Crop stand analyzer using reflective laser proximity sensors
First Claim
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1. A crop stand analyzer comprising:
- a first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors, the reflective laser proximity sensors arranged in a vertical row and perpendicularly to a ground surface to detect plant objects;
a distance sensor;
a processor operatively connected to the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors and the distance sensor;
wherein the crop stand analyzer is configured to generate side-view profiles for the plant objects and then extract plant stand information via these profiles.
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Abstract
A crop stand analyzer includes a first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors, the reflective laser proximity sensors arranged in a vertical row and perpendicularly to a ground surface to detect plant objects, a distance sensor, and a processor operatively connected to the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors and the distance sensor. The crop stand analyzer is configured to generate side-view profiles for the plant objects and then extract plant stand information via these profiles.
26 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A crop stand analyzer comprising:
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a first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors, the reflective laser proximity sensors arranged in a vertical row and perpendicularly to a ground surface to detect plant objects; a distance sensor; a processor operatively connected to the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors and the distance sensor; wherein the crop stand analyzer is configured to generate side-view profiles for the plant objects and then extract plant stand information via these profiles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for analyzing crop stands, comprising steps of:
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providing a system comprising (a) a first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors, the reflective laser proximity sensors arranged in a vertical row and perpendicularly to a ground surface to detect plant objects, (b) a distance sensor, and (c) a processor operatively connected to the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors and the distance sensor; acquiring laser data from the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors; acquiring position data from the distance sensor; registering the position data with the laser data using the processor; computing plant data comprising at least one of plant population data, interplant spacing, and stem spacing from the position data and the laser data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A crop stand analyzer comprising:
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a plurality of row units wherein each of the row units comprises (a) a first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors, the reflective laser proximity sensors arranged in a vertical row and perpendicularly to a ground surface to detect plant objects, (b) a distance sensor; a processor operatively connected to each of the first plurality of reflective laser proximity sensors and each of the distance sensors; wherein the processor is configured to generate side-view profiles for the plant objects and then extract plant stand information via these profiles. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification