Automated Insect Detection and Removal System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of insects in food and crops due to decreased pesticide effectiveness and usage, along with the difficulty in detecting and removing resistant insects like thrips, mites, and aphids, which are often invisible and hard to dislodge without harming the food or materials.
Innovation Solution
A computer image analysis system that magnifies images of substrates, recognizes insects using trained processors, and triggers an action head for removal or disposal, which can be mounted on movable platforms or drones for wide-area scanning and mitigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional washing methods are used to remove insects, then insects can be removed from surfaces, but the insects are difficult to dislodge and washing is ineffective against resistant insects like thrips, mites, and aphids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual washing and mechanical removal methods with an automated imaging system that uses computer vision to detect insects and triggers targeted removal actions, substituting the mechanical washing process with an automated detection and response system that can handle resistant insects more effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting insects through imaging and triggering appropriate removal actions without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to monitor and respond to insect presence autonomously on substrates
2Reliability
If pesticides are used to control insects, then insect populations can be reduced, but pesticide effectiveness is decreasing and resistance is increasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical pesticide control with an automated imaging and detection system that identifies insects and triggers targeted removal actions, replacing the chemical warfare approach with a mechanical/automated system that avoids the development of resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring substrates through imaging, detecting insect presence, and triggering appropriate removal actions based on real-time detection, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual insect presence rather than relying on preventive chemical applications
3Reliability
If large scale heating efforts are used to eliminate insects, then insects can be killed, but the food or material to be cleansed is harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting specific locations where insects are detected through imaging, triggering removal actions only at those precise locations rather than applying broad-scale heating or treatment to the entire substrate, thereby eliminating insects while preserving the quality of food or material
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces harsh thermal treatment with automated imaging-based detection and targeted removal mechanisms, substituting the non-selective heating approach with a precision system that removes only the harmful elements (insects) while leaving the substrate intact
4Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to detect insects, then visible insects can be spotted, but invisible insects like thrips, mites, and aphids remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes human visual inspection with an automated imaging system that uses computer vision algorithms to detect insects, enabling the detection of invisible or micro-scale insects like thrips, mites, and aphids that are imperceptible to the human eye through digital image analysis and pattern recognition
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting offending objects such as insects on substrates such as on leaves, plants, in fluid or over a large area. The device has a microscope lens which magnifies a portion of the substrate and sends an image of the substrate portion to an image recognition system. If the image recognition system detects the presence of an offending object—further steps are taken to remove, neutralize or mark the area where the offending object is located for subsequent action. The device may be mounted on a movable platform such as drone for active surveillance and action over a large area.