Abstract

A light sensing apparatus for measuring the reflectance of sub surface soil in real-time while attached to a moving vehicle is disclosed. Reflectance measurements from the apparatus can be related to the organic matter content of the soil. The apparatus is housed in a corrosion resistant enclosure having field rebuildable wear surfaces. The wear surfaces help extend the life of the apparatus by isolating the apparatus's main enclosure from soil abrasion. The wear surfaces also assist in conditioning the sensed soil surface by smoothing the surface prior to sensing. Signal conditioning circuitry in the apparatus is utilized to reject the influence of ambient light in the advent that the soil/apparatus interface opens. A digital processor or other “intelligent controller” is utilized in the apparatus to auto calibrate the apparatus in real-time and/or use predetermined tables or mathematical relationships in order to convert reflectance information into organic matter measurements.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 21/55 - Specular reflectivity

Abstract

A method and system of treating plants is provided. The method includes measuring optical properties of a plant using a plurality of spectral bands. The method further includes calculating in a computational device at least two vegetative indexes using the optical properties, each of the at least two vegetative indexes correlating to one or more plant growth parameters. The method further includes calculating in the computational device a water invariant chlorophyll index from at least two vegetative indexes using the plurality of spectral bands. The also provides for treating one or more of the plants based on the water invariant chlorophyll index.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
• G01J 3/51 - Measurement of colourColour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors using colour filters
• G01N 21/55 - Specular reflectivity
• G01J 3/10 - Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• G01J 3/36 - Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
• G01N 21/3563 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solidsPreparation of samples therefor
• G01N 21/63 - Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
• G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications

Abstract

An apparatus for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the agrochemicals and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of agrochemicals from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller is programmed with an algorithm which uses a plant growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration. A method for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes acquiring a growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration, using the growth state appropriate plug value in the initial calibration, and applying agrochemicals to the geographical area according to the initial calibration.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/02 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups by astronomical means
• G01C 21/24 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups specially adapted for cosmonautical navigation

Abstract

An apparatus for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the agrochemicals and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of agrochemicals from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller is programmed with an algorithm which uses a plant growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration. A method for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes acquiring a growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration, using the growth state appropriate plug value in the initial calibration, and applying agrochemicals to the geographical area according to the initial calibration.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/02 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups by astronomical means
• G01C 21/24 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups specially adapted for cosmonautical navigation

Abstract

An algorithmic method is described for sensor-based real-time application of an agricultural material. Method includes means for characterizing and treating crop biomass variability without the use of a grower managed reference crop. Crop variability is determined statistically by driving one or more transects through the field in order to collect crop canopy information for sensor calibration purposes.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 21/02 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups by astronomical means
• G01C 21/24 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups specially adapted for cosmonautical navigation