Detecting plants in a field by detecting a change in slope in a

Details Detecting plants in a field by detecting a change in slope in a Detecting plants in a field by detecting a change in slope in a

1996-10-31

1998-08-04

Westin, Edward P.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Optical or pre-photocell system

2502221, 47 17, 209582, G01J 530, H01J 4014

Patent

active

057897417

ABSTRACT:
An agricultural implement (for example, a spray device) differentiates living plants growing in a field from background materials (such as soil) by detecting a change in slope of a reflectance characteristic of objects in a field of view. By using a change in slope of the reflectance characteristic, a small percentage of living plant material in the field of view can be detected and the agricultural implement need not be calibrated to a particular background material. In some embodiments, if the change in slope is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold amount, then it is determined that a weed likely exists in the field of view and a solenoid-operated spray valve is opened at the appropriate time to spray the entire area (including the weed) that was in the field of view with herbicide.

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