System for damaging and/or destroying crop of plants, and related methods
US12256724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V10/58
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for targeting and damaging a growing plant includes an aircraft, a laser, and a controller. The laser and controller are mounted to the aircraft, which can position the laser and controller airborne at least 350 meters away from the growing plant to be damaged. The laser can generate a beam of energy sufficient to critically damage the plant when the plant is exposed to the beam and located at least 350 meters away. The controller can determine whether a target of the laser is a plant to be damaged. In response to this determination, the controller can also: a) prevent the laser's beam of energy from reaching the target, if the target is not a plant to be damaged, and b) cause the laser's beam of energy to reach the target, if the target is a plant to be damaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.