Plant Wavelength Sensor with Selectable Ranges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plant wavelength sensor devices are limited in their ability to determine various growth parameters of crops as they use fixed wavelength ranges for measurement lights, making them inapplicable to different growth parameters and requiring improvement.

Innovation Solution

A plant wavelength sensor device that irradiates target plants with measurement lights of freely-selected wavelength ranges, calculates the reflection rate and reflected light volume for specific wavelength ranges, and adjusts the number and range of wavelength ranges based on the type of growth parameter, using Partial Least Squares regression analysis to estimate parameters like nitrogen, protein, and water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed wavelength ranges are used for measurement lights, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be applied to various growth parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to various growth parametersVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor device to measure multiple growth parameters (nitrogen, protein, water content) through selectable wavelength ranges. The control section stores multiple wavelength range sets corresponding to different growth parameters and can switch between them, allowing one device to perform multiple measurement functions rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the wavelength range configurable and changeable based on measurement needs. The control section can selectively set different wavelength ranges from stored sets according to the target growth parameter, transforming a static fixed-wavelength system into a dynamic adjustable-wavelength system that adapts to different measurement requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple wavelength ranges are used for different growth parameters, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrowth parameter determination accuracyVSAvoidwavelength configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple wavelength range sets in the control section before actual measurements. Each wavelength range set is pre-configured to correspond to specific growth parameters (e.g., nitrogen, protein, water content). When measurement is needed, the system simply selects from pre-prepared configurations rather than requiring complex real-time wavelength synthesis, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the wavelength range parameter according to the target growth parameter. Different growth parameters require different wavelength ranges for optimal measurement accuracy. The control section changes the wavelength parameter selectively based on measurement objectives, enabling accurate determination of various growth parameters without requiring a completely different device for each parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device is applicable to various growth parameters, providing accurate and efficient determination of crop health status, enabling precise fertilizer application and improved agricultural productivity.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting portion including a plurality of light emission members 26 corresponding to a plurality of wavelength ranges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving portion including a light receiving member 31 that receives a reflected light Pr of the measurement light P from the target plant (crop Cr)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3306303B1Wavelength sensor device for plant
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP3306303B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3306303B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3306303B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To provide a plant wavelength sensor device that is applicable to various growth parameters of the target plant. A plant wavelength sensor device (10) includes a light emission portion (21) for emitting a measurement light P to irradiate a target plant (Cr), a light receiving portion (22) for receiving the measurement light (P) reflected on the target plant as a reflected light (Pr); and a control section (23, 24, 25) for controlling the light emission portion and the light receiving portion. The control section is configured to emit the measurement light (P) having a wavelength range corresponding to a selected growth parameter (Eg) from the light emission portion, to receive the reflected light (Pr) from the target plant with the light receiving portion with respect to the measurement light (P) having the wavelength range corresponding to the selected growth parameter (Eg), and to calculate a volume of the reflected light from the target plant as a reflected light volume with respect to the wavelength range corresponding to the growth parameter.