公开(公告)号：AU4901997A

公开(公告)日：1998-05-22

申请号：AU4901997

申请日：1997-10-23

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： KINTER MALCOLM L ,  BECK JAMES L

IPC: G01J3/10 ,  G01J3/433 ,  G01J3/50 ,  H01J40/14

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.

公开(公告)号：WO1997048497A1

公开(公告)日：1997-12-24

申请号：PCT/US1997009201

申请日：1997-06-17

Applicant: PATCHEN, INC.

Inventor： PATCHEN, INC. ,  KINTER, Malcolm, L.

IPC: B05B17/00

CPC classification number: A01M7/0089 ,  B05B15/00

Abstract: An agricultural spray implement (10) includes a plurality of removable valve/filter/nozzle cartridges (19). Each removable cartridge (19) has a single housing (20) that retains a magnetized filter (36), a high speed solenoid valve (31) and a spray nozzle (24). In the event the system filter of the spray implement is removed, fine particles which otherwise might clog the solenoid valves are stopped from entering the solenoid valves (31) by the magnetized filters (36) of the valve/filter/nozzle cartridges (19). Each cartridge (19) has a clean-out purge valve so that its magnetized filter (36) can be unclogged without removal of the magnetized filter (36) from the cartridge housing (20). A light emitting diode of the cartridge provides a visual indication that the cartridge is dispensing agricultural liquid. The light emitting diode is turned on when the solenoid valve (31) is controlled to be open. In some embodiments, the light emitting diode is not supplied with current until after the solenoid valve (31) has opened and only a smaller holding current is needed to hold the solenoid valve (31) open.

Abstract translation: 农业喷雾器具（10）包括多个可拆卸的阀/过滤器/喷嘴筒（19）。 每个可拆卸的盒（19）具有保持磁化过滤器（36），高速电磁阀（31）和喷嘴（24）的单个壳体（20）。 在除去喷雾器具的系统过滤器的情况下，否则可能堵塞电磁阀的细颗粒被阀/过滤器/喷嘴盒（19）的磁化过滤器（36）停止进入电磁阀（31） 。 每个墨盒（19）具有清洁的清洗阀，使得其磁化过滤器（36）可以在没有从盒壳体（20）移除磁化过滤器（36）的情况下被堵塞。 墨盒的发光二极管提供墨盒正在分配农用液体的视觉指示。 当电磁阀（31）被控制为打开时，发光二极管被接通。 在一些实施例中，在电磁阀（31）打开之前，发光二极管不被供电，直到电磁阀（31）打开才需要更小的保持电流。

公开(公告)号：WO1997037372A1

公开(公告)日：1997-10-09

申请号：PCT/US1997005508

申请日：1997-04-01

Applicant: PATCHEN, INC.

Inventor： PATCHEN, INC. ,  BECK, James, L. ,  KINTER, Malcolm, L.

IPC: H01J40/14

CPC classification number: A01M21/00 ,  A01M7/0089 ,  G01C3/085 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0407 ,  G01J1/0422 ,  G01J1/0437 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/42 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01J3/501 ,  G01J2001/4242 ,  G01N21/255 ,  G01N2021/8466

Abstract: Weeds (100) growing around the bases of the stalks of cotton plant (101) growing in a row (105 and 105A) in a cotton field are sprayed with herbicide without spraying the cotton stalks (101) or wasting herbicide on bare ground (107). The cotton plants are adequately mature that their stalks exhibit a significantly different spectral reflectance characteristic than the weeds typically growing amid the cotton. The cotton plants are adequately tall that the majority of the leaves of the cotton plants are disposed outside the area which can be sprayed using an electronically-controlled valve and nozzle (103). Light is transmitted toward an object (a cotton stalk, a weed, or soil) in the row and the reflected light is analyzed. If the object has a spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is activated and the object is sprayed with herbicide. If the object does not have the spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is not activated and the object is not sprayed with herbicide.

Abstract translation: 在棉田中连续生长（105和105A）的棉花植物（101）茎的基部生长的杂草（100）用除草剂喷洒，而不将棉花秆（101）或除草剂除草剂暴露在裸地（107 ）。 棉花植物已经充分成熟，它们的茎表现出与通常在棉花中生长的杂草显着不同的光谱反射率特征。 棉花植物足够高，使得棉花植物的大部分叶子布置在可以使用电子控制的阀和喷嘴（103）喷射的区域的外部。 光朝向该行中的物体（棉秆，杂草或土壤）传递，并且分析反射光。 如果物体具有不断增长的杂草的光谱特征，则阀被激活，物体用除草剂喷洒。 如果物体不具有不断增长的杂草的光谱特征，则阀不被激活，并且物体不被除草剂喷洒。

公开(公告)号：WO1996002817A1

公开(公告)日：1996-02-01

申请号：PCT/US1995008237

申请日：1995-07-14

Applicant: PATCHEN INC.

Inventor： PATCHEN INC. ,  BECK, James, L. ,  KINTER, Malcolm, L.

IPC: G01M09/04

CPC classification number: G01J3/42 ,  A01M7/0089 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01C3/085 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0407 ,  G01J1/0422 ,  G01J1/0437 ,  G01J1/4228 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/0205 ,  G01J3/0216 ,  G01J3/0229 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01J3/501 ,  G01J2001/4242 ,  G01N21/255 ,  G01N2021/8466

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor (1) generates information indicative of a distance (D1) to an object (14A) in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristics of the object (14A). The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object (14A) in the field is a living plant (14A) or another object such as soil (10). Light emitted from the optical sensor (1) for reflection off the object (14A) is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor (1) 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.

Abstract translation: 光学接近传感器（1）在场中产生指示对象（14A）的距离（D1）的信息，并且在一些实施例中还产生指示对象（14A）的光谱反射特性的信息。 指示光谱反射特性的信息可以用于确定场中的物体（14A）是活动植物（14A）还是诸如土壤（10）的另一物体。 从光学传感器（1）发出的用于反射离开物体（14A）的光被调制，使得来自光学传感器的反射光可以与反射的环境太阳光区分开。 光学传感器（1）在场上扫描以在场中映射对象和/或确定作物植物的行的位置。 根据本发明的传感器在农业中具有许多用途，包括喷雾，栽培和车辆引导。

公开(公告)号：WO1998019141A1

公开(公告)日：1998-05-07

申请号：PCT/US1997018501

申请日：1997-10-23

Applicant: PATCHEN, INC.

Inventor： PATCHEN, INC. ,  KINTER, Malcolm, L. ,  BECK, James, L.

IPC: G01J03/50

CPC classification number: G01J3/433 ,  G01J3/10 ,  G01J3/50

Abstract: An agricultural implement (a spray device) differentiates living plants (G(s), CP, PS) growing in a field from background materials (DL, AI, AT GV, DM, C) by detecting a change in slope of a reflectance characteristic (d[log{ref%}]/d[nm]) 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.

Abstract translation: 农业工具（喷雾装置）通过检测反射特性的斜率变化来区分从背景材料（DL，AI，AT GV，DM，C）在现场生长的活植物（G（s），CP，PS） （d [log {ref％}] / d [nm]）。 通过使用反射率特性的斜率变化，可以检测到在视野中的生物植物材料的一小部分，并且不需要对特定背景材料校准农具。 在一些实施例中，如果确定斜率的变化超过预定的阈值量，则确定在视野中可能存在杂草，并且在适当时间打开电磁操作的喷雾阀以喷射整个区域 （包括杂草）在除草剂领域。

公开(公告)号：BR9710417A

公开(公告)日：1999-08-17

申请号：BR9710417

申请日：1997-04-01

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： BECK JAMES L ,  KINTER MALCOLM

IPC: A01M7/00 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01C3/08 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/42 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01N21/25 ,  H01J40/14

Abstract: Weeds growing around the bases of the stalks of cotton plants growing in a row in a cotton field are sprayed with herbicide without spraying the cotton stalks or wasting herbicide on bare ground. The cotton plants are adequately mature that their stalks exhibit a significantly different spectral reflectance characteristic than the weeds typically growing amid the cotton. The cotton plants are adequately tall that the majority of the leaves of the cotton plants are disposed outside the area which can be sprayed using an electronically-controlled valve and nozzle. Light is transmitted toward an object (a cotton stalk, a weed, or soil) in the row and the reflected light is analyzed. If the object has a spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is activated and the object is sprayed with herbicide. If the object does not have the spectral characteristic of a growing weed (such as the spectral characteristic of a woody cotton stalk or of soil), then the valve is not activated and the object is not sprayed with herbicide.

公开(公告)号：DK0653051T3

公开(公告)日：1999-08-09

申请号：DK93917331

申请日：1993-07-27

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： BECK JIM ,  VYSE TOM

IPC: A01M7/00 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/42 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01N21/27

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for selectively eliminating weeds in agriculture operations. To provide selective elimination, at least two light (radiation) emitters, powered by an internal power source, are modulated to switch on and off at very high speeds. Each emitter emits radiation of a different emitter wavelength. The on/off modulation of one emitter is phase shifted by approximately 90 DEG with respect to the modulation of the other emitter. The pair of emitters are focused on a particular spot on the ground. The light beams, provided by the emitters, are reflected off a plant or the soil and are intercepted by a photodetector. Because plants have a characteristic spectral reflectance in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum which can be discriminated from the spectral reflectance of the background earth, the relative amplitudes of the reflected radiation at the two emitter wavelengths varies depending on whether the radiation is reflected off a plant or the soil. A ratio of the radiation at the two emitter wavelengths received by the photodetector is converted to a phase. This phase is compared to an initial reference phase of the modulation of one of the emitters. A controller uses this phase information to determine the presence or absence of a plant and then eliminates the weed.

公开(公告)号：AU696597B2

公开(公告)日：1998-09-17

申请号：AU3125095

申请日：1995-07-14

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： BECK JAMES L ,  KINTER MALCOLM L

IPC: A01M7/00 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01C3/08 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/42 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01N21/25 ,  G01M9/04 ,  G06M7/00 ,  H01J40/14 ,  A01C23/00 ,  A01G25/00

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.

公开(公告)号：CA2193837C

公开(公告)日：2007-07-03

申请号：CA2193837

申请日：1995-07-14

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： BECK JAMES L ,  KINTER MALCOLM L

IPC: G01N21/00 ,  A01M7/00 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01B11/00 ,  G01C3/08 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01N21/25 ,  G01N21/84 ,  G02B6/00 ,  G05D1/02

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor (1) generates information indicative of a distance (DI) to an object (14A) in a field and in some embod- iments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristics of the object (14A). The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object (14A) in the field is a living plant (14A) or another object such as soil (10). Light emitted from the optical sensor (1) for reflection off the object (14A) is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The opti- cal sensor (1) 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 accor- dance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.

公开(公告)号：DK0653051T4

公开(公告)日：2002-02-11

申请号：DK93917331

申请日：1993-07-27

Applicant: PATCHEN INC

Inventor： BECK JIM ,  VYSE TOM

IPC: A01M7/00 ,  A01M21/00 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J3/42 ,  G01J3/50 ,  G01N21/27

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for selectively eliminating weeds in agriculture operations. To provide selective elimination, at least two light (radiation) emitters, powered by an internal power source, are modulated to switch on and off at very high speeds. Each emitter emits radiation of a different emitter wavelength. The on/off modulation of one emitter is phase shifted by approximately 90 DEG with respect to the modulation of the other emitter. The pair of emitters are focused on a particular spot on the ground. The light beams, provided by the emitters, are reflected off a plant or the soil and are intercepted by a photodetector. Because plants have a characteristic spectral reflectance in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum which can be discriminated from the spectral reflectance of the background earth, the relative amplitudes of the reflected radiation at the two emitter wavelengths varies depending on whether the radiation is reflected off a plant or the soil. A ratio of the radiation at the two emitter wavelengths received by the photodetector is converted to a phase. This phase is compared to an initial reference phase of the modulation of one of the emitters. A controller uses this phase information to determine the presence or absence of a plant and then eliminates the weed.