Lawn Treatment Plan Engine Using Satellite Imagery and Soil Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The widespread management of lawns in the United States is often mismanaged due to decentralized care, making it difficult for homeowners to determine the appropriate nutrient needs and schedules for lawn fertilization, which is not cost-effective to address with analyst visits.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a lawn treatment plan engine to calculate and deliver customized fertilizer packets based on lawn size, soil composition, weather conditions, and customer inputs, using satellite imagery, questionnaires, and soil tests to determine the required nutrient amounts and schedules for periodic treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If analyst visits are used to determine nutrient needs and delivery schedules, then accuracy of treatment plan is improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of treatment planVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of analyst visits with an automated digital system that uses satellite imagery analysis, soil testing data, and weather information to calculate treatment plans. This substitution eliminates the need for physical analyst presence while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through objective data analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the lawn analysis process by using satellite imagery to replicate what an analyst would observe visually, combined with soil test data to replicate chemical analysis. This digital copying enables accurate treatment planning without requiring physical analyst intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If analyst visits are used to determine nutrient needs and delivery schedules, then accuracy of treatment plan is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of treatment planVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the expensive mechanical system of analyst visits with an automated digital system that processes satellite imagery, soil test data, and weather information. This substitution dramatically reduces cost while maintaining accuracy through objective, data-driven analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically gathering data from multiple sources (satellite imagery, soil tests, weather stations) and generating treatment plans without human intervention. This automation eliminates the need for paid analyst services while providing accurate, customized treatment recommendations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If customized treatment plans are developed for each lawn, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lawn treatment problem into distinct data components: satellite imagery analysis for lawn characteristics, soil testing for nutrient composition, weather data for environmental conditions, and treatment history for pattern recognition. This segmentation allows complex customization to be achieved through systematic processing of individual data elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves universality by using a standardized multi-source data collection and analysis framework that can be applied to any lawn. The same system processes satellite imagery, soil tests, and weather data across diverse properties, enabling customized treatment plans through a universal platform rather than requiring separate systems for each lawn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20210319489A1Systems and methods for determination of lawn nutrient and treatment regimen based on publicly available information and specific testing data and the periodic delivery of supplies for said lawn nutrient and treatment regimen

Publication Date: 2021.10.14 THIS LAND INC D B A SUNDAY

AI summary

A method of determining a lawn treatment plan and delivering lawn treatments includes receiving at a user interface an address having a lawn. The method further includes determining an initial lawn size for the lawn based on the address. The method further includes receiving confirmation of the initial lawn size. The method further includes calculating a lawn treatment plan based on the initial lawn size. The method further includes providing the lawn treatment plan to a customer. The method further includes providing instruction for providing the lawn treatment plan to a fulfillment center. The method further includes delivering packetized lawn treatments according to the lawn treatment plan on a periodic basis to the customer for treatment of the lawn.