causes of yield variation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges yield monitoring data with crop height sensor data to create a more comprehensive dataset. By combining these two types of information, the system not only quantifies yield but also captures contextual information about crop conditions that help explain variations in yield across different field areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by correlating crop height measurements with yield data, creating a feedback loop that helps identify causal relationships. This feedback mechanism enables the system to not just record yield variations but to provide information about their causes through the relationship between crop height and yield patterns.
4Loss of time
If imprecise crop yield maps are used, then mapping speed is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by collecting and analyzing crop height data during the harvesting process itself, before final yield management decisions are made. This advance collection of detailed information allows for more precise resource allocation planning without delaying the harvesting operation or requiring additional time-consuming surveys.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances yield map resolution and identifies specific causes of yield variation, optimizing resource application and reducing wasteful practices.
Implementation Method 1
receiving in a processing unit crop height signals from a sensor that senses a height of a crop to be harvested by an agricultural machine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for augmenting crop yield information with crop height information includes receiving in a processing unit crop height signals from a sensor that senses a height of a crop to be harvested by an agricultural machine and generates the crop height signals; determining with the processing unit a height of the crop based on the crop height signals; receiving in the processing unit location information of the agricultural machine; and generating with the processing unit geo-located crop height information that represents the height of the crop and the location information.