Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1994-07-15
1996-12-17
Westin, Edward P.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250226, 25055938, 356 41, 47 17, H01J 4014
Patent
active
055856268
ABSTRACT:
An optical proximity sensor generates information indicative of a distance to an object in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristic of the object. The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object in the field is a living plant or another object such as soil. Light emitted from the optical sensor for reflection off the object is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor is scanned over the field to map objects in the field and/or to determine the location of rows of crop plants. A sensor in accordance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.
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Beck James L.
Kinter Malcolm L.
Calogero Stephen
Patchen, Inc.
Wallace T. Lester
Westin Edward P.
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