Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural Technology (Agri Tech), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Remote Sensing and Imaging Technology, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[003] Managing crop health and disease has long been a challenge for farmers, especially in large agricultural fields. Identifying and addressing diseases in a timely and efficient manner can significantly impact crop yield and quality. However, traditional methods for detecting and treating crop diseases come with several shortcomings.
- 1. Inefficient Disease Detection: Farmers often rely on manual inspection to identify diseases in their crops. This process is not only time-consuming but also prone to human error, especially in large-scale farming. Early signs of diseases are often overlooked, which allows them to spread further and cause more damage.
- 2. Excessive Use of Chemicals: Many farmers apply pesticides or fertilizers across their entire field, regardless of whether the crops in certain areas are healthy. This practice leads to unnecessary use of chemicals, increasing costs and harming the environment.
- 3. Environmental Concerns: Overuse of chemical pesticides and fertilizers can harm the soil, contaminate nearby water sources, and negatively impact beneficial organisms like pollinators. These practices are unsustainable and contribute to long-term environmental degradation.
- 4. High Costs and Resource Wastage: Blanket application of pesticides and fertilizers leads to unnecessary expenses, and the labor-intensive process of manually inspecting crops adds to the overall cost. Farmers often end up spending more while still risking significant crop losses due to untreated areas.
- 5. Labor Shortages: Finding skilled labor to monitor crops and apply treatments is becoming increasingly difficult, especially during peak farming seasons. This challenge can lead to delays in disease management, further affecting yields.
[004] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the Integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
[006] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the Integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer.
[007] An object of the present invention is to provide the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that leverages Unmanned Vehicle technology to scan fields efficiently and detect disease-affected areas. By using advanced imaging systems, it identifies issues early, ensuring that the farmer can act before the disease spreads.
[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that reduces labor requirements and minimizes the use of costly resources like pesticides, making farming more economical.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that ensures that the process is completed accurately and on time.
[010] Another object of the present invention is to provide the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that emphasizes the use of organic treatments, such as plant-based sprays or bio-fertilizers, which are mixed and sprayed in real-time by the Unmanned Vehicle. This approach minimizes environmental impact and supports sustainable farming practices.
[011] Another object of the present invention is to provide the integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer that targets only the areas that are affected by diseases. Its precision spraying mechanism ensures that chemicals or organic treatments are applied exactly where they are needed, significantly reducing waste.
[012] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[013] The present invention provides an integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer for farmers to manage crop health more effectively and sustainably. It uses a small flying machine, called an Unmanned Vehicle, to check the condition of plants in a field and apply treatments only where necessary. The Unmanned Vehicle takes pictures of the crops, identifies areas that might have diseases, and suggests solutions. Farmers can choose between natural, eco-friendly remedies or chemical treatments depending on their farming preferences.
[014] One unique feature of this invention is that the Unmanned Vehicle can prepare and mix natural treatments, like plant-based sprays or bio-fertilizers, while it is flying. It then sprays the solution directly on the affected plants, ensuring only the sick areas are treated. This not only saves time and effort but also reduces waste and avoids unnecessary spraying of healthy plants.
[015] Example: A farmer growing vegetables on a large piece of land. The farmer notices some plants showing signs of pest damage or disease. Normally, the farmer would have to walk through the field to inspect the crops, which is tiring and time-consuming. After that, the farmer might spray chemicals over the entire field to solve the problem, wasting resources and risking harm to the environment.
[016] With this invention, the farmer can simply let the Unmanned Vehicle do the work. The Unmanned Vehicle flies over the field, scans the plants, and quickly identifies the problem areas. It prepares a natural treatment, like a neem-based spray, and applies it only to the affected spots. The rest of the field remains untouched, keeping it healthy and reducing the use of chemicals.
[017] This invention makes farming more efficient and eco-friendlier. It helps farmers save money, reduces their workload, and promotes sustainable practices by limiting the use of harmful chemicals. By addressing crop health problems in a targeted and natural way, this tool ensures better harvests while protecting the environment
- Early Detection: The Unmanned Vehicle imaging and analysis system identifies diseases in their earliest stages, allowing farmers to act quickly and prevent further damage.
- Precision Treatment: By applying treatments only to the affected areas, the system reduces chemical usage, minimizes waste, and protects healthy crops.
- Eco-Friendly Approach: The use of organic solutions ensures sustainable farming practices, reducing environmental harm while maintaining soil and water quality.
- Cost and Time Efficiency: The automation of disease management saves time, reduces costs, and allows farmers to focus on other essential tasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[019] No Figure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[020] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[021] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[022] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[023] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[024] The present invention provides an integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer for farmers to manage crop health more effectively and sustainably. It uses a small flying machine, called an Unmanned Vehicle, to check the condition of plants in a field and apply treatments only where necessary. The Unmanned Vehicle takes pictures of the crops, identifies areas that might have diseases, and suggests solutions. Farmers can choose between natural, eco-friendly remedies or chemical treatments depending on their farming preferences.
[025] One unique feature of this invention is that the Unmanned Vehicle can prepare and mix natural treatments, like plant-based sprays or bio-fertilizers, while it is flying. It then sprays the solution directly on the affected plants, ensuring only the sick areas are treated. This not only saves time and effort but also reduces waste and avoids unnecessary spraying of healthy plants.
[026] This invention is an advanced farming system that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to identify crop diseases, recommend treatments, and apply them with precision. It is particularly suited to promoting sustainable agricultural practices, as it supports the use of organic treatments in addition to chemical options. The UAV operates autonomously, performing real-time disease diagnosis and treatment application, saving time, reducing resource waste, and minimizing environmental impact.
COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM:
[027] Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): The UAV serves as the central component of the system, equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors to capture data about the crops.
[028] Features an integrated spraying mechanism for applying treatments.
[029] Imaging and Sensing Technology: High-resolution cameras capture images of the crops, while additional sensors (e.g., thermal, multi-spectral) detect variations in plant health. These tools identify visual or environmental indicators of disease.
[030] Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms: AI processes the data collected by the UAV to identify diseased areas. It assesses the severity and type of disease and recommends appropriate treatments.
[031] Real-Time Mixing System: An on board mechanism mixes organic solutions during flight, ensuring fresh and effective application. Provides customizable ratios for different treatment requirements.
[032] Targeted Spraying Mechanism: Sprays the solution directly onto affected areas, avoiding wasteful blanket spraying. Adjustable nozzles ensure the precision and coverage required for various crops.
[033] User-Friendly Control Platform: A mobile or web-based application allows farmers to monitor and control the UAV remotely. Provides detailed reports on field conditions and treatment actions.
WORKING OF INVENTION:
[034] Field Scanning:
- The UAV flies over the field, scanning crops for signs of diseases or abnormalities.
- It uses GPS to ensure systematic coverage of the field.
[035] Disease Diagnosis:
- Images and sensor data are analyzed in real time by AI algorithms to detect symptoms of diseases, such as discoloration, texture changes, or temperature variations.
- The system creates a disease map highlighting affected areas.
[036] Treatment Recommendation:
- Based on the disease type and severity, the system suggests an appropriate treatment, allowing farmers to choose between organic or chemical options.
[037] Real-Time Solution Mixing and Spraying:
- If the farmer selects an organic treatment, the UAV mixes the solution during flight using its onboard system.
- The UAV then sprays the treatment precisely on the diseased areas.
[038] Data Storage and Reporting:
- The system stores data in a cloud-based platform, providing farmers with insights into crop health trends and resource usage.
[039] ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
[040] Early Disease Detection: The imaging and sensing technology allow the system to detect diseases early, preventing their spread and reducing crop losses.
[041] Eco-Friendly Farming: The ability to use organic treatments supports sustainable farming practices and reduces environmental harm.
[042] Resource Efficiency: Targeted spraying minimizes the use of pesticides and fertilizers, saving money and protecting healthy crops.
[043] Time and Labor Savings: The autonomous UAV reduces the need for manual inspections and treatments, freeing up farmers to focus on other tasks.
[044] Adaptability: The system works with various crops and diseases, making it suitable for different farming environments.
[045] EXAMPLE USE CASE: A farmer managing a 50-acre rice field. If part of the crop shows signs of bacterial blight, the UAV:
- Scans the entire field, identifying the affected areas within minutes.
- Recommends an organic treatment option to the farmer.
- Mixes the treatment during flight and sprays it directly on the diseased plants.
- Stores data about the treated areas, allowing the farmer to monitor their recovery.
[046] This process ensures that only the necessary areas are treated, saving costs and protecting the environment. A method for identifying crop diseases using artificial intelligence to process data collected by high-resolution cameras and sensors, enabling accurate detection of visual or thermal anomalies.
[047] Real-Time Solution Mixing Mechanism: A unique on board system capable of mixing organic or chemical solutions in real-time during UAV operation, tailored to specific disease treatment requirements.
[048] Dual Treatment Capability: The ability to provide farmers with a choice between organic and chemical treatments for managing crop diseases, ensuring flexibility in farming practices.
[049] Precision Spraying Technology: A targeted spraying system integrated into the UAV that applies treatments only to the diseased areas, minimizing waste and protecting healthy crops.
[050] Environmental Sustainability Feature: A system designed to support sustainable farming by prioritizing the use of organic treatments and reducing chemical usage, thereby minimizing environmental impact.
[051] Seamless Integration of Diagnosis and Treatment: A fully automated process that integrates disease detection and treatment application into a single operation, reducing the need for manual intervention.
[052] Early Disease Detection Capability: A feature that identifies early signs of crop diseases, enabling timely intervention and preventing widespread crop damage.
[053] Customizable Treatment Options: The capability to customize treatment formulations, including adjusting the ratios of ingredients in organic solutions, based on specific crop needs or disease severity.
[054] Adaptability Across Crops and Diseases: A system that can adapt to various types of crops and multiple diseases, ensuring broad usability across diverse agricultural environments.
[055] Autonomous Flight Path Navigation: A UAV system guided by GPS or pre-programmed flight paths, ensuring systematic field coverage for comprehensive crop health monitoring.
[056] Cloud-Based Data Storage and Reporting: A platform for storing data on crop health, treatment actions, and field conditions, providing detailed reports to farmers for better decision-making.
[057] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
[058] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:1) An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based integrated disease diagnosis and organic solution sprayer system, the system comprising:
- a UAV equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors configured to collect visual and environmental data about crops in a field;
- a disease diagnosis module comprising artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms stored in a memory of the UAV, wherein the AI algorithms process data captured by the UAV to detect diseases, generate a disease map of the field, and recommend treatments based on disease type and severity;
- a real-time solution mixing system onboard the UAV, configured to mix organic or chemical solutions during flight in customizable ratios based on the recommended treatment;
- a targeted spraying mechanism with adjustable nozzles integrated into the UAV, configured to apply the prepared solution directly to the diseased areas of the field as identified in the disease map;
- a user-friendly control platform accessible via a network-connected client device, configured to allow farmers to monitor and control UAV operations and receive detailed reports on crop conditions and treatments.
2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UAV is further equipped with thermal and multi-spectral sensors to detect variations in plant health based on temperature, moisture, or spectral characteristics.
3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disease diagnosis module is configured to update disease identification models dynamically based on collected field data.
4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the real-time solution mixing system includes an onboard reservoir system for storing individual treatment components and a mixing chamber for preparing solutions during flight.
5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the targeted spraying mechanism comprises adjustable nozzles configured to control droplet size and spray coverage to optimize the application for different crops and diseases.
6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user-friendly control platform provides real-time visualization of the disease map and UAV spraying progress during operation.
7) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UAV is programmed to follow an autonomous flight path guided by GPS to ensure systematic field coverage and avoid overlaps.
8) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system stores crop health data, disease maps, and treatment records on a cloud-based platform accessible via the control platform for long-term analysis and monitoring.
9) A method for detecting crop diseases and applying targeted treatments using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
- flying a UAV over a crop field along a pre-programmed flight path guided by GPS to collect visual and environmental data using high-resolution cameras and sensors;
- analyzing the collected data in real time using AI algorithms onboard the UAV to detect signs of crop diseases and generate a disease map of the field;
- recommending a treatment based on the type and severity of the detected disease, wherein the treatment includes a choice between an organic or chemical solution;
- mixing the selected treatment solution in real time onboard the UAV using a solution mixing system to prepare a formulation tailored to the recommended treatment;
- spraying the prepared solution directly onto the diseased areas of the field using a targeted spraying mechanism integrated into the UAV; and
- storing the collected data, disease maps, and treatment records on a cloud-based platform for subsequent analysis and reporting.