The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2019
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2017
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Eric D. Cocker, Redwood City, CA (US);
Scott A. Elrod, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Uriel A. Rosa, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Jessica L. B. Rivest, Palo Alto, CA (US);
George W. Daniel, Mountain View, CA (US);
David E. Schwartz, San Carlos, CA (US);
PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for accurate, field-ready, non-destructive, and three-dimensional plant root characterization using acoustic signals. The system is portable, fast, precise, and can be used in field conditions, including moist soil, to visualize root structure or mass distribution, without damaging growing crops. The system may also be applied to characterize other underground objects, such as pipes, building foundations, archaeological artifacts, or mineral ores. During operation, the system generates a source acoustic signal. The system sends the source acoustic signal to an actuator acoustically coupled directly to a plant. The system obtains a response acoustic signal from an underground transducer monitoring a root of the plant. The system analyzes the response acoustic signal according to a model and based on the source acoustic signal. The system then determines, based on the analyzed response acoustic signal, a physical configuration of the plant root.