Optical Weed Detection for Targeted Spray Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural spraying methods apply plant protection products uniformly across fields, leading to excessive use due to lack of localized infestation data, resulting in inefficiency and high operating costs, as they fail to differentiate between cultivated plants and weeds effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an optical and/or infrared detection unit to identify plant rows and define plant and weed areas within a field section, allowing for targeted application of plant protection products based on a plant identifier, which determines the extent of weed infestation and triggers application only when a threshold is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform spraying is applied across the entire field, then the field receives consistent protection, but excessive amounts of plant protection products are released into the surroundings and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the field into multiple zones with different infestation levels and applying plant protection products selectively only to areas where weeds are detected. The system uses sensors to identify specific locations requiring treatment, thereby reducing overall product release while maintaining effective protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The field is segmented into treated and untreated zones based on real-time weed detection. The spraying system divides the field area into discrete sections, applying products only to segments with detected infestation rather than uniformly across the entire field.
2Measurement precision
If random sampling is used to adjust application amounts, then some localization is achieved, but the procedure still releases too much active agent due to uniform application across the entire area
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that detect weed presence and infestation levels in real-time during field traversal. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust spraying decisions, applying products only when and where infestation is detected, thereby eliminating excessive release while maintaining precise assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system performs preliminary detection of weed infestation before spraying decisions are made. By detecting and mapping infestation areas in advance during field traversal, the system can pre-determine which areas require treatment, avoiding unnecessary application in clean areas.
3Measurement precision
If optical systems with digital cameras and filters are used to detect and classify weed infestation, then classification accuracy is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential detection functionality needed for weed identification, using simplified optical sensors that detect specific wavelength reflections characteristic of plant material. Rather than implementing full classification systems with multiple cameras and filters, the system extracts and utilizes only the critical optical signature of weeds for spray decision-making.
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
This approach enables precise, resource-saving treatment of fields by distinguishing between cultivated plants and weeds, reducing unnecessary chemical use and operational costs through automated and efficient application of herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides.
Implementation Method 1
detecting plants in a field section of the field with the aid of an optical and/or infrared detection unit
Implementation Method 2
detecting plants in a field section of the field with the aid of an optical and/or infrared detection unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying a spray, in particular a plant protection product, onto a field, including: detecting plants in a field section of the field with the aid of an optical and/or infrared detection unit; identifying at least one plant row in the detected field section; defining a plant area encompassing the at least one identified plant row and a weed area, different from the plant area, in the detected field section; ascertaining a plant identifier of the weed area; and applying spray onto the weed area, in particular onto the field section, depending on the ascertained plant identifier with the aid of a spraying device.