WO2005053375A1

WO2005053375A1 - A crop information system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2005053375A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Manning Tucker
Original assignee: Agriculture Guided Implement Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Agriculture Guided Implement Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-08
Filing date: 2004-12-08
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-08

Abstract

A crop information system (10) for determining the location of an article (18) relative to a crop row. The system (10) includes a marker layer arranged to lay a set of markers (16) substantially linearly disposed at spaced intervals substantially parallel to and along the length of the crop and a sensing unit (12) mounted relative to the article (18) arranged to detect the set of markers (16). The set of markers (16) have one or more characteristics that vary such that said variations contain information relating to one or more characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row. The variations in the characteristics are detectable by the sensing unit (12).

Description

TITLE "A CROP INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a crop information system and method. The applicant's earlier International Patent application, publication number WO01/05213, relates to a method of and system for controlling the position of a piece of agricultural machinery or a vehicle relative to a crop row. The method includes the steps of laying a plurality of discrete markers along the length of the crop row. The markers used have some predetermined characteristic which is capable of being detected by the system so that the system can determine the location of the markers and therefore the crop row. The system uses information regarding the location of the markers to adjust the position of the equipment being used in relation the crop row. The article may be a mechanical weeding apparatus and the weeding apparatus may include a movement actuator adapted to adjust the lateral position of the weeding apparatus relative to the crop rows. In this way, the location of the weeding apparatus may be adjusted so that the weeding apparatus is maintained in the desired location relative to the crop row whereby weeds are removed without damaging the crop. Alternatively, the article may be a herbicide spraying apparatus or fertiliser disposing apparatus which includes a movement actuator adapted to adjust the lateral position of the spraying apparatus or disposing apparatus relative to the crop rows. In this way, the location of the spraying apparatus or disposing apparatus relative to the crop may be maintained, and herbicide may be sprayed only on weeds in areas between adjacent crop rows or fertiliser may be disposed only on crops. The present invention relates to a system for providing information to agricultural machinery or the operators of such machinery. The information system may be employed on the applicant's locating system as described in the above mentioned

International Patent application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crop information system characterised by including: a marker layer arranged to lay a set of markers substantially linearly disposed at spaced intervals substantially parallel to and along the length of the crop row, the marker layer being arranged to vary one or more characteristics of the set of laid markers such that said variations contain information relating to one or more characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row; and a sensing unit mounted relative to the article; wherein the sensing unit is arranged to detect the variations in the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing information regarding a crop row, the method including the steps of: laying a set of markers substantially linearly disposed at spaced intervals substantially parallel to and along the length of the crop; varying one or more characteristics of the set of laid markers such that said variations contain information relating to one or more characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row; and providing a sensing unit mounted relative to the article; wherein the sensing unit is arranged to detect the variations in the or each characteristics of the set of laid markers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of crop information system in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, there is shown a crop information system 10 including a sensing unit 12 and a control unit 14 mounted to an article 18. The crop information system 10 also includes marker means in the form of markers 16. The sensing unit 12 includes a marker sensor arranged to detect the markers 16 and to determine the location of the markers 16 under the sensing unit 12 relative to the article. The sensing unit 12 may include a signal generation means which generates a signal to produce a return signal from the markers 16 which is detected by the marker sensor. Alternatively, the marker sensor may detect a signal which is always produced by the markers 16, such as a magnetic field produced by magnetised markers 16. The sensing unit 12 may include, for example, a pair of sensing coils arranged such that the set of markers 16 pass between the sensing coils. The difference in the signals received by the sensing coils may then be used to determine the position of the markers 16 and therefore of the article with respect to the crop row. The crop information system 10 also includes a marker layer (not shown), which is arranged to lay the markers 16. The marker layer includes also a first control unit and one or more environment sensors. The environment sensors are arranged to detect characteristics of the environment adjacent the crop row as the markers 16 are being laid. For example, the environment sensors may detect characteristics such as the slope of the ground, the soil type, altitude, moisture, the position measured by a GPS or position relative to an obstacle or end of the crop row or other information important to the crop and farm management.

The first control unit is arranged to receive signals received from the environment sensors and to vary one or more characteristics of the laid markers such that the variations in each characteristic contain information related to the signals received from a corresponding environment sensor. In one embodiment, the spacing between the laid markers 16 could be varied such that the distance between adjacent markers 16 indicates the slope of the ground, or the moisture content of the soil, the nutrient level of the soil or other measured information. In this case, the first control unit would be in control of the marker layer to lay the markers 16 at a spacing to contain such information. The use of markers 16 placed in groups of varying number could also indicate such information.

In an alternative embodiment, the characteristic of the laid markers 16 which is varied could be the predetermined characteristic that is detected by the marker sensor. For example, in the case of a magnetic marker 16, the markers 16 could be magnetised to have different magnetic field strengths based on the information received by the environment sensors. Alternatively, the orientation of the magnetic field could be varied. The material of the marker may also constitute the varied characteristic. Also, different types of markers 16 could be laid. As the markers would generally be laid at the same time as the crop seeds, the environment characteristic could be the position of the plant or type of plant in the crop row. For example, a different type of marker may be used at the position where the seed (and hence the plant) is placed, or different types of markers used for different types of plants.

Alternatively, the characteristics of the laid markers may be varied according to input from sources other than the environment sensors. For example, the operator may manually trigger the characteristic of the laid markers to be changed, such as when nearing an obstacle or end of the crop row. The characteristic of the laid markers may also be varied in response to an operation of the article, for example turning the article or activation of some other function of the article. The marker sensor is arranged to detect the location of the markers 16 and is in communication with a second control unit such that the position of the article relative to the crop row can be adjusted by the second control unit. The second control unit is also arranged to detect the variations in the characteristics of the laid markers and translate said variations into the information measured previously by the respective environment sensors. The second control unit is in communication with other equipment which can utilise this information. For example, if the information includes the position of the plants in the crop row, the second control unit may be in communication with a selective weeding implement such that the selective weeding implement can then weed the area between the plants without damaging the plants. If the information includes soil type information, the second control unit may be in communication with a fertilising unit arranged to provide different types or quantities of fertiliser to the ground dependent on the soil type in that location. If the information is related to the type of plant, the second control unit may be in communication with a pesticide spraying implement such that the type or quantity of pesticide can be varied according to plant type. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention

Claims

1. A crop information system characterised by including: a marker layer arranged to lay a set of markers substantially linearly disposed at spaced intervals substantially parallel to and along the length of the crop row, the marker layer being arranged to vary one or more characteristics of the set of laid markers such that said variations contain information relating to one or more characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row; and a sensing unit mounted relative to the article; wherein the sensing unit is arranged to detect the variations in the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

2. A crop information system in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the sensing unit is arranged to generate a sensor signal indicative of the location of the sensing unit relative to the set of markers and thereby of the article relative to the crop row.

3. A crop information system in accordance with claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the marker layer includes a first control unit and one or more environment sensors, wherein the environment sensors detect the characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row during laying of the markers and the first control unit is in communication with the or each environment sensor such that the first control unit varies the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

4. A crop information system in accordance with claim 1 or 2 characterised in that a manual input means is provided such that actuation of the manual input means by an operator during laying the set of markers varies the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

5. A crop information system in accordance with claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the characteristic of the set of laid markers is varied based on an operation of the article.

6. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that a second control unit is provided, wherein the second control unit is in communication with the sensing unit such that the second control unit receives signals from the sensing unit and detects the variations in the or each characteristic of the laid markers and controls operation of the article based on the variations in the or each characteristic of the laid markers.

7. A crop information system in accordance with claim 6 characterised in the second control unit controls the position of the article relative to the crop row based on the sensor signal received from the sensing unit.

8. A crop information system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the slope of the ground.

9. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the soil type.

10. A crop information system in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the nutrient level of the soil.

11. A crop information system in accordance with claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the article includes a fertiliser sprayer and the second control unit controls the quantity of fertiliser sprayed based on the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row.

12. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the moisture content of the soil.

13. A crop information system in accordance with claim 12, characterised in that the article includes a watering device and the second control unit controls the quantity of water sprayed based on the moisture content of the soil.

14. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the location relative to the end of the crop row.

15. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the location of an adjacent plant.

16. A crop information system in accordance with claim 15, characterised in that the article includes a weeding device and the second control unit controls the weeding device to weed between the adjacent plants.

17. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the characteristic of the environment adjacent the position of the crop row is the type of an adj acent plant.

18. A crop information system in accordance with claim 17, characterised in that the article includes a fertiliser spraying device and the second control unit controls the fertiliser sprayed on the plant based on the type of the plant.

19. A crop information system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the spacing between adjacent markers.

20. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the number of markers laid in groups.

21. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the magnetic field orientation of the marker.

22. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the material of the marker.

23. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the magnetic field strength of the marker.

24. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the size of the marker.

25. A crop information system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18 characterised in that the characteristic of the laid markers varied is the shape of the marker.

26. A method of providing information regarding a crop, the method including the steps of: laying a set of markers substantially linearly disposed at spaced intervals substantially parallel to and along the length of the crop row; varying one or more characteristics of the set of laid markers such that said variations contain information relating to one or more characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row; and providing a sensing unit mounted relative to the article; wherein the sensing unit is arranged to detect the variations in the or each characteristics of the set of laid markers.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26, characterised in that the sensing unit is arranged to generate a sensor signal indicative of the location of the sensing unit relative to the set of markers and thereby of the article relative to the crop row and the sensing unit.

28. A method in accordance with claim 26 or 27 characterised by providing a first control unit and one or more environment sensors, wherein the environment sensors detect the characteristics of the environment adjacent the position in the row during laying of the markers and the first control unit is in communication with the or each environment sensor such that the first control unit varies the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

29. A method in accordance with claim 26 or 27 characterised by an operator actuating a manual input means during laying the set of markers to vary the or each characteristic of the set of laid markers.

30. A method in accordance with claim 26 or 27 characterised by varying the characteristic of the set of laid markers based on an operation of the article.

31. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 30 characterised by providing a second control unit, wherein the second control unit is in communication with the sensing unit such that the second control unit receives signals from the sensing unit and detects the variations in the or each characteristic of the laid markers and controls operation of the article based on the variations in the or each characteristic of the laid markers.

32. A method in accordance with claim 31 characterised in that the second control unit controls the position of the article relative to the crop row based on the sensor signal received from the sensing unit.

33. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on changes in the slope of the ground.

34. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on changes in the soil type.

35. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on changes in the nutrient level of the soil.

36. A method in accordance with claim 34 or 35, characterised by controlling the quantity of fertiliser sprayed by a fertiliser sprayer on the article based on the characteristic of the laid markers.

37. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on changes in the moisture content of the soil.

38. A method in accordance with claim 37, characterised by controlling the quantity of water sprayed by a watering device on the article based on the moisture content of the soil.

39. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on the location relative to the end of the crop row.

40. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 32 characterised by varying the characteristic of the laid markers based on the location of an adjacent plant.

41. A method in accordance with claim 40, characterised by controlling the operation of a weeding device on the article based on the location of the adjacent plant.

42. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the spacing between adjacent markers.

43. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the number of markers laid in groups.

44 A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the material of the marker.

45. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the magnetic field orientation of the marker.

46. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the magnetic field strength of the marker.

47. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the size of the marker.

48. A method in accordance with any one of claims 26 to 41 characterised by varying, as the characteristic of the laid markers, the shape of the marker.