Robotic Watering Unit

• US 20110301755A1
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Anderson, Noel Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,322,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/246
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/09 Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors

Abstract

The different illustrative embodiments provide a method and system for watering plants. A map of an area is received and a determination is made using a processing unit as to whether the area needs water. If the area needs water, current constraints are identified and a determination is made using the processing system as to whether the current constraints allow for watering. If the current constraints allow for watering, a watering solution application plan is generated using the processing system, and the watering solution application plan is executed using a mobile utility vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for watering plants, the method comprising:

responsive to receiving a map of an area, determining whether the area needs water using a processing unit;

responsive to a determination that the area needs water, identifying current constraints;

determining whether the current constraints identified allow for watering in the area using the processing system;

responsive to a determination that the current constraints allow for watering in the area, generating a water application plan using the processing system; and

executing the water application plan using a mobile utility vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the current constraints are selected from a list of at least one of current water rules for a location, water shortage information, water restrictions imposed upon the location, and an amount of water currently available to a mobile utility vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the water application plan using the processing system further comprising:

identifying a water supplier associated with the mobile utility vehicle; and

generating the watering solution application plan that corresponds to the water supplier identified.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the water supplier comprises at least one of an on-board tank, a towed tank, and a hose.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein executing the water application plan further comprises:

monitoring the water supplier; and

determining whether the water supplier is moving with the mobile utility vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the water supplier is not moving with the mobile utility vehicle, adjusting the watering solution application plan accordingly.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the water supplier is moving with the mobile utility vehicle, completing the watering solution application plan.

8-14. -14. (canceled)