Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and a signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups
• G01R 27/02 - Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
• G01R 27/22 - Measuring resistance of fluids
• G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01R 15/06 - Voltage dividers having reactive components, e.g. capacitive transformer
• G01R 15/14 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
• G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
• A01G 7/00 - Botany in general

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups
• G01R 27/02 - Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
• G01R 27/22 - Measuring resistance of fluids
• G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01R 15/06 - Voltage dividers having reactive components, e.g. capacitive transformer
• G01R 15/14 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
• G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
• A01G 7/00 - Botany in general

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to detecting a root of a plant in soil. An exemplary system comprises a support structure configured to be at least partially disposed in the soil; an LED unit affixed to the support structure, wherein the LED unit comprises an emitter and a detector, wherein the emitter is configured to produce a plurality of outgoing light signals, wherein the detector is configured to receive a plurality of returned light signals corresponding to the plurality of outgoing light signals, and wherein each of the plurality of returned light signals comprises at least a portion of the corresponding outgoing light signal reflected from at least one of the soil and the root; and a microprocessor configured to detect a presence of the root based on the plurality of returned light signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to detecting a root of a plant in soil. An exemplary system comprises a support structure configured to be at least partially disposed in the soil; an LED unit affixed to the support structure, wherein the LED unit comprises an emitter and a detector, wherein the emitter is configured to produce a plurality of outgoing light signals, wherein the detector is configured to receive a plurality of returned light signals corresponding to the plurality of outgoing light signals, and wherein each of the plurality of returned light signals comprises at least a portion of the corresponding outgoing light signal reflected from at least one of the soil and the root; and a microprocessor configured to detect a presence of the root based on the plurality of returned light signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups
• G01R 27/02 - Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
• G01R 27/22 - Measuring resistance of fluids
• G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
• G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
• G01R 15/06 - Voltage dividers having reactive components, e.g. capacitive transformer
• G01R 15/14 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
• G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
• A01G 7/00 - Botany in general