Method and apparatus for ultra precise GPS-based mapping of seeds or vegetation during planting

• US 20030028321A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Upadhyaya, Shrini, Ehsani, Mohammad, Mattson, Mark L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,553,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/005 Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/105 Seed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/60 wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track G01S13/64 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/43 using carrier phase measurements, e.g. kinematic positioning; using long or short baseline interferometry

Abstract

An ultra precise seed planter apparatus and method for generating a centimeter accuracy map of the location of seeds or vegetation as they are planted from an agricultural planting machine. The apparatus is fitted with a GPS receiver feeding a data logger, and optical sensors that are placed adjacent seed or vegetation dispenser.. The data logger monitors GPS time and UTM coordinates, as well as the optical sensors. Ground speed and azimuth are also monitored. The seeds or vegetation are time-tagged as they are dispensed, and software is used to process the dispensing time and GPS location data and estimate the exact coordinates of each seed or plant and its distance from adjacent seeds or plants. As a result, a precise planting map is generated. The invention may also be used to determine the location to dispense seeds or vegetation, and activating the dispenser when that location is reached.

Claims

1. In an automated planting apparatus having a seed or vegetation dispenser or the like, the improvement comprising a radio signal based system associated with said planting apparatus for activating said dispenser at a predetermined geographic location.

2. An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser; and

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit.

3. An improvement as recited in claim 2, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

4. An improvement as recited in claim 3, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

5. An improvement as recited in claim 4, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

6. An improvement as recited in claim 2, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

7. An improvement as recited in claim 3, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

8. An improvement as recited in claim 3, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system;

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location; and

mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

9. An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser;

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached,

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

10. An improvement as recited in claim 9, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

11. An improvement as recited in claim 10, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

12. An improvement as recited in claim 9, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

13. An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser;

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system,

determining if a predetermined geographic location at which to dispense seeds or vegetation has been reached based on said antenna location,

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

14. An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled said dispenser;

a GPS-based geographic positioning receiver;

a GPS-based geographic positioning base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining the geographic location of an antenna associated with said receiver,

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location, and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

15. An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled said dispenser;

a GPS-based geographic positioning receiver;

a GPS-based geographic positioning base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining the geographic location of an antenna associated with said receiver,

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location,

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

16. An improvement as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

17. An improvement as recited in claim 6, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

18. A method of controlling weeds using an improved automated planting apparatus as recited in claim 6, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

20. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 1, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

21. In an automated planting apparatus having a seed or vegetation dispenser or the like, the improvement comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser; and

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit.

22. An improvement as recited in claim 21, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

23. An improvement as recited in claim 22, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

24. An improvement as recited in claim 23, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

25. An improvement as recited in claim 21, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

26. An improvement as recited in claim 21, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

27. An improvement as recited in claim 21, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system;

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location; and

mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

28. An improvement as recited in claim 25, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

29. An improvement as recited in claim 25, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

30. A method of controlling weeds using an improved automated planting apparatus as recited in claim 25, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

32. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 21, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

33. In an automated planting apparatus having a seed or vegetation dispenser or the like, the improvement comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser;

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached,

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

34. An improvement as recited in claim 33, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

35. An improvement as recited in claim 34, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

36. An improvement as recited in claim 33, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location.

37. An improvement as recited in claim 33, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

38. An improvement as recited in claim 33, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

39. A method of controlling weeds using an improved automated planting apparatus as recited in claim 33, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

40. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

41. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 33, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

42. In an automated planting apparatus having a seed or vegetation dispenser or the like, the improvement comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled to said dispenser;

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system,

determining if a predetermined geographic location at which to dispense seeds or vegetation has been reached based on said antenna location,

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

43. An improvement as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

44. An improvement as recited in claim 42, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

45. A method of controlling weeds using an improved automated planting apparatus as recited in claim 42, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

46. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

47. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 42, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

48. In an automated planting apparatus having a seed or vegetation dispenser or the like, the improvement comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit coupled said dispenser;

a GPS-based geographic positioning receiver;

a GPS-based geographic positioning base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver; and

programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit carrying out the operations of

determining the geographic location of an antenna associated with said receiver,

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said antenna location,

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

49. An improvement as recited in claim 48, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

50. An improvement as recited in claim 48, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

51. A method of controlling weeds using an improved automated planting apparatus as recited in claim 48, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

53. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 51, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

54. An apparatus for activating a seed or vegetation dispenser in an automated planting apparatus, comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit configured for connection to said seed or vegetation dispenser; and

means associated with said data acquisition and control unit for determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached and activating said dispenser at said location.

55. An apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein said means comprises a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 55, wherein said geographic positioning system comprises a GPS-based positioning system.

57. An apparatus as recited in claim 56, wherein said GPS-based positioning system comprises:

a mobile GPS-based receiver; and

a GPS based base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver.

58. An apparatus as recited in claim 55, wherein said means further comprises programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

59. An apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein said means further comprises programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

60. An apparatus as recited in claim 59, wherein said means further comprises programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

61. An apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein said means further comprises programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

62. An apparatus as recited in claim 55, wherein said means further comprises programming associated with said data acquisition unit carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system;

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location; and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

63. An improvement as recited in claim 54, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

64. An apparatus as recited in claim 63, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

65. An apparatus as recited in claim 63, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

66. A method of controlling weeds using an apparatus as recited in claim 63, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

67. A method as recited in claim 66, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

68. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 54, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

69. An apparatus for activating a seed or vegetation dispenser in an automated planting apparatus, comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit configured for connection to said seed or vegetation dispenser; and

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit.

70. An apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein said geographic positioning system comprises a GPS-based positioning system.

71. An apparatus as recited in claim 70, wherein said GPS-based positioning system comprises:

a mobile GPS-based receiver; and

a GPS based base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver.

72. An apparatus as recited in claim 69, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for carrying out the operations of:

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

73. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

74. An apparatus as recited in claim 73, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

75. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

76. An apparatus as recited in claim 69, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system;

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location; and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

77. An improvement as recited in claim 69, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

78. An apparatus as recited in claim 77, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

79. An apparatus as recited in claim 77, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

80. A method of controlling weeds using an apparatus as recited in claim 77, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

81. A method as recited in claim 80, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

82. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 69, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

83. An apparatus for activating a seed or vegetation dispenser in an automated planting apparatus, comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit configured for connection to said seed or vegetation dispenser; and

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition unit carrying out the operations of

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

84. An apparatus as recited in claim 83, wherein said geographic positioning system comprises a GPS-based positioning system.

85. An apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein said GPS-based positioning system comprises:

a mobile GPS-based receiver; and

a GPS based base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver.

86. An apparatus as recited in claim 83, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system.

87. An apparatus as recited in claim 86, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

88. An apparatus as recited in claim 83, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition unit for carrying out the operations of:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

89. An improvement as recited in claim 83, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

90. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

91. An apparatus as recited in claim 89, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

92. A method of controlling weeds using an apparatus as recited in claim 89, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

93. A method as recited in claim 92, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

94. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 89, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

95. An apparatus for activating a seed or vegetation dispenser in an automated planting apparatus, comprising:

a data acquisition and control unit configured for connection to said seed or vegetation dispenser; and

a radio signal based geographic positioning system coupled to said data acquisition and control unit; and

programming associated with said data acquisition unit carrying out the operations of

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system,

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location, and

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

96. An apparatus as recited in claim 95, wherein said geographic positioning system comprises a GPS-based positioning system.

97. An apparatus as recited in claim 96, wherein said GPS-based positioning system comprises:

a mobile GPS-based receiver; and

a GPS based base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver.

98. An improvement as recited in claim 95, further comprising programming associated with said data acquisition and control unit for mapping the location of dispensed seeds or vegetation.

99. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

100. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

101. A method of controlling weeds using an apparatus as recited in claim 98, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

102. A method as recited in claim 101, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

103. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 95, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

104. An apparatus for activating a seed or vegetation dispenser in an automated planting apparatus, comprising:

a sensor configured for sensing seeds or vegetation dispensed from a planting apparatus;

a data acquisition unit coupled to said sensor;

a GPS-based geographic positioning receiver coupled to said data acquisition unit;

a GPS-based geographic positioning base station configured for providing geographic location reference information to said receiver; and

programming associated with said data acquisition unit carrying out the operations of

monitoring geographic location information from said geographic positioning system;

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system,

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location,

activating the dispenser at said predetermined geographic location, and

mapping the geographic location of dispensed seeds or vegetation using geographic location information from said geographic positioning system.

105. An apparatus as recited in claim 104, further comprising means for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

106. An apparatus as recited in claim 104, further comprising a sensor system configured for detecting green vegetation and identifying that vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

107. A method of controlling weeds using an apparatus as recited in claim 104, comprising applying chemical or non-chemical weed control to vegetation that does not correspond to seeds or vegetation previously mapped.

108. A method as recited in claim 107, wherein said non-chemical weed control is selected from the group consisting essentially of mechanical cultivation, pulsed electrical shock, and flame weeding.

109. A method for precision planting using an apparatus as recited in claim 104, comprising:

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached; and

activating said dispenser at said predetermined geographic location.

110. A precision farming method, comprising:

monitoring geographic location information from a radio signal based geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached;

activating a seed or vegetation dispenser on a planting apparatus at said predetermined geographic location.

111. A method as recited in claim 110, further comprising:

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system; and

determining if said predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location.

112. A method as recited in claim 111, further comprising generating a map recording the location of said dispensed seed or vegetation.

113. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising using said map for a post planting field operation.

114. A method as recited in claim 113, wherein said post planting field operation is selected from the group consisting of applying pesticides directly to the plants, cultivating, applying herbicides to control weeds, applying pulsed electrical shock to weeds, and flame weeding.

115. A precision farming method, comprising:

monitoring geographic location information from a radio signal based geographic positioning system;

determining the geographic location of a receiving antenna associated with said geographic positioning system;

determining if a predetermined geographic location has been reached based on said receiving antenna location;

activating a seed or vegetation dispenser on a planting apparatus at said predetermined geographic location; and

generating a map recording the location of said dispensed seed or vegetation.

116. A method as recited in claim 115, further comprising using said map for a post planting field operation.

117. A method as recited in claim 116, wherein said post planting field operation is selected from the group consisting of applying pesticides directly to the plants, cultivating, applying herbicides to control weeds, applying pulsed electrical shock to weeds, and flame weeding.