Apparatus and methods for in-field data collection and sampling

US10568316B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Monsanto Technology LLC · US

Inventors

• Michael Gall · Cordova, US
• Edward V. Carter · Chesterfield, US
• Haitao Xiang · Chesterfield, US
• Kevin L. Deppermann · Chesterfield, US
• Steven James BALDWIN · Chesterfield, US
• Thomas W. Christian · Fort Collins, US
• Susan Macisaac · Chesterfield, US
• Akash Dev NAKARMI · Ames, US
• Boyan Peshlov · Chesterfield, US
• Beiyan Zeng · Chesterfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 25, 2020
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/30188
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A mobile platform structured and operable to perform: in-field phenotype and/or genotype data acquisition; image data acquisition; tissue sampling; selection and/or counting of plants growing in a plot; plant height measurement; product and treatment application to plants growing in the plot (e.g., prescriptive and localized insecticide products); sampling of soil where such plants are growing; removal of weeds in such plots; and real-time analysis of all such data and/or samples acquired/collected. Additionally, when combined with location positioning technology and path planning, such a vehicle is further structured and operable to re-enter a field numerous times throughout a season to accurately and repeatably monitor growing conditions, plant response or prescriptive application of a product.