Method and Apparatus for Creating Visual Effects on Grass

• US 20090055004A1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pete J. Davis
• Original Assignee: Pete J. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Pete J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,190,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/222 using machine-driven mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for imprinting high resolution images onto fields, such as sports fields and landscapes is disclosed. In one embodiment, precise and consistent lawn and field patterning is accomplished by use in combination of a global positioning system; a processor for generating a desired pattern which is translated into patterning instructions; and a patterning implement which is used for generating detailed patterns and for imprinting said patterns on any of natural or artificial lawns and fields, covered areas, and landscapes. The patterning implement comprises a plurality of independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement, each of the independent printing mechanisms coupled to receive patterning instructions from the processor and operate selectively in response thereto. The invention also comprises means for guiding the patterning implement to position it along a desired path at least in part with information from said global positioning system; and means for individually controlling each of said independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement responsive to said patterning instructions and in coordination with positioning of said patterning implement along said desired path.

Claims

1. An apparatus for precise and consistent lawn and field patterning, comprising:

a global positioning system;

a processor for generating a desired pattern, wherein said pattern is translated into patterning instructions;

a patterning implement for generating detailed patterns and for imprinting said patterns on any of natural or artificial lawns and fields, covered areas, and landscapes, said patterning implement comprising a plurality of independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement, each of said independent printing mechanisms coupled to receive said patterning instructions from said processor and operate selectively in response thereto;

means for guiding said patterning implement to position it along a desired path at least in part with information from said global positioning system; and

means for individually controlling each of said independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement responsive to said patterning instructions and in coordination with positioning of said patterning implement along said desired path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said patterning implement comprising any of:

means for bending individual blades of turf to create a desired change in refractive properties of the turf at specific locations to impart a pattern or image to the turf;

means for controlling the length of individual blades of the turf to expose color stratifications;

means for applying color altering media to the turf;

means for generating variations in pattern contrast to produce smooth gradients along a length of a patterned feature; and

wherein said patterning implement further comprises;

means for increasing resolution of the pattern by varying contrast intensity across a width of an imprinted swath.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, said processor further comprising any of:

means for rendering said pattern to avoid loss of image quality through angular view distortion by skewing the pattern to enhance the pattern for optimal viewing from a defined viewing angle;

means for sequential control of said independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement to provide a paced unveiling of the pattern; and

means control of said independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement to provide multiple pattern layers, wherein pattern components divided up and imprinted sequentially.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said means for rendering further comprising:

means for applying aspect ratio and keystone correction to said pattern for a defined camera angle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said independent printing mechanisms incorporated within said patterning implement, further comprising:

means for perturbing turf to change its visual appearance

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

10. An imprinting method for precise and consistent lawn and field patterning, comprising the computer and machine implemented steps of:

generating an intended pattern;

manipulating said pattern to accommodate a viewing area and viewing conditions for said pattern;

creating pattern features comprising imprinted areas of contrasting detail that are to be produced by patterning equipment;

rendering a full scale image of said pattern using constraints defined by said patterning equipment;

establishing contrast polarity of said pattern by assigning dark/light shading values;

using a compensation program to combine global position and angular orientation of said lawn or field to predict the effect of the sun'"'"'s path on said pattern, wherein viewing position contrast is optimized for an anticipated viewing period;

generating field-ready artwork data files, wherein said files interact with a position tracking system to provide dynamic instructions for patterning;

generating machine command code instructions for guiding and timing operation of patterning equipment; and

processing said machine command code with an equipment controller and coordinating said patterning equipment operation with a patterning equipment location, wherein said equipment controller also coordinates instructional information that is supplied to patterning equipment guidance and speed control mechanisms.

12. The method of claim 10, said pattern comprising a format which comprises any of a dispensed chemical media and physical patterning, wherein said physical patterning comprises any of cutting and bending blades of grass within said lawn or field.

13. The method of claim 12, said dispensed chemical media comprising:

means for changing any of the color and hue of said lawn or field, which means comprise any of field painting and chemical treatment.

14. The method of claim 13, said field painting comprising the step of:

dispensing variation of red, green, and blue paint.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing media injectors located within a patterning equipment delivery system by dispensing liquid media;

providing control signals to said media injectors to selectively open and close individual mechanical valves;

wherein said individual mechanical valves control an amount and placement of patterning media.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

using said media injectors to project a fan-type pattern comprised of red, green, and blue, or cyan, magenta, and yellow, media;

wherein one pixel of a pattern of pixels is defined by each injection operation along a patterning path.

17. The method of claim 13, said chemical treatment step comprising the steps of:

preferentially applying chemicals in selected locations to enhance color in said locations; and

preferentially applying complementary chemicals in other or overlapping selected locations to produce contrasting color attributes in said other or overlapping locations.

18. The method of claim 12, said dispensed chemical media comprising any of:

powder, granular paint, and chemical treatments; and

further comprising the step of;

using wheel driven hoppers to agitate and dispense said powder, granular paint, and chemical treatments through control gates that receive control signals from said equipment controller.

19. The method of claim 12, said physical patterning comprising the step of:

altering each blade of grass or each group of blades of grass in said lawn or field to change the height of a lawn or field turf;

wherein physical appearance of the turf is changed.

20. The method of claim 19, said altering step any of comprising the steps of:

exposing color stratifications to yield contrast between those areas of said turf having a different height; and

using patterning equipment comprising a mowing implement to produce selected height variations in said turf;

said mowing equipment using height position actuators for any of raising, lowering, and skewing mowing implement active elements in response to control signals received from said equipment controller;

wherein a resulting pattern is comprised of specific heights of turf.

22. The method of claim 19, said altering step comprising the step of:

generating contrasting visual detail by arranging a refractive lay of the turf by deforming blades of turf within a patterned area.

23. The method of claim 22, said generating step further comprising the step of:

deforming or bending blades of turf with any of static shoe or brush, or a dynamic rotating compressive roller or brush.

11. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

24. An apparatus for patterning a lawn or field, comprising:

a tool for producing variations in refractive properties of a lawn or field turf by deforming or bending said turf in accordance with command signals generated by a system controller.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, said tool further comprising:

a mechanism for dynamically deforming or bending said turf in contrasting modes while traveling in one direction across said turf.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, said mechanism further comprising:

a load bearing roller; and

a pneumatic turf stuffer;

wherein said roller exerts pressure along its length to deliver pressure and stress to individual turf blades;

wherein said compressive stress folds the turf, producing a change in an angle of each blade in the turf at a location of greatest stress.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, said mechanism comprising:

means for imparting a two component contrast effect to said turf by bending said turf in a direction of said roller and by perturbing said turf to cause it to lay in an opposite direction of said roller.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, said means for imparting further comprising:

means for selectively blowing or deforming said turf into an oncoming roller to produce an unnatural lay to said turf.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, said means for blowing or deforming further comprising:

a pneumatic system comprising an air source, at least one control valve, and an air delivery orifice;

at least one actuator for controlling said at least one control valve in response to command signals receive from a system controller;

wherein pneumatic pressure is delivered to discrete sections of said turf to provide segregated control to produce individual contrast effects along a length of a patterning track.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, said means for blowing or deforming further comprising:

an air knife for delivering pneumatic pressure at a specific angle along a patterning track.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, said means for blowing or deforming further comprising:

an air control valve operable in a closed position to allow said turf to be rolled in a natural direction and operable in an open position, to allow pressurized air to enter said turf stuffer, wherein said turf is blown towards said roller in an unnatural, rolled direction to produce a complementary contrast mode.