System and method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility
US12256682B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P60/21
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.