Tillage Carbon Emission Estimation Using Implement Type and Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for estimating carbon emissions from tillage operations are inefficient and lack precision, as they only consider the occurrence of tillage without accounting for the type of implement used and the depth of tillage, which significantly impact carbon emissions.

Innovation Solution

A processor-implemented method and system that utilize satellite image data to determine the type of implement and depth of tillage, calculating carbon emissions by analyzing backscatter differences, coherence, and other indices, and employing machine learning models to estimate fuel consumption and soil organic carbon release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to estimate carbon emissions, then the estimation process is simple, but the precision and accuracy of the estimation is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon emission estimation precisionVSAvoidestimation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carbon emission estimation into multiple independent components: fuel consumption estimation and soil organic carbon release estimation. Each component is estimated separately using specific parameters and models, then combined to get the total carbon emission. This segmentation allows for more precise measurements of each factor while keeping the overall system manageable through modular calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from binary tillage detection to multi-dimensional analysis by incorporating implement type classification and tillage depth estimation as additional dimensions. Instead of merely detecting whether tillage occurred, the system now analyzes the type of implement used and the depth to which tillage was applied, significantly improving measurement precision through expanded parameter dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If only tillage occurrence is detected, then the estimation method is simple, but it cannot account for significant variations in carbon emissions due to implement type and tillage depth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon emission estimation accuracyVSAvoiddetecting implement type and tillage depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of implement type and tillage depth with remote sensing techniques. Satellite or aerial imagery is used to detect tillage patterns, and machine learning models analyze image features to infer implement type and tillage depth without physical contact or direct measurement, thereby reducing the difficulty of detection while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces machine learning models as intermediary components that bridge the gap between remote sensing data and carbon emission calculations. These models process satellite imagery and other observational data to infer implement type and tillage depth, which are then used in the carbon emission estimation. The intermediary models translate indirect observations into meaningful parameters for accurate estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If detailed analysis of implement type and tillage depth is performed, then carbon emission estimation becomes precise, but the computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon emission estimation precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of implement types and estimation of tillage depths using machine learning models before the final carbon emission calculation. By pre-processing the data to identify implement types and tillage depths in advance, the system reduces computational complexity during the main calculation phase. This preliminary action allows for precise estimation while minimizing overall processing time through efficient data preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4437823B1Methods and systems for precise estimation of carbon emission due to tillage operations
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP4437823B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437823B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4437823B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for precise estimation of carbon emission due to tillage operations. Conventional techniques that estimate the carbon emission due to the tillage operation are not efficient and effective as only the tillage operation is considered. The present disclosure combines the type of implement used for tillage and the depth of tillage for precise estimation of carbon emission. In the present method, the geo-tagged fields where the tillage operation is performed are identified based on a satellite image data. Next, an implement type used for the tillage operation is detected. Further a spatial tillage depth having tillage depths are estimated. Lastly precise estimation of carbon released due to the tillage operation is calculated based on the soil organic carbon released due to tillage operation and the carbon emission due to fuel consumed by the type of implement used and the spatial tillage depth.