UAV Aerial Imaging for Seed Plant Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for counting male and female seed production plants in fields, such as corn seed production, are inefficient and lack precision, making it difficult for seed producers to make informed replanting decisions and estimate yields effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of aerial imaging from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture and analyze images of seed production fields, allowing for the identification and classification of male and female rows, and subsequently generating accurate population counts of seed production plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ground-based methods are used to count male and female seed production plants, then the counting process can be performed with simple equipment, but the counting efficiency is low and precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual ground-based counting with aerial imaging and automated image processing. UAVs capture images of the field, and computer vision algorithms automatically identify and count male and female plants, eliminating the need for manual enumeration while achieving both high efficiency and sufficient precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of UAVs and image processing software. This intermediary layer captures spatial information from the air and translates it into accurate plant counts, solving the contradiction by mediating between the observer and the field without requiring direct ground-level inspection
2Measurement precision
If manual counting methods are used, then equipment complexity is minimal, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient for informed replanting decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical manual counting with automated computer vision systems. Image processing algorithms analyze aerial photographs to precisely identify and count male and female plants, achieving high measurement precision through digital image analysis rather than physical enumeration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the field through aerial imaging. By capturing images from UAVs and processing them to generate plant location data, the system creates an accurate digital representation that can be analyzed to produce precise counts without physically interacting with each plant
3Productivity
If aerial imaging with UAVs is used, then counting precision and efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the aerial imaging system multi-functional by using UAVs for both data collection and analysis. The same aerial platform captures images, and the processing system handles image analysis, plant identification, and counting operations, consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated system that improves productivity while managing complexity
4Reliability
If comprehensive analysis of male and female rows is performed, then replanting decision accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field into distinct male and female row patterns through image processing. By automatically identifying row types and separating them for analysis, the system can process comprehensive data on both plant types simultaneously while maintaining fast processing speeds through efficient algorithmic segmentation rather than sequential analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for generating population counts for seed production plants based on one or more images obtained from a camera on an aerial vehicle including, but not limited to, UAVs. The image(s) is processed to identify the plurality of rows of seed production plants, classify each one of the identified rows as either male or female, and produce a count of the number of seed production plants in the male rows and produce a count of the number of seed production plants in the female rows. The seed production plants can be corn seed plants or any other type of seed production plant in which male and female seed production plants can be distinguished from one another based on one or more aerial images.