Crop height estimation with unmanned aerial vehicles
US9969492B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/104
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be configured for crop height estimation. In some examples, the UAV includes an aerial propulsion system, a laser scanner configured to face downwards while the UAV is in flight, and a control system. The laser scanner is configured to scan through a two-dimensional scan angle and is characterized by a maximum range. The control system causes the UAV to fly over an agricultural field and maintain, using the aerial propulsion system and the laser scanner, a distance between the UAV and a top of crops in the agricultural field to within a programmed range of distances based on the maximum range of the laser scanner. The control system determines, using range data from the laser scanner, a crop height from the top of the crops to the ground.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.