Modular Crop Canopy Imaging Platform for Precision Field Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in directly measuring canopy architectural and leaf metabolic features for enhanced photosynthesis, particularly in variable environments and elevated CO2 conditions, due to difficulties in obtaining direct measurements and generalizing local data to a landscape scale, while also requiring efficient water and electricity use in bioenergy crop production.
Innovation Solution
A remote field controller and sensor system that allows direct canopy measurements, integrates with irrigation and fertilization equipment for precision agriculture, and includes environmental and crop sensors to monitor real-time conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light, with data storage and transmission capabilities via solar power and IoT platforms, enabling real-time adjustments and automation of field management tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct canopy measurements are taken using traditional instruments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to inherent difficulties in taking direct measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses imaging devices (cameras) to capture optical copies of the canopy structure instead of requiring direct physical measurements. The system processes these images to derive canopy architectural parameters, leaf area indices, and other metrics, replacing complex direct measurement instruments with simpler imaging-based copying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement instruments with optical imaging devices and computational processing. Instead of using complex mechanical probes and sensors to directly measure canopy parameters, the system uses cameras to capture images and algorithms to extract measurement data, substituting mechanical systems with optical and computational approaches.
2Productivity
If comprehensive environmental and crop monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy worsens due to multiple sensors and data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensors (environmental sensors, crop sensors, imaging devices) into a single unified platform that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The system monitors temperature, humidity, light, soil moisture, canopy architecture, and crop growth using one integrated system, reducing the need for separate monitoring equipment and optimizing energy utilization across all sensing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates solar panels to generate electricity for powering the sensors and communication devices, making the monitoring system partially self-sufficient. The solar energy harvesting reduces external electricity consumption while maintaining continuous monitoring operations for improved crop productivity.
3Loss of time
If real-time field management automation is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to integration with irrigation and fertilization equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously monitor crop conditions and environmental parameters, the controller processes this data in real-time, and the system automatically adjusts irrigation and fertilization equipment based on the analyzed information. This feedback mechanism enables real-time field management decisions without requiring manual intervention, reducing time loss despite increased system complexity.
4Measurement precision
If localized canopy measurements are taken, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability worsens due to inability to generalize local measurements to landscape scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based local measurements to area-based imaging measurements. By using cameras to capture two-dimensional images of the canopy and processing these images to extract three-dimensional structural parameters, the system obtains measurements that represent entire canopy sections rather than single points, enabling better generalization to larger landscape scales while maintaining precision.
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
The system enables precise monitoring and management of crop growth, reduces irrigation and electricity consumption, and provides scalable, modular solutions for diverse crops and environments, enhancing canopy photosynthesis and energy efficiency in bioenergy crop production.
Implementation Method 1
The remote field controller and sensor may be powered by a solar panel with a backup battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A field controller and sensor is presented as an elongate body having a hollow interior and axially opposite first and second ends with a first arm extending outward from the elongate body adjacent to the first axial end and a second arm extending outward from the elongate body adjacent to the second, axially opposite end. Each of the arms has an imaging device. The first arm imaging device is positioned to obtain images in a direction toward the second axial end of the elongate body. The second arm imaging device is positioned to obtain images in a direction toward the first axial end. The first and second arms are spaced apart from one another along a length of the elongate body at a distance sufficient to image a canopy of crop growth in a field in which the field controller and sensor is deployed. The sensor may be formed from modules that allow the operator the ability to vary the height of the sensor by stacking the modules together end to end, which in turn allows users to scale their particular system with varying crop sizes within crop rotations.