Standalone Weed Mapping Setup with Adaptive Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weed mapping technologies are limited in spatial accuracy, cannot reliably identify weed species under varying light conditions, and are restricted to specific times and areas, leading to potential misuse of herbicides and inefficient weed control.
Innovation Solution
A standalone weed map construction setup equipped with a light source, position detection unit, and image recording units (video and laser cameras) that can operate independently, providing high spatial accuracy and species identification even under low visibility and changing light conditions, and integrating with existing weeding apparatus for precise weed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a weed map is constructed using only optical sensors and video camera during daylight, then the extent of weediness can be determined, but the weed species information cannot be reliably identified under varying light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on lighting conditions. During daylight, it uses natural light for imaging. During nighttime or low-light conditions, it automatically activates artificial light sources (LEDs, halogen lamps) to illuminate the area, enabling continuous weed mapping operations regardless of external lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including light source activation, camera exposure settings, and image processing algorithms based on detected lighting conditions. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision across different environmental conditions by adjusting parameters such as gain, exposure time, and illumination intensity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the weed map constructing unit is integrated with the weeding apparatus, then the system can be compact, but it allows merely construction of weed maps for specific areas (between railway rails)
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent modular components: a portable weed map constructing unit with its own position detection unit, and a separate weeding apparatus. The constructing unit can be transported to different locations and connected to various weeding apparatuses, enabling versatile application across different areas without requiring permanent integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The weed map constructing unit is designed as a universal, standalone device that can be connected to different types of weeding apparatuses through standard interfaces. It can construct weed maps for various areas (railway tracks, fields, gardens) and the data can be used by different weeding systems, making the system highly adaptable without requiring area-specific customization.
3Productivity
If the image recording unit moves rapidly over the area, then productivity increases, but image blurring occurs reducing weed species identification accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic flash illumination (stroboscopic lighting) synchronized with the movement of the recording unit. This creates the effect of freezing motion at specific intervals, allowing clear images to be captured even during rapid movement. The flash duration is precisely controlled to match the exposure time, eliminating motion blur while maintaining high scanning speed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a standalone weed map constructing unit is used, then it can operate independently on any area, but requires separate position detection and light source integration
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple previously separate functions into a single integrated portable unit: the image recording unit, position detection unit, and light source are merged into one cohesive device. This allows the unit to operate independently without requiring infrastructure from existing weeding apparatuses, while the modular design keeps internal complexity manageable through standardized interfaces between components.
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
Enables the creation of accurate weed maps that account for topographical conditions and weed species, allowing for effective herbicide use and efficient weed elimination at any time and in various lighting conditions, ensuring precise spatial coordination and reliable data communication with weeding apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
sensing the light reflected from the area that is scanned by the optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
The position detection unit (150) has a satellite navigation device
Implementation Method 3
a light source (160) the control of which (i.e. its switching on or off) is performed by the setup itself
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a setup (100) for constructing a weed map. The setup (100) comprises an image recording unit (110; 110′) having a video camera (112) and a relief-tracking laser camera (114), an image processing and evaluating unit (120), a data storage unit (130) connected to the latter, as well as a weed database (135). The setup (100) also comprises a light source (160), a position detection unit (150) equipped with a location finding element (152) and a location refining element (154) for determining the spatial coordinates supplied by the former more accurately. The image recording unit (110; 110′), the position detection unit (150) and the light source (160) are all in data communication connection with the image processing and evaluating unit (120). Furthermore, the image processing and evaluating unit (120) is provided with one or more controlling outputs (122, 124), wherein one of the outputs (124) is capable of establishing a data communication connection with the control unit (190) of a separate weeding apparatus.