MOBILE SOIL MAPPING SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING SOIL REFLECTANCE MEASUREMENTS
First Claim
1. A soil mapping system, comprising:
- an implement for traversing a field to be mapped; and
a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field, the reflectance module having a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a shutter system for altering an optical path between the light source and the optical receiver;
said shutter system having a first position that blocks reflected light from the light source from reaching the optical receiver to provide a dark reference measurement, a second position that allows light from the light source to illuminate and reflect off a known reference material to provide a reference material measurement, and a third position that allows light to illuminate and reflect off the soil to provide soil data measurement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile soil mapping system includes an implement for traversing a field to be mapped, and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field. The reflectance module has a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a shutter system that alters the optical path between the light source and the optical receiver. The shutter system allows the system to automatically collect a dark reference measurement and a known reference material measurement at timed intervals to compensate for drift of the spectrometer and the light source. A self-cleaning window on the reflectance module has a lower surface maintained in firm contact with the soil during operation. External reference blocks are used to calibrate the system to ensure standardized, repeatable data. Additional sensors are carried by the implement to collect other soil data, such as electrical conductivity and temperature.
70 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A soil mapping system, comprising:
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an implement for traversing a field to be mapped; and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field, the reflectance module having a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a shutter system for altering an optical path between the light source and the optical receiver; said shutter system having a first position that blocks reflected light from the light source from reaching the optical receiver to provide a dark reference measurement, a second position that allows light from the light source to illuminate and reflect off a known reference material to provide a reference material measurement, and a third position that allows light to illuminate and reflect off the soil to provide soil data measurement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A soil mapping system, comprising:
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an implement for traversing a field to be mapped; and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field, the reflectance module having a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a window located between the light source and the soil being measured; said window having a lower surface arranged to maintain firm contact with the soil during operation to prevent dust, mud and ambient light from interfering with the spectroscopic measurements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A soil mapping system, comprising:
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an implement for traversing a field to be mapped; a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field; and a first external reference module for providing a first external reference material measurement for calibrating the system, said first external reference module comprising a means for aligning and temporarily securing the reference module to the reflectance module, and a first known reference material aligned with a measurement window on the bottom of the reflectance module. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A soil mapping system, comprising:
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an implement for traversing a field to be mapped; a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field; first and second electrical conductivity measurement devices carried by the implement for collecting electrical conductivity measurements of the soil in the field at two different depths; and a soil temperature measuring device for collecting soil temperature data from the soil in the field. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method of collecting standardized soil reflectance data, comprising:
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providing an implement for traversing a field to be mapped and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field, the reflectance module having a light source and an optical receiver for transmitting light to a mobile spectrometer; collecting a dark reference measurement and a known internal reference material measurement within the reflectance module periodically as the implement is being used; and using the dark reference measurement and known internal reference material measurement to compensate for drift in the mobile spectrometer and light source during use. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification