University of California

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Vicam L.p.

David C Slaughter

Durham Kenimer Giles

James F Thompson

Steven J Potts

Jennifer J Payne

John E Jones

Mark A Stanish

Stanley L Floyd

Chih-Lin Huang

Barb Ariel Cohen

Shrini K Upadhyaya

Stavros Vougioukas

Susan K Kaluzny

Tom J Taylor

Steven A Fennimore

Pictiaw Chen

Dennis L Sadowski

Jedediah I Roach

Burt Vannucci

Vivian Vuong

Bernard Jahn

Long He

Leland Neilson

Adrien Durand-Petiteville

Thuy T Nguyen

Ryan Billing

Robert G Curley

A crop signaling method and machine-based crop recognition system and methods are disclosed to detect a unique optical crop signal selectively applied to crop plants, allowing automatic differentiation of crop plants from weeds and the automatic creation of a high spatial resolution crop and weed plant map, along with automated plant management tasks.

Robotic plant care systems and methods

An automated apparatus for removing the tops (calyx) of strawberries as they move along a conveyor belt having a plurality of concave-shaped slotted rollers which operate to orient the calyx of each strawberry for being cut. Images are captured and processed for locating the calyx of each strawberry and determining an optimal cutting plane. In response to the image processing a control system actuates a blade in a cutting apparatus to pass through the produce item and into one of the slots in a roller, or rollers, to separate the calyx from the body of the strawberry.

Automated strawberry orienting and capping machine

A single absorbance value was found in the mid infrared (mid-IR) region that correlated directly to soil nitrate content while not being influenced by other components in the soil, such as carbonate and organic matter. Using one or two absorbance values, at which interference from other ions is a minimum, to predict a component's concentration as opposed to the conventional method of using a continuous spectrum allows for an in-situ real-time soil nitrate content sensor.

Method for soil content prediction based on a limited number of mid-infrared absorbances

Systems and methods are provided for detecting the potential of a wood sample, such as a board, to stay on grade, i.e., resist warp, after it is put into service and/or its moisture has re-equilibrated with the surrounding environment. The systems and methods include various sensor technologies and subjection of obtained data to various models, algorithms, and/or other mathematical formulas.

Methods for determining dimensional stability of wood products utilizing single and multiple sensor groups

This invention provides novel methods for the detection of chitinous contaminants of non-chitinous biological materials. The methods are accurate, highly reproducible, rapid and relatively inexpensive. The methods are well suited to commercial applications, particularly in the food and agriculture industry where biological materials (e.g. food products) are regularly screened for contaminants (e.g. insect, mold, fungus, etc.). In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a biological sample with a probe that is a lectin that binds chitin, contacting the sample with a pectinase; and detecting binding of said lectin to a chitin where the binding indicates the presence of chitin in the biological sample.

Detection and removal of chitinous material in a biological sample

Methods for the detection of chitinous contaminants of non-chitinous biological materials are described. The methods are accurate, highly reproducible, rapid and relatively inexpensive. The methods are well suited to commercial applications, particular in the food and agriculture industry where biological materials (e.g., food products) are regularly screened for contaminants (e.g., insect, mold, fungus, etc.). In some cases, the methods involve contacting a biological sample with a probe that is a lectin that binds chitin, contacting the sample with a pectinase; and detecting binding of said lectin to a chitin where the binding indicates the presence of chitin in the biological sample.

Methods of detecting chitinous material in a non-chitinous biological material

A cartridge for use in a spray system, and for releasable connection to a quick-release coupling to form a nozzle assembly. The cartridge includes a generally elongated and hollow body member having a proximal end and a distal end. A nozzle tip is retained at the distal end of the cartridge, and the proximal end is adapted to fit, at least in part, within the quick-release coupling. The body member includes a shoulder for retaining the nozzle tip. In a basic embodiment, the cartridge includes a generally hollow tubular spacer which fits, at least partially, inside the body member, for pressing the nozzle tip against a shoulder formed by the body member at the distal end. An O-ring is disposed between the shoulder and the spacer, in order to seal the cartridge and to prevent leakage. A screw fits within the proximal end of the body member for retaining the spacer in tight engagement with the nozzle tip. In other embodiments, the cartridge includes a plurality of components, such as a sequence of filters and a check valve. The basic embodiment of the cartridge is assembled by fitting the O-ring on the nozzle tip; by inserting the nozzle tip inside the body member; by introducing a spacer inside the body member for abutting against the nozzle tip; and by advancing the hollow screw within the body member to securely retain the spacer against the nozzle tip.

Adjustable spray system and assembly method

A robotic cultivator is provided for automatically positioning cultivation tools relative to a centerline of a plant row. The cultivator comprises a video camera for gathering visual information about plants in a plant row. A frame grabber is then utilized to generate a digitized image of the visual information. A computer then manipulates the visual information to determine a centerline of the plant row. Finally, a positioning device moves the cultivation tools based upon the current position of the tools with respect to the centerline.

Robotic cultivator

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

David C Slaughter