Simulated Seed RFID Tags for Automatic Variety Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accurately identifying seed or plant variety in agricultural settings are prone to human error, inefficient, and not practical for real-time monitoring, especially during planting and production stages, due to reliance on manual data entry and limited technology that is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A system that co-mingles simulated seeds with contactless machine-readable data with actual seeds, allowing for automatic identification and data correlation using RFID tags, enabling contactless reading and writing of seed-specific information throughout the agricultural production cycle, from packaging to planting and harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry is used to track seed variety information, then the system is simple and low-cost, but human error increases and data accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulated seeds that are copies of actual seeds in appearance and handling characteristics, but contain embedded RFID tags for automatic identification. This allows the system to automatically track seed variety information without manual entry, eliminating human error while maintaining simplicity in seed handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data entry (mechanical human operation) with automatic RFID reading systems. The RFID tags on simulated seeds enable automated identification and tracking of seed variety information, eliminating the need for manual writing or typing while improving data accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated identification techniques such as aerial-based spectrometry are used, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex aerial-based spectrometry to identify plant genotype, the patent uses simulated seeds with embedded RFID tags that contain identification information. This simplified approach provides accurate seed variety identification without the complexity and cost of sophisticated remote sensing technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds identification information in RFID tags on simulated seeds before planting. This preliminary encoding of data eliminates the need for complex post-planting analysis techniques, as the identification information is already available and can be read automatically at various stages.
3Productivity
If bar codes are used for automatic identification, then data capture efficiency improves, but line-of-sight requirements and maintenance needs increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bar code technology with RFID tags embedded in simulated seeds. RFID tags provide the same automatic identification function but without the limitations of bar codes, such as line-of-sight requirements and graphic maintenance needs, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical bar code reading with electromagnetic RFID communication. This substitution eliminates the mechanical line-of-sight requirement and removes the need for maintaining visible graphics on moving seeds, simplifying operations while preserving efficient data capture.
4Reliability
If manual entry of seed-specific data is performed at each planting stage, then data accuracy can be controlled, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous automatic tracking of seed variety information through RFID tags on simulated seeds. The identification data is continuously available and can be read at any stage without interruption to planting operations, maintaining data accuracy while eliminating time-consuming manual entry and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulated seeds with embedded RFID tags essentially identify themselves automatically. The system reads identification information directly from the tags without requiring human intervention for data entry, thereby maintaining accuracy through automated processes while significantly improving planting efficiency.
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 reduces human error, enhances data accuracy and efficiency, and provides flexible, real-time seed-specific information integration with precision agriculture systems, improving decision-making and productivity across various stages of seed management.
Implementation Method 1
A system that co-mingles simulated seeds with contactless machine-readable data with actual seeds, allowing for automatic identification and data correlation using RFID tags
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for automatically gathering seed-specific data for an agricultural crop. Simulated seeds with contactless machine-readable data are co-mingled with actual seeds. Whether in stored form prior to planting, during planting, or after planting with the actual seed in the ground, appropriate readers can quickly and accurately read the seed-specific data for a variety of purposes. That can include simply confirming that the actual seed at least in proximity to a simulated seed is of a particular hybrid or variety. It could also include other seed-specific data such as time and date of planning, seed production company, seed-specific usage restrictions, etc. The data can be utilized by other systems. One example would be a precision agricultural system.