Seed planter monitoring system with optical sensors
US5936234A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V8/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A seed monitor includes a planter master unit having one or more planter counting units connected to the planter master unit, with each planter counting unit associated with a different seed tube. Each planter counting unit includes a light source, a means for forming a light beam that traverses a sensing area of a seed tube, a detector and a processor. The circuit board connects the detector and light source with a processor. The processor adjusts the intensity of the light source and selects an output amplifier gain that is appropriate for the counting of seeds. In this manner, the planter monitoring system adjusts for long-term dust and dirt accumulation and aging of components. The processor processes the selected stage of amplified output from the detector and determines the number of seeds that have traversed the sensing area of the associated seed tube. The planter master unit receives binary data of the counted seed, and from this data, provides an output to the operator. In a preferred embodiment, plural planter counting units are connected to the planter master unit in a series connection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.