• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Method for generating soil maps and application prescriptions The present invention relates to methods for generating a prescription map for the application of inputs to a crop. in one method, the user draws a boundary on a map within a user interface and the system identifies relevant soil data and generates a soil map and legend overlay to change the application prescription for various soils and soil conditions. in another method, the user instead drives a field boundary that is recorded on a planter monitor using a global positioning receiver, and the system generates a soil map and legend to change the application prescription.
    公开号:BR112013017305B1
    申请号:R112013017305-0
    申请日:2011-12-30
    公开日:2021-08-17
    发明作者:Derek A. Sauder；Timothy A. Sauder；Steven D. Monday
    申请人:The Climate Corporation；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    BACKGROUND
    [0001] When planting corn or other crops, a key decision is the spacing between each seed. Shrinking spaces increases the population as a whole (ie, the number of seeds per acre), which increases the number of crop plants in a given area, but makes the plants increasingly compete for sunlight and soil resources, reducing productivity per plant.
    [0002] Modern planters such as the one disclosed in US Patent 5,956,255 are able to vary the population while they are planting and use a "prescription map" determining a population (and thus a spacing between seeds) for each location in the field. . In planters like the one disclosed in the '255 patent, an electronic planter monitor receives the planter's current location in the field from a GPS receiver and consults the prescription map to determine the desired population at that time while planting occurs.
    [0003] When creating a prescription map to optimize yield, it is desirable to determine different populations for different soil types and conditions. For example, the ideal population is likely to be larger on more productive soils. Thus, in many cases it is desirable to increase population when planting in more productive soils and decrease population when planting in less productive soils.
    [0004] To identify soil types and yields in a given field, services such as the Soil Data Mart maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) provide maps of soil data, such as soil type maps. Soil data maps comprise groups of polygons, each of which forms the boundary around each particular soil type or condition. The vertices of polygons correspond to a latitude and longitude. Each polygon is associated with a set of data, which can include soil type and estimated yield for different crops.
    [0005] In FIG. 9A, a tractor 920 is illustrated schematically showing the design of an implement 926 with application at variable speeds (e.g., a planter) through a field along a direction of travel indicated by an arrow 928. A soil map 900 comprises a polygon 900 comprises a polygon 902 having a soil type 2, the area outside polygon 902 having a soil type 1. Soil map 900 can be converted to a prescription map that requires a seed population 2 within the polygon 902 and a seed population 1 outside polygon 902. As the planter moves through the field as shown in FIG. 9A, it will plant in population 1 until it crosses the boundary and enters polygon 2, and at that point it plants in population 2 until it exits polygon 902. As the 926 planter usually includes multiple row units arranged across the direction of travel , the row units are preferably controlled separately, so that, for example, if the rightmost row unit enters polygon 902 before the leftmost row unit, the rightmost row unit will start planting first. in population 2. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the prescription map can also be converted to a 950 bitmap image instructing the planter to plant in certain populations in separate areas or “bitmaps” of the same size.
    [0006] Several commercially available software programs help the user to create prescription maps for planting using soil maps and other field data maps. For example, using a commercially available farm management program, the user obtains an image file containing relevant aerial or satellite imagery and obtains a “shape file” comprising ground polygons for a geographic subdivision (eg a county) of interest from a soil data server. Typical soil data servers will put user requests for a soil map in a queue; when it comes to the user's request, the ground data server fetches the requested limit, creates a corresponding shape file, and alerts the user that the shape file download is available. Once the user has obtained the soil map and an aerial image, these programs display both images side by side and allow the user to select corresponding points to “staple” the polygons on the soil map at the field boundaries and display the map of soil placed over the aerial image. Some farm management software programs even allow the user to import a recorded triggered field boundary using a global positioning receiver. Once transferred to the software, the GPS boundary can be used to clip aerial images at the field boundary.
    [0007] Commercially available systems described require multiple and complex steps to properly fit field boundaries, aerial images and ground data images. These systems also require a unique software program on the user's computer to perform the various operations involved. Due to these inconveniences, many users choose to employ an agronomy service to generate prescriptions. As such, there is a need for a simpler, faster and more intuitive method of generating prescription maps. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
    [0008] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates one modality of a system for generating soil maps and prescriptions.
    [0009] FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of a process for generating a soil map and a prescription.
    [00010] FIG. 2A illustrates a modality of a user interface that allows a user to navigate to a field.
    [00011] FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a user interface that allows a user to draw a field boundary.
    [00012] FIGS. 2C-2D illustrate modalities of a user interface showing a soil map and related soil data and allowing a user to enter a seed population prescription.
    [00013] FIG. 2E illustrates a modality of a user interface that allows a user to export prescriptions for seed populations and soil maps.
    [00014] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a planter monitor user interface displaying a soil map and a prescription and allowing a user to modify a prescription.
    [00015] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another modality of a system for generating a soil map and a prescription.
    [00016] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another modality of a process for generating a soil map and a prescription.
    [00017] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a planter display user interface allowing a user to record a field boundary.
    [00018] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a process for generating a soil map.
    [00019] FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a user interface allowing a user to add an external shape to a soil map.
    [00020] FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of a user interface allowing a user to create a prescription based on a soil map and external shapes.
    [00021] FIG. 9A illustrates a soil map and prior art prescription.
    [00022] FIG. 9B illustrates a prior art bitmap image. DESCRIPTION Prescription Generation Systems
    [00023] Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the various views, FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a preferred prescription system 100. Prescription system 100 preferably includes a user computer 120, a planter monitor 150, a data transfer device 180, a global positioning receiver 190, a user interface 110 , a map service 130, a ground data server 140, a system server 160, and a database 170.
    [00024] Planter monitor 150 is in electrical communication with global positioning receiver 130. Planter monitor 150 is in data communication with user computer 120 preferably via data transfer device 180, such as a memory USB, or flash drive. User computer 120 is in data communication with user interface 110 over an internet connection 50. The user interface is preferably accessible using a web browser on user computer 120, but may be accessible using it. a unique program is stored in the user computer 120. The map service 130 and the system server 160 provide data for the user interface 110. The system server 160 is in electrical communication with the system database 170. The server system 160 is in data communication with the ground data server 140 via an internet connection 50.
    [00025] It should be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment is described using internet connections and data storage devices, the type of method or device of data transfer between each component is not essential for the prescription system 100. This is , any suitable device, system or method may be used to transfer data between components or put the components in communication with each other. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the functions of the user computer 120 and the planter monitor 150 can be combined on a single device, and data stored and retrieved on the various servers can also be stored on a single device. Prescription Generation Methods
    [00026] A preferred prescription generation process 200 for using prescription system 100 to generate a seed population prescription is illustrated in FIG. 1B. The user preferably logs into user interface 110 at step 210 providing identification information, such as a username and password, as is known in the art. At step 220, user interface 110 displays a map from a map service 130, and allows the user to navigate to the field of interest by providing location information via user interface 110 or by manipulating the map. At step 225, the user interface preferably allows the user to enter unique identifying information for the field at user interface 110. At step 230, the user interface allows the user to draw a boundary within the field on the map. In step 240, system server 160 accesses soil data from soil data server 140 and generates a soil map illustrating soil types within user-drawn boundaries. System server 160 also provides ground data related to each ground type to user interface 110, which preferably generates and displays a table summarizing ground data in step 245. The user interface then allows the user to enter input an input application parameter on a desired crop, eg seed population, for each soil type in step 250, which results in a prescription for the entire field that can be stored in the system database 170. Na step 252, the user interface allows the user to export the prescription to a mobile device, e.g. planter monitor 150, using data transfer device 180. During planting, planter monitor 150 determines its location in the field using the global positioning receiver 190 as is known in the art and sets the population rate associated with the corresponding location on the prescribed map.
    [00027] The prescription generation process 200 is further illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E with reference to user interface 110. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, user interface 110 displays a map 260 obtained from a map service 130, such as Google Maps or Terra Server. Map 260 preferably comprises a navigable aerial image map including an aerial or satellite imagery layer and may additionally include layers that identify street names and other reference information. The area displayed on the map 260 can be manipulated by the user by dragging the map, using a pan control 263 or a zoom control 262 as is known in the art. The field selection dialog 280 includes a “New Field” tab 281. Using the New Field tab 281, the user can enter the location (eg city and state or latitude and longitude) of the field of interest in the field of location 282, which preferably results in a request for the map service 130 to display the desired location. The user can also enter data in a field of “Customer” 283 and a “Farm Name” 284, and can also enter data in “Field Name” 285 so that the new field is associated with a specific client and farm for later access by the user. The user can also enter data into a field 286 of “Farmable Acres” expected from the field. Once the user chooses the “Plot Boundary” link 287, the system server 160 preferably saves data entered in the New Field 281 tab in the system database and opens a boundary selection dialog 288 illustrated in FIG. 2B.
    [00028] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, a boundary selection dialog 288 instructs the user to draw a boundary around the field of interest. The user uses a cursor 294 to select each vertex 292 of the field, and the user interface 110 displays a resulting boundary 290 that connects the vertices 292. Once the user returns to the first vertex 292-1 and selects it, a creation dialog 296 allowing the user to create the field or cancel the creation of boundary 290. While the user draws boundary 290 by selecting additional vertices (for example, 292-1 to 292-6 as illustrated), the dialog box selection boundary 288 preferably displays the latitude and longitude of cursor 284. Prescription system 100 preferably obtains geographic locations (e.g., in latitude and longitude or in GPS coordinates) corresponding to each vertex of boundary 290 of the map service 130 and stores the geographic locations in computer memory 120 or in system database 170. After the user has created a complete boundary 290, the boundary selection dialog preferably displays a size of calculated field, preferably displayed in a measure calculated in acres (539 in FIG. 2C) for comparison with the arable acres reported in field 286. The calculated measure in acres can be determined using the distances between the geographic locations corresponding to the vertices 292 as is known in the art.
    [00029] When the user chooses to create the field using the field creation dialog 296, the prescription system 100 preferably generates a ground map 560 corresponding to the extent of the boundary 290 as illustrated in FIG. 2C. As discussed in more detail hereinafter, system server 160 obtains ground type polygons and associated ground data crossing or entirely within field boundary 290 from a ground data server 140 such as that maintained by the Service Conservation of Natural Resources (“NRCS”). Soil map 560 comprises the portions of the soil type polygons within boundary 290. In FIG. 2C, soil map polygons 561, 562 and 563 were stapled at boundary 290.
    [00030] In the stage illustrated in FIG. 2C, the user can confirm proper boundary placement by adjusting the transparency of the 560 soil map using the 549 transparency adjuster or by comparing the calculated acres for the field to the estimated arable acres.
    [00031] Still referring to FIG. 2C, user interface 110 preferably describes a table on a “Soil Type Ex” tab 565 in a “Create Prescription” dialog 550 that shows data associated with each polygon in the soil map. In the example of FIG. 2C, three management zones 561, 562, and 563 are shown that are associated with respective management zone queues 551, 552, and 553 in the Create Prescription 550 dialog box of the Rx Soil Type tab 565. As discussed further below with respect to FIG. 7, it should be appreciated that the ground map polygons 561-1 and 561-2 were part of the same ground polygon obtained from the ground data server that was split into two ground map polygons separated by boundary 290, so that both soil map polygons 561-1 and 561-2 correspond to the single row of management zone 551. As illustrated, the correspondence of polygons and management zones is preferably indicated by dashes or coloring in the 110 user interface. data shown for each management zone row may include estimated yield data 555, measured data in acres 556, and soil type data 557. It should be appreciated that multiple categories of soil data may be available for each management zone row. management; the system preferably selects the most relevant data for display based on a predetermined preference table. Each management zone row 551-553 also preferably includes a defined population value in population fields 554. In the illustrated example, the defined population is set to zero, but in other embodiments the defined population could be set to a value other than zero such as 30,000 seeds per acre.
    [00032] As illustrated in FIG. 2D, user interface 110 also allows the user to create a prescription for the field by entering a desired population in the "Population" field 554 (eg, in seeds per acre) for each soil map polygon by entering a numerical value or using arrows 541 to adjust the population (eg, in increments of 50 seeds per acre) associated with each population field 554. Once the user has entered a population, the Create Population 550 dialog preferably displays the average population in the “Average Population” field 542 representing the average population calculated through the field. The user can also enter data into an estimated percentage field of “Dual Plan” 543 representing the estimated percentage of the field that will need to be passed multiple times. The prescription creation dialog preferably shows estimated seed units in an "Estimated Seed Units" field 544 required for the field, having a value that the system server 160 calculates using an appropriate equation, for example:
    [00033] Seed Units+ (Measurement in Acres) (Average Population) (1+Double Fraction of Plant)/(Seeds per Unit) Where:“Measurement in Acres” is the measured acreage or measured in acres of arable area entered by the user; "Average Population" is the calculated population mean; "Double Plant Fraction" is the double percentage of the plant expressed as a fraction; "Seeds per Unit" is an estimated number of seeds per storage unit (per example, 80,000 units per bag).
    [00034] Under some circumstances, it is desirable to create multiple prescriptions for a single field. As an example, the user may wish to establish a prescription for each hybrid or hybrid type that can be planted in the field of interest. Under these circumstances, the user can create a new prescription for the same field using the drop-down menu “Attribute” 558. In the illustrated modality the Attribute is generically named “Population”. When the user creates a new prescription, it is created under a user-entered attribute name (eg a hybrid type such as “flex” or “semiflex”), populations entered in the Population 554 fields preferably revert to the defined value and the user can enter and save new desired populations entered in the Population 554 fields for each management zone queue 551, 552, and 553. There are several applications where it is useful to establish multiple prescriptions for the same field. In the simplest application, the user might not know which hybrid will be used for the field while creating prescriptions and the user can choose the appropriate prescription in the field once the hybrid has been selected. In a more complex application, each row unit or each section of row units on the planter that is individually controlled can be controlled by a different prescription. Thus the user can plant multiple hybrids in the same field by providing different hybrids for multiple row units and controlling each row unit using the appropriate prescription. It should be appreciated that prescriptions can be created for other attributes using the system described here; for example, a prescription can be created for a particular hybrid with and without nitrogen application.
    [00035] Once the user has entered the prescription and selected the “Save” link 559, the user interface 110 preferably displays an “Export” prescription in the dialog box 590 as illustrated in FIG. 2E. Selection fields 5491 allow the user to search only fields corresponding to the customer and farm of interest. The row corresponding to each field (for example, “North Field” in FIG. 2E) includes a textual export status 594 and an export status icon 592 indicating whether the field has been exported. When the user selects the “Export Fields” link 596, the soil map data is exported from the user computer 120 to the data transfer device 180.
    [00036] With respect to FIG. 3, the user may transfer the soil map data from the data transfer device 180 to the planter monitor 150. The planter monitor 150 may comprise a planter monitor including features similar to those disclosed in co-pending application no. Series 13/292,384 owned by the Applicant, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and preferably includes a graphical user interface 300 such as a touch sensitive display, as well as a central processing unit and a memory. Planter monitor 150 preferably displays a boundary 290 and soil map polygons 5611, 561-2, 562, and 563. Prescription windows 311, 312, and 313 preferably display population, soil type, and other current data ( for example, a crop productivity index) corresponding to each management zone. Planter monitor 150 preferably displays data that matches the entire boundary 290, such as "Acres on Map" field 352 and "Average Population" field 354. Planter monitor 150 preferably allows the user to modify the prescription in the field using, for example, a touch screen interface. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the user can use arrows 320 to navigate between prescription windows 311-313 and can use prescription adjustment arrows 330 to adjust the population to a given threshold in increments of, for example, 500 seeds per acre. The user can also use the button 325 “Select All Soil Types” to select all soil types for simultaneous adjustment using the prescription adjustment arrows 330. Once the population has been changed the user can select the button “ Enter” 360 to save the changed prescription, which can be exported to the data transfer device 180 and imported to the user's computer 120.
    [00037] A preferred method of generating the soil map 260 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The steps generically indicated by 750 are preferably performed in the internet browser or exclusive program on the user's computer; steps generally indicated by 760 are preferably performed by system server 160. At step 710, user interface 110 activates boundary drawing tools that allow the user to draw a field boundary 290 on a map 260 as described above. At step 715, the web browser or the unique program on the user's computer 120 preferably converts the resulting boundary vertices 292 into a standard format document readable by the ground data server, such as a standardized markup language document, for example , an extensible markup language (“XML”) document. In step 720, a request is sent to the ground data server 140 in order to obtain the ground map polygons that cross the boundary 290 defined by the boundary vertices 292. In step 725, a request is sent to the data server of ground 140 also for ground data associated with the polygons obtained in step 720. Requests sent in steps 720, 725 are preferably a standardized format, for example a markup language, readable by the ground data server. The process just described with respect to steps 715, 720, and 725 is faster than requiring an entire shape file corresponding to a geographic or political subdivision (for example, a county) because that shape file includes ground polygons irrelevant.
    [00038] At step 730, system server 160 staples the ground map polygons to boundary 290. This operation can be performed using an appropriate application programming interface such as a JTS Topology Suite, available from Vivid Solutions in Victoria, British Columbia, to create polygons that represent the topological or geometric union between boundary 290 and each original ground polygon. It should be appreciated that the original soil map polygons returned by the soil data server 140 may extend miles beyond the limit 290; therefore, it is advantageous to perform stapling operations on the system server rather than transferring the original polygons to the user computer 120. Transferring the potentially large original polygons to the user computer 120 and using a potentially less powerful processor in the user computer 120 to perform the stapling operations requires longer processing times and likely requires a unique program on the user's computer 120.
    [00039] At step 732, system server 160 associates each stapled ground map polygon with a "management zone". When first obtained from the ground data server 140, each original polygon is typically associated with a key or other unique identifier, that key being also associated with each data item belonging to that polygon. However, a single polygon can be converted to multiple polygons after being clipped to a boundary (see polygons 561-1 and 561-2 in FIG. 2C). In such cases, the key associated with the original polygon must be associated with each resulting polygon. Each polygon associated with the equivalent unique identifier (eg the same unique key) is preferably identified with the same management zone. Thus, in FIG. 2C, polygons 561-1 and 561-2 are part of the same management zone.
    [00040] At step 735, system server 160 preferably binds the data (e.g., soil type and cereal yield) associated with each unique key to the corresponding management zone.
    [00041] At step 740, the system server 160 preferably converts the data returned from the ground data server to a format usable by a network application platform such as Adobe Flash, e.g. an XML document. At step 745, the web browser or dedicated program on the user's computer 120 receives the XML document and uses it to create application objects such as the contents of management zone queues 551-553 discussed above with reference to FIG. 2C. It should be appreciated that each 551-553 Management Zone queue corresponds to a Management Zone, and the data illustrated in each 551-553 Management Zone queue (with the exception of the prescription entered by the user and measured measurement in acres of the management) is the data from the ground data server 140 associated with the same key.
    [00042] In step 747, the user interface 110 sends the latitude and longitude of the multiple vector points corresponding to the boundaries of the stapled polygons to the map service 130, along with instructions for the color of the polygons. The vector points and instructions are preferably compatible with the application program interface provided by the map service 130. In step 748, the map service 130 generates a map overlay representing the stapled ground polygons that is positioned and sized so corresponding to boundary 290 on map 260. It should be appreciated that map service 130 includes a remote map server as well as an application program interface provided by the map server running on user computer 120; therefore, creation of the map overlay can be performed either on the remote map server or on the user computer 120. It should also be appreciated that as the user subsequently drags the map 260 or uses the pan control 263 or the zoom control 262, the map service 130 updates the map overlay so that the ground polygons remain positioned and sized to match the location and boundary scale 290. Prescription Generation Methods - Addition of External Forms
    [00043] When creating a population prescription, it is sometimes desirable to determine prescriptions based not only on varying soil types but on other external factors such as irrigation. Thus, user interface 110 preferably allows the user to add external shapes such as irrigation pivots to the prescribed map. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the “Create Prescription” dialog 550 may include the “Shapes” tab 810 for adding shapes including links 812 and 814 that launch drawing tools for plotting full and partial pivots, respectively. When, for example, the Draw Full Pivot link is selected, an instructional dialog box 816 is displayed instructing the user to use cursor 294 to draw a watering boundary. In the illustrated embodiment, the user first uses cursor 294 to position a center point 817. As cursor 294 is moved away from center point 817, user interface 110 shows the pivot circumference and instruction dialog box 816 displays the calculated area under the pivot. It should be appreciated that the map layer 260 can help the user select the appropriate pivot radius as the user is often able to visually discern the irrigated area from the aerial or satellite image. Once the user has selected the appropriate location for the pivot circumference, the user interface 110 creates a shape 870 representing the pivot area.
    [00044] The step of adding a pivot area shape 870 or other external shape can be performed before or after the user interface 110 shows the ground polygons within the boundary 290. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8A, the shape of the pivot area 870 has been added to a ground map including ground polygons 861 and 862. It will be appreciated that both ground polygons have portions within the pivot area and outside the pivot area. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, an Rx 565 Soil Type tab of the Create Prescription 550 dialog preferably allows a user to set separate population prescriptions for the portions of each soil polygon that are inside and outside the pivot area using a prescription field of inner pivot 856 and an outer pivot prescription field 854. Monitor-based Prescription Generation Systems and Methods
    [00045] Depending on circumstances and available technology, users may prefer to create prescriptions entirely on the 150 display of the planter. For these purposes, a distinct prescription system 400 for creating a prescription is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. Distinct prescription system 400 includes user computer 120, soil map database 175, data transfer device 180, planter monitor 150, and global positioning receiver 190.
    [00046] With respect now to FIG. 5, a process 500 is illustrated for using prescription system 400 to generate a prescription. At step 512, a soil map for a relevant area is imported into the planter monitor 150, preferably using data transfer device 180. The planter monitor 150 is preferably configured to control the input rate of the application, for example , the seed population rate. It should be appreciated that in process 500 it is necessary to obtain intent data for an area greater than the planned field boundary as the exact boundary is not known when the soil data is imported into the planter monitor 150. Thus, the user can obtain soil data for an entire county or other geographic subdivision using user computer 120. This bulk data can be downloaded in a form file format from a soil map database 175 such as the one maintained by the NCRS.
    [00047] In step 510, the user drives the boundary of the field of interest while the planter display 150 records a series of global positioning vertices reported by the global positioning receiver 190, thus recording a filed boundary 290. A preferred display 600 for guiding the user through this process is illustrated in FIG. 6. An icon 620 represents the location of the global positioning receiver 190. When the user selects the “Record Field Boundary” button 632, the status bar 612 indicates that the planter monitor 150 is recording the boundary 290. An icon “ boundary start” 622 represents the first recorded vertex of boundary 290. The user can pause recording at any time by selecting the “Pause” button 634 and can preferably select the Pause button again to resume recording from boundary 290 after navigating from goes back to the last recorded location. Indicator 610 reports the distance between the boundary being recorded and the physical location of the global positioning receiver 190, along with an arrow indicating the direction (preferably from the operator's perspective while driving the tractor) in which the boundary is shifted relative to the global positioning receiver. Once the user has come back close enough to the beginning of boundary 290, the user selects “End Field Boundary” button 630 to store the boundary. The limit 290 can be saved to a unique filename using the “Name” field 640.
    [00048] Returning to FIG. 5, at step 513 the planter monitor 150 generates a boundary file (preferably an XML file) representing the field boundary 290 from the global positioning vertices. At step 514, planter display 150 identifies relevant soil map polygons crossing the field boundary. At step 516, planter display 150 identifies relevant soil map polygons crossing the field boundary. At step 516, planter display 150 generates management zones, as discussed elsewhere here, each management zone corresponds to the portion or portions of each relevant polygon within the field boundary. At step 518, planter monitor 150 displays a control map comprising the group of management zones. The control map preferably includes a defined application parameter (eg seed population) associated with each management zone. At step 520, planter monitor 150 allows the user to modify the defined application parameter using an interface such as graphical user interface 300, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Once the user has created the prescription, the control map can be used to control the input application and can be saved to data transfer device 180.
    [00049] Although the description that has been given describes methods of creating prescriptions for planting seeds, it should be appreciated that the same methods could be used to generate spatially dependent crop input prescriptions for any variable rate crop input, such as a fertilizer. Furthermore, although the description that has been given describes methods of using a soil map to create a prescription, the same method or similar methods could be used to generate a prescription based on any map of soil data. field. For example, the user could import a yield map containing polygons or bitmaps associated with various yields from a previous year and prescribe application rates for each such polygon or bitmap.
    [00050] Furthermore, although the methods described here involve a user manually creating a prescription once they have been presented with field data, it is well known in the art to create prescriptions using formulas whose elements include field data. So, for example, the system could allow the user to specify a formula (or provide a formula) for converting the cereal yield into a population prescription. According to such a method, in the illustration of FIG. 2C, the prescription system 100 would generate populations for population fields 554 for each soil map polygon 561, 562 and 563 using an equation that was a function of, for example, cereal yield and factors associated with each soil type and stored in a lookup table.
    [00051] The description that has been given is presented to enable an average technician to manufacture and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the systems and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be given the broadest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [0001]
    1. Method of generating a ground data map, characterized in that it comprises: accessing through a user interface (110) a navigable aerial map of a geographic image that includes an image of a field of interest, said map navigable air map having associated geographic location data identifying said geographic location of said field of interest; navigating (220) said navigable air map in order to view said field of interest on a user display screen; define (230) via said user interface (110) a boundary (290) of said field of interest by said geographic location data; accessing via said user interface (110) a ground data map associated with said field of interest with based on said geographic location data, said ground data map identifying soil types of said field of interest; displaying on said user display screen a the portion of said ground data map as defined by said boundary (290); and apply a seeding population to the sites of a specific soil type in response to receiving a seeding population selection for the specific soil type.
    [0002]
    2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said soil data map comprises soil type polygons each identifying a soil type, and in which only portions of said soil type polygons within of said limit (290) are displayed on said user display screen.
    [0003]
    3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of accessing said ground data map is performed by sending a request to a ground data server (140), wherein said request it is in a markup language readable by the ground data server (140).
    [0004]
    4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said boundary (290) comprises multiple vector points, and wherein the step of accessing said ground data map comprises sending said vector points to a service of ground data map (130) and receive a ground type polygon map overlay.
    [0005]
    5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said boundary (290) comprises multiple vector points, and wherein the step of accessing said ground data map comprises sending said vector points to a service of soil data map (130) and receive a map overlay of soil type polygons, each identifying a soil type.
    [0006]
    6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said user interface (110) is a program on a system server (160) accessible via a remote computer.
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of displaying a portion of said soil data map as defined by said boundary (290) comprises determining a geometric union between said defined boundary (290) and said soil type polygons.
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    AU2011353515B2|2015-11-05|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-02-04| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-08| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-04-06| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: THE CLIMATE CORPORATION (US) |
    2021-07-06| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-08-17| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 30/12/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    2022-03-03| B17A| Notification of administrative nullity (patentee has 60 days time to reply to this notification)|Free format text: REQUERENTE DA NULIDADE: JIMER RAMOS DA COSTA - 870220014033 - 17/2/2022 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201161429635P| true| 2011-01-04|2011-01-04|
    US61/429,635|2011-01-04|
    PCT/US2011/068219|WO2012094256A1|2011-01-04|2011-12-30|Methods for generating soil maps and application prescriptions|
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