Soil Electrical Sensing for Low-Power Golf Green Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing turf conditions in golf courses, particularly around the green, is labor-intensive and costly due to the need for manual inspection and frequent battery replacements in soil monitoring devices, which are environmentally constrained.

Innovation Solution

A green information measuring system with a first device that measures soil electrical characteristics and a second device that transmits data to a server when conditions are met, minimizing power consumption by defaulting to a power-off mode and using a wake-up signal for data updates, allowing long-term operation without frequent battery replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection is used to manage turf conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive work and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil condition measurement precisionVSAvoidmanagement productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The soil monitoring device autonomously measures soil conditions and transmits data without requiring manual intervention. The device includes a controller that automatically controls the sensor to measure soil conditions and the transmitter to send data to external devices, enabling self-service operation that improves productivity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated electronic measurement system. Sensors electronically detect soil conditions (moisture, temperature, conductivity) and transmit data wirelessly, substituting the mechanical process of manual soil sampling and inspection with an automated electronic system that improves both productivity and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If continuous operation mode is used for data transmission, then productivity is improved, but use of energy deteriorates leading to frequent battery replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission frequencyVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is configured to operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The sensor measures soil conditions at predetermined intervals, and the transmitter sends data periodically to external devices. This periodic operation maintains productivity by ensuring regular data updates while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on conditions. The controller can modify measurement and transmission frequencies based on soil condition changes, battery status, and communication requirements. This dynamic operation optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption, allowing the system to be more active when needed and conserve energy when conditions are stable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If frequent battery replacements are implemented, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to maintenance overhead and operational disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operational reliabilityVSAvoidoperational productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing periodic operation with extended intervals between activations, the system achieves reliable data collection over long periods without frequent battery replacement. The predetermined measurement and transmission intervals are optimized to maintain soil condition monitoring reliability while extending battery life to several months or years, eliminating maintenance disruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as measurement frequency, transmission power, and sleep duration to optimize battery life. The controller adjusts these parameters based on soil condition stability, communication distance, and battery status, enabling the device to operate reliably for extended periods without battery replacement while maintaining productivity

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

Facilitates efficient and accurate soil condition monitoring with reduced labor and costs, enabling quick updates of hole positions for golfers and managers, while extending battery life through power management.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor that measures an electrical characteristic of the soil through the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12474496B2Green information measuring system and green information measuring method

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 VC INC

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides a green information measuring system, including: a first device configured to measure an electrical characteristic of soil through at least one electrode when a first condition is satisfied; and a second device configured to receive soil information of the soil from the first device and to transmit the soil information to a server when a second condition is satisfied.