Lawn Patterning Implement with GPS Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lawn and turf patterning techniques lack precision and consistency, relying heavily on operator skill and equipment limitations, making it difficult to create high-resolution images or detailed patterns such as pictures and corporate logos.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a global positioning system, processor, and independent printing mechanisms within a patterning implement to generate and imprint high-resolution images on natural or artificial lawns and fields, allowing for precise control and positioning of the patterning equipment to achieve detailed and consistent patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional lawn maintenance equipment is used for patterning, then the equipment can cover wide areas efficiently, but the resolution and precision of the patterns are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern resolutionVSAvoidcoverage area efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patterning implement is divided into multiple independently controlled printing mechanisms that can be selectively activated. Each printing mechanism corresponds to specific grass blades or small groups of blades, allowing precise control of pattern resolution while maintaining overall system efficiency for large-area coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing mechanisms are dynamically controllable, allowing selective activation and deactivation based on the desired pattern. The system can adjust which mechanisms operate at any given moment, enabling high-resolution detailed work when needed while maintaining productivity across wide areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If operator skill is relied upon for guiding patterning equipment, then the equipment can be operated with existing equipment, but the pattern quality suffers from accumulated ranging errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern accuracyVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates guidance means that provide feedback to the operator, enabling real-time correction of positioning errors. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to maintain accurate pattern alignment without requiring expert skill, reducing accumulated ranging errors while keeping the guidance system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance means acts as an intermediary between the operator and the patterning process, translating operator inputs into precise positioning corrections. This intermediary system handles the complexity of error correction, allowing the operator to focus on overall pattern creation rather than micro-positioning adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If independent printing mechanisms are used for high-resolution patterning, then detailed images can be created, but the equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage detail resolutionVSAvoidpatterning implement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patterning implement uses multiple printing mechanisms that can serve different functions depending on activation patterns. The same mechanisms can create both fine detailed patterns when selectively activated and broader coverage patterns when activated together, providing multi-functionality that reduces the need for separate specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different printing mechanisms are assigned to different local areas of the patterning implement, with each mechanism optimized for its specific zone. This local specialization allows high resolution where needed while maintaining overall system manageability, as each mechanism handles a defined portion of the total patterning area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If the minimum image feature width is reduced for higher detail, then the pattern resolution improves, but the contrast and visibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern detail finenessVSAvoidpattern contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses variations in grass blade treatment (analogous to color changes) to create contrast in the pattern. By selectively treating individual blades or small groups of blades with different intensities or methods, the system maintains high contrast visibility even when the minimum image feature width is reduced to create finer details

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The printing mechanisms operate in periodic cycles, alternating between active and inactive states to create pattern contrast. This periodic activation allows fine features to be created with sufficient contrast, as the rhythmic on/off pattern of the printing mechanisms creates visible differentiation between pattern elements and background

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8935091B2Method and apparatus for creating visual effects on grass

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 DAVIS PETE J

AI summary

High resolution images are imprinted onto precise and consistent lawns and fields by use in combination of a global positioning system; a processor for generating a desired pattern which is translated into patterning instructions; and a patterning implement which is used for generating detailed patterns and for imprinting said patterns on any of natural or artificial lawns and fields, covered areas, and landscapes.