Plant Sensor System for Morphology-Physiology Signal Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately measuring plant data in-situ, particularly in distinguishing plant signals from ambient environment noise, and in real-time data collection and analysis while traversing a geographic area.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method that combines plant morphology and physiology sensors with a computing system to measure and analyze plant data. This system includes a detection mechanism to identify plant pixels within physiological measurements based on morphological measurements, allowing for accurate normalization of plant index values and real-time data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional plant measurement methods are used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and ability to distinguish plant signals from ambient noise deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (morphology sensor and physiology sensor) into an integrated detection system that simultaneously captures both structural and functional plant data. This merging of sensing capabilities enables accurate plant signal detection by correlating morphological features with physiological measurements, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity through unified data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system acts as an intermediary that processes and correlates data from multiple sensors. It integrates morphology measurements with physiology measurements, applying algorithms to distinguish plant signals from ambient environment noise. This intermediary processing layer enables high measurement precision without requiring direct complex sensor-plant interaction.
2Productivity
If real-time data collection is implemented while traversing geographic area, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and data accuracy deteriorates due to motion and environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to dynamically adapt to motion conditions during traversal. The morphology sensor captures plant structure data while the system moves through the geographic area, and the computing system processes this dynamic data in real-time. This dynamic capability enables continuous productivity improvement while maintaining measurement precision through adaptive data collection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data processing and plant identification during the traversal itself, rather than requiring post-processing. The computing system analyzes morphology and physiology data as it is collected, enabling real-time productivity improvement while maintaining accuracy through immediate data validation and correlation before environmental interference increases.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to reduce noise interference, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a morphology sensor for structural data, a physiology sensor for functional data, and a computing system for integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall reliability through their coordinated operation, managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system serves multiple functions: it processes morphology data, processes physiology data, correlates the two data types, filters ambient noise, and generates final plant measurements. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate processing systems, thereby improving data reliability while controlling device complexity through a universal processing platform.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for plant parameter detection, including: a plant morphology sensor having a first field of view and configured to record a morphology measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, a plant physiology sensor having a second field of view and configured to record a plant physiology parameter measurement of a plant portion and an ambient environment adjacent the plant, wherein the second field of view overlaps with the first field of view; a support statically coupling the plant morphology sensor to the physiology sensor, and a computing system configured to: identify a plant set of pixels within the physiology measurement based on the morphology measurement; determine physiology values for each pixel of the plant set of pixels; and extract a growth parameter based on the physiology values.