Methods and apparatus for precision agriculture operations utilizing real time kinematic global positioning system systems
First Claim
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1. A method of seeding, comprising:
- computing a seeding pattern for at least a portion of a plot of land from one or more data values retrieved from a computer readable storage medium, wherein said seeding pattern is updated for each of a number of planting periods according to a micro crop rotation scheme;
controlling a vehicle so as to follow said computed seeding pattern over said plot of land using positioning information provided by one or more sources of GPS information; and
planting seeds in desired locations within the plot of land by comparing a vehicle position determined using the positioning information to the seeding pattern.
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Abstract
Real time kinematic (RTK) global positioning system (GPS) technology is integrated with precision farming methodologies to provide highly accurate seeding, cultivating, planting and/or harvesting operations. RTK GPS systems are used to control fully or semi-autonomous vehicles in these operations and may allow for precision planting of seeds (e.g., from a seeder equipped with an RTK GPS receiver and related equipment) and/or precision weed removal (e.g., using a vehicle fitted with weed eradication mechanisms such as augers and/or herbicide sprayers). Crop specific fertilizer/pesticide application is also enabled through the use of centimeter-level accurate positioning techniques.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of seeding, comprising:
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computing a seeding pattern for at least a portion of a plot of land from one or more data values retrieved from a computer readable storage medium, wherein said seeding pattern is updated for each of a number of planting periods according to a micro crop rotation scheme;
controlling a vehicle so as to follow said computed seeding pattern over said plot of land using positioning information provided by one or more sources of GPS information; and
planting seeds in desired locations within the plot of land by comparing a vehicle position determined using the positioning information to the seeding pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. A method, comprising recording, using positioning information provided by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, locations of one or more seeds planted in a field, in response to a seeding pattern that is updated for each of a number of planting periods according to a micro crop rotation scheme and an indication that a seeding machine has reached a desired planting location.
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17. A seeding machine, comprising:
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a global positioning system (GPS) receiver;
a monitoring apparatus coupled to receive position information from the GPS receiver and configured to record instances of said position information as seeds are planted; and
a control system configured to initiate a seed planting command to said seeding machine in response to a seeding pattern that is updated for each of a number of planting periods according to a micro crop rotation scheme and an indication that the seeding machine is in a desired planting location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification