Zone-Based Turf Management Using Predictive Condition Models

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turf management systems lack precision and efficiency in addressing varying environmental conditions within a work region, leading to uneven treatment and potential waste of resources.

Innovation Solution

A system that divides a work region into zones based on environmental conditions, using predictive turf models and suggestion models to generate tailored actions for each zone, incorporating sensor data, historical data, and user inputs to manage turf effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If turf management is performed uniformly across the entire work region, then the management process is simple and efficient, but it fails to address varying environmental conditions leading to uneven treatment and resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturf management precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The work region is divided into multiple zones based on environmental conditions such as micro-climates, soil types, and historical turf data. Each zone is then managed independently with customized treatment plans, allowing precise addressing of varying environmental conditions while maintaining systematic organization through the zone-based structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones receive tailored management actions based on their specific environmental characteristics. The system generates zone-specific recommendations for irrigation, fertilization, and maintenance activities, ensuring that each area receives appropriate treatment rather than uniform application across the entire region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If zone-based predictive modeling is implemented, then turf management precision is improved, but data processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturf condition assessment precisionVSAvoiddata processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes and stores historical turf data, environmental data, and outcome data in structured formats before they are needed for prediction. This preliminary organization of data into zones and categories enables faster retrieval and processing during actual turf management decision-making, reducing the computational burden when predictions are generated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple sensors and data streams are integrated, then the accuracy of turf condition estimation is improved, but the complexity of data integration and processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturf condition prediction reliabilityVSAvoiddata integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a centralized data processing platform that acts as an intermediary between multiple sensors, data streams, and the predictive modeling components. This platform standardizes data formats, handles data quality issues, and coordinates the integration of environmental data, sensor data, and historical outcomes, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high prediction reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4172898B1Turf management systems and methods
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 THE TORO COMPANY
  • EP4172898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4172898B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4172898B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Turf management systems and methods to manage turf in a work region divided into a plurality of zones. Multiple sets of zone sensor data are associated with a different zone and monitored. A set of zone sensor data is provided as an input to a predictive turf model for each zone and an estimated turf condition is determined for each zone based on an output of the predictive turf model. Further, a recommended action (or no action) is generated based on the estimated turf condition. The recommended action (or no action) may be generated by a suggestion model. Either of the predictive turf model or the suggestion model can be updated based on measured/ oh served turf condition compared to desired turf condition.