Sensor assembly for an agricultural implement and related systems and methods for monitoring field surface conditions
US10916028B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2019 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30252
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for monitoring field surface conditions includes a support arm and a housing coupled to the support arm such that the housing is supported adjacent to a surface of a field, with the housing extending over a portion of the surface such that a shielded surface area is defined underneath the housing. The system also includes a light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the shielded surface area defined underneath the housing such that a shadow is created adjacent a surface feature positioned within the shielded surface area and an imaging device configured to capture an image of the surface feature and the adjacent shadow created by the surface feature. Moreover, the system includes a controller configured to estimate a parameter associated with the surface feature based at least in part on an analysis of the adjacent shadow depicted within the image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.