Agricultural Light Pattern Field Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining field characteristics during agricultural operations, such as tillage, are limited in accuracy and require further improvements for effective monitoring of soil conditions like residue coverage and soil roughness.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an agricultural machine equipped with an imaging device and an illumination device that displays a light pattern on the field surface, allowing the controller to capture and analyze distortions in the pattern to determine field characteristics like residue coverage and soil roughness, and adjust operational parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image data is captured and processed to determine field characteristics, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light pattern is projected onto the field surface as an intermediary medium. The imaging device captures this light pattern, and distortions in the pattern caused by field characteristics (residue, soil roughness) are analyzed to determine those characteristics. This intermediary light pattern transforms complex field characteristic measurement into simpler optical pattern analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the field surface by projecting a structured light pattern. The light pattern's geometric parameters (line positions, spacing, orientation) are known references that, when distorted by field characteristics, provide measurable data about those characteristics without requiring complex direct sensing.
2Measurement precision
If a light pattern is displayed on the field surface to enhance measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but illumination energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device operates periodically by projecting light patterns in sequences rather than continuously. Multiple images are captured over time with different light patterns, allowing the system to gather sufficient measurement data while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by illuminating only specific regions of the field at any given time through targeted light pattern projection, rather than illuminating the entire field continuously. This reduces energy consumption while still obtaining sufficient measurement data from the illuminated areas.
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 the accuracy of field characteristic determination and allows for real-time adjustments to the agricultural operation, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of tillage and other agricultural processes.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination device configured to emit a light directed at the portion of the field within the field of view of the imaging device
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for determining field characteristics during the performance of an agricultural operation includes an imaging device (102) configured to capture image data associated with a portion of the field within a field of view of the imaging device. The system also includes an illumination device (104) configured to emit a light directed at the portion of the field within the field of view of the imaging device. Furthermore, a controller (114) of the system is configured to control an operation of the illumination device such that a light pattern is displayed on a field surface of the field (106). Moreover, the controller is configured to receive image data indicative of the displayed light pattern from the imaging device. Additionally, the controller is configured to determine a field characteristic of the field based on the displayed light pattern.