Apparatus and method for determining a distance to an object in a field for the controlled release of chemicals on plants, weeds, trees or soil and/or guidance of farm vehicles
US5585626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/8466
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical proximity sensor generates information indicative of a distance to an object in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristic of the object. The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object in the field is a living plant or another object such as soil. Light emitted from the optical sensor for reflection off the object is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor is scanned over the field to map objects in the field and/or to determine the location of rows of crop plants. A sensor in accordance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.