IT202000009739A1 - ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR FARMERS AND AGRONOMISTS INCLUDING A SERVER - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

Electronic system for farmers and agronomists including a server

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic system comprising a server which ? designed for use by farmers and agronomists, but what can? be particularly useful in general also to producers, distributors, sellers and consumers of agricultural products.

STATE OF THE ART

Electronics (especially information technology and telecommunications) ? still not widespread in the agricultural sector.

Farmers, but also agronomists (at least to some extent), are disinclined to use electronic tools. A reason for this reluctance? the absence of electronic tools dedicated to the agricultural sector.

In general, in this sector, the activities? and decisions are based on the presence and intervention of a farmer and / or an agronomist in a cultivated area as well as? on the specific knowledge and specific experiences of the farmer and/or agronomist who deals with this area.

Both the activities both decisions become more? difficult as the extension of the area increases; in particular, in the same area there may be different soil and climatic conditions which could require activities? and/or different decisions.

Often, the farmer and/or the agronomist fails to have the information available in the times, in the quality? and in the quantity? to make the best decisions.

SUMMARY

General purpose of the present invention ? provide an electronic system that facilitates its activities? and its decisions of an operator (to a farmer or an agronomist) without sacrificing the results from an agronomic point of view, indeed improving them compared to the case of not using the electronic system.

That purpose? substantially achieved thanks to what is expressed in the annexed claims which form an integral part of the present description.

LIST OF FIGURES

Will the present invention result? more clear from the following detailed description to be considered together with the annexed drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

As can be easily understood, there are various ways of implementing the present invention in practice which defined in its main advantageous aspects in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electronic system 1000 of Fig. 1 serves to facilitate the activities? and the decisions of a farmer and/or an agronomist who takes care of an area 10 (cultivated), but pu? also be useful for other entities, such as a distributor of agricultural products that distributes products from area 10 or a reseller (wholesale or retail) of agricultural products that sells products from area 10, and, more? in general, to producers, distributors, sellers and consumers of agricultural products.

The 1000 system? conceptually divided into two parts: a first part that ? "in the field" and what ? essentially constituted by a plurality? of electronic devices 100, and a second part that ? "away from the field" and that ? consisting essentially of a server 200.

The first part of the system is mainly used to collect data.

The second part of the system is mainly used for processing data.

The first part of the system transmits the collected data to the second part of the system which receives them; how will it be? described later, the first part pu? also, advantageously, but not necessarily, collect data and information from one or more? users who are "in the field".

The data communications between the first part of the system and the second part of the system take place via a computer network 300 (for example in the manner described below); this network can? be variously composed and arranged, and can? include various types of connection, for example via radio and/or via cable (electrical and/or optical); a typical component of such a network? Internet.

Advantageously but not necessarily, between the apparatuses 100 and the server 200 ? connected a gateway (which could be associated with the reference 400 but which is not shown in the figure).

The gateway can create a LAN, for example a WLAN (= Wireless LAN) or a "wired LAN", between the devices 100 of the area 10 and pu? be considered a component of the first part of the system; in general, the devices of the LAN do not need? to communicate with each other; in this way, advantageously, the devices must simply have the capacity? to communicate with the gateway, and the gateway can? have more capabilities? transmission and/or transceiver. Of course, the gateway can be connected to the Internet. Choosing to use a WLAN ? particularly suitable in cases where ? too complicated and/or expensive to lay cables in the area of interest; for example, a greenhouse can? be more easy to wire, but pu? still be comfortable to use a WLAN even in the case of greenhouses.

The second part of the system, in particular the 200 server, ? designed to provide decision support information to the farmer and/or agronomist. To use this service, the farmer and/or agronomist connects to the server 200 or to another electronic processor (which could be associated with the reference 600 but which is not shown in the figure) associated with the server 200, through the network information technology 300 (in particular the Internet) using, for example, a special "man-machine interface" or HMI which can be of the HW or SW type, for example a so-called "app"; in the example of Fig. 1, ? highlighted a software module 260 conceptually suitable for managing the man-machine interface.

Can? it may be envisaged that other subjects connect to the server 200 or to another electronic processor (which could be associated with the reference 600 but which is not shown in the figure) associated with the server 200, via the computer network 300 (in particular the Internet) to use other services. Can? it must be foreseen that this further connection is made using the same HMI used by the farmer and/or agronomist; in this case, the differentiation of usable services pu? be made, for example, on the basis of different login credentials; alternatively, can be expected that this further connection is made using a different HMI.

An "electronic computer" can? be, for example, a computer (desktop or laptop), a server, a tablet, a smartphone.

The area 10 of interest, for example, to the farmer or agronomist? divided into sub-areas; in the figure, for example, three sub-areas 10-1 and 10-2 and 10-3 are shown (typically separated from each other, i.e. not superimposed), but generally the number of sub-areas will be? greater.

For each sub-area ? an electronic apparatus 100 is provided which is installed in a point of the sub-area in such a way as to "cover" the sub-area, i.e. in such a way that the pedoclimatic/agronomic data detected locally by the relative electronic apparatus 100 are reasonably attributable to the entire sub-area. The pedoclimatic/agronomic data collected locally are, for example, air temperature, soil temperature, humidity? of the air, humidity? terrain, air pressure, speed? wind, solar radiation, leaf wetness.

The electronic apparatus 100 ? adapted to transmit data to server 200 via network 300; in the figure, ? shown a circuit 140 that has at least the capacity? to transmit data, but pu? also have the ability? to receive data; the data transmitted are at least the pedoclimatic/agronomic data collected locally by the apparatus, but can also be data calculated by the apparatus, in particular pedoclimatic/agronomic data calculated reasonably attributable to the entire sub-area. Any capacity? to communicate via radio makes the apparatus 100 easy and quick to install anywhere in the area 10; therefore, can? also be moved easily and quickly by the farmer and/or agronomist. Any capacity? of receptions makes the apparatus 100 easy to maintain; for example, can allow the updating of its firmware and/or algorithms (deterministic and/or probabilistic) and/or pedoclimatic/agronomic parameters. Any capacity? of transmission and reception (of other types of data) makes the apparatus 100 easy to maintain; for example, can allow remote diagnostics of the apparatus 100. Depending on the implementation of the present invention, circuit 140 may be, for example, a radio transmitter or transceiver, a GSM/UMTS/LTE/? modem, a LAN card (for wired or wireless connection); can you? also provide that the same apparatus 100 integrates more? of a circuit in such a way as to fit more? easily under various installation conditions. Typically, circuit 140 will be? managed by suitable software installed in the apparatus 100 (in particular stored in the memory 120A).

The apparatus 100 comprises a processor 110, for example a microcontroller, associated with memory 120 (memory for programs "A" and memory for data "B"), and with sensors 130 (for example an air temperature sensor "A" , a solar radiation sensor "B", a leaf wetness sensor "C").

The pedoclimatic/agronomic data calculated by the apparatus 100 can be, for example, the average, minimum, maximum temperature in a predetermined period of time, the VPD (or "humidity deficit?"), the DP (or "dew point "), the DD (or "degree days").

The data transmitted by the apparatus 100 are pedoclimatic/agronomic data (detected and possibly calculated) and are associated with the transmitting electronic apparatus; said in other words, the server 200 ? able to establish from which device 100 the data received come from and therefore, if ? known to the server the association between devices and sub-areas, does the server 200 ? able to establish from which area or, even better, from which sub-area the received data comes from.

The data transmitted by the apparatus 100 are "deterministic" or "effective" pedoclimatic/agronomic data and are detected and eventually calculated through mathematical formulas (suitably stored); how to understand? better hereinafter, these differ from the "probability" or "predicted" data processed by the server 200.

The apparatuses 100 of the system 1000 comprise a device 150 able to detect the geographical position of the apparatus; the determination of the position can? be done for example thanks to the GPS system and/or thanks to a cellular telephone system (for example GSM or UMTS) and triangulation and/or thanks to another type of telecommunications system and triangulation and/or thanks to the Internet.

The data transmitted by the apparatus 100 are pedoclimatic/agronomic data (detected and possibly calculated) and can be associated with the geographical position of the transmitting apparatus; said in other words, the server 200 ? able to establish from which geographical position the data received come from and therefore, if ? known to the server the association between geographical positions and sub-areas, the server 200 ? able to establish from which area or, even better, from which sub-area the received data comes from.

Preferably, each of the apparatuses 100 ? identified by its identity (for example your IT address) and from your geographical location; in this way, the positioning of the apparatuses 100 (and possibly the subdivision of the area 10 into sub-areas) can be determined automatically by the system 1000 and therefore, if necessary, the farmer and/or the agronomist can? autonomously move the devices 100 without the need for the intervention of other technicians.

In general, with appropriate methods, groupings and timing, the data are subject to "time-stamping" and "position-stamping" by the device and/or the server.

In general, with appropriate methods, groupings and times, the data are transmitted from the device to the server.

Preferably, each of the apparatuses 100 ? adapted to encrypt the data before transmission to the server 200; in fact, the Applicant yes ? realized that data collected in a cos? precise (in time and space) have considerable value and a farmer and/or an agronomist does not want them to be used by others. In particular, each of the apparatuses 100 pu? be capable of encrypting using a key uniquely associated with the farmer and/or agronomist, which ? stored in particular in the devices 100 (for example in the memory 120B) of the system 1000 and known only to the server 200 in order to be able to decrypt them. Obviously, the key can? change from time to time with a suitable timing and/or at the request of the server.

Preferably, each of the apparatuses 100 comprises:

- a source of electrical energy 160 (for example a photovoltaic panel or a wind generator),

- an electric accumulator 170 of the rechargeable type capable of supplying electrical power to the apparatus,

- a charging circuit 180 connected at the input to the electric energy source 160 and at the output to the electric accumulator 170);

like this, right? necessary to spread a plurality? of long electrical cables when operating System 1000 and System 1000 ? fully functional in any lighting condition (both at night and when it is very cloudy).

Preferably, one or more or all 100 electronic devices includes:

- a user interface 190, hardware and/or software, able to locally receive user data from a user;

and ? suitable for transmitting such user data to the server 200, in particular by automatic learning of an artificial intelligence system (which will be described in greater detail below), so-called "machine learning".

This user interface can be accomplished in many different ways; can? provide only input (for example through a small keyboard) by the user or both input (for example through a small keyboard) and output (for example through LEDs and/or a small screen and/or a loudspeaker); the input and/or the output pu? be implemented using devices internal to the apparatus or devices external to the apparatus (for example a small dedicated user terminal or a smartphone) and connected to the same by cable and/or radio.

These user data are or include data of an agronomic type, in particular they refer to plant pathologies detected locally by the user; this operation can? be performed for example by an agronomist during his "field" inspections.

Such user data is or includes images taken locally by the user. For example, an agronomist can not only communicate to the server the state of health of the plants (for example: "good", "medium", "low"), in particular in relation to a specific pathology, but it can also take pictures and send them to the server; such images could be archived and/or processed by the server.

Especially if the user interface is used for machine learning of an artificial intelligence system, ? it is advisable to allow its use (and therefore the entry of data) only to "selected users". For this reason, the user interface can provide user authentication; for this purpose, the "selected users" can have specific (typically personal) credentials. For the same reasons, advantageous that user data is transmitted associated with an identity? of the authenticated user who entered them.

It should be noted that the server 200 could be used to make more? electronic systems such as the one just described; that is, the same server could be shared by more? electronic systems. Instead, the electronic devices 100 and possibly the gateway belong to a single electronic system. Depending on the embodiment, a gateway can? be shared by more electronic systems or belong to only one electronic system. If the server ? shared by more electronic systems, in the server there ? a database divided into more? sections one for each system, or are there more? databases one for each system.

The server 200 comprises a processor 210, for example a microprocessor, associated with memory 220 ("A" program memory and "B" data memory), at least one database 230, and a circuit 240 which has at least the capacity? to receive data, but also has, typically, the ability? to transmit data. In the example of the figure, the server 200 transmits and receives data to and from the Internet thanks to the circuit 240 and this? it serves both to communicate with the apparatuses 100 and to communicate with the users. Alternatively, communication with the equipment and communication with the users may follow different paths and, typically, the server comprises distinct and different circuits. Depending on the implementation of the present invention, circuit 240 may be, for example, a radio transmitter or transceiver, a GSM/UMTS/LTE/? modem, a LAN card (for wired or wireless connection); can you? also foresee that the server 200 integrates pi? of a circuit in such a way as to fit more? easily under various installation conditions. Typically, circuit 240 will be? managed by suitable software installed in the server 200 (in particular stored in the memory 220A);

In the example of Fig. 1, ? highlighted a software module 260 that ? conceptually capable of interacting with the user whether he is "near" the server 200 (i.e. local user) or "far" from the server 200 (i.e. remote user) and "near" an electronic processor 600 or "near" an electronic device 100; the latter two cases involve communication between electronic computers.

In the example of Fig. 1, ? highlighted a software module 250 that ? conceptually suitable for interacting (and therefore communicating) with remote electronic processors 500 suitable for supplying data and information to the server.

It is worth highlighting, with particular reference to the communication between the server 200 and the devices 100, that this could also be via API (=Application Programming Interface) in cases where a "server application" runs on the server 200 and on the devices 100 "client applications" are running.

The 200 server of the 1000 system ? adapted to receive (in particular thanks to the circuit 240) data of the pedoclimatic/agronomic type detected (and possibly data of the pedoclimatic/agronomic type calculated) by the apparatuses 100 of the system 1000, and ? suitable for storing the data received in the database 230.

The 200 server? capable of providing support information for the farmer and/or agronomist's decisions at least on the basis of data stored in the database 230.

Is the Applicant yes? realized what? it is extremely advisable that the information provided refer to a single species grown in the area of interest (indicated with 10 in the figure), ie that the system performs specialized calculations and processing for each species grown in the area of interest.

Furthermore, the Applicant yes ? realized what? it is extremely advisable that the information provided take into account the type of soil in the area of interest (indicated with 10 in the figure), in particular the type of soil in each sub-area (indicated with 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 in the figure) covered respectively by the electronic devices (indicated with 100 in the figure).

The server 200 can? be capable of receiving and possibly storing (for example in the memory 220B) meteorological data (past and/or present and/or future) received from one or more? other processors (which could be associated with the reference 500 but which are not shown in the figure) via a computer network, in particular the Internet. Also such data can be used by the server 200 to provide support information for the decisions of the farmer and/or agronomist.

The 200 server? typically suitable for processing received data, for generating processed data and for storing the processed data (for example in the memory 220B and/or in the database 230); the processed data can be "deterministic" (or "actual") data of a pedoclimatic/agronomic type and/or "probabilistic" (or "predicted") data of an agronomic type.

The "deterministic" pedoclimatic/agronomic data can be, for example, the average, minimum, maximum temperature in a predetermined period of time, the VPD (or "humidity deficit?"), the DP (or "dew point "), the DD (or "degree days").

The "probabilistic" agronomic data can refer to plant pathologies, for example "downy mildew"; in this case, the system will provide? information about the probability that in the future the culture will fall ill with late blight. Alternatively or in addition, the probabilistic data of an agronomic type can refer to plant physiologies, for example "growth level at harvest" and/or "harvest date" and/or "current water requirement"; in this case, the system will provide? information about the probable growth level of the culture at the time of harvest and/or the probable (optimal) harvest date of the culture and/or the probable current water requirement of the culture.

In general, the "probability" data can be estimated starting from environmental variables (the data of which can be detected by the sensors of the electronic devices, calculated by the electronic devices and/or by the system server, or received from computers external to the system), biological variables (whose data can be supplied, for example, by a farmer or agronomist), crop parameters (whose data are typically supplied to the server during system installation). The estimate ? carried out thanks to mathematical formulas (suitably stored) deriving from physical models and/or algorithms (suitably stored) based on experimental tests. To better support the farmer's and/or agronomist's decisions, according to particularly sophisticated embodiments, the system can provide information that also takes into account the expected climate and/or past climate.

The "current water needs" pu? be determined from "evapotranspiration"; the "evapotranspiration" can? be estimated starting from environmental variables, biological variables, cultural parameters. To better support the decisions of the farmer and/or agronomist, according to a particularly sophisticated embodiment, the system can provide information on "current water needs" taking into account in particular expected rainfall; for example, if the water requirement were 10 l/m<2> and rainfall corresponding to 4 l/m<2> is expected in the short term, it would be advisable for the farmer or agronomist to supply the plant with only 6 l /m<2>.

Preferably, the 200 server ? adapted to encrypt the data prior to storage in the database 230; in fact, the Applicant yes ? realized that data collected in a cos? precise (in time and space) as well as? those calculated and elaborated have considerable value and a farmer and/or an agronomist does not want them to be used by others. In particular, the server 200 pu? be capable of encrypting using a key uniquely associated with the farmer and/or agronomist, which ? stored in particular in the server 200 (for example in the memory 220B). Obviously, the key can? change from time to time with a suitable timing.

Preferably, the 200 server ? adapted to allow users access to data stored in the database 230 in a selective way, in particular through rules which link access rights to identities of user accessing. In general, the 200 server can? providing a user authentication system for example based on "credentials" preferably able to provide differentiated user rights.

It should be noted that depending on the type of user, pu? be useful to access collected data and/or calculated data and/or processed data of the "deterministic" type and/or processed data of the "probabilistic" type.

The installation of the 1000 system requires the selection and/or setting of algorithms (deterministic and/or probabilistic) and/or pedoclimatic/agronomic parameters.

Advantageously, the server 200 can comprise an artificial intelligence module 270 (internal) or be associated with an artificial intelligence system 700 (external).

The artificial intelligence module or system can, for example, do s? that algorithms and/or agronomic and/or biological models included in the server 200 evolve and optimize; in particular, the server 200 starts its operation on the basis of "standard" agronomic and/or biological algorithms and/or models (or rather developed by the supplier of the server itself).

This optimization can derive from data and/or information received from other electronic processors.

This optimization can derive from "user data" which can be received, in particular, by the devices 100.

This optimization can derived from the 260 man-machine software interface.

Above all, this second case is defined as "machine learning" or "machine learning", and how can it? be implemented in the system according to the present invention, allows punctual optimization not only in relation to the area (indicated with 10 in Fig. 1), but even in relation to the various sub-areas (indicated with 10-1, 10-2 , 10-3 in Fig. 1).

Advantageously, the optimization pu? continue over time. There? ? advantageous because, for example, the climate and the varieties? plants and diseases evolve over time.

Claims (14)

1. Electronic system (1000), in particular for a farmer or agronomist, comprising a server (200), wherein said server (200) ? adapted to receive, in particular via radio (240) and/or via cable, data of a pedoclimatic/agronomic type detected and possibly data of a pedoclimatic/agronomic type calculated by means of a computer network (300), in particular the Internet, from a plurality of electronic devices (100), the received data being associated with the transmitting electronic device, in which said server (200) ? suitable for storing the data received in a data base (230), and in which said server (200) ? suitable for providing information to support the decisions of said farmer or agronomist on the basis of data stored in said database (230). 2. System (1000) according to claim 1, wherein the information provided refers to a single species cultivated in an area (10) of interest to said farmer or agronomist. 3. System (1000) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information provided takes into account the type of soil in an area (10) of interest to said farmer or agronomist, in particular the type of soil in each sub-area (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) covered respectively by the electronic devices (100) of said plurality. The system (1000) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said server (200) is adapted to receive (240) and possibly memorize (220B) in particular meteorological data received from one or more? other processors via a computer network (300), in particular the Internet, in particular via a suitable interface (250). 5. System (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 4, wherein said server (200) is adapted to process data received, to generate processed data and to memorize the processed data (220B, 230), wherein said processed data are deterministic data of the pedoclimatic/agronomic type and/or probabilistic data of the agronomic type. 6. System (1000) according to claim 5, wherein said probabilistic data of an agronomic type refer to plant pathologies. 7. System (1000) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said probabilistic data of an agronomic type refer to plant physiologies, in particular growth and/or water requirement. 8. System (1000) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein said server (200) is adapted to encrypt the data before being stored in said database (230). The system (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said server (200) is capable of encrypting using a key uniquely associated with said farmer or agronomist, which ? stored (220B) in said server (200). 10. System (1000) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein said server (200) is adapted to allow users access to data stored in said database (230) in a selective way, in particular through rules which link access rights to identities? d?user accessing; said access being able to take place from a processor via a computer network (300), in particular the Internet, in particular via a suitable interface (260). The system (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 10, wherein said server (200) comprises an artificial intelligence module (270) or ? associated with an artificial intelligence system (700). The system (1000) according to claim 11, wherein said server (200) comprises ? adapted to receive user data for automatic learning of said artificial intelligence module (270) or said artificial intelligence system (700) in particular from one or more? of said electronic devices (100). 13. System (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 12, wherein said server (200) provides a user authentication system preferably capable of providing differentiated user rights in particular through rules binding access rights to identity of user. 14. System (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 13, comprising said plurality? of electronic devices (100), in which said electronic devices (100) are able to detect (130A, 130B, 130C) locally pedoclimatic/agronomic data when installed in points of an area (10) of interest to said farmer or agronomist in such a way as to each cover a different sub-area (10-1, 10-2, 10-3), and to transmit, in particular via radio (140) and/or via cable, data collected and possibly calculated data to said server (200) via a computer network (300), in particular the Internet, in which the transmitted data is associated with the transmitting electronic apparatus and therefore with the relative sub-area (10-1, 10-2, 10-3).