EP-4736621-A2 - AGRICULTURAL OPERATION MONITORING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for imaging and characterizing a seed trench in a soil surface formed by an agricultural implement. The sensors are disposed on the agricultural implement in data communication with a processor to generate seed trench images which may be displayed to the operator. In one embodiment, the sensors include a camera mounted on an extension positioned to orient the camera to image the seed trench. The system may control operating parameters of the implement based on the generated images.

Inventors

• The designation of the inventor has not yet been filed

Assignees

• Precision Planting LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20190607

Claims (15)

1. An agricultural implement, comprising: a toolbar operably supporting multiple row units; each row unit supporting an opening assembly and a closing assembly, the opening assembly having two opening discs rollingly mounted to a downwardly extending shank and disposed to open the seed trench in the soil surface, gauge wheels, and a depth adjustor for setting the position of the gauge wheels relative to the opening discs for limiting a depth of penetration of the opening discs into the soil surface; a camera mounted to an extension positioned forward of the closing assembly and rearward of a leading edge of the opening discs of the opening assembly, and oriented to capture an image of the seed trench; and an implement monitor in data communication with the camera for transmission of images to implement monitor for display to a user and/or association with a location in a field at which images are captured and for storage in a memory of the implement monitor and/or a remote server.
2. An agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the implement monitor is configured to analyse captured images from the camera to determine agronomic properties of the open seed trench, said agronomic properties selected from the group consisting of: a trench depth, a trench collapse percentage and a trench shape.
3. An agricultural implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the implement monitor is associated with a screen for providing an agronomic property window for displaying the determined agronomic property.
4. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the extension comprises a guard and/or scraper which is operable in use to keep the opening discs spread and/or to clean dirt from the opening disc(s).
5. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the extension is removably mounted to a portion of the respective row unit.
6. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the camera is oriented rearward and positioned to be disposed at least partially inside the trench, in use.
7. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the camera is positioned at least partially laterally between the opening discs.
8. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the camera is positioned adjacent to the opening discs; and wherein one or more wear-resistant guards are mounted to either side of the extension extending laterally outward such that their laterally terminal ends are disposed between the camera and the opening discs.
9. An agricultural implement of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein there is provided wear-resistant guards mounted on either side of camera on the extension which are oriented parallel to the direction of travel and have a thickness such that camera is not in contact with opening discs or the seed trench, in use.
10. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, comprising a light source mounted to the extension and disposed, in use, to illuminate the seed trench and/or the soil surface.
11. An agricultural implement of any preceding claim, wherein the implement monitor is configured to determine and report soil data based on one or more captured images.
12. An agricultural implement of claim 11, wherein the soil based data comprises one or more of: a soil temperature, a soil texture, and a soil color.
13. An agricultural implement of claim 3, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the screen comprises a soil data measurement window configured for displaying a soil moisture value associated with the soil in the seed trench, the soil moisture value being based upon an image analysis of the image data from the camera by the implement monitor by referencing a database correlating image characteristics to moisture value.
14. An agricultural implement of claim 13, wherein the camera is configured to capture images at one or more wavelengths selected such that a statistical correlation strength of image characteristics or an arithmetic combination of image characteristics with moisture at one or more wavelengths is within a desired range of correlation strength.
15. An agricultural implement of claim 14, when dependent on claim 10, wherein, in use, a wavelength or amplitude of light waves generated by the light source can be varied to improve image quality at selected image capture wavelengths or to otherwise correspond to the selected image capture wavelengths.

Description

BACKGROUND In recent years, the availability of advanced location-specific agricultural application and measurement systems (used in so-called "precision farming" practices) has increased grower interest in determining spatial variations in soil and in varying input application variables (e.g., planting depth) in light of such variations. Thus, there is a need in the art for a system for characterizing a seed trench during an agricultural input application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an agricultural planter.FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a planter row unit.FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a soil monitoring system.FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a seed firmer having a plurality of firmer-mounted sensors.FIG. 4B is a plan view of the seed firmer of FIG. 4A.FIG. 4C is a rear elevation view of the seed firmer of FIG. 4A disposed in a seed trench.FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical display including a numerical representation of reflectivity variation.FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical display including a spatial map of reflectivity variation.FIG. 7 illustrates a partial view of row unit incorporating an embodiment of an image capture apparatus.FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a shank extension incorporating sensors and an image capture apparatus.FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the shank extension of FIG. 8 showing a biasing member.FIG. 10 is a top partial plan view of the shank extension of FIG. 8 showing an alternative embodiment of a biasing member.FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a trailing member with sensors in combination with a shank extension with an image capture apparatus.FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical display including an image captured by the image capture apparatus of FIGs.7, 8 or 11.FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a row image selection process.FIG. 14A illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a time of flight camera at various locations on a row unit.FIG. 14B illustrates a top plan view of the bracket from FIG. 14A with the time of flight camera disposed in the middle of the bracket.FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical display including a spatial map of seed depth.FIG. 16A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a seed trench.FIG. 16B illustrates a top view of the seed trench of FIG. 16A.FIG. 17 illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a time of flight camera on a row unit and a gas source.FIG. 18 illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a time of flight camera on a row unit and an electrostatic charging system.FIG. 19 illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of a row unit with a sensor disposed forward of the row cleaner to detect soil mounds and a camera rearward of the opening assembly to identify the lateral trench formed by the row cleaner.FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 16A showing the seed trench and showing the lateral trench formed by the row cleaner. DESCRIPTION Depth Control and Soil Monitoring Systems Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a tractor 5 drawing an agricultural implement, e.g., a planter 10, comprising a toolbar 14 operatively supporting multiple row units 200. An implement monitor 50 is shown located in the cab of the tractor 5. The implement monitor 50 may include a central processing unit ("CPU"), memory and graphical user interface ("GUI") (e.g., a touch-screen interface). A global positioning system ("GPS") receiver 52 may be mounted to the tractor 5. FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a row unit 200, such as a planter row unit. The row unit 200 is pivotally connected to the toolbar 14 by a parallel linkage 216. The row unit supports an opening assembly 234 and a closing assembly 236. An actuator 218 may be provided to apply lift and/or downforce on the row unit 200. A solenoid valve 390 is shown in fluid communication with the actuator 218 for modifying the lift and/or downforce applied by the actuator 218. The opening assembly 234 may include two opening discs 244 rollingly mounted to a downwardly-extending shank 254 and disposed to open a v-shaped trench 38 in the soil surface 40. A pair of gauge wheels 248 is pivotally supported by a pair of corresponding gauge wheel arms 260. The height of the gauge wheels 248 relative to the opening discs 244 sets the depth of the trench 38. A depth adjustment rocker 268 limits the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 260 and thus the upward travel of the gauge wheels 248. A depth adjustment actuator 380 is configured to modify a position of the depth adjustment rocker 268 and thus modifying the position of the gauge wheels 248 relative to the opening discs 244. The depth adjustment actuator 380 may be a linear actuator mounted to the row unit 200