Plant Matter Sensor Vertical Reflectance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plant matter sensors fail to provide detailed, comprehensive measurements of plant quality, especially along the length of the plant, and lack sufficient spatial resolution, making it difficult for farmers to make informed decisions regarding feed and land management.
Innovation Solution
A plant matter sensor system that uses vertically spaced clusters of light sensors to measure reflectance at various wavelengths, allowing for the determination of metabolisable energy, protein content, pasture biomass, and moisture content by traversing an area and collecting data to visualize and interpret plant quality, enabling targeted management decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If aerial images or top view sensors are used to measure plant matter, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is insufficient because only the uppermost portions are measured while missing stem regions and base material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from top-down aerial imaging to vertical side-view measurement. By positioning sensors vertically alongside the plant stem and using vertically oriented LED arrays, the system measures reflectance along the length of the plant rather than only from above, enabling detection of stem regions and base material that were previously inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the plant measurement into multiple vertical segments using arrays of LEDs and sensors positioned at different heights. This segmentation allows independent measurement of different plant zones (upper foliage, mid-stem, lower stem, base), providing comprehensive vertical profiling that overcomes the limitation of single-point top-down measurement.
2Device complexity
If management zones with averaging are used for precision agriculture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and site-specific decision-making capability deteriorate due to significant averaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the field into multiple measurement points along vertical plant profiles, collecting data from numerous individual locations rather than averaging over large zones. This segmentation enables retention of fine-scale spatial variability while maintaining manageable system complexity through systematic data collection protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the vertical dimension to field measurements, collecting data at multiple heights along plant stems in addition to horizontal field position. This vertical profiling increases the density of measurement points without requiring larger spatial averaging zones, thereby maintaining precision while controlling complexity.
3Measurement precision
If vertically spaced clusters of light sensors are used to measure reflectance at various wavelengths, then the measurement precision and comprehensive plant quality assessment improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-wavelength LED arrays that can measure multiple plant quality parameters (biomass, nitrogen content, water status, chlorophyll) simultaneously using the same vertical sensor configuration. This multi-functionality increases measurement precision across multiple dimensions while avoiding the need for separate measurement systems for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple LED wavelengths, vertical sensor arrays, and measurement functions into a single integrated probe assembly. By merging these components into one unified device, the patent achieves comprehensive plant quality assessment with high precision while managing overall system complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems.
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 accurate placement of resources, reduces animal underfeeding or overfeeding, identifies less productive zones, and allows for targeted application of fertilizers, weed control, and other management strategies, improving overall pasture productivity and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the reflectance of the plant matter at a first wavelength and the reflectance of the plant matter at a second wavelength
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A plant matter sensor comprising: one or more emitters configured to emit two or more vertically spaced signals toward a plant; and one or more receivers configured to receive two or more reflected signals from the plant.