SYSTEM FOR APPLYING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS PROVIDING VISUAL HARVEST DATA FOR A MOBILE DEVICE AND COM

专利摘要:
informational visual system and computerized mobility application for rural workers. The present invention generally relates to a system for providing visual crop data to a mobile device which includes at least one server computer in communication with a mobile device. at least one server computer is configured to receive location data relating to a geographical position from the mobile device; retrieving topographic data associated with at least a portion of the location data; generate contour data based at least partially on topographic data; and transmitting at least a portion of the contour data to the mobile device such that at least one contour is visually displayed in at least a portion of a map image displayed on the mobile device. the present invention also relates to a computer-implemented method and a computer-programmed product for providing and/or interacting with visual crop data, which includes communicatively connected appropriately connected hardware components.
公开号:BR112013023487B1
申请号:R112013023487-3
申请日:2012-04-13
公开日:2021-06-15
发明作者:Allan Hovis；David Paterson
申请人:Bayer Intellectual Property Gmbh；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/475,962, filed April 15, 2011, and United States Patent Application No. 61/540/854, filed on September 29, 2011, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention generally refers to a soil and crop analysis and, more specifically, to a visual information system to access relevant information and characteristics present in a specific programmed area for the application of agricultural chemicals or for cultivation genetically modified crops. Background of the Invention
[0003] Agricultural products, which include those applied to soil and/or crops such as granular crop protective chemicals, are used to control insects, mites and nematodes that can damage crops. These agricultural chemicals are typically water soluble and therefore care must be taken to prevent the chemicals from leaching into the groundwater. In most cases, these conventional crop protection chemicals quickly decompose into the harmful residues in the environment after application. However, the combination of sandy soil and acidic soil conditions can reduce chemical degradation and allow some of the chemicals to mix with groundwater if care is not taken during application.
[0004] To protect groundwater supplies used for potable water, these agricultural chemicals are generally not applied to fifty feet of potable water wells. The state of Florida has more stringent backoff requirements that prevent some of these chemicals from being applied to three hundred feet of any drinking water well. In addition, Florida also mandates that some products cannot be used on citrus plants within a thousand feet of a drinking water well when certain "vulnerable" soil types are present, unless a set of well construction parameters have been achieved and documented. Vulnerable soil types are those in which agricultural chemicals can more easily mix with groundwater. These vulnerable soils are identified and mapped by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service.
[0005] It is the responsibility of the applicator to determine when the agricultural product can be applied or not. In Florida, several "application supervisors" work with professional applicators to determine where agricultural chemicals can be applied. The process involves the grower, the professional applicator (which could be the same person), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the "State"), and the soil application supervisor. Typically, the grower requires the application of certain agricultural chemicals in a designated area. The state assigns a permit number and an application supervisor inspects the site and notes any required backoff from the drinking water wells. As used herein, the terms "backlash" or "buffer" refer to the distance from an object, such as a well, into which agricultural chemicals should not be applied. For wells, the recoil distance depends on the construction of the well and the type of soil. The purchase and application of agricultural chemicals is approved and the chemicals are applied by the applicator. In the past, the records and data used by an application supervisor to determine areas of fallback were written documents that had to be manipulated manually.
[0006] Genetically modified crops generate various agricultural efficiency solutions, which result in increased production and lower prices. Modified crops also provide solutions to disease, climate change and unwanted soil conditions. For example, the introduction of genetically modified soybeans with greater tolerance to herbicides has made growing the crop easier and more profitable for farmers. By 2010, genetically engineered crops were grown by 15.4 million farmers on 360 million acres around the world. Because of concerns about genetically engineered crops, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have created a regulatory framework that is difficult for farmers and others to use. The USDA is concerned about the risk of modified crops becoming weeds and the EPA regulates genetically modified crops that have pesticide-like properties. In addition, state and local governments may prohibit the use of such crops and possibly create additional regulations.
[0007] Due to the numerous regulations concerning genetically modified crops, farmers and other individuals find themselves overwhelmed with the task of compliance. For example, the USDA requires a buffer zone around genetically modified crop plots to ensure that cross-pollination with other species does not occur. These buffer zones, which define the allowable lots for modified crops to be grown, should be considered by farmers during their growing season planning. Complying with these types of regulations requires farmers and others to research their land, which often requires access to information regarding nearby crops, groundwater and other resources. Buffer zones for genetically modified crops need monitoring to ensure that the crop does not extend beyond the designated area. Field surveys are often used to ensure regulatory compliance. Researchers/inspectors, who need to transport various devices and tools to the field, must create a complete report for each field inspected. This process is inefficient and requires the work to be repeated and researchers to travel frequently.
[0008] In addition to concerns about groundwater, state and federal laws are also regulating areas occupied by threatened species. These laws create buffer zones adjacent to streams, rivers, wetlands and floodplain habitats to protect certain threatened species. These buffer zones define specific sensitive areas that are difficult for farmers and others to survey and demarcate.
[0009] Thus, there is a need for a system that can run on a laptop or other mobile device to provide real-time data to application supervisors when they are in the field. There is also a need for a system that reduces the time required for application supervisors to carry out their tasks and that provides useful information for real-time decision-making by application supervisors in the field. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00010] Generally, a computer-programmed system, method, and product are provided for providing and/or interacting with visual crop data that address or overcome some of the deficiencies and delays associated with existing systems.
[00011] According to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for providing visual data about the crop to a mobile device, the system comprising at least one server computer in communication with a mobile device, by the minus one server computer configured to: receive, from the mobile device, location data relating to a geographical position of the mobile device; retrieving, from the at least one topographical data source, topographical data associated with at least a portion of the location data; generate contour data based at least partially on topographic data; and transmitting at least a portion of the contour data to the mobile device, such that at least one contour is visually displayed in at least a portion of a map image displayed on the mobile device, on which at least one contour is based by the at least partially in at least a portion of the contour data.
[00012] According to another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product is provided which comprises at least one computer readable medium, the computer readable medium which has a program which, when executed by a device having a processor and at least one display unit, causes the device to: transmit location data to at least one host, location data representing a geographic location; receive contour data representing at least one contour, at least one contour at least partially corresponding to at least one specific region, in which at least a part of at least one specific region is included in at least a part of the geographic region ; and display, in combination with a visual representation of at least a part of the active geographic region within at least one display unit, at least a part of at least one outline.
[00013] According to another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method executed in at least one computer system is provided that includes at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving, from a mobile device, location data relating to a geographical position of the mobile device; identify the topographic data referring at least partially to the geographic position; and transmitting to the mobile device the map data and the contour data, wherein the map data allows the mobile device to display a visual image representing at least partially the geographic region corresponding to the geographic position, and in which the contour data is configured to cause the mobile device to display at least one contour representing at least a part of at least a specific area, and in which the geographic region at least partially comprises at least a part of at least a specific area. .
[00014] These and other aspects and features of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation, the functions of the related elements of the structures and the combination of parts and economics in manufacturing, will become more apparent during consideration of the following description with reference to attached drawings, which form a part of this descriptive report, in which like reference numerals designate the corresponding parts of the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention. As used in the descriptive report, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" "a" includes the plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00015] Figures 1a and 1b are block diagrams of a visual information system in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[00016] Figure 2 is a diagram of computers used in exemplary computer systems of the present invention;
[00017] Figure 3a is a view of a computerized mobile interface that provides topographic views of soils, generated from the data of the visual information mapping system according to principles of the present invention;
[00018] Figure 3b is a view of a computerized mobile interface that provides topographic views of the soils, generated from the data from the visual information system, in such a way that the soil information is seen superimposed on the land information, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[00019] Figure 4 is a view of a computerized mobile interface that provides topographic views in and around the crop surrounded by a buffer area of the visual information mapping system in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[00020] Figure 5 is a view of a computerized mobile interface that provides topographic views of the soils, generated from the data from the visual information mapping system that has the crop represented by pins according to the principles of the present invention;
[00021] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the calculation of displayable series of soil mappings according to the principles of the present invention;
[00022] Figure 7 illustrates a diagram for a method of calculating a plug to be generated around a polygonal contour according to the principles of the present invention;
[00023] Figure 8 is a view of a database table that stores data about the soil in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[00024] Figure 9 is a view of a database table that stores data on the ground contour according to the principles of the present invention;
[00025] Figure 10 is a view of a database table that stores data about the well in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[00026] Figure 11 is a view of a database table that stores data about the arboretum according to the principles of the present invention; and
[00027] Figure 12 is a view of a database table that stores data about the application supervisor according to the principles of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES
[00028] For the purposes of the following description, it should be understood that the specific systems, processes, functions and modules, which are illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following descriptive report, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Consequently, the specific characteristics related to the modalities described here should not be considered as limiting. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention may assume numerous variations and alternative step sequences, except where expressly specified otherwise.
[00029] In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as network structures, data structures, computing devices and program instructions to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more specific details or with other methods, components, materials, and so on. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, methods or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid complicating aspects of the invention.
[00030] With reference to figure 1a, a visual information system 1 for monitoring the crops is shown according to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a host module 2 for delivering web pages or other forms of content to customer computers, such as mobile computers 4. Various forms of data are provided in a transmission format from host module 2 to the mobile computer 4, based at least partially on the location and/or movement of mobile computer 4, or actions taken on mobile computer 4 by a user (eg an application supervisor, farm workers, farmers or other individuals).
[00031] Mobile computer 4 can be used by an application supervisor or other farm workers during crop examination such as, for example, citrus groves, in order to provide for the application of agricultural chemicals, the planting of genetically modified crops or other activities in accordance with recommended procedures. Visual information system 1 provides targeted mapping information by calculating information about the soil in a selected area. By targeting information to a selected area, System 1 reduces the bandwidth requirements needed to provide the mobile device 4 with the data it needs. It should be understood that the mobile computer 4 of the visual information system 1 is not limited to use by application supervisors. Other users, such as marketing managers, sales staff, product managers, applicators or other individuals, could also use the system 1.
[00032] Still referring to figure 1a, the host module 2 is in communication with an XML conversion module 3, a contour determination module 5 and external data sources such as the topographic data source 10. The host module 2 is also in communication with a network 7 environment, such as the internet or some other form of communications network. Mobile devices 4 are in communication with network 7 and with one or more GPS satellites 8. Host module 2 and/or mobile devices 4 can access other external data sources, such as a map image service 9, to provide satellite image data or other features.
[00033] Referring now to figure 1b, another view of the visual information system 1 for monitoring the crops is shown according to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Host module 2 is in database communication with the file on contour 11, which contains individual contour 12 files. Host module 2 is also in communication with external data sources, such as topographic data source 10 and a map image service 9. A mobile device 4 is in communication with the host module 2 and the map image service 9. The mobile device 4 includes an interface 300. The interface 300 displays ground contours 14a and 14b, which correspond to one or more contour files 12.
[00034] A mobile device 4, as used herein, refers to a computing device with communication capabilities. Mobile devices 4 may include, for example, tablet and laptop type computers, cell phones, electronic devices specially intended for use with the system or any other similar computing device.
[00035] In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device 4 can be provided with a mobility application that communicates with the host module 2. A "mobility application" is understood as a computer program running on a mobile device and which may include, for example, standalone applications, interactive webpages or other types of computer programs and/or compiled program instructions. The map information displayed on the mobile device 4 may be a subset of map information provided by the map image service 9, a host mapping, or it may be otherwise provided by the host module 2. The map image service 9 or the host mapping determines the hosted map information from the position coordinates provided by the mobility app or indirectly via the host module 2, and transmits a limited range of map information to the mobile device 4. The mobility app allows visualization of the map information on mobile device.
[00036] The map information can include viewing the topological information of the region, retrieved from the topographic data source 10 or from another data source. Topological information may include, for example, features of interest (eg, drinking water wells, animal nests, habitats of threatened species, other crops and the like) and buffer areas (ie, setback distances) in around these characteristics. Buffer areas define regions around the characteristics of interest, the crop region or other contours and/or characteristics within which the application of agricultural chemicals, the planting of genetically modified crops or other activities should be avoided. The intersection of buffer areas provides suspicious regions, which can also be viewed on the mobile device 4 through the mobility app.
[00037] The mobility app electronically reports coordinates, which may change as the position of mobile device 4 changes. The map information data changes as the coordinates of the mobile device 4 change, such that the host module 2 transmits new map information data in response to the coordinate changes. Coordinates can be reported in real time. The mobility app can be used by farm workers, application supervisors or other users to help detect regions where the application of agricultural chemicals and genetically modified crops, as examples, should be avoided. Detected regions can be transmitted to an applicator system or other entity.
[00038] In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the visual information system 1 shown in figures 1a and 1b creates and/or processes the mapping data (for example, topographical data or other data) to be transmitted to the mobile device 4. For example, host module 2 can calculate a subset of spatial data based on an area, such as a crop or arboretum. The subset of spatial data is then overlaid on a map of the area. This combination of spatial data combined with a map provides an application supervisor with a useful view of an area and allows an application supervisor to view relevant information such as drinking water wells, water sources, species, groves, crop regions. , and/or soil regions in relation to the topographical characteristics of the area. Visual information system 1 can use different methods to pre-process spatial files and find desired data. These techniques can be used to determine an area for which the contour file 12 is needed.
[00039] With reference to figures 1a and 1b, the system 1 can be configured to create contour files 12 by converting the spatial files that are received from an external data source, such as the topographic data source 10 (for example , a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) server or other spatial files local or external to the system). For example, the Geographical Soil Survey Database (SSURGO) provides detailed geographic data on soil types in the United States by county. However, these spatial files can be extensive. For example, in Polk County, Florida, spatial files include approximately 27,000 files. In a preferred and non-limiting modality, spatial files retrieved by System 1 can be converted to Keyhole Markup Language (KML) 6 files using an Extensible Markup Language (XML) 3 conversion module.
[00040] The XML 3 conversion module considers, as a record, spatial data or other relevant data, creates and sends data formed in XML and, specifically, KML data. KML 6 files are used to specify a number of features such as placemarks, images, polygons, 3D models or textual descriptions for display in Google Earth, a mobility app or any other 3D terrestrial browser (for example , geobrowser) that implements KML coding. Each record has a longitude and latitude and data to make the view more specific such as, for example, tilt, heading and altitude, which together define a "camera view". KML 6 data can represent spatial files converted to latitude and longitude coordinates. The KML 6 files are then separated into individual contour 12 files.
[00041] Still referring to figures 1a and 1b, the KML 6 files are formed into the contour files 12 by the contour determination module 5, which can then be stored in a database with the contour files 11 Contour module 5 accepts, as a record, one or more KML 6 files and sends, to host module 2, the database with the file on contour 11, or directly to mobile computer 4, the files. contours. From the contour file database 11 or the contour determination module 5, the individual contour files 12 are created. A contour file 12 is information about an individual contour on the map. Contour files 12 can be based on latitude and longitude. For example, a contour file 12 may depict a ground contour polygon 14a within coordinates on a map 13 that represents the contour of a particular soil type within a variety of other soil types for a particular area of interest. The data includes information describing the geological structure of the area. These individual contour 12 files can be chosen dynamically or by specifying the maximum distance to a latitude/longitude point, as discussed below. In one embodiment, the mobile computer mobility application 4 can process the data subsets and display the data on the mobile devices 4 conducted by field application supervisors.
[00042] Contour files 12 may include information regarding soil type and may be designated as "vulnerable" when soil is considered a type through which crop protection chemicals can more easily traverse or permeate. In one modality, any solo or a group of solos may be marked as vulnerable or other identifier provided to distinguish such solos from other solos.
[00043] The contour files database 11 can be requested by the host module 2 for the particular contour files 12 that define the objects within an area. Only a small subset of contour files 12 will then be provided to mobile computer 4 based on the designated area. For example, if an application supervisor is checking chemical treatment in a particular arbor, host module 2 can only provide data within a specific radius of the arbor. In one modality, this radius can be defined based on the geographic center of the grove. The host module 2 can then determine the objects within the designated radius of the selected area and only send those contour files 12 that define those objects. This subset of information can be part of a county map, multiple county maps, a block of a county map, or just data within an enforcement supervisor's active range. The end result is a subset of a larger map dataset that shows just the area of interest. The amount of data needed can thus be filtered to a range of 100kb - 100mb of data, as an example.
[00044] Still referring to figures 1a and 1b, in addition to the individual contour 12 files, the host module 2 can have access to other information, stored in a database 15 or some other form of data structure for the system of visual information 1. For example, state and session information useful to farm workers (such as application supervisors) may be stored in a database 15. Examples of such information may include the type of data about the soil contour data, well data, grove data, and supervisor data.
[00045] Referring now to figure 8, an exemplary type of ground table is shown that can be stored in a database 15 and made available to the host module 2 (not shown) according to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The information in Figure 8 is for Hillsborough County. The soil number is county specific and is used by the system as a cross-reference to determine the soil name. For example, when host module 2 is using a particular contour file 12, the system can use the soil type table to look up an identifier for a particular soil type.
[00046] Referring to figure 9, there is shown a data table representing an individual contour according to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. As represented by the data in Figure 9, a contour file can include multiple points that are used to form a particular contour. Figure 10 illustrates a table of data representing the groundwater wells stored in the system. Figure 11 illustrates a data table representing the crops (eg, thickets) where a farmer or applicator is ready to apply an agricultural chemical, that is, the crops that are ready to be monitored by the system. Figure 12 illustrates an application supervisor data table representative of the data collected by an application supervisor during his stay in the field. It will be understood that many different types of data, stored in a variety of different data structures, can be used.
[00047] During operation, the host module 2 enters the session with a mobile computer of the application supervisor 4. The session includes messages such as, for example, requests in HTP and responses in backward and forward communication and during sessions. - they are. Furthermore, asynchronously with respect to the session, updates are continuously sent from a mobile computer of the application supervisor 4 to the host module 2 and are stored in a database 15. The updates are transmitted to the information system visuals 1 define the actions taken by an application supervisor on the mobile computer 4. Updates can be used to replay the session or to monitor an application supervisor's crop survey.
[00048] In one embodiment, to facilitate login, the mobile computer 4 can provide a login screen that has a list with the names of approved application supervisors, which can be selected to authenticate an authorized user. Once an application supervisor has been authenticated, a season can be selected for observation. An application supervisor can then search for the crop using mobile computer 4. For example, as an application supervisor moves through a grove, the location of mobile device 4 is tracked by a GPS sensor located on computer 4 and which is in communication with a GPS satellite 8. The visual information system 1 synchronizes the GPS location of an application supervisor every several seconds or at other predetermined intervals.
[00049] Visual information system 1 can be used by an application supervisor to determine where application of agricultural chemicals should be allowed and where application should be avoided. A system of buffers or "setbacks" facilitates the identification of these restricted areas. In a citrus grove modality, a buffer is determined and generated around the grove using contour files 12. The host module 2 calculates points that form a buffer around the grove. Each point of the plug is calculated to be 300 ft. from a point in the grove and the buffer defines an outer polygon representing 300 ft. from the inner polygon that represents the grove. An application supervisor can use this representation to narrow his focus to points in the restricted zone. If application supervisors find the feature of interest, such as a groundwater well, within the buffer zone, they can alter the application of agricultural chemicals and avoid that feature. It should be understood that the invention could use any size tampon.
[00050] In addition, host module 2 can provide a variable buffer that has a variable recoil distance. For example, the system can calculate wind speed (using a wind speed sensor) and provide information to dynamically transform the buffer polygon and ensure that agricultural chemicals are kept at the correct distance from a particular feature. A tampon can be used around any desired object in the system. When encountering any intersections of grove plugs and well plugs, farmers and applicators are provided areas where agricultural chemicals, genetically modified crops or other activities should not be applied. Using the visual information system 1, the map and geological data can be displayed simultaneously and in real time.
[00051] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, buffers are used to determine the correct distance from wild habitats, which restricts the areas in which agricultural chemicals can be applied. This functionality can use government or other databases to identify threatened or endangered species habitats in relation to land used for crops. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the visual information system can be used by an application supervisor to determine where the planting of genetically modified crops should be allowed and where such crops should be avoided.
[00052] The visual information system 1 provides a workflow, such as one that shows the previously visited locations of a particular application supervisor. System 1 can provide information regarding the type of application that supervisors are authenticated (authorized) to access the visual information system and can show their previous activity in the field. As such, gearmazena can view the progress of specific crops or application supervisors and mobile computers 4 can be used to add information in the field for application supervisors to view. This workflow helps to erect certain groundwater well constructions and other features, which require setback distances.
[00053] Initially, a setback distance may not exist for the system's groundwater wells. An application supervisor can be enabled to record well information in the system. In some embodiments, the system can be programmed to use a standard setback for groundwater wells or other features that are not yet associated with setback distances. Images of the well or any reference point surveyed or observed can be included in the recorded information. A manager can view the images to provide feedback within the system or directly to an application supervisor at a site, such as to determine if a particular groundwater well qualifies for a smaller (ie, shorter) setback. The visual information system 1 can provide mobile computers 4 with supervision and validation capability. The storage of movements and actions in the system makes it possible to inspect the information changed in the system and when it was done. The visual information system 1 can also be configured to calculate how many celemins per acre a given crop will produce, using various types of soil data and other relevant data. This information can be used to determine what the estimated cost would be associated with not applying a particular product in an area.
[00054] Still referring to figures 1a and 1b, the mobile computer 4 captures the movement data. When the movement of the mobile computer 4 occurs, position updates are sent to the host module 2 and are stored in the database 15. The GPS location of the computer of an application supervisor 4 can be provided every several seconds. It should be understood that any time interval can be used to provide information to host module 2. In one embodiment, this movement information can be stored and used to recreate the session.
[00055] Referring now to figure 3a, a computerized mobile interface 300 of the visual information system is shown according to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment. Interface 300 can be used to observe a vintage. At interface 300, a map shows an area of land and various ground contours. System 1 can also provide a hybrid map that has the mapping information shown in Figure 3a and mixed with the satellite image. In this example, the visual information system is used to search for groves. A grove 302 is delineated by a series of identifiers 304a - 304d. A grove can have any number of identifiers delineating the polygon that makes up the grove. It will be understood that any type of crop, area or other region can be delineated by the series of identifiers in the context of the system.
[00056] Still referring to figure 3a, an area and a region of particular arboretum is shown. The visual information system 1 provides an application supervisor with a graphical view of the types of soils surrounding water wells or other features and/or regions. The computerized mobile interface map layer 300 shows the types of soils represented by different overhangs or other visual cues. In a non-limiting modality, the computerized mobile interface 300 provides functions to classify a soil contour with a name and identity, and stores the soil data in a database 15 in communication with the host module 2.
[00057] Still referring to Figure 3a, the computerized mobile interface 300 may include a customizable mobile menu 306 that has a series of icons surrounding an extension 308. The menu 306 shown is a context menu. The 306 menu gives application supervisors the capabilities they need to enable proper chemical applications and also maximizes effective space on the 300 computerized mobile interface for displaying maps and crop information. In a preferred and non-limiting mode, menu 306 can be moved around the map manually or automatically. The 308 extension can focus on specific areas on the map. When the mobile computer moves the 308 extension, submenus can move with it. Menu 306 and extension 308 can also move automatically in response to mobile computer movement and an application supervisor in the field. As mobile computer 4 moves, a mobile computer's location is tracked by a GPS-enabled sensor located on the device, and the area and visible map automatically update to match mobile computer 4.
[00058] The interface 300 can display various types of data to a user of mobile device 4, such as data on soil and land condition. Such data can include, for example, pH balance, texture, density, slope, composition, salinity and the like. This data can be obtained from numerous databases, external or internal to System 1, which can be on a local, national or global scale. Such a database is the Harmonized World Soil Database, which provides a global resource for soil information indexed by longitude and latitude coordinates. The mobile device 4 can display a topographic view of the ground information retrieved from such databases so that the information is mapped according to location and indexed through a graphical user interface.
[00059] A type of setback is an area that surrounds a water well. A drinking water well can be indicated on the map using various visual techniques, such as different colors, highlights, shading, locators or cross strokes, and is associated with a particular setback distance range. The computerized mobile interface 300 may have a highlighted area indicating water wells in an area plan. The well information can be stored as contour files 12 and can be used in future research on an area. Well water depth from the latest surveys can be used to formulate a setback distance based on the depth of the well.
[00060] Each menu 306 icon can be programmed to perform a particular function. Menu 306 can also be programmed to include a hierarchical series of menus, each level having a series of icons that correspond to various functions such as, for example, a "best vintage" function. As an example, icon 315 may provide a window or search function. Icon 316 is an on/off button on a joystick to provide a joystick window for moving objects. The joystick can be operable to move an extension. The joystick can provide flexibility for an application supervisor to adjust coordinates on the map. The joystick moves the span and then converts the screen location from the x and y span to latitude and longitude based on a map zoom level. The visual information system 1 can use the outer borders of the map and the zoom level. The zoom level can be determined from the map data.
[00061] The 317 icon can provide access to the crop submenu which provides crop related functions such as a grove. The harvest submenu can provide user icons that have the functionality to add locators, wells, houses and other points of interest, as examples. A point of interest can define a point that, for whatever reason, needs further investigation. A locator can be delineated on the map to indicate that an application supervisor should review this area further. A locator represents a coordinate that has a specific latitude and longitude. The arbor menu can also provide a management of arbor documents. Managed documents are associated with particular trees and can provide access to documents with specific information, such as product applications, images and checklists.
[00062] The crop submenu can also provide functions to visually display soil information using a switch or other means to turn the soil information on and off. With reference to Figure 3b, the soil information of Figure 3a is shown superimposed on the corresponding land information which includes, for example, satellite imagery, road maps and various topographical features. Information about the crop (ie the arboretum) is also shown. Vulnerable soils and soils can be displayed and an information pop-up window can show all the information the system stores about a soil contour. The harvest submenu can also provide a function to display the buffer zone and buffer area as calculated in the system. Also, the crop area can be displayed.
[00063] Still referring to figures 3a and 3b, icon 318 provides a submenu with mapping function. The mapping submenu can provide a zoom function to zoom in and out to the center of the current extent location. In addition, the visual information system offers a crop zoom function, which zooms in on the center of the selected grove or crop. The visual information system can also provide a zoom to focus on the current location of the mobile computer 4, although a tracking may be necessary to use this zoom function. The map submenu also shows a selection of map types. For example, different types of maps, such as hybrid or road maps, can be made available. The function can also be provided to center the vintages in interface 300. A tracking function can provide the position of the mobile computer 4 in relation to the current map view. In tracking mode, as device 4 moves in circles, a visual representation, such as a dot, can be displayed on the computerized mobile interface 300 and move on the map in correspondence with device 4's movement within the harvest region. . An application supervisor can use this function to track your path across the displayed map in relation to your surroundings.
[00064] The 319 icon can provide a measurement menu to add points to the map data and to modify the map data. The measurement menu can also show directions of arrival to a point, with the system adjusting to a current location in the arboretum. The distance measurement function provides a distance from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Points can be plotted on the map with the joystick to determine or visually indicate how far away they actually are. The menu can also provide a crop projection mode to provide a restart of the crop periods to start a new crop location early on. This functionality can be used when an application supervisor finds additional crops in an area and needs to create a crop location while he is researching.
[00065] Menu 306 may further include icon 320 for an address enable/disable function. The address on/off function can find the house, residence or other location closest to a particular point indicated with an input device such as a mouse or touchscreen, and display the exact location of the address on the map. Icon 321 can provide functions to "jump" to (ie go directly to) a registration address. The 322 icon is an information on/off function for displaying point-to-point information on a visual information system 1 map.
[00066] A variety of different types of soils is represented in figure 3a by the shaded contours generated at interface 300. For example, the soil contour 312a is shown having a single shading in that particular contour and it can be distinguished from the soil contour 312b , which comes with a completely different shading. Soil types are represented by different colors, different shades of gray, or different patterns. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that other patterns, methods or representations could be used to indicate different types of soil. The 308 extension can be used to highlight the different soils and activate information about the soil 314 popup window that corresponds to a particular soil contour 313. As shown, the soil 313 is of the Hillsborough type with the description "Soil #47 fine sand Sefner."
[00067] Referring to Figure 4, a mobile computer interface 400 displays a visual map that includes a crop region (eg, woodland region) 402. The crop region 402 is shown surrounded by a buffer (eg. , backspace) 404. In addition, a point demarcating a well 406 is shown. Well 406 has a recoil region 408 surrounding it. A 410 menu is also displayed on this screen, which has functions as discussed above. In addition, still referring to Figure 4, a line segment 412 formed from points A to B can be used to measure the distance from point A to point B. In this example, line segment 412 has a distance of 945 feet as shown in a distance box 414. Finally, the groundwater wells 416 and 418 are shown, each having respective setback regions 420 and 422. In one embodiment, the setback distance can be adjusted based on soil type or other specific objects in the area.
[00068] Referring to Figure 5, a computerized mobile interface 500 having a crop region 502 is shown in accordance with a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Crop region 502 is formed by points as represented by location pins 504a - 504d. The 504a-504d location pins provide a specific latitude and longitude. An example of a groundwater well 506 is seen outside the crop region 502 formed from location pins 504a - 504d, which have a buffer region with a setback 508 of (1000 feet). In addition, a 510 groundwater well is shown, which has a setback 512 of (100 feet). An underground water well 510 appears to belong to house 514. An underground water well 516 that has a plug with a setback 518 of (100 feet) appears to belong to adjacent house 520. The well 522 does not appear to be adjacent to a house or associate with a recoil cap. Line 524, formed from point A to point B, has a distance of 2,208 feet, as shown in a 526 distance box.
[00069] An application supervisor reviews the locations where groundwater well buffer areas intersect the grove buffer area. This is an area where the application of agricultural products can be controlled. To control the application, an application supervisor can identify the points using flags where the application should stop. The flags will indicate to the farmer or applicator that treatment must stop when this area is reached. In addition, the automatic application of agricultural chemicals and other treatments can be controlled using the positioning coordinates, supplied directly to the automatic applicator equipment.
[00070] The present invention also includes a method for using the visual information system. A mobile computer is provided, which has a home screen (eg introduction) that shows the information and a section with login activation. The login section can provide selectable application supervisor names or a text box for authenticating a user. In a preferred and non-limiting mode, the home screen can also provide driving directions from a current location or specific address to a selected harvest region. Once authenticated, the harvest region is created or opened. In crop projection mode, the user can create a new crop region by graphing the crop points they are searching for. For example, an application supervisor could traverse a tree parameter and use the visual information system 1 to send points from mobile computer 4 to host module 2. In addition, points can be set directly from the screen. , such as using the joystick to move the span 308 or positioning the span by selecting the inside of a polygon on the mobile computerized mobile interface 300 of the mobile application.
[00071] Alternatively, an application supervisor could open a previously stored harvest region. When the crop region is selected, the soil contour files 12 are transmitted to a mobile computer of the application supervisor 4 from the host module 2. The contour files 12 are displayed by a particular distance (eg 3 um one mile radius) around the selected crop region. If there is an interruption, the visual information system can automatically update the map. It should be understood that the distances provided for setbacks, buffers and active areas are characteristic of certain modalities and can be configured for different address locations, crops, soils or other land-related characteristics.
[00072] In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the visual information system 1 can provide an edit mode. In edit mode, the user can be enabled to sort objects in the view that he finds during his search. For example, groves, wells or other land-related features can be indicated by locators. Visual system 1 may include an information window, which has information about a grove. If this information is found to be incorrect, the system allows the user to edit the information.
[00073] When in edit mode, menus and span can be moved freely using a touch screen or other input device to drag and drop the item. The screen can be set to locked mode and the joystick can be used to move the locators without touching the screen. After an application supervisor has recorded all information about the season and the user has exited edit mode, the user can be advised to save the information in a database 15 that is in communication with the host module 2.
[00074] While an application supervisor surveys the harvest region, the visual information system 1 can provide a checklist menu to list items that an application supervisor should survey, such as possible groundwater wells near the buffer area. of the harvest region.
[00075] The visual information system can be used to check and color area code boxes. House information can be mapped based on a database with tax records, for example. The system may use information or external data sources, such as Google, to display houses or other automatically related information.
[00076] Referring to Figure 4, an application supervisor can observe an area defined by a 404 plug that surrounds the 402 crop region. The crop plug has rounded corners to show the current distance of the plug from the corners of the region 402. A buffer toggle menu can be used to select a buffer distance. The standard cap can be (1,000 feet). However, it must be understood that any desired distance could be used. For example, (1000 feet) can be used in addition to (100 to 300 feet) to give mobile computer 4 the ability to switch between each of these plugs. Also, any variety of tampons can be used in a designated area.
[00077] While an application supervisor identifies groundwater wells (such as well 416), the mobile computer 4 can be used to configure location pins on a groundwater well and to provide information about the wells. In one embodiment, wells can be visually color coded. For example, red might indicate an unsuitable well and green might indicate a suitable well. A yellow well may indicate that the well parameters are unknown (an unknown well may be given a default setback). Buffer distances can be automatically set to match suitable wells and non-suitable wells. Alternatively, the user can define the buffer distance. It will be understood that any variety of methods to indicate or differentiate wells or other features may be used.
[00078] In addition to the wells previously discussed, other types of wells can be used in the system, which include but are not limited to irrigation wells. Different wells can be indicated using different colors/shadings or other types of visual representations. The system can indicate potable water wells (ie wells without potable water in the file) using different color markers or other visual indicators. In addition to drinking water wells, other objects to be avoided can be indicated, such as the location of animal or insect nests.
[00079] Sometimes, when research is conducted, areas of interest become inaccessible. For example, if a house appears to have a well, but the area is obstructed, an enforcement supervisor will not be able to enter the area to carry out the survey. However, if an application supervisor sees a point of interest on the map provided by the visual information system and is not able to access the point, he can use the system to show the distance between any two points or between a current location and a Score. Also, the user can see the directional relationship between any two points or between a current location and a point. This functionality gives an application supervisor the ability to see the direction of points on the map. In addition, if the user wants to reference another point on the map, the application can provide a "skip" function, such as that provided by icon 321 in figure 3a, where the user can type in an address and, in response, the application will jump to the area corresponding to that address.
[00080] While an application supervisor searches for the harvest region, the information gathered can be associated with that particular harvest region. Additionally, documents can be associated with a particular harvest region prior to the arrival of an application supervisor. For example, a list of hazardous materials, which contains the requirements for a chemist, can be entered into the system with the creation of the grove before an application supervisor begins research. This information is accessible via mobile computer 4 to an application supervisor in the field should any questions arise regarding a particular safety requirement.
[00081] An application supervisor can use mobile computer 4 to find areas restricted to the product. If necessary, an application supervisor can maximize the screen and follow the setback plug to arrange (eg, pin or otherwise secure) location markers on the ground, following the setback line so that the applicator or farmer can see where product application must be stopped. While markers are placed on the ground, location coordinates (latitude and longitude) can be sent to the applicator. A fixture button can be provided on the interface to allow a user to have different fixture types and transmit a coordinate for each fixture location to host module 2 or some other system. System 1 can be used to show the relationship between any two points or between a current location and a point. So the direction of the points can be seen.
[00082] The visual information system can display, on mobile devices 4, a status for each harvest region in the system, such as "finished", "ready", or "in trouble". This could indicate that the system has not been updated or has not been finalized for that particular crop region. Information, such as URL-encoded information, can be sent via an email containing information regarding the current location. A crop monitoring button can be configured to send an email to the manager with any information.
[00083] In yet another non-limiting modality, a method to retrieve an application supervisor session is provided. The system 1 can provide a session continuation where, in case of an error in the mobile computer terminal 4 or connection loss, the session is able to be recovered. Mobile computer 4 sends status information to host module 2. This information is retained by host module 2 or another part of system 1 once it is captured. Status can be restored from the status information and sent back to the mobile computer 4 where it is used by the mobile computer 4 to redo an application supervisor survey. A reset button can be provided as an additional menu item.
[00084] With reference to figure 6, a grove 600 that has two adjacent soil regions, soil A and soil B, is shown. Soil A and Soil B regions are generated from contour files 12 (not shown). Contours are made using endpoints that describe a particular polygon or contour for a region of ground. Contour files 12 can have numerous endpoints and these endpoints can span long distances. In order to limit the number of contour files 12 that are sent to a mobile device of the application supervisor 4 (not shown), the visual information system determines which contour files 12 are at a specified distance from the crop points. . For example, viewing the image, it is clear that soil A is close to grove 600 and that soil B is further away. Using a pre-selected threshold value, the system can find each of the furthest points of each soil contour or polygon, against the information about the arbor point, to determine if the soil should be used in the map. In this case, ground A has a farthest point A and a farthest point B, and ground B has a farthest point X and a farthest point Y. As can be seen in Figure 6, if the limit distance (represented) by the circle 602 which has a radius) around the grove is used, system 1 will use any polygon where one of the furthest points of the polygon is at the boundary distance 602. As shown, point X is at the boundary distance of the grove 600. Therefore, using the boundary technique, soil B would be included and soil A would not be.
[00085] Still referring to figure 6, one more non-limiting modality to determine which data about the ground contour should be included, calculating the points using an active ground technique, will be described. In the active soil technique, the visual information system determines the active soil contours using the polygons represented by the 604 polygon and the 608 polygon. These polygons are formulated using the outermost points of the contour data for a corresponding soil contour . As shown in Figure 6, polygon 604 around soil A intersects grove 600, and therefore, soil A is determined to be an active soil. Because soil B is not intersecting the grove within polygon 608, soil B is not an active soil. In this example, only active soils are sent from host module 2 to mobile computer 4 as previously discussed with reference to figures 1a and 1b.
[00086] Referring now to Fig. 7, a method for calculating a plug 71 to be generated over a contour polygon 70 is shown. As described here, buffer 71 defines a boundary around inner polygon 70. As shown, program instructions aggregate points in steps around the outside of inner polygon 70. The points are at a specific distance from polygon 70, where the distance is equal to the distance from the recoil plug 72. For conceptual purposes, a circle 73 is shown in Figure 7 which has a diameter equal to the distance from the recoil plug 72. For example, if the distance from the recoil plug 72 is 300 feet, the system would use a circle that has a diameter of 300 feet. The system then graduates along the outer edges of the contour polygon, marking the outermost points of circle 73 at each step. For example, using the 10-foot step, sufficient distance is provided between the points to create an accurate buffer. The accuracy of the plug 71 can be increased by decreasing the distance, for example, to one foot. While the system grades the outer edges of lines formed from the corners of the polygon 70 (for example, the points x, y, z, zz), in this case a polygon 70 tree, it stores the points in a data structure such as a matrix. The movement continues along the line until the system reaches the last point needed to create buffer 71. The system moves until it reaches the next point. If no portion of circle 73 is found within inner polygon 70, the system keeps the point in the matrix and starts with the next line segment. Alternatively, when any portion of the circle (eg point j) lies in the polygon grove 70, the system determines that it has moved too far in this direction and reverts to the last point. Then the system determines the relationship and jumps to the start point on the next line segment that has a point that lies on the polygon.
[00087] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer 4 is configured to provide or retrieve, from the host module 2, the calculations regarding the crop growth probabilities based on information taken from the available soil databases publicly (ie, the World Harmonized Soil Database). Using this database, a mobile computer 4 can be configured to determine the location of a user by GPS, send the location to the host module 2 and receive information regarding the soil present in that area. Information may include, but is not limited to, a likely soil mix that includes pH, sand, silt, gravel, organic content, slope density, drainage, and other characteristics and substances. Host module 2 or mobile computer 4 after receiving the requested data, calculates the probability of growth of a particular crop in that area based on the soil information. A forecast is then provided to the user by the mobile interface 300, which shows how much a particular crop is expected to grow at that location.
[00088] In a non-limiting modality, mobile computer 4, possibly through computerized mobile interface 300, provides a "best crop" function to determine, based on a plurality of databases and other information sources, growth of a crop or of crops in a particular area based on soil conditions and other data. This feature allows farmers and others to make educated decisions regarding their annual crop charts. This "best yield" function can consider data that includes but is not limited to soil type, levels of nutrients and other compounds, as well as groundwater data, drainage data, aridity data, conditions. predicted climate and historical data. An algorithm evaluates the desired factors, along with other specific records to provide guidance to farmers. Data can be drawn from a variety of sources to formulate suggestions and/or guidance.
[00089] As an example, the "best crop" function can use the World's Harmonized Soil Database to retrieve soil information and determine a mixed index. The mixed index is a number that corresponds to the potential growth for one or more crops in an area. Once the mixed index is determined, other information such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, thermal index, and other relevant data is factored out to further narrow the list of crops with the best growth potential. The end result of these calculations provides farmers with a list of the crops that will grow in their specific area, with a percentage probability of success during the impending date ranges. For example, the results displayed in a "best crop" role user might specify that corn has a 92% chance of growing between September 15th and September 30th, an 86% chance of growing between October 1st and October 15th and an 80% chance of growing between October 16th and October 30th. In addition to these functionalities, the "best crop" feature can include profitability determinations that, for example, consider current/future commodity prices, local supply, and demand data. Various other datasets can be incorporated into the "best crop" function to allow farmers to maximize their profitability and use of their land. In one embodiment of this particular feature, "best yield" determinations can be made on any computing device that has access to the required databases.
[00090] In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer 4, possibly through the mobile computerized interface 300, supports a global regulatory inspection function to confirm compliance with the designated buffer zones. The global regulatory inspection function allows farmers, when working with a government entity, to designate areas for test genetically modified crops. The function serves as a detailed planning and inspection tool that captures location data, field area data, buffer area data, images and other forms of data related to the surveyed field. Such functionality can be used for research in the field of bioscience to eliminate the need for researchers to carry multiple items/tools into the field in order to complete the research in the field. The global regulatory inspection function collects data in order to confirm the buffers used by farmers to designate areas of genetically modified crops. The global regulatory inspection function will allow researchers to gather data and automatically generate reports once research in the area is complete, saving time and effort. This function ensures compliance with USDA tampon requirements and other regulations affecting agriculture through confirmation of tampon locations and modified crops. This function can also help a farmer or researcher to prove that a sufficient buffer surrounds the crops and that, in addition, there is no danger of cross-pollination.
[00091] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the mobile computer 4 is configured to determine (or receive the determination from a remote computer) the impact that genetically modified crops will have in terms of the amount of land used and expected production. This functionality allows individuals to assess a large area and determine the extent of the impact that genetically modified crops will have on land, such as the amount of land on which the crop can be grown compared to the amount of land on which a crop cannot modified and comparable can be cultivated. For example, in many areas of the world, soil salinity levels significantly reduce the types and amounts of crops that can be grown. If a rice strain is genetically engineered to be more tolerant of saline soil, farmers may have to determine whether it is more profitable to grow the modified strain in a larger space of land than to grow an unmodified strain in more tiered land spaces. low salinity. By accessing information stored in databases regarding soil conditions, this function can analyze large areas of land to calculate the impact that genetically modified crops will have and whether such crops will be more profitable based on the amount of land on which they can be cultivated.
[00092] "Mobile computer" or "mobile device", as used herein, refers to appropriate processing mechanisms and computer readable medium for storing and executing computer readable instructions from the field, such as instructions, programming code and the like. As shown in Figure 2, mobile computers 200, 244 in a computing system medium 202 are provided. Such computing system means 202 may include, but is not limited to, at least one computer 200 that has certain components for operation, proper execution of code, and data creation and communication. For example, computer 200 includes a processing unit 204 (typically referred to as a central processing unit or CPU) that serves to execute computer-based instructions in the appropriate form and format of data. Furthermore, such processing unit 204 may be in the form of multiple processors that execute code in series, in parallel otherwise for proper implementation of computer-based instructions. In order to facilitate proper communication of data and processing information between the various components of computer 200, a system bus 206 is utilized.
[00093] Computer 200 may also include a variety of discrete components with computer readable medium. For example, such computer-readable media components may include any media that can be accessed by computer 200, such as volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, non-removable media, etc. As another example, the computer-readable medium may include computer storage media, such as a medium embodied in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, versatile digital disks (DVDs) or other storage on optical disk, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer 200. In addition, such computer readable media may include communications media such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other transport mechanisms and they include any means of information distribution, wired media (such as a wired network and a direct wired connection), and wireless media (such as acoustic signals, radio frequency signals, optical signals, signals infrared, biometric signals, barcode signals, etc.). It goes without saying that combinations of any of the above should also be included in the scope of computer readable media. The computer can be deployed as a compact mobile device and can include an antenna such as that deployed in any method or technology for mobile communication that can communicate with a mobile network interconnected with host module 2 as seen in Figures 1a and 1b .
[00094] Computer 200 further includes system memory 208 with computer storage media in the form of volatile and non-volatile memory, such as ROM and RAM.
[00095] Still referring to Figure 2, the computer 200 may also include other products with removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile computer storage media. For example, computer 200 may include a non-removable memory interface 210 that communicates with and controls a hard disk drive 212, i.e., a non-volatile, non-removable magnetic medium; and a removable, non-volatile memory interface 214 that communicates with and controls a magnetic disk drive 216 (which reads and writes to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk 218), an optical disk drive 220 (which reads and writes on a removable, non-volatile optical disk 222, such as a CD ROM), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input 221 for use in connection with a removable memory card 223, etc. However, it is anticipated that other removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile computer storage medium may be used in the exemplary computer system medium 200, which includes, but is not limited to magnetic cassette tapes, DVDs, videotape digital, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, etc. These various removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile magnetic media are in communication with the processing unit 204 and other components of the computer 200 via the system bus 206. The units and their associated computer storage medium, discussed above and illustrated in Figure 2 provide storage of operating systems, computer readable instructions, application programs, data structures, program modules, program data and other instruction-based computer readable code for the computer 200 (whether they are duplicative or not of this information and data in system memory 208).
[00096] A user (such as an application supervisor) can record commands, information and data on the computer 200 through certain attachable or operable recording devices, such as a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, etc., via a user interface. mobile computer record 228. It is evident that a variety of such input devices can be used, for example, a microphone, a trackball mouse, a joystick, a touchpad, a touch-screen, a scanner, etc., which includes any arrangement that facilitates the recording of data and information on the computer 200 from an external source. As discussed herein, these and other input devices are generally connected to processing unit 204 via mobile computer registration interface 228 coupled to system bus 206, however, they may also be connected via other interface and bus structures. , such as a parallel input, gaming input, or a universal serial bus (USB). In addition, data and information may be presented or provided to a mobile computer in an intelligible form or format or through certain output devices such as a computer display system 230 (to visually display such information and data in electronic form), a printer 232 (to physically display this information and this data in printed form), a speaker 234 (to acoustically present this information and this data in audible form), etc. All of these devices are in communication with the computer 200 through an output interface 236 coupled to the system bus 206. It is envisioned that any of these peripheral output devices will be used to provide information and data to the mobile computer.
[00097] The computer 200 can operate in a network environment 238 through the use of a communication device 240 which is either integrated with the computer or is remote from it. Such communication device 240 is operable and is in communication with other components of computer 200 through a communication interface 242. With the use of such an arrangement, computer 200 can connect or otherwise communicate with one or more remote computers , such as a remote computer 244, which may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a networked personal computer, a peer device, or other common network nodes, and typically includes several or all these components described above in connection with the computer 200. Using appropriate communication devices 240, for example, a modem, a network interface or an adapter, etc., the computer 200 can operate in and communicate over a network. local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), but can also include other networks such as a virtual private network (VPN), an office network, a corporate network, an intranet, the Internet, etc. It will be understood that the network connections shown here are exemplary and other means of establishing a communication link between computers 200, 244 may be used. Other services may be provided such as independent or assisted global positioning system (GPS) operation using radio satellite signals alone or pre-processed satellite signals. Assisted GPS additionally uses network resources to locate and use satellites faster and better in weak signal conditions.
[00098] As used herein, computer 200 includes or is operable to run custom or conventional software that is appropriate to perform and implement the method and system processing steps of the present invention, thereby forming a computing system specialized and private. Accordingly, a newly invented method and system may include one or more computers 200 or similar computing device, which has a computer-readable storage medium capable of storing a computer-program-readable code or instructions that cause the unit to processing 202 execute, configure, or otherwise implement the transformational manipulations methods, processes, and data discussed hereinafter in connection with the present invention. In addition, the computer 200 as discussed here previously may be a mobile computer 2 as shown in Figure 2. The mobile computer may be in the form of an iPad, iPhone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, a laptop , a palmtop, a mobile device, a cell phone, a server or any other type of computing device that has the necessary processing hardware to properly process data and effectively implement a newly invented computer-implemented method and system.
[00099] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustrating based on what is currently considered to be the most practical preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such detail is for that purpose only and that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments , and to the contrary, is intended to cover such modifications and equivalent provisions that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates, to the extent possible, one or more features of any one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

权利要求:
Claims (24)
[0001]
1. System for applying agricultural chemicals providing visual crop data to a mobile device, the system characterized in that it comprises: (i) an applicator system or an automatic applicator equipment; and (ii) at least one server computer having at least one contour determination module and in communication with a mobile device, at least one server computer configured to: receive, from the mobile device, location data relating to a geographic position of the mobile device; retrieve, from at least one topographic data source, topographic data associated with at least a part of the location data; furthermore, wherein the at least one topographic data source is at least one of the Bank World Soil Harmonized Data, Soil Geographic Survey (SSURGO) Database or any combination thereof; generate contour data based at least partially on topographic data; in which at least a portion of the topographic data comprises Markup Language data Extensible (XML), and in which at least part of the XML data represents at least partially at least one of the following factors: markup, image, polygo no, three-dimensional models, textual descriptions, geographic coordinates or any combination thereof; transmitting at least a portion of the contour data in the form of at least one contour file to the mobile device, such that at least one contour is visually displayed in at least a part of a map image displayed on the mobile device, in which at least one contour is based at least partially on at least a part of the contour data, provide positioning coordinates to the applicator system or automatic applicator equipment ;applying at least one agricultural chemical as indicated by at least a portion of the contour file using the applicator system and automatic applicator equipment; wherein the at least one contour file is generated by the at least one contour determination module, and wherein at least one of the at least one contour file is stored in a contour file database.
[0002]
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one contour indicates at least partially at least one region, at least one region comprising at least one of the following factors: soil region, harvest region, geographic region or any combination thereof.
[0003]
3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one buffer region is displayed in relation to at least one region.
[0004]
4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that a location of at least one buffer region in relation to at least one soil region is at least partially determined by at least one of the following factors: regulatory requirements, sources of water, crop type, crop treatment applications or any combination thereof.
[0005]
5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one buffer region is displayed in relation to at least one of the following factors: protected area, water source, animal habitat or any combination thereof.
[0006]
6. System according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one factor among size, contour and location of at least one buffer region is influenced by the wind speed data and in which the wind speed data are retrieved from at least one mobile device and an external data source.
[0007]
7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one server computer is also configured to: receive field area data relating to the geographical position of the mobile device, in which field area data is received from at least one of the following factors: the mobile device, at least one topographic data source, a local data source, a remote data source, or any combination thereof; and determine, based at least partially on regulatory data and field area data, on regulatory compliance data for at least one area crop, in which the regulatory compliance data indicates whether at least one area crop complies with at least one area crop. a regulation.
[0008]
8. System for applying agricultural chemicals characterized by comprising: (i) a computer program product configured to provide instructions for an applicator system or an automatic applicator equipment; and (ii) at least one applicator system or automatic applicator equipment applying at least one agricultural chemical; wherein the computer program product comprises at least one non-transient computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising a program or which, when executed by a device having a processor, at least one contour determination module and at least one display unit, causes the device to: transmit the location data to at least one host, the location data representing a location geographic; receive, from an external source of topographical data, contour data in the form of at least one contour file representing at least one contour, the at least one contour at least partially corresponding to at least one specific region, wherein the at least one contour at least a part of the at least one region is included in at least a part of the geographic region; generate the contour data in the form of and at least one contour file; display, in combination with a visual representation of at least a part of the active geographic region within at least one display unit, at least a part of the at least one contour, provide positioning coordinates to the applicable system. - pain or automatic applicator equipment; wherein the at least one contour file is generated by the at least one contour determination module, and wherein at least one of the at least one contour file is stored in a database of outline files.
[0009]
9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the device comprises a mobile computer and in which the geographic location is based at least partially on a physical location of the mobile computer.
[0010]
10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the program further causes the device to display at least one buffer region in relation to at least one contour.
[0011]
11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one factor among location, size, and contour of at least one buffer region is determined by at least one of the following factors: regulatory requirements, water sources, type crop, crop treatment applications or any combination thereof.
[0012]
12. System according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one region comprises at least one soil region classified by at least one of the following factors: soil composition, type of crop, mineral level, altitude, geometric limit specific, salinity or any combination thereof.
[0013]
13. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the program still causes the device to display at least one suggested type of harvest for at least a part of the geographic region.
[0014]
14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one selected type of crop is determined at least partially from at least one of the following factors: a database on the best crop, geographic location, a soil type or composition associated with at least a part of the geographic region, precipitation data associated with at least a part of the geographic region, temperature data associated with at least a part of the geographic region, salinity levels associated with at least one part of the geographic region or any combination thereof.
[0015]
15. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the program still causes the device to perform at least one of the following steps: information on regulatory compliance of the display for at least one crop area, in which at least one part of the regulatory compliance information is determined at least partially from field area data recorded in the device; transmit compliance information related to at least one inspection region to at least one regulatory authority, in which at least a portion of the information of compliance comprises at least one of the following factors: an image or video of at least a portion of at least one inspection region, logged data, wind speed data, altitude data or any combination thereof; regulatory compliance for at least one inspection region, in which at least one inspection region includes at least one part of the geographic region, and in which the regulatory compliance report is generated at least partially from at least one of recorded data and the data received from at least one host; or any combination thereof.
[0016]
16. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the program still causes the device to display impact data configured to represent an estimated impact that at least one genetically modified crop will have, on at least a portion of associated land with the geographic location.
[0017]
17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the estimated impact is at least partially determined from an amount of at least a portion of land on which at least one genetically modified crop can be grown, and on which the estimated impact at least partially comprises at least one of the following factors: impact of growing crop production on at least one genetically modified crop on at least a portion of land, profitable impact for growing at least one genetically modified crop on at least a piece of land or any combination thereof.
[0018]
18. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the program further causes the device to display a graphical user interface comprising at least one of the following factors: zoom tool, search tool, directional movement tool, extension , compass, point placement tool or any combination thereof.
[0019]
19. System according to claim 18, characterized in that the graphical user interface comprises the point-placement tool, and in which the point-placement tool accepts the user registration and, based at least partially on the user registration, causes at least one point to be displayed on the device, at least one point associated with at least one geographic coordinate, and one feature associated with at least one geographic coordinate.
[0020]
20. Computer-implemented method for determining compatible application of agricultural chemicals performed by at least one computer system including at least one processor and at least one contour determination module, characterized in that it comprises: receiving, from a mobile device, location data relating to a geographical position of the mobile device; identifying topographic data relating at least partially to the geographical position; and transmitting to the mobile device the map data and contour data, in which the map data allows the mobile device to display a visual image that represents the geographic region and that corresponds at least partially to the geographic position, and wherein the contour data is configured to cause the mobile device to display at least one contour representing at least a portion of at least a specific area, and wherein the geographic region includes at least a portion of at least a specific area , receive, from an external source of topographic data, contour data in the form of at least one contour file representing at least one contour, the at least one contour at least partially corresponding to at least one specific region, wherein the at least a part of the at least one region is included in at least a part of the geographic region; wherein at least a part of the topographic data comprises Sea Language data Extensible cation (XML), and in which at least part of the XML data represents at least partially at least one of the following factors: markup, image, polygon, three-dimensional models, textual descriptions, geographic coordinates or any combination thereof; determine, based on at least partially in regulatory data and field area data, regulatory compliance data for at least one area crop, in which the regulatory compliance data indicates whether at least one area crop is in compliance with at least one regulation, provide positioning coordinates to the applicator system or automatic applicator equipment; apply at least one agricultural chemical in a compatible manner as indicated by the regulatory compliance data using the applicator system and the automatic applicator equipment; in which the at least one contour file is generated by the at least one contour determination module, and where at least one contour file is stored in a contour file database.
[0021]
21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises exhibiting at least one buffer region with respect to at least one specific area.
[0022]
22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one item among position, contour, and size of at least one buffer region is at least partially determined by at least one of the following factors: regulatory requirements, sources of water, crop type, crop treatment applications or any combination thereof.
[0023]
23. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one item among a size, contour and location of at least one buffer region is influenced by the wind speed data, and in which the speed data wind are received from at least one mobile device and an external data source.
[0024]
24. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that an outer perimeter of at least one buffer region is generated by calculating a predetermined distance from a perimeter of at least one contour.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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PL3572845T3|2021-11-22|

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EP3572845B1|2021-03-24|

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CN103430050A|2013-12-04|

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HUE054486T2|2021-09-28|

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WO2012142395A1|2012-10-18|

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EP3572845A1|2019-11-27|

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EP2697670A1|2014-02-19|

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JP5997255B2|2016-09-28|

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EP2697670B1|2019-07-17|

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US10699222B2|2020-06-30|

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JP2014521986A|2014-08-28|

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CA2833148A1|2012-10-18|

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BR112013023487A2|2017-06-27|

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CN103430050B|2019-09-27|

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US20140136286A1|2014-05-15|

---

CA2833148C|2017-01-10|

---

EP2697670A4|2014-09-10|

---

US20200327463A1|2020-10-15|

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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]|

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2020-03-24| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2021-04-06| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-06-15| 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 13/04/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

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