Claims:1. A system (100) for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, said system (100) comprising:
a collector (102) configured to collect said agricultural and/or horticultural product;
a grader (106) operatively coupled to said collector (102), and configured to receive said agricultural and/or horticultural product using a conveyor belt (130), said grader (106) configured to sense, using one or more sensors (310) embedded therein, the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and
one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader (106) and operable to compare the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt (130) is configured to operate upon a trigger generated by the collector (102) upon sensing the receipt of said agricultural and/or horticultural product.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product is generated by mapping the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product with one or more pre-determined values in a database, providing at least a value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collector (102) is operatively connected to at least one machine interface (104) to dispense, based on the generated expected value, a currency to a user for providing said agricultural and/or horticultural product to the collector (102).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one machine interface (104) comprises an authentication device to authenticate said user based on any or a combination of a facial recognition, a voice recognition, a fingerprint recognition, an iris recognition, a hand geometry recognition, a finger geometry recognition, a signature recognition or a password recognition.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grader (106) comprises one or more robotic arms connected to said one or more sensors (310), configured to grade, based on the obtained information, the received agricultural and/or horticultural product.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors (310) of the grader (106) are selected from any one or a combination of a camera sensor, a light sensor, an infra-red sensor, an optical fiber sensor, an acoustic sensor and mechanical sensor.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) further comprising: a packager (110) having one or more robotic devices configured to package the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, wherein said packager (110) comprises a treatment chamber (140) configured to treat and store the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the received agricultural and/or horticultural product comprises one or more same or different products.
10. A method for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, said method comprising the steps of:
collecting at a collector (102), said agricultural and/or horticultural product;
receiving at a grader (106) using a conveyor belt (130), said agricultural and/or horticultural product;
sensing, using one or more sensors (310) embedded in said grader (106), the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and
comparing, using one or more processors (320) coupled with said grader (106), said one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural and/or horticultural products. More particularly, it pertains to a system and method for determining grade of agricultural and/or horticultural products.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Agricultural products, produced by farmers, are often sold to consumers directly in small markets, or otherwise by means of a broker or middle person. Such means do not benefit either the farmer or the consumer in any way, as the farmer will not be able to get good pricing in small markets or would not be able to come in contact with the suitable customers who can buy the goods. Further, although the involvement of broker reduces the efforts of finding the right customer and avoids negotiations, but it could lead to higher pricing of the agricultural products for the end consumer, and also tends to offer lesser price to the farmers, due to the brokerage charged by the broker.
[0004] Another problem associated with the sale of agricultural goods is their perishable nature. This leads to deterioration in quality of the products, by the time they are sold to the customer, thus compelling the farmer to negotiate at a lesser price.
[0005] Some systems or methods in the art, address these issues, by enabling the farmers to share pictures of the produce and the pricing details, with customers, before buying. Although such methods resolves the problems in the art, to a certain extent, however, it is possible that the quality of the products as shown in the pictures, could change by the time the products are bought, thereby leaving the mentioned issues unresolved.
[0006] Moreover, such traditional methods of trading do not account for price adjustments based on the quality of the produce, and also do not offer to connect the farmers in the remote villages to the customers in the external markets. In an overall view, the farmers would end up waiting for a long time to sell the goods, with no guarantee of getting decent price and the customers would not get the desirable quality of goods, at moderate price.
[0007] Hence, there is a need in the art, for a system and method for determining grade and value of agricultural and/or horticultural products of different variety and characteristics.
[0008] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0009] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0010] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS
[0012] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0013] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method for determining a grade of agricultural and/or horticultural products.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and a method for generating a value related to the grade of the agricultural and/or horticultural products.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method for packaging the graded agricultural products.

SUMMARY
[0016] The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for determining a grade of agricultural and/or horticultural product. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a system and method that determines grade of product (or of different products of different types/characteristics/properties/attributes) and provides in a packaged form to the end user.
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of a system and method to grade products. The system can be implemented to grade quality of different products and can be particularly useful to grade quality of agricultural and/or horticultural products. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0018] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product. The system comprises a collector configured to collect the agricultural and/or horticultural product; a grader operatively coupled to the collector, and configured to receive the agricultural and/or horticultural product using a conveyor belt, the grader configured to sense, using one or more sensors (310) embedded therein, the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader and operable to compare the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0019] In another aspect, the conveyor belt can be configured to operate upon a trigger generated by the collector upon sensing the receipt of the agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0020] In another aspect, the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product can be generated by mapping the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product with one or more pre-determined values in a database, providing at least a value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0021] In another aspect, the collector can be operatively connected to at least one machine interface to dispense, based on the generated expected value, a currency to a user for providing the agricultural and/or horticultural product to the collector. The at least one machine interface can comprise an authentication device to authenticate said user based on any or a combination of a facial recognition, a voice recognition, a fingerprint recognition, an iris recognition, a hand geometry recognition, a finger geometry recognition, a signature recognition or a password recognition.
[0022] In yet another aspect, the grader can comprise one or more robotic arms connected to the one or more sensors (310), configured to grade, based on the obtained information, the received agricultural and/or horticultural product. The one or more sensors (310) of the collector can be selected from any one or a combination of a camera sensor, a light sensor, an infra-red sensor, an optical fiber sensor, an acoustic sensor and mechanical sensor.
[0023] The proposed system can further comprise a packager having one or more robotic devices configured to package the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, wherein the packager comprises a treatment chamber configured to treat and store the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0024] In yet another aspect, the received agricultural and/or horticultural product can comprises one or more same or different products.
[0025] The present disclosure can further pertain to a method for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, the method comprising the steps of: collecting at a collector, the agricultural and/or horticultural product; receiving at a grader using a conveyor belt, the agricultural and/or horticultural product; sensing, using one or more sensors (310) embedded in the grader, the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and comparing, using one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader, the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a system (100) for determining a grade and value of an agricultural and/or horticultural product, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the system (100) for determining a grade and value of an agricultural and/or horticultural product, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates a backside view of the system (100) for determining a grade and value of an agricultural and/or horticultural product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0032] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0034] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0035] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0036] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0037] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0038] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0039] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
[0040] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable storage medium” includes, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).A machine-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memory or memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/or machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[0042] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
[0043] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.
[0044] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0045] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0046] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0047] The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a system and method that determines grade and value of a product (or of different products of different types/characteristics/properties/attributes) and provides in a packaged form to the end user.
[0048] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system (100) for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a system (100) for determining a grade and value of an agricultural and/or horticultural product, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the system (100) and FIG. 2B illustrates a backside view of the system (100) for determining a grade and value of an agricultural and/or horticultural product, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] The system comprises a collector (102) configured to collect the agricultural and/or horticultural product; a grader (106) operatively coupled to the collector (102), and configured to receive the agricultural and/or horticultural product using a conveyor belt (130), the grader (106) configured to sense, using one or more sensors (310) embedded therein, the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader (106) and operable to compare the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0051] The grader (106) can also comprise a memory (340) for storing the information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0052] In another aspect, the conveyor belt (130) can be configured to operate upon a trigger generated by the collector (102) upon sensing the receipt of the agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0053] In another aspect, the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product can be generated by mapping the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product with one or more pre-determined values in a database, providing at least a value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0054] In another aspect, the collector (102) can be operatively connected to at least one machine interface (104) to dispense, based on the generated expected value, a currency to a user for providing the agricultural and/or horticultural product to the collector (102). The at least one machine interface (104) can comprise an authentication device to authenticate the user based on any or a combination of a facial recognition, a voice recognition, a fingerprint recognition, an iris recognition, a hand geometry recognition, a finger geometry recognition, a signature recognition or a password recognition.
[0055] In yet another aspect, the grader (106) can comprise one or more robotic arms connected to the one or more sensors (310), configured to grade, based on the obtained information, the received agricultural and/or horticultural product. The one or more sensors (310) of the grader (106) can be selected from any one or a combination of a camera sensor, a light sensor, an infra-red sensor, an optical fiber sensor, an acoustic sensor and mechanical sensor.
[0056] The proposed system can further comprise a packager (110) having one or more robotic devices configured to package the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, wherein the packager (110) comprises a treatment chamber (140) configured to treat and store the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0057] In yet another aspect, the received agricultural and/or horticultural product can comprises one or more same or different products.
[0058] The present disclosure can further pertain to a method for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, the method comprising the steps of: collecting at a collector (102), the agricultural and/or horticultural product; receiving at a grader (106) using a conveyor belt (130), the agricultural and/or horticultural product; sensing, using one or more sensors (310) embedded in the grader (106), the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product; and comparing, using one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader (106), the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0059] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment elaborated herein, the proposed invention can collect the agricultural and/or horticultural product from a user/farmer (user denotes the user of the system) so as to facilitate the grading and generation of value of the product in a transparent and trustworthy manner.
[0061] The system (100) can collect the agricultural and/or horticultural product harvested by a farmer/user, wherein the farmer/user can load his harvested products into the collector (102).
[0062] In an embodiment, the collection of the product by the farmer can be done, after the system (100) performs an authentication of the farmer/user at the at least one machine interface (104).
[0063] The authentication can be based on any or a combination of a facial recognition, a voice recognition, a fingerprint recognition, an iris recognition, a hand geometry recognition, a finger geometry recognition, a signature recognition or a password recognition. In an embodiment, the authentication can be done by comparing the one or more authentication factors as mentioned above, with an authentication data stored in a database, for confirming the identity of the farmer/user.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the authentication can be done by fingerprint recognition, wherein the farmer/user can register his fingerprint at the machine interface (104), at the time of signing up for using the system. The stored fingerprint can be used to authenticate the identity of the farmer/user, in the next round of collection.
[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the grader (106) is operatively coupled to the collector (102), and configured to receive the agricultural and/or horticultural product using a conveyor belt (130).
[0066] Upon authentication of the identity of the farmer/user, the collector (102) can allow the collection of the agricultural and/or horticultural product from the farmer/user. The collector (102) can generate a trigger upon sensing the receipt of the agricultural and/or horticultural product that can operate the conveyor belt (130).
[0067] The grader (106) can receive the agricultural and/or horticultural product using the conveyor belt (130). The grader can comprise one or more sensors (310), using which the grader can sense the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0068] The one or more attributes of the agricultural and/or horticultural product can be related to one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of size, quality, shape, weight, defects, ripeness and colour. Various other characteristics can also be included in the attributes.
[0069] The one or more sensors (310) of the grader (106) can be selected from any one or a combination of a camera sensor, a light sensor, an infra-red sensor, an optical fiber sensor, an acoustic sensor and mechanical sensor.
[0070] In an embodiment, the grader (106) can comprise a combination of camera sensor for determining the color/quality/size of the product, and a mechanical sensor can be used for determining the weight of the product. Various other combinations of such sensors can be used to determine the one or more attributes of the product.
[0071] The received agricultural and/or horticultural product can comprises one or more same or different products. In an embodiment, the agricultural and/or horticultural product can be any or combination of fruits, flowers and vegetables.
[0072] The grader (106) can comprise one or more robotic arms connected to the one or more sensors (310), configured to grade and sort the received agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the obtained information.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, the grader (106) of the proposed system can receive the agricultural and/or horticultural product on the conveyor belt (130), wherein the sensors (310) of the grader can determine the grade, and the robotic arms (120) connected to the sensors can sort the product according to the determined grade. The whole system can thus be automated and can avoid the need for any human intervention.
[0074] The processors (320) can be operable to compare the one or more obtained attributes to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0075] The pre-determined grading attributes can be derived from the grading attributes of the previously graded agricultural and/or horticultural product, in the database of the grader. In an embodiment, when the one or more attributes indicate a good quality harvest, the one or more attributes can be stored in the database for comparison purposes in the future.
[0076] The expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product can be generated by mapping the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product with one or more pre-determined values in a database, providing at least a value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0077] The mapping can be done based on the values derived in the database for the products graded in the past. In one embodiment, the pre-determined values can be derived from online sources. The pre-determined values can be updated based on the season or demand of the product, thus providing favorably good price to the farmers for the products.
[0078] Based on the generated expected value, the machine interface (104) can dispense a currency to the farmer/user for providing the agricultural and/or horticultural product to the collector (102). In an embodiment, the machine interface can re-verify the identity of the farmer by using the authentication, prior to dispensing the currency.
[0079] In an aspect, the farmer can receive prior notification on his mobile application or can visit a website to understand the approximate pricing of the products.
[0080] In an embodiment, the machine interface (104) can dispense cash to the farmer, based on the grade and the generated expected value. In another embodiment, the generated expected value can be transferred through online payment to any of the registered bank accounts of the farmer. Thus, the system and method of the present enclosure, ensures that the farmers a reasonable price for their produce without any unnecessary delay.
[0081] The graded products from the grader (106) can be further packed in the packager (110), by using the one or more robotic devices present therein.
[0082] In an embodiment, the grade determined by the one or more processors (320), can be shared with one or more computing devices connected to the system (100), which can further display the grade details and other information related to the product with a customer in real time via a website or mobile application. Upon confirmation by the customer that the grade is of a desired quality, the customer may be requested to provide details regarding the order quantity, location of delivery and any product treatment if required. Once confirmed request with all the details are received, the computing device can provide such order details for initiating packaging the graded products at the packager (110), as per the order information. The customer can be provided with the packaged product (210) either by delivery at location or by pick-up alternative. The customer can pay for such products either at the time of placing the order or upon receipt of the order.
[0083] In an embodiment, based on the order information or the delivery, the treatment chamber of the packager (110) can treat the products, and/or store them as required by the customer or depending on the weather conditions.
[0084] The present disclosure can further pertain to a method for determining a grade of an agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate an expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product.
[0085] As per an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the system (100) can collect the agricultural and/or horticultural product from a farmer/user, at the collector (102). The collected product can be received at the grader (106) using the conveyor belt (130). The sensors (310) in the grader (106) can be used to sense the received agricultural or horticultural product to obtain information associated with one or more attributes of the received agricultural and/or horticultural product. The one or more obtained attributes can be compared to one or more pre-determined grading attributes, using one or more processors (320) coupled with the grader (106), to determine the grade for the received agricultural and/or horticultural product and generate the expected value for the graded agricultural and/or horticultural product based on the identified grade.
[0086] In an embodiment and as explained earlier, the identity farmer/user can be verified by authentication, prior to collection of the product at the collector (102).
[0087] The graded product received from the grader (106) can be packaged in the packager (110). The graded product can be treated in the treatment chamber (140) of the packager (110), prior to packaging. In accordance with the method of the present disclosure, the packaging can be done based on an order information received by a customer.
[0088] The present disclosure provides a system and method for determining grade and expected value of agricultural and/or horticultural products, along with the packaging of the products for end user. A single system, as explain herein, can grade, generate expected value, and package the product, which is not offered by conventional grading systems. The system and method of the present disclosure, also enables to overcome the limitations of conventional trading or sale of harvested products. Further, the packaging feature of the system and method, ensures that the product reaches the end user, without deterioration in quality.
[0089] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal 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 practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0090] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[0091] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for determining a grade of agricultural and/or horticultural products.
[0092] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for generating a value related to the grade of the agricultural and/or horticultural products.
[0093] The present disclosure provides a system and method for packaging the graded agricultural products.