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US6014451A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Remote imaging system for plant diagnosis

Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-17
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2017-10-17
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Abstract

Abstract Provided herein are systems and methods for diagnosing plant anomalies found at remote locations using video imaging. A diagnostic technician at a diagnostic station is capable of diagnosing a plant anomaly and recommending a course of action based upon images trasmitted from a remote workstation. The diagnostic technician has access to a database of images and/or descriptions of plant pathogens, lesions and other anomalies to assist in making a diagnosis. It is further preferred that field data relevant to the diseased plant sample is collected at the remote workstation and provided to the diagnostic technician for diagnostic purposes.

Inventors

  • 👤 James A. Berry
  • 👤 William E. Dolezal
  • 👤 Adda C. Sayers

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 07:18
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/67; G16H30/00; G16H30/20; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 81 words
A remote imaging system for diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) a remote workstation, said workstation comprising a means for videomicroscopy; (b) a diagnostic station, said diagnostic station having means for receiving images transmitted from said remote workstation, viewing means for displaying said images, a database of plant anomalies for comparison with said images, and archiving means for storing said images in a retrievable format; and (c) a transmission means for sending said images from said remote workstation to said diagnostic station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 81 words
A remote imaging system for diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) a remote workstation, said workstation comprising a means for videomicroscopy; (b) a diagnostic station, said diagnostic station having means for receiving images transmitted from said remote workstation, viewing means for displaying said images, a database of plant anomalies for comparison with said images, and archiving means for storing said images in a retrievable format; and (c) a transmission means for sending said images from said remote workstation to said diagnostic station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 60 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said workstation comprises a stereomicroscope for viewing a sample taken from a plant, a compound microscope for viewing causal organisms present in said sample, and a video camera, mounted to said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope, for acquiring images therefrom, and a digital microprocessor with a framegrabber board for capturing images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 2 wherein said remote workstation further comprises means for manipulating said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope from said diagnostic station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a macroscope for capturing non-magnified images of a diseased plant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 1 wherein field data are transmitted along with said images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said images are displayed and viewed in real time at said diagnostic station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A remote imaging system system according to claim 1, wherein said plant anomaly is selected from the group consisting of genetic abnormality, insect injury, chemical injury, environmental injury, and plant disease.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 7 wherein said plant disease is a pathogenic disease.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 8 wherein said plant pathogenic disease is a fungal disease.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 8 wherein said plant pathogenic disease is a foliar disease.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 1 wherein said plant is a crop plant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 11, wherein said crop plant is corn.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 85 words
A method of diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) preparing a sample from a plant at a remote location, said sample preparation comprising removing tissue from said plant; (b) viewing said sample with a stereomicroscope; (c) capturing images from said stereomicroscope and a compound microscope with a videocamera and microprocessor with a framegrabber board located at a remote workstation; (d) transmitting said captured images to a diagnostic station; (e) displaying said images at said diagnostic station; and (f) diagnosing said plant anomaly from said displayed images.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 85 words
A method of diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) preparing a sample from a plant at a remote location, said sample preparation comprising removing tissue from said plant; (b) viewing said sample with a stereomicroscope; (c) capturing images from said stereomicroscope and a compound microscope with a videocamera and microprocessor with a framegrabber board located at a remote workstation; (d) transmitting said captured images to a diagnostic station; (e) displaying said images at said diagnostic station; and (f) diagnosing said plant anomaly from said displayed images.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of comparing said image received at said diagnostic station with images stored in a database of plant anomalies.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 41 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising: (a) capturing non-magnified images of said plant with a macroscope and microprocessor with a framegrabber board at a remote workstation; and (b) transmitting said images collected with said macroscope to said diagnostic station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein field data are transmitted along with said images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said images are displayed and viewed in real time at said diagnostic station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said plant anomaly is a plant disease.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said plant disease is a pathogenic disease.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said plant pathogenic disease is a fungal disease.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said plant disease is a foliar disease.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 13 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said plant is a crop plant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said crop plant is corn.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 138 words
A method of diagnosing fungal diseases in plants comprising: (a) preparing a sample from a diseased plant at a remote location, said sample preparation comprising the steps of: (i) removing tissue bearing lesions from said diseased plant; (ii) culturing said tissue under conditions sufficient to promote the sporulation of any fungi present in said lesion; (b) viewing said cultured tissue with a stereomicroscope; (c) preparing a microscope slide of fungi from said cultured tissue; (d) viewing said fungi from said cultured tissue with a compound microscope; (e) capturing images from said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope with a videocamera and a microprocessor with a framegrabber board located at a remote workstation; (f) transmitting said captured images to a diagnostic station; (g) displaying said images at said diagnostic station; and (h) diagnosing said fungal disease from said displayed images.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 138 words
A method of diagnosing fungal diseases in plants comprising: (a) preparing a sample from a diseased plant at a remote location, said sample preparation comprising the steps of: (i) removing tissue bearing lesions from said diseased plant; (ii) culturing said tissue under conditions sufficient to promote the sporulation of any fungi present in said lesion; (b) viewing said cultured tissue with a stereomicroscope; (c) preparing a microscope slide of fungi from said cultured tissue; (d) viewing said fungi from said cultured tissue with a compound microscope; (e) capturing images from said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope with a videocamera and a microprocessor with a framegrabber board located at a remote workstation; (f) transmitting said captured images to a diagnostic station; (g) displaying said images at said diagnostic station; and (h) diagnosing said fungal disease from said displayed images.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of comparing said image received at said diagnostic station with images stored in a database of plant pathogens and lesions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method according to claim 24 further comprising: (a) capturing non-magnified images of said diseased corn plant with a macroscope and microprocessor with a framegrabber board at said remote workstation; and (b) transmitting said images collected with said macroscope to said diagnostic station.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein field data are transmitted along with said images.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 13 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said plant is a crop plant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein said crop plant is corn.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 126 words
A remote imaging system for diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) a remote workstation, said workstation comprising a stereomicroscope for viewing a sample taken from a plant, a compound microscope for viewing causal organisms present in said sample, and a video camera, mounted to said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope, for acquiring images therefrom, and a digital microprocessor with a framegrabber board for capturing images; and (b) a diagnostic station, said diagnostic station having means for receiving images transmitted from said remote workstation, viewing means for displaying said images, a database of plant anomalies for comparison with said images, and archiving means for storing said images in a retrievable format; and (c) a transmission means for sending said images from said remote workstation to said diagnostic station.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 126 words
A remote imaging system for diagnosing plant anomalies comprising: (a) a remote workstation, said workstation comprising a stereomicroscope for viewing a sample taken from a plant, a compound microscope for viewing causal organisms present in said sample, and a video camera, mounted to said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope, for acquiring images therefrom, and a digital microprocessor with a framegrabber board for capturing images; and (b) a diagnostic station, said diagnostic station having means for receiving images transmitted from said remote workstation, viewing means for displaying said images, a database of plant anomalies for comparison with said images, and archiving means for storing said images in a retrievable format; and (c) a transmission means for sending said images from said remote workstation to said diagnostic station.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 20 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30 further comprising a macroscope for capturing non-magnified images of a diseased plant.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30 wherein field data are transmitted along with said images.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 27 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30 wherein said remote workstation further comprises means for manipulating said stereomicroscope and said compound microscope from said diagnostic station.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 22 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30 wherein said images are displayed and viewed in real time at said diagnostic station.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 30 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30, wherein said plant anomaly is selected from the group consisting of genetic abnormality, insect injury, chemical injury, environmental injury, and plant disease.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 16 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 35 wherein said plant disease is a pathogenic disease.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 36 wherein said plant pathogenic disease is a fungal disease.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 17 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 36 wherein said plant pathogenic disease is a foliar disease.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 15 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 30 wherein said plant is a crop plant.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 14 words
A remote imaging system according to claim 39, wherein said crop plant is corn.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5216596A Cited
US5297034A Cited
US5253302A Cited
US5528703A Cited
FR2726367A1 Cited
US5841883A Cited
US5836877A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-01-10 2003-07-12 2004-01-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-01-10 2007-07-12 2008-01-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-01-10 2011-07-12 2012-01-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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