Method and system for monitoring growth characteristics
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring growth characteristics of a plant having a root or root-like structure buried in a prescribed volume of ground, the method comprising:
- locating a plurality of electrodes at a known spacing relative to one another in the prescribed volume in proximity to the root or root-like structure;
applying an electrical current to some of the electrodes;
measuring electrical potential at some of the electrodes while the electrical current is applied;
constructing a representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume using the measured electrical potential and the known spacing of the electrodes; and
identifying a growth characteristic in the prescribed volume by locating variations of electrical impedance in the representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system monitors growth characteristics of a plant having a root buried in a prescribed volume of ground using a plurality of electrodes inserted into the ground at a known spacing relative to one another in proximity to the root or root-like structure. When electrical current is applied to some of the electrodes, electrical potential is measured at other ones of the electrodes to construct a representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume locating the root or root-like structure. Growth characteristics of the soil and the plant, for example root size, root shape, soil moisture content, and the like, can be identified by locating variations of the electrical impedance.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring growth characteristics of a plant having a root or root-like structure buried in a prescribed volume of ground, the method comprising:
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locating a plurality of electrodes at a known spacing relative to one another in the prescribed volume in proximity to the root or root-like structure; applying an electrical current to some of the electrodes; measuring electrical potential at some of the electrodes while the electrical current is applied; constructing a representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume using the measured electrical potential and the known spacing of the electrodes; and identifying a growth characteristic in the prescribed volume by locating variations of electrical impedance in the representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A crop monitoring system for monitoring a growth characteristic of a plant having a root or root-like structure buried in a prescribed volume of ground, the system comprising;
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a plurality of electrodes inserted into the prescribed volume of ground in proximity to the root or root-like structure and at a known spacing relative to one another; current means arranged to apply a current to at least some of the electrodes; measuring means arranged to measure an electrical potential of at least some of the electrodes during the current being applied; processor means arranged to receive the electrical potentials from the measuring means, to construct a representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume, and to identify variations of electrical impedance in the representation of electrical impedance across the prescribed volume. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification