Mobile Camera Crop Height Measurement Without Stereo Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural height measurement systems require additional hardware like dedicated stereo cameras or ultrasound sensors, limiting their versatility and convenience, especially when using mobile devices without stereoscopic capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using a portable device with a camera and distance tracking module, such as the Google ArCore library, to determine crop height by analyzing video feeds, allowing continuous measurement without the need for additional hardware, and enabling height determination on the move.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dedicated stereo camera or ultrasound sensor is used for crop height measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop height measurement precisionVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling standard mobile device cameras to perform crop height measurement, a function previously requiring dedicated stereo cameras or ultrasound sensors. The system uses widely available camera hardware combined with computational algorithms to achieve professional-grade measurements without specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/optical depth sensing systems (stereo cameras, ultrasound sensors) with a computational approach using standard camera images. Instead of relying on specialized hardware to capture depth information, the system uses image processing and mathematical algorithms to calculate crop height from 2D images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a stick-mounted device is used for image acquisition, then measurement stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using the mobile device's built-in sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) to automatically determine device orientation, position, and camera angles. The system compensates for hand-held instability through computational correction rather than requiring physical stabilization equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by accepting a range of device positions and orientations rather than requiring a fixed stable mounting. The system uses real-time sensor data to adjust calculations dynamically, allowing flexible handheld operation while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If continuous video feed analysis is used for height determination, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only relevant video frames rather than analyzing every frame continuously. The system identifies key moments when the crop enters the field of view and processes those frames, reducing computational load while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action by analyzing video frames at specific intervals or triggered events rather than continuous processing. The system can pause analysis between measurement opportunities and resume when new measurement data becomes available, reducing overall energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables faster and more versatile crop height measurement by using a standard camera on mobile devices, allowing for real-time data collection and estimation of biophysical parameters like biomass and growth rate, facilitating optimized farming operations.

Implementation Method 1

a camera (11) configured to acquire a video feed comprising a plurality of image frames

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4111136B1Device and method for determining a crop height

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA

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AI summary

A method and device for measuring a crop height of an agricultural product by positioning the portable device above the agricultural product, determining a first distance between the portable device and the ground based on a video feed acquired with a camera of the portable device, determining a second distance between the portable device and the agricultural product based on the video feed, and determining the crop height based on the determined first and second distances. According to this approach, two distances are continuously determined from a video feed. A first distance relates to the ground, while a second distance relates to the (top of) the agricultural product. The height of the product can then easily be determined as the difference between these distances (i.e. the first distance minus the second distance).