Patent US5884224A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5884224A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile mounted remote sensing/application apparatus for interacting with selected areas of interest within a field
Assignee: JR Simplot Co
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Filing: 1997-03-07
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2017-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for detecting agronomic information on a field to be cultivated. The apparatus has at least one sensor configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest from within a field. The agronomic information detected over space and time being desirable to facilitate the optimized growing of a crop. A mobile carrier is configured to carry the sensor in close proximity to the area of interest. The sensor is constructed and arranged to detect the agronomic information from the area of interest as it passes near the field. The computer has a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory. The computer is configured to collect detected agronomic information from the areas of interest within the field. An apparatus is also provided for facilitating cultivation of an agriculture field via an interface device. One interface device is a detector. Another interface device is an effector. The apparatus can detect/measure and control the optimized growing of a crop.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J. McNabb
- 👤 Byron Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:58
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for detecting agronomic information on an agriculture field comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest from within a field, the agronomic information over space and time being useful to facilitate an optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor in close proximity with the area of interest, the sensor constructed and arranged to detect the agronomic information from the area of interest as it passes near the field; and a computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring the detected agronomic information into the memory, the computer configured to collect the detected agronomic information from the areas of interest within the field.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for detecting agronomic information on an agriculture field comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest from within a field, the agronomic information over space and time being useful to facilitate an optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor in close proximity with the area of interest, the sensor constructed and arranged to detect the agronomic information from the area of interest as it passes near the field; and a computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring the detected agronomic information into the memory, the computer configured to collect the detected agronomic information from the areas of interest within the field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control system implemented by a computer for controlling equipment for selective harvesting of crops from the field in response to detected agronomic information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an open-loop control system coupled with the computer and configured to collect agronomic information suitable for determining a course of action to be taken during the cultivation of such agriculture field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the open-loop control system is configured to predict a crop yield estimate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the open-loop control system is configured to direct fertilizer application during a subsequent growing cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control system implemented by a computer for controlling water and/or chemical application rates to the field to be cultivated in response to detected agronomic information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the control system comprises a feedback control system configured to receive the detected agronomic information and to control water and chemical applications via the mobile carrier in response thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a crop management system configured in memory and implemented via the computer to allow for monitoring and processing of detected agronomic information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the crop management system comprises a computer based information system having a geographic information system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the crop management system computer and the mobile carrier computer comprise a single computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the crop management system computer is provided spaced apart form the mobile carrier computer, the mobile carrier computer being provided adjacent the mobile carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a power line configured to transmit and receive information signals, the crop management system computer and the mobile carrier computer each being signal connected with the other via the power line in operation, the power line providing a communication coupling between the respective computers there between.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positioning determining device configured to detect location of the area of interest within the field being detected by the sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the position determining device comprises a global positioning satellite receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a center pivot irrigation device and the position determining device comprises a compass carried by the irrigation device to measure rotated position of the device, the radial location of the sensor on the device in combination with the measured rotated position of the device being used to determine position of the area of interest being detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a center pivot irrigation device and the position determining device comprises a shaft encoder carried by the irrigation device to measure rotated position of the device, the radial location of the sensor on the device in combination with the measured rotated position of the device being used to determine position of the area of interest being detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a center pivot irrigation device and the position determining device comprises a rotary potentiometer carried by the irrigation device about a stationary end-pivot of the device to measure rotated position of the device, the radial location of the sensor on the device in combination with the measured rotated position of the device being used to determine position of the area of interest being detected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a center pivot irrigation device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein a plurality of the sensors are carried in radially spaced apart relation on a rotating portion of the irrigation device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an optical detector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an acoustic detector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a moisture detector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a temperature detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a pressure detector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a chemical composition detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter provided with the sensor, the filter constructed and arranged to filter the information being detected by the sensor so as to accentuation the presence of an agronomic feature therein.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic interface comprises a multiplexer, a plurality of the sensors being individually selected via the multiplexer for detection and transmission of information to the computer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the electronic interface further comprises a filter for signal conditioning the agronomic information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an analog-to-digital filter interposed between the multiplexer and the computer, the filter comprising an anti-aliasing filter operable to condition the detected signal so as to prevent aliasing of the signal in response to analog-to-digital conversion there along.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a tractor/cultivating device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a tractor/spraying device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a crop-duster airplane.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
143 words
A apparatus for sensing agronomic information on an agriculture field comprising: a sensor configured to detect information desirable to growing crops over space and time; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor over the field, the mobile carrier constructed and arranged to position the sensor to detect information from an area of interest of the field; a control system including an administrative computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and a data transfer apparatus coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory; and crop management decisions configured in the memory, with the administrative computer comparing sensed information with the crop management decisions to direct application rates of water and chemicals via the control system and for regulating operation of a variable rate device for cultivating the field in response thereto.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
143 words
A apparatus for sensing agronomic information on an agriculture field comprising: a sensor configured to detect information desirable to growing crops over space and time; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor over the field, the mobile carrier constructed and arranged to position the sensor to detect information from an area of interest of the field; a control system including an administrative computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and a data transfer apparatus coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory; and crop management decisions configured in the memory, with the administrative computer comparing sensed information with the crop management decisions to direct application rates of water and chemicals via the control system and for regulating operation of a variable rate device for cultivating the field in response thereto.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for detecting agronomic information on an agriculture field, comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest from within a field, the agronomic information over space and time being useful to facilitate the optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor in close proximity with the area of interest, the sensor constructed and arranged to detect the agronomic information from the area of interest as it passes near the field; a computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring the detected agronomic information into the memory, the computer configured to collect the detected agronomic information from the areas of interest within the field; and a position determining device coupled with the computer and configured to detect location of the area of interest within the field being detected by the sensor.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for detecting agronomic information on an agriculture field, comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest from within a field, the agronomic information over space and time being useful to facilitate the optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the sensor in close proximity with the area of interest, the sensor constructed and arranged to detect the agronomic information from the area of interest as it passes near the field; a computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring the detected agronomic information into the memory, the computer configured to collect the detected agronomic information from the areas of interest within the field; and a position determining device coupled with the computer and configured to detect location of the area of interest within the field being detected by the sensor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a tractor/cultivating device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a tractor/spraying device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the mobile carrier comprises a crop-duster airplane.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for collecting information to be used by an irrigation and chemical application device to be passed over a field for applying water and chemicals at a desired rate, the apparatus comprising: a sensing device configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest on the field; a mobile carrier constructed and arranged to carry the sensing device for taking measurements from within the field; a feedback control system configured to receive detected signals from the remote sensing device in order to control water and chemical application rates, the control system allowing for monitoring and data reduction via an information system.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for collecting information to be used by an irrigation and chemical application device to be passed over a field for applying water and chemicals at a desired rate, the apparatus comprising: a sensing device configured to detect agronomic information from an area of interest on the field; a mobile carrier constructed and arranged to carry the sensing device for taking measurements from within the field; a feedback control system configured to receive detected signals from the remote sensing device in order to control water and chemical application rates, the control system allowing for monitoring and data reduction via an information system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the feedback control system comprises a computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the central processing unit, and an electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising a geographic information system (GIS) configured to enable crop management decisions, the crop management decisions operable to direct appropriate water and chemical application rates by way of a variable rate agriculture control device resident therein.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for permitting sensing of an agricultural field, the apparatus comprising: a mobile carrier movably carried in relation to a field; a sensor supported on the mobile carrier and configurable for movement to sense areas of interest on the field; a computer having a central processing unit and a memory coupled to the processing unit; and an electronic interface connecting the sensor and the computer, the electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for permitting sensing of an agricultural field, the apparatus comprising: a mobile carrier movably carried in relation to a field; a sensor supported on the mobile carrier and configurable for movement to sense areas of interest on the field; a computer having a central processing unit and a memory coupled to the processing unit; and an electronic interface connecting the sensor and the computer, the electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a communications link coupled with the computer for enabling communications via the link with remote locations from the apparatus to enable data collection and remote control of the apparatus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the communications link enables the apparatus to receive outside requests to direct the sensor to sense the specific area of interest on the field.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a control system provided at least in part by the computer and a feed-back control loop, the control system configured to control water and chemical application rates by way of a crop management system to allow for continuous monitoring and data reduction to generate field maps for real-time control.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
135 words
A remote sensing apparatus for sensing an agricultural field to be cultivated, comprising: a sensor configured to detect information desirable to growing crops over space and time; a mobile carrier for carrying the sensor over the field, the mobile carrier constructed and arranged to position the sensor to detect information from a desired location at a selected time; a control system including an administrative computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and a data transfer apparatus coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory; and crop management decisions configured in the memory, with the administrative computer comparing sensed information with the crop management decisions to direct application rates of water and chemicals via a closed-loop control and a variable rate agriculture control device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
135 words
A remote sensing apparatus for sensing an agricultural field to be cultivated, comprising: a sensor configured to detect information desirable to growing crops over space and time; a mobile carrier for carrying the sensor over the field, the mobile carrier constructed and arranged to position the sensor to detect information from a desired location at a selected time; a control system including an administrative computer having a central processing unit, a memory coupled to the processing unit, and a data transfer apparatus coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory; and crop management decisions configured in the memory, with the administrative computer comparing sensed information with the crop management decisions to direct application rates of water and chemicals via a closed-loop control and a variable rate agriculture control device.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for permitting remote sensing of an agricultural field to be cultivated, the apparatus comprising: a mobile carrier carried over a field to be cultivated; a sensor supported on the mobile carrier and configurable to sense areas of interest on the field; a computer having a central processing unit and a memory coupled to the processing unit; and an electronic interface configured to connect the sensor and the computer, the electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for permitting remote sensing of an agricultural field to be cultivated, the apparatus comprising: a mobile carrier carried over a field to be cultivated; a sensor supported on the mobile carrier and configurable to sense areas of interest on the field; a computer having a central processing unit and a memory coupled to the processing unit; and an electronic interface configured to connect the sensor and the computer, the electronic interface coupled between the memory and the sensor for transferring sensed information into the memory.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 46 further comprising a control system provided at least in part by the computer and a feed-back control loop, the control system configured to control water and chemical application rates by way of a crop management system to allow for continuous monitoring and a data reduction to generate field maps for real-time control.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for facilitating cultivation of an agriculture field, comprising: an interface device configured to interact with selected areas of interest within an agriculture field, the interaction over space and time being useful to facilitate an optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the interface device in proximity with the area of interest; a computer having a processor, a memory coupled with the processor, and a data interface coupled between the processor and the interface device for enabling communication between the processor and the interface device, the processor configured to control interaction of the interface device with selected areas of interest within the field.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for facilitating cultivation of an agriculture field, comprising: an interface device configured to interact with selected areas of interest within an agriculture field, the interaction over space and time being useful to facilitate an optimized growing of a crop; a mobile carrier configured to carry the interface device in proximity with the area of interest; a computer having a processor, a memory coupled with the processor, and a data interface coupled between the processor and the interface device for enabling communication between the processor and the interface device, the processor configured to control interaction of the interface device with selected areas of interest within the field.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the interface device comprises an effector.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the effector comprises an application device having an applicator for precisely applying chemicals to the selected areas of interest.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the interface device comprises a detector.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the detector comprises a sensing device having a sensor configured to detect agronomic information from the selected areas of interest.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |