Discriminating ground vegetation in agriculture
First Claim
1. A device for discriminating different types of ground vegetation, the device comprising:
- an artificial source of electromagnetic radiation for directing a beam of radiation onto the vegetation;
a plurality of sensors for detecting radiation from said radiation source reflected onto each of said sensors from the vegetation in a selected frequency band and generating a sensing signal from each sensor in response to said detection, and wherein said plurality of sensors are arranged in a sensor array with a geometric configuration adapted to aid in discriminating different types of vegetation;
signal processing means for determining whether a magnitude of each said sensing signal falls within a predetermined range of values whereby, in use, one type of vegetation can be distinguished from another type based on the magnitudes of said sensing signals; and
, a shroud comprising a sheet of flexible, light-impervious material of sufficient length so as to extend to a height of between 10 to 500 mm above the target vegetation whereby, in use, said shroud minimises the amount of sunlight reflected from the vegetation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for discriminating different types of ground vegetation in agriculture is disclosed in which an artificial source (24) of electromagnetic radiation is employed for directing a beam (26) of radiation onto the vegetation. A sensor assembly (30) is provided for detecting reflected radiation from the vegetation in a selected frequency band and generating a sensing signal in response to the detection. A logic controller (32) determines whether a magnitude of the sensing signal falls within a predetermined range of values in order to distinguish one type of vegetation from another type. In the near infred region of the electromagnetic spectum different types of weeds absorb significantly less infra-red radiation than other types of vegetation. Logic controller (32) compares the amplitude of the sensing signal with a decision window. If the amplitude of the incoming sensing signal falls within the decision window then the logic controller (32) determines that a certain type of plant has been detected and activates the corresponding solenoid valve (36) to deliver dose of spray liquid from spray nozzle (14) to the targeted weed (28).
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for discriminating different types of ground vegetation, the device comprising:
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an artificial source of electromagnetic radiation for directing a beam of radiation onto the vegetation;
a plurality of sensors for detecting radiation from said radiation source reflected onto each of said sensors from the vegetation in a selected frequency band and generating a sensing signal from each sensor in response to said detection, and wherein said plurality of sensors are arranged in a sensor array with a geometric configuration adapted to aid in discriminating different types of vegetation;
signal processing means for determining whether a magnitude of each said sensing signal falls within a predetermined range of values whereby, in use, one type of vegetation can be distinguished from another type based on the magnitudes of said sensing signals; and
,a shroud comprising a sheet of flexible, light-impervious material of sufficient length so as to extend to a height of between 10 to 500 mm above the target vegetation whereby, in use, said shroud minimises the amount of sunlight reflected from the vegetation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An agricultural spraying apparatus for spraying ground vegetation, the apparatus comprising:
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a spraying means for delivering a liquid spray to ground vegetation;
an artificial source of electromagnetic radiation for directing a beam of radiation onto the vegetation a plurality of sensors for detecting radiation from said radiation source reflected onto each of said sensors from the vegetation in a selected frequency band and generating a sensing signal from each sensor in response to said detection, and wherein said plurality of sensors are arranged in a sensor array with a geometric configuration adapted to aid in discriminating different types of vegetation;
signal processing means operatively connected to said sensor array and spraying means for determining whether a magnitude of each said sensing signal falls within a predetermined range of values, and for actuating said spraying means when a particular type of vegetation is distinguished from another type based on the magnitudes of said sensing signals; and
,a shroud comprising a sheet of flexible, light-impervious material of sufficient length so as to extend to a height of between 10 to 500 mm above the target vegetation whereby, in use, said shroud minimises the amount of sunlight reflected from the vegetation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification