WO2015191868A1

WO2015191868A1 - Systems and methods for forming graphical and/or textual elements on land for remote viewing

Info

Publication number: WO2015191868A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/035353
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Paul JAMISON
Original assignee: Jamison John Paul
Priority date: 2014-06-11
Filing date: 2015-06-11
Publication date: 2015-12-17

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property includes the acts of defining the graphic to be formed on the real property, scaling the graphic, or portion thereof, to a designated portion of the real property, and mapping the scaled graphic, portion thereof, to the selected portion of the real property, the act of mapping including defining a plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property to be altered to form the graphic. The method also includes the act of inputting the mapped graphic, or portion thereof, into a physical, non-transient memory device operatively associated with a navigation system, the navigation system including a part of, and providing inputs to, a control system for at least one computer-controlled mechanism, the control system being configured to selectively actuate at least one computer-controlled mechanism to cause at least one computer-controlled mechanism to actuate and alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof. The method also includes traversing the designated portion of the real property with at least one computer-controlled mechanism and controlling at least one computer-controlled mechanism, during the traversing of the designated portion of the real property, to selectively alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, contemporaneously with the act of altering or at a time subsequent thereto.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FORMING GRAPHICAL AND/OR TEXTUAL ELEMENTS ON LAND FOR REMOTE VIEWING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/010,805, filed June 1 1, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/019,886, filed July 2, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/034,769, filed August 7, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technical field of the present concepts is agricultural equipment such as, but not limited to, tractors, spreaders, planters, seeders, tillers, plows, mulchers, harrows, cultivators, subsoilers, pulverizers, and the like.

BACKGROUND

[0003] US 6,553,299, titled "Methods and apparatus for precision agriculture operations utilizing real time kinematic global positioning system systems," discloses use of global positioning system (GPS) technology to improve accuracy of seeding, cultivating, planting and/or harvesting operations. The GPS systems can be used to control fully or semi- autonomous vehicles in these operations and may allow for precision planting of seeds (e.g., from a seeder equipped with a GPS receiver and related equipment) and/or precision weed removal (e.g., using a vehicle fitted with weed eradication mechanisms such as augers and/or herbicide sprayers), and/or crop harvesting.

[0004] US 6,553,312, titled "Method and apparatus for ultra-precise GPS-based mapping of seeds or vegetation during planting" likewise utilizes a GPS receiver with a seeding device to provide an ultra-precise seed planting apparatus and method for generating an accurate map of the location of seeds or vegetation as they are planted.

[0005] US 2014/0277965, titled "GPS Planting System" discloses a seed planting system that plants seeds at a precise location within a field to allow for efficient in-row cultivation. The planting system receives a GPS signal, processes that signal to determine the precise time at which to dispense a seed from an agricultural seeder or planter, then generates an actuation signal that is transmitted to the seeder or planter. GPS signals are also processed to steer the seeder or planter so that seeds are properly placed within the field. [0006] Each of the aforementioned patents and published patent application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, a computer-implemented method for forming a graphic design (e.g., image(s), text, alphanumeric characters, etc., in any combination) on real property comprises the acts of defining the graphic design to be formed on the real property, scaling the graphic design, or portion thereof, to a designated portion of the real property, and mapping the scaled graphic design, or portion thereof, to the selected portion of the real property, the act of mapping comprising defining a plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property to be altered to form the graphic design. The method also includes the acts of inputting the mapped graphic design, or portion thereof, into a physical, non-transient memory device operatively associated with a navigation system, the navigation system comprising a part of, and providing inputs to, a control system for at least one computer-controlled mechanism, the control system being configured to selectively actuate the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to cause the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to actuate and alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof and traversing the designated portion of the real property with the at least one computer-controlled mechanism, controlling the at least one computer- controlled mechanism to selectively alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof. The selective alteration of only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof forms the graphic design, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, either contemporaneously with the act of altering or at a time subsequent thereto. The navigation system may advantageously comprise, for example, a global positioning systems (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), inertial navigation system (INS), and/or trilateration device(s), or the like. In an INS, for example, a computer, motion sensors (accelerometers) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes), which may be provided as part of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), are used to continuously calculate the position, orientation, and velocity (direction and speed of movement) of a moving object without the need for external references (i.e., GPS is not required, but could advantageously be used in combination with INS to provide error correction at one or more points during navigation). Using an INS, the vehicle 100 and/or computer-controlled mechanism 120 can traverse the real property 200, starting from a known origin point. As the vehicle 100 moves from an origin point, the computer, in combination with the INS, would determine the movement of the tractor relative to the origin point and, further, relative to the map of the real property.

[0008] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, a method of sculpting land for non- agricultural purposes is provided and comprises the acts of receiving a representation of an image defined by a first set of points (e.g., cutting plants at the first set of points to a first height) and a second set of points (e.g., cutting plants at the second set of points to a second height), and traversing the surface with a sculpting mechanism operatively associated with a navigation system configured to detect a position of the sculpting mechanism relative to each point in the first set of points and the second set of points. The method also includes, responsive to a location determined by the navigation system, an act of selectively actuating the sculpting mechanism at at least the first set of points to perform a first sculpting action to yield, either contemporaneously with the act of selectively actuating the sculpting mechanism or at a later time, different physical characteristics along the surface as between the first set of points and the second set of points. Optionally, the method also includes, responsive to a location determined by the navigation system, an act of selectively actuating the sculpting mechanism at the second set of points to perform a second sculpting action to yield, either contemporaneously with the act of selectively actuating the sculpting mechanism or at a later time, different physical characteristics along the surface as between the first set of points and the second set of points. Optionally, the method includes the act of traversing the surface using a plurality of adjacent paths. The sculpting mechanism is, in at least one other aspect, a mower, a combine, a sod harvester and the act of selective actuation at the first set of points includes actuating the mower at a first height, and the selective actuation at the second set of points includes actuating the mower at a second height. In all of the above aspects, the navigation system may advantageously comprise GPS, GNSS, INS and/or trilateration device(s), or the like. In the above aspects, the sculpting mechanism may alternatively comprise at least one device configured to move soil and the act of selectively actuating the sculpting mechanism at the first set of points or at the second set of points, or both, moves soil at said points so as to yield a physical difference between the first set of points and the second set of points, such physical differences being discernible from at least a remote position relative to the surface. In such aspects, the act of moving soil comprises at least one of removing soil, displacing soil, compacting soil, or admixing soil. [0009] In yet other aspects of the present concepts, a sculpting system comprises a first hopper configured to hold a first seed type, a row unit coupled to the first hopper such that the row unit, responsive to a control system, is adapted to selectively dispense in soil or plant in soil the first seed type, the selective dispersion or planting of the first seed type being controlled by the control system and a locating mechanism configured to detect a position of the row unit so as to cause the row unit to dispense or plant the first seed type only at a first set of points, the first set of points defining at least a portion of a graphic design. In another aspect, the sculpting system further comprises a second hopper configured to hold a second seed type, a row unit coupled to the second hopper such that the row unit, responsive to a control system, is adapted to selectively dispense in soil or plant in soil the second seed type, the selective dispersion or planting of the second seed type being controlled by the control system and a locating mechanism configured to detect a position of the row unit so as to cause the row unit to dispense or plant the second seed type only at a second set of points, the second set of points defining at least a portion of a graphic design. The above concept is not limited to two seed types, hoppers, rows, points, etc. Rather, multiple configurations may be used to increase variation in the graphic design.

[0010] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, a method of physically altering real property, the method comprising defining a graphical representation to impart to the real property using at least a first set of points on the property and traversing the real property with a mechanism operatively associated with both a control system and a navigation system configured to detect both a location of the mechanism and a spatial position (e.g., height, etc.) of at least a portion of the mechanism relative to the first set of points. The method also includes, responsive to a location determined by the navigation system, an act of selectively actuating the mechanism, disposed at a first position relative to at least some of the first set of points to perform a first action to yield, contemporaneously with the act of selectively actuating the mechanism (or optionally subsequent thereto), different visual characteristics along the surface as between the first set of points and remaining sets of points to form at least a first portion of the graphical representation. The different visual characteristics may comprise, by way of example, an altered (e.g., lessened or heightened) reflectivity or an altered color. Optionally, the method further includes an act of defining the graphical representation to impart to the real property, using a second set of points, and traversing the real property with a mechanism operatively associated with both the control system and the navigation system configured to detect both a location of the mechanism and a spatial position (e.g., height, etc.) of at least a portion of the mechanism relative to the second set of points. Responsive to a location determined by the navigation system, the method includes an act of selectively actuating the mechanism at the second set of points to perform a second action to yield, contemporaneously with the act of selectively actuating the mechanism (or optionally subsequent thereto), different visual characteristics along the surface as between the second set of points and remaining points of the real property to form at least a second portion of the graphical representation. Optionally, the method includes the act of traversing the surface using a plurality of adjacent paths. The mechanism is, in at least some aspects, an applicator, and the act of selective actuation of the sculpting mechanism includes application of one or more substances (e.g. chemicals, such as herbicides, or nutrients, such as fertilizer, iron or limestone, nanobots, etc.) at each of the first points and/or second points.

[0011] It is to be understood that both the preceding summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of aspects of the present concepts. Neither the summary nor the description that follows is intended to define or limit the scope of the invention to the particular combinations of features disclosed and it is to be understood that any of the aspects disclosed may be used in any combination without limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 A is a representation of at least some aspects of the present concepts.

[0013] FIG. IB is a representation of at least some other aspects of the present concepts showing, in particular, an example of a large-scale graphic applied to real property.

[0014] FIG. 1C is a representation of at least some other aspects of the present concepts showing, in particular, an enhanced representation of a portion of the large-scale graphic applied to real property of FIG. IB.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a representation of at least some other aspects of the present concepts showing, in particular, an example of a large-scale graphic applied to two adjoining tracts of real property.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one method in accord with an embodiment of aspects of the present concepts.

[0017] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Systems and methods for sculpting land into designs for aerial viewing methods will now be disclosed in terms of various exemplary embodiments. This specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate features of the invention. The embodiment(s) described, and references in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

[0019] When a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, persons skilled in the art may effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0020] For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the words "and" and "or" shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word "all" means "any and all"; the word "any" means "any and all"; and the word "including" means "including without limitation." Additionally, the singular terms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] The embodiments described, and their detailed construction and elements, are merely provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out in a variety of ways, and does not require any of the specific features described herein. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail.

[0022] As used herein, "seed(s)" encompasses all crops, species, varieties, hybrids, plantings, shoots, roots, cuttings, ribosomes, any plant material used as a unit of reproduction and, generally, anything that can be sown (including but not limited to all traits, colors, resistance, and any and all modifications to original specie).

[0023] As used herein, "plants" comprises all vegetation, whether planted or cultivated by seeds, shoots, ribosome transfer, naturally occurring, and/or other means.

[0024] As used herein, "real property" comprises all terrestrial or water surfaces, inclusive of all environments, improvements, or appurtenances thereon. [0025] As used herein, "planting" comprises the placing, dispensing, sowing, broadcasting, or spreading of seeds, shoots, ribosomes, bulbs, plants, fungi, and/or any other vegetation or growing organism within the ground or other growth medium

[0026] As used herein, "equipment" or "mechanism" comprises all tangible items that may be used for said functions discussed herein, including all means for manipulating real property, including but not limited to tractors, spreaders, planters, combines, harvesting mechanisms, seeders, tillers, plows, mulchers, harrowers, cultivators, subsoilers, pulverizers, sprayers, nozzles, rotators, cultipackers, strip tills, seed drills, slurry spreaders, rakes, reapers, bots, nanobots, drones, or any other such implement used or intended to manipulate the real property. As used herein, a "bot" comprises a self-propelled machine (not exclusive of drones), especially one that has some degree of autonomy and that may or may not reproduce, and that may be used to mimic the effects of other processes or agents, such as a fungus, chemical, or insect, to affect a plant. As used herein, "nanobot" comprises a very small, self-propelled machine, especially one that has some degree of autonomy and that may or may not reproduce, and that may be used to mimic the effects of other processes or agents, such as a fungus, chemical, or insect, to affect a plant.

[0027] As used herein, "graphics" comprises images, text, designs, drawings, patterns, outlines, figures, landmarks, and any other form of communication, including but not limited to advertising, branding, memorials, art, names, logos, trademarks, pictures, slogans, boundaries, navigational aids, survey markers, etc.

[0028] As used herein, "aerial viewing methods," comprises all forms of viewing the images, including but not limited to, low-flying aircraft, high-flying aircraft, cameras, satellites (e.g., Google Maps), space vehicles, drones, balloons, or any other aerial object or apparatus, as well as all individual viewing vantages, including but not limited to, individuals positioned above or laterally to the image (e.g., viewing from a road, platform, stadium, etc.). This application is deemed to cover all images collected, preserved, stored, communicated or transmitted using said aerial viewing methods.

[0029] As used herein, "manipulation" comprises all planting, sowing, harvesting, plowing, bulldozing, moving, spraying, painting, chiseling, removal, insertion, trampling, coloring, placing, hydraseeding, or any other form of alteration on real property to create a graphic.

[0030] As used herein, "navigation system" comprises all global positioning systems (GPS), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), inertial navigation system (INS), and/or trilateration device(s), or the like. [0031] As used herein, "field data" comprises any data relevant to a field or a crop appurtenant thereto, inclusive of soil data (e.g., macronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, pH, organic matter, water level, soil structure, soil type (loam, sandy, silty, clay, peaty, clay loam, sandy loam, silty clay loam, silty loam, etc.), etc.), historical data (e.g., past yields, prior soil data, prior harvest data, varmint or pest damage comprising any and all forms of damage to a crop by wildlife, insects, or the like, etc.) and physical features of the real property (e.g., topography, grade, contours, surface features and sub-surface features (e.g., obstructions, etc.), wet areas, dry areas, etc.). Such information may be obtained from a variety of sources, including but not limited to soil testing, collecting data from equipment, sensors, historical mapping, aerial viewing methods, etc. As used herein, a "point" comprises a particular spot, place, or position in an area, in a space, or on a map, object, or surface.

[0032] Systems and methods in accord with the present disclosure can be used to quickly and efficiently create graphics, advantageously viewable from a remote vantage point, without the time investment required for conventional methods utilizing highly labor-intensive tasks such as manually marking out the graphic on the real property. Additionally, systems and methods in accord with the present disclosure advantageously reduce the cost of creating such graphics, relative to such conventional methods, such as the cost of wasted seed (e.g., seed that is planted and later destroyed to create the graphic), the cost of fuel for additional passes through a field (e.g., to mow down or flatten the unwanted areas of the graphic) and, of course, the time differential cost. Further, the systems and methods in accord with the present disclosure can be duplicated one or more times on other fields or over the existing graphic to maintain, alter, or destroy the graphic using the exact coordinates and ensuring a consistent and precise pattern.

[0033] These graphics can be used for several purposes. In some embodiments, the graphics are configured to be viewed from overhead or other distant vantage point and such graphics are primarily intended to be viewed by any persons or implements (e.g., cameras, satellites, drones, balloons, or any other aerial object) flying in the airspace over the property (e.g., land and/or water) on which the graphics reside and/or by any persons or implements at a vantage point to the property (e.g., for a graphic on an incline, such as a hill, or in a lower-lying area). These graphics may advantageously be directed to advertising; and the graphics may comprise, by way of example, corporate logos, trademarks, website addresses, or the like to provide an income source to a farmer, property owner, etc., whether during a growing season or outside of a growing season. In other embodiments, the graphics are configured to be used by persons on the ground. Such graphics can be used, for example, to attract visitors to use the land, such as a "corn maze."

[0034] Beneficially, systems and methods in accord with at least some aspects of the present disclosure provide for creating these graphics without the need to waste seed by planting and then removing the crop prior to harvest, and/or the need to make multiple plant passes through the field to create and maintain the graphic - including removing the planted crop from the graphic, controlling weeds on the removed portion, and/or planting another type of crop on the removed portion. Moreover, the systems and methods allow a farmer, owner, operator, etc. to create an image with a single pass, permitting such persons to automatically create an image using precise data points. This permits such persons to determine whether an action will be taken at a precise point (e.g. whether to plant seed a, b, c, etc.; whether to plant no seed; whether to mow or harvest a particular point; or whether to dispense a particular substance). This process greatly eliminates human error, provides more precise images, and drastically reduces manual labor exerted in manually creating real property images. A farmer, owner, operator, etc. can load a data image onto software, and all activities contemplated or designed will automatically be taken according to the defined data points and instructions. As noted above, it is contemplated that the graphics can be utilized both for remote viewing (e.g., graphic on a hill visible from afar, a graphic on a field viewable from an airspace above the field, etc.) and/or for ground-based purposes (e.g., a maze).

[0035] According to at least some aspects of the present concepts, systems and methods for manipulating real property for non-agricultural purposes include, a computer-implemented method for forming a graphic (e.g., image(s), text, alphanumeric characters, etc., in any combination) or "graphic," as used herein, on real property (inclusive of both bodies of land and/or water) comprising the acts of defining the graphic 250 (see FIG. IB) to be formed on the real property (see step 400 in FIG. 3) and scaling the graphic, or portion thereof, to a designated portion of the real property (see step 410 in FIG. 3). By way of example, where the graphic is a company trademark, such as is represented in FIG. IB by reference numeral 250, the act of selecting would correspond to an acceptance by the farmer or land owner of an agreement to form the predetermined graphic 250 (e.g., a company logo, trademark, etc.), or portion thereof, on the real property 200. As another example, a graphic could comprise without limitation a wedding proposal, a political endorsement, a political message, or a personalized message. [0036] Once the graphic 250, or portion thereof, is selected, an appropriate scale for the graphic, or portion thereof, is determined and mapped to the real property 200, or portion thereof, as represented in step 410 of FIG. 3. Stated differently, a vantage point for the desired target audience must be defined (e.g., low flying aircraft, high flying aircraft, cameras, satellites, drones, balloons, or any other aerial object; passers-by on a nearby highway, etc.) and the graphic 250 scale selected to reach such target audience at such vantage point.

[0037] Once the graphic 250 and scale are determined (see, e.g., FIG. IB), the graphic can be mapped to the real property 200, or portion thereof (see step 420 in FIG. 3), as a plurality of points 300, 301 on the designated portion of the real property to be altered to form the graphic (see, e.g., FIG. 1C). The method includes the act of defining, at each point of the plurality of points, an alteration to be performed at the point. It is to be understood that each of the N points defining the graphic 250, where N represents any integer, may be individually defined and mapped to a particular alteration (see step 425 in FIG. 3). In the illustrated example of FIG. 1C, the N points defining the graphic 250 comprise two subgroups of alterations (e.g., two different seed types to be planted) represented by the sets of points 300, 301.

[0038] The real property 200 is shown in FIGS. IB and 2 to be bounded by a road 203 on the top (e.g., North), road 204 on the left (e.g., West), road 202 on the right (e.g., East) and real property 201 on the bottom (e.g., South). As is shown in FIG. 1C, the graphic 250 itself is defined by a plurality of sub-regions or points (e.g., 300, 301, etc.) which each are individually defined as a sub-part of the overall graphic. The graphic 250 may be defined by a single type of point (e.g., a single variety of plant), so as to present a visually uniform graphic, or may comprise a plurality of sub-regions or points (e.g., 300, 301, etc.) which each are individually defined as a sub-part of the overall graphic to present a more visually complex graphic. The plurality of sub-regions or points may comprise a uniform element (e.g., a single species, type, hybrid, or color of crop or vegetation at a common level of maturity, etc.) or a plurality of different elements (e.g., two or more different species, types, hybrids, or colors of crop at a common level of maturity or at different levels or maturity, etc.). FIG. 1C illustrates an example wherein the plurality of sub-regions or points comprise a first type of sub-region or point 300 (represented by "x") and a second type of sub-region or point 301 (represented by "o"), wherein the first and second type of sub-regions or points 300, 301 are (or will be) visually distinct to provide, at a desired time (e.g., upon maturity of planted vegetation or crop), the graphic 250. The sub-regions or points (e.g., 300, 301) can assume any size (e.g., square inches, feet, yards, etc.) and will generally correspond in size to the graphic 250 and to the desired resolution from the envisaged vantage points of the viewers.

[0039] Advantageously, the mapping is performed via a conventional computer system. In general, the computer system includes a bus or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and one or more processors coupled with the bus for processing information. The computer system also includes a main memory (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)) or other dynamic storage device and one or more other read-only memory (ROM) devices or static storage devices (e.g., "computer-readable medium" such as a hard drive, solid state drive, etc.) coupled to the bus for storing and/or retrieving static information and instructions and data to and from the processor(s). The computer system also comprises at least one display device and at least one input device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.) coupled to the computer system bus via conventional I/O port(s). The computer system also advantageously comprises a conventional communication interface coupled to the bus to provide two-way data communication coupling the computer system to a network link or a local network, by way of example. For example, the communication interface may comprise an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line or a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. The network link typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link may provide a connection through local network to a host computer or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network ("Internet").

[0040] The map of the real property (e.g., an elevation map, etc.) 200 of a surface may be obtained from a variety of known sources including, but not limited to, tractor data, survey data, harvest data, soil samples, or satellite data. A representation of the graphic 250 is then mapped to the real property using, for example, GPS coordinates to define each of the plurality of points of the graphic. This mapping can be performed by a computer system, as noted above, which may comprise, by way of example, a software module installed onto a vehicle computer (e.g., tractor computer, etc.), home laptop, tablet computer, mobile phone, Google Glasses, or the like, and the software and data relating thereto may be resident on such devices, in whole or in part, or may be located remotely, such as on a removable or portable storage device (e.g., flash drive, solid state storage media, etc.) or a remote storage system or device (e.g., Internet storage, cloud storage, etc.). This mapping is translated into a format readable by the control system such that at least one computer-controller mechanism 120 (e.g. planter) will appropriately transfer the graphic 250, or potential for the graphic (i.e., in the form of plants of one or more varieties, species, types, colors, hybrids, etc., in the form of earth-shaping, etc.), to the real property 200. At least one computer-controller mechanism 120 may do this by traversing back and forth across the real property 200 and selectively actuating an implement (e.g., a planter, mower, plow, etc.) at indicated positions.

[0041] Once the graphic 250, or portion thereof, has been determined, scaled and mapped to the real property 200 as a set of points (e.g., 300, 301) on the real property that are to be altered, the mapped graphic, or portion thereof, is input into a physical, non-transient memory device operatively associated with a navigation system providing inputs to a control system for at least one computer-controlled mechanism. At least one computer-controlled mechanism may comprise a vehicle and equipment combination (e.g., a vehicle 100 having a computer- controlled mechanism 120 connected thereto, as represented in FIG. 1 A) or may comprise independent equipment (e.g., computer-controlled mechanism 120 has an onboard navigation system and control system independent of any vehicle 100 to which it is attached). The control system for such computer-controlled mechanism may control one or more aspects of at least one computer-controlled mechanism (e.g., a height and pitch of a mower deck, etc.) and may control multiple computer-controlled mechanisms (e.g., a first seeder, a second seeder, a sprayer, etc.) at the same time or at different times (e.g., a seeder and a mower, etc.). In general, the computer-controlled mechanism comprises one or more pieces of agricultural and/or construction equipment (e.g., earth movers) and may advantageously comprise, for example, one or more of a tractor, spreader, planter, seeder, tiller, plow, mulcher, harrow, cultivator, subsoiler, pulverizer, sprayer, nozzle, rotator, cultipacker, strip till, seed drill, slurry spreader, rake, reaper, or any other such implement used or intended to manipulate the real property.

[0042] FIG. 1A also shows that information and/or control signals 180 may be wirelessly transmitted to/from the vehicle 100 and/or computer-controlled mechanism 120 from one or more antennas or transponders 160 or a satellite 140 or the like (e.g., a drone, a balloon, etc.). Thus, by way of example, the vehicle 100 (e.g., a tractor as shown) receives GPS information from a GPS satellite 140, and the on-board control system for the computer-controlled mechanism 120 uses the position information to selectively activate and deactivate the computer-controlled mechanism in accord with the concepts disclosed herein to form a graphic 250. In another example, positional data can be transmitted (e.g., RF transmission) by an antenna 160 (and optionally, bi-directionally as between the vehicle 100 and one or more local or remote antenna 160) to localize a position of the vehicle at any moment, to thereby enable the vehicle (and/or computer-controller mechanism 120) to navigate along the real property.

[0043] In operation, the control system is configured, in step 440 of FIG. 3, to selectively actuate at least one computer-controlled mechanism (e.g., a computer-controlled mechanism 120, as represented in FIG. 1 A) to cause at least one computer-controlled mechanism to actuate (e.g., a seeder configured to dispense seeds in a predetermined area) and alter (e.g., by seeding and later maturity of the seeds) only the plurality of points (e.g., 300, 301 in FIG. 1C) on the designated portion of the real property 200 or sub-portion thereof, as at least one computer- controlled mechanism traverses or is caused to traverse (e.g., pulled by a tractor, etc.) the designated portion of the real property (step 430 in FIG. 3). An illustrative example of the traversal of the real property 200 is represented in FIG. 1C by the adjacent arrows "X" and "X+l" where the pattern would repeat over at least the real property 200 designated to bear the graphic 250. Of course, the traversal of the real property may occur along any desired path, paths, or sequence. In accord with aspects of the present concepts, the altering may be contemporaneous with the act of traversing, such as with the use of a plow or mower to effect immediate physical changes, or at a time subsequent thereto, such as in the planting of vegetation or crops of one or more species, type, hybrid, color, etc. that later grow to maturity and yield the graphic at a time subsequent to the planting (e.g., during growth or at maturity).

[0044] As to the spacing of adjacent points (e.g., 300 in FIG. 1C), it is contemplated that the density of adjacent points can be constant or can vary as needed based on the graphic itself, the graphic intricacy, the seed(s) selected (e.g., differing species, types, hybrids, colors or as influenced by the cross-sectional dimensions of the mature plant), and the anticipating vantage point of the intended target audience.

[0045] It is further contemplated that the at least one computer-controlled mechanism (e.g., a mower, etc.) may be optionally selectively-actuated only at portions of the real property corresponding to the graphic 250.

[0046] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, the computer-controlled mechanism 120 includes a locating mechanism configured to detect the position of at least a portion of computer-controlled mechanism or component appurtenant thereto with respect to the ground. For example, where the computer-controlled mechanism 120 comprising equipment for working the soil of a field (e.g., plowing, chiseling, disking, planting, etc.), the selective actuation of the computer-controlled mechanism during the traversing of the designated portion of the real property to alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, can be selectively varied (e.g., depthwise) based on the position on the surface detected by the locating mechanism.

[0047] As previously noted, in some embodiments, GPS (Global Positioning System) technology currently used on farm and industrial equipment is used to selectively actuate at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120. For purposes of illustration, a computer- controlled mechanism 120 in accord with at least some aspects of the present concepts may span a swath of land (e.g., an agricultural planter spanning 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 or more rows) and may itself comprise one or more computer-controlled mechanisms for each individual row or for various groupings of rows. Continuing with this example, in a single pass covering 8 rows, eight different computer-controlled mechanism 120 may simultaneously operate in conjunction with the control system and navigation system (e.g., GPS) to alter, as required, points on the 8 rows for each pass, such as by selectively actuating or shutting-off as the computer-controlled mechanism 120 traverses the real property 200. The end result (following growth of and/or maturity of the plants) is a desired graphic 250, such as a picture or maze, formed by the plants grown by the seeds dropped by the planter without regard to the direction or orientation of the pass.

[0048] Although many of the above examples refer to the planting of seeds to, in time, yield a desired representation of the graphic 250, other aspects of the present concepts are advantageously applied to non-arable land, such as desert or bare dirt, snow, grass, forest, or any other terrain or environment. Various implements may be used to sculpt the land to achieve the desired graphic 250. For example, a bulldozer or bulldozer attachment (e.g., to a tractor), a chisel plow with hydraulics to lift or sink individual shanks or gangs of shanks, or other various implements may be used to scar the land and/or move the soil, rocks, and the like to form the desired graphic 250.

[0049] The present concepts are particularly suited for "crop circle advertising" and can also aid in the production of a maze (such as a corn maze) by saving seed and time. Whereas current mazes are planted and then cut, the present concepts omit the cutting step and the associated lost yield cost, inputs, land, time and effort. Crop circle advertising may target, for example, an overhead airspace inclusive of cameras, individuals with a viewing vantage, balloons, drones, airplanes and satellites (e.g., Google Maps, satellites, etc.).

[0050] As noted above, the scaling of the graphic, in view of a target audience of overhead observes in an airspace above the real property 200, it may be desired to enlarge the graphic 250' to include more than a single plot of land, such as is represented in FIG. 2. In this way, the graphic 250' may then be readily discernible to high altitude or distant aircraft. In such a scenario, two or more fields (e.g., 200, 201 in FIG. 2) are used to each bear a portion of a larger graphic 250'. For example, a group of adjacent land owners may each agree to create a portion of a graphic on a part or all of their land, such that an overall graphic is created when viewed as a whole. In this way, larger graphics can be created in more places. In some embodiments, entire fields are planted with different varieties, seeds and plants to produce a giant graphic 250' formed from many small, differently colored fields or plots of land together make up the overall graphic. In such embodiments, individual row shut off, automatic/manual shut off, multi-seed dispensers, etc. may not necessarily be needed for many graphics or fields because entire fields would be planted with a single color or variety of plant. All that would be required is predetermined coordination of fields in an area. Such embodiments work well but are not limited to, for example, the central and western United States where the grid system of surveying is used. In yet additional aspects, multiple graphics could be used to create a mosaic. Such a mosaic could be created by first creating small graphics that, when added together, combine to create a larger graphic. The smaller graphic may be visible using aerial viewing methods that are closer to the graphic; whereas the larger graphic would be visible using aerial viewing methods at greater distances from the graphic.

[0051] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120 is configured to operate autonomously (i.e., unattended) or semi-autonomously (i.e., minimal intervention by a local or remote operator) based on the GPS coordinates or inertial control system. The path by which at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120 traverses the real property (e.g., 200, 201, etc.), such as the pattern represented by the arrows in FIG. 1C, may be preselected in accord with any controlling factors (e.g., at least one computer- controlled mechanism 120 may traverse the real property in a circular pattern to possibly follow irrigation systems). In other aspects, at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120 may plant rows in circular patterns while traveling linearly back and forth as shown in FIG. 1C, by selective actuation of the planter at appropriate times. [0052] For a thickening effect, crops/plants may be planted at various angles. This is currently done on corn mazes in order to hide the rows. Planting is done straight and then across, so that people in the maze cannot see down the row due to the spacing between adjacent plants. The design of the field may be done in this way by simply setting the same boundaries in the same place and then operating the machine or communicating to it to plant across at an angle, for example a ninety degree angle, to what was already planted. Beneficially, the areas can be selectively thickened such that view down the rows is obscured from people within the maze while saving seed by not thickening areas of the graphic that are distal openings in the rows.

[0053] In embodiments, at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120 may include a mower that utilizes an individual mower blade shut-off in order to cut a graphic into grass. In embodiments, the mower may have many small blades and hydraulic motors with nitrogen accumulators for the shock of constant off and on. In this way, a larger mower may be used that covers the land and completes the graphic in fewer passes. The mower may alternatively or partially be a sickle bar mower, such as that used on a combine, with at least one roller that comes out in front of each, or multiple, cutter units in order to roll the material that is not meant to be cut under the cutter, which then will pop back up. Such an embodiment has few moving parts, no inertia shock or clutching, utilizes widely used farm machinery, and achieves a good result.

[0054] As to embodiments of the present concepts that utilize agricultural sprayers, nozzles, irrigation systems, and the like, as at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120, the control system therefore can utilize the graphic 250 points (e.g., 300) to activate or deactivate, as appropriate, a sprayer (e.g., turning on or off a discharge for a colorant (e.g., a dye) or paint, turning on or off a discharge for a fertilizer, turning on or off a discharge for chemicals). These concepts provide a significant advantage over conventional systems and methods for creating graphics, mazes, and crop circles. A sprayer itself may create the graphic on the land, for example, by selectively fertilizing, or applying chemicals or other agents, only the parts of the land intended to be part of the graphic 250.

[0055] Some planters have seed units on wider rows and they also have smaller units that drop between them and split the row for more narrowly-planted plants. In some embodiments, a similar set-up may be used with two (or more) seed types. Two or more varieties of the same plant may thus be changed rapidly in order to not waste space of unplanted arable ground, yet still achieve the contrast needed to achieve a desired graphic 250 (e.g., for crop circle advertising).

[0056] Many seeds and plants may be modified according to one of many characteristics to yield a different result (e.g., a plant with a different color, size, soil performance). Embodiments may have two or more grain hoppers that can meter to different units according to what a computer tells them. Thus, there is no need to shut off individual meters; instead, the variety being planted can automatically be changed "on the go." Special meters may be used in such embodiments.

[0057] Where existing varieties do not provide the desired colors or other characteristics for a desired graphic, within other constraints such as economic desirability of certain types of crops in certain areas, or suitability of certain plants for certain climates, seasons, terrain, geographic areas, etc., seed may be genetically modified to provide the desired colors and/or other characteristics. For instance, the genetic code of bluegrass may be analyzed to determine the genes giving its blue hue and then those genes may be implanted into the current seed, for example using a virus to change the existing genetic code. This method may be used for color variations across the entire spectrum, for example different varieties of seed may be genetically modified to produce a red pigment, a yellow pigment, a blend of yellow and red pigment, etc. by this method. Selective breeding may be used as an alternative to genetic modification and direct insertion of genetic material.

[0058] Different parts of a plant may be color-modified for contrast at different cycles of growth. For instance, during maturation, corn is generally green in color. As the corn matures, a tassel emerges from the top of the stalk and is generally what is seen from the air. Generally, the tassel is yellow in color. When the corn is mature, the stalk dries into a generally golden or yellow color. Beneficially, natural differences can be used to show contrast or alter the graphic as the corn matures. Rates of maturation and shades of stalk color differ between varieties of corn. For example, varieties of corn can be selected to show one graphic based on the different shades of green while growing, another graphic when earlier-maturing corn tassels while the later-maturing corn has not, yet another graphic when early-drying corn dries while later-drying corn remains green, and still yet another graphic when later-drying corn dries to a different shade. They may be modified to dry to a dark or light color, etc. This method may be utilized for example to prolong the duration of the advertisement during or after harvesting of the crop, or even to automatically change the graphic during/after the harvest. Beneficially, the contrast between dried stalks may continue after harvest because combine harvesters generally remove only the ears from corn stalks and leave the stalk and leaves in substantially the same location.

[0059] Moreover, genetic modification can be used to modify colors expressed during the life cycle of plants. For example, the genetic code of plants may be modified. For instance, the tassel of corn may be modified to show a desired color and/or contrast so that the desired color/contrast is visible from overhead; dried stalks may be modified to show contrast. Further, genes for colors from other organisms can be inserted into the genetic code of a plant to achieve a desired color.

[0060] Contrast in a graphic may be achieved in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, contrast may be achieved by blending varieties in an area for a softer contrast or to blend colors. The seed density may also be reduced in some areas to lighten the graphic, i.e. soften the contrast in those areas. Various combinations of these different methods may be used to achieve the desired effect.

[0061] In planting mazes, grass may be planted in areas where the maze plant has not been planted. This makes the maze nicer to walk through and reduces mud. Thus, different seeds may be planted within the same area, such as by making one pass and switching between seeds on the fly, by repeated passes each with a different type, etc. In addition, different chemicals, fertilizers and agents may be applied in different areas as well.

[0062] Different types of seeds can also be used to enhance the range of possible effects for graphics for overhead or lateral viewing. A graphic for overhead or lateral viewing may be created by layering many different types of seeds. Graphics may be created automatically, by translating a standard electronic graphic into overhead or lateral graphics composes of one or more plant types, in one or more layers.

[0063] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, a database of overhead graphics of plants of known varieties is utilized to form an approximation of a visual appearance of the graphic 250 at maturity and at intermediary stages. The images may advantageously be manipulated to better determine where the seeds for each plant should be planted in order for each plant to mature into a plant having approximately the desired appearance in the planned graphic 250.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first seed type and the second seed type are different species. For example, the first seed type can be corn seed and the second seed type can be grass seed. Existing planters are not designed to hold, separate, dispense, plant, or transfer two different types of seeds to be planted in a particular location. Thus, taking a single computer- controlled mechanism 120 comprising a planter and having it do a first pass with corn seed and then manually or automatically substituting grass seed and having it carry out a second pass would not be an expedient or efficient option. A plurality of computer-controlled mechanisms 120 may advantageously be used. A first computer-controlled mechanism 120 (i.e., a first planter configured to plant a first seed type) and a second computer-controlled mechanism 120' (i.e., a second planter configured to plant a second seed type) are both used on the real property 200, either simultaneously in temporally non-intersecting paths and/or sequentially. This advantageously reduces total run time required when many different passes/layers are needed, for example when many different seeds or plants are desired. Multi-seed meters can be designed specifically for dispensing different species of seeds.

[0065] Passes of at least one computer-controlled mechanism 120 (i.e., one or more than one computer-controlled mechanism(s) 120) may be conducted sequentially and contemporaneously (e.g., substantially at the same time) or may alternatively be staggered over a period of time (e.g., a week, two weeks, a month, etc.). Such pass staggering may be desirable for utilization reasons, i.e. to leave some equipment available for other purposes; however, staggering is particularly useful when working with a variety of plant types. For example, corn will outgrow soybeans and shade them out and cast shadows that affect the appearance of a resulting graphic for overhead or lateral viewing. Such differences in growing speed are advantageously accounted for in the act of mapping (step 420 in FIG. 3) to optimize the appearance of the graphic 250 not only at maturity of the plants, but also during maturation of the plants, particularly where more than one type of plant is used. In some cases, the staggering may occur over years, for example where slow-growing species are used or where very mature specimens are desired (e.g., large trees).

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more computer-controlled mechanism(s) 120 actuate(s) to form layers of an output over a plurality of passes over the same point(s). For example, a computer-controlled mechanism 120 comprising a sprayer or nozzle can spray a colorant, pesticide, dye, chemical, powder or paint one application at a time (e.g., one color at a time) to create an overall final effect. In another example, a computer-controlled mechanism 120 comprising a planter can plant seeds in layers, one at a time (e.g., one color at a time, one variety at a time, etc.), to create an overall intermediate or final effect as the seeds mature. To illustrate, such planter may be loaded with one seed corresponding to one color, make a first pass planting the seed wherever that color is desired according to programming, then be loaded with a second type of seed having a different color and make a second pass to plant that seed wherever that color is desired, reducing the need for modification of a planter or, in the other embodiment noted above, for multiple paint sprayer nozzles. The tractor 100 or other vehicle may be programmed to only traverse and plant (or paint, mark, etc.) the areas where the current color is desired, ignoring the remainder of the planting area and reducing run time. This method may be used with multiple paints and varieties in a paint spraying embodiment. This layering method may also be combined with planters, sprayers, etc. that have the capacity to handle multiple seed types/paint colors on the fly, particularly for desired graphics have large numbers of colors. For very high precision, many different shades of each primary color might be used, for example. A single graphic might have hundreds of colors. Using a planter capable of handling ten seed types at once, such a graphic could be achieved through multiple layered passes through the field where the graphic is desired.

[0067] According to systems and methods in accord with the present disclosure, an analysis of value is conducted. For example, multiple hybrids can be used to increase yield or performance based on factors such as soil type or quality. This is sometimes referred to as use of "offensive" and "defensive" hybrids. In some embodiments, a value analysis is conducted to determine relative values between creating a graphic within the field and planting offensive and defensive hybrids without a graphic. Factors calculated into the analysis can include, for example, seed cost, fuel costs, labor costs, estimated yield, estimated cost at time of sale, estimated storage costs, and the like.

[0068] In some embodiments, a graphic is created while using offensive and defensive hybrids. For example, two offensive hybrids and two defensive hybrids can be used to produce a graphic while increasing overall yield. The offensive and defensive hybrids can be selected in pairs based on coloring such that the pairs appear substantially visually similar when viewing the graphic. Beneficially, this provides for planting offensive and defensive species to produce higher yields, while still providing a graphic that can be designed without regard to the patterns of offensive and defensive hybrids in the field.

[0069] In some embodiments, an animated graphic is created. For example, in areas where wind patterns are generally known, an animated graphic can be created that uses the wind to give an appearance of motion. In the Midwest, these winds are predominantly westerly winds. For example, a graphic including an arrow pointing generally East would appear to move as waves are created by the wind in the direction the arrow points. This would catch viewer's attention more effectively, and draw their attention in that direction. In some embodiments, a 3-D or optical illusion graphic is created, which may also result in the appearance of motion and result in a more visually-striking graphic.

[0070] In addition, any color can be achieved on the fly by mixing primary colors. Multiple meters corresponding to each primary color may be run at once, with different meters running at more or less seed population per meter, to adjust the resulting color in a given area. Since multiple meters would be running in a single area, each meter would generally be running at less than normal planting population (unless the desired color is a single primary color). From a distance, the different primary colors of the different plants blend and form a different color based on the relative seed density of each color. Software may figure out on the fly or in advance, after a graphic is loaded, what seed and what meter to run in order to get the desired primary color combination. For instance, three different row units may run different colors in different rows, which are close enough together to blend the adjacent plant colors from a distance, thus eliminating the need to change seed population, or multiple meters may be run in the same row.

[0071] It is contemplated that plants may be manipulated to alter their appearance based on known and generally predictable factors. For example, plants could be designed to wither under the daytime sun, creating a different displayed graphics in the morning and the afternoon. Beneficially, this provides for extra graphics that can be targeted to potential viewers based on time, season, moisture level, etc.

[0072] Embodiments of the invention may be used in areas such as stadiums, performance areas, public venues, or any other real property where aerial viewing methods exist or are possible, for example to spray paint or chalk graphics on sporting fields or to alter plants (e.g., grass, etc.) or objects (e.g., astroturf, etc.) on the field (e.g., using multiple grass varieties to make graphics, including field markers, sidelines, goal zones, etc.).

[0073] When GPS equipment is run near a treeline or other barrier the GPS signal may cut out because it cannot get a signal from the satellites. This may be prevented by downloading a sufficient buffer of information to the vehicle 100 and/or computer-controlled mechanism 120 control system physical, non-transient computer readable media. Alternatively, a transponder or antenna 160 (see FIG. 1A) may be used to provide position data used by the control system (e.g., by trilateralization) to determine position relative to the mapping of the graphic 250 relative to the real property 200.

[0074] As a person of skill in the art will recognize, other positioning technologies may be used in addition to or instead of the aforementioned navigation systems. Any type of space-time location device may be used in the method to produce a graphic, maze, etc. For example, a locator based on star position, sun position and/or time of year and time of day may be used. Any sufficiently reliable locator technology may be substituted for GPS. A robotic device equipped with a space-time locator that drives a tractor and manually hits switches to achieve the same result, for example, is within the scope of the invention although many embodiments with self-driving tractors or other vehicles are envisioned. Various embodiments use software with point placement of seeds or other objects/substances using a space time locator to achieve a graphic on real property.

[0075] Beneficially, patterns can be created on water as well. For example, autonomous drones (e.g., balloons) or bots (e.g., robotic devices, insect bots, nanobots, etc.) can be floated on the water, or positioned above the water, such that they form a graphic 250 viewable from an aerial viewing method. These autonomous drones or bots can be fixed colors or can be designed to selectively absorb, reflect, and/or emit light. For example, a graphic can be created by having autonomous drones representing a first set of points that generally absorb light, and autonomous drones representing a second set of points that generally reflect light. It is likewise contemplated that floating or submerged drones or bots could be programmed to or wired to reflect light or emit light to produce images night or day, and may advantageously use solar absorption during the day and light emission at night to provide appropriate contrast. It is contemplated that the refractive index and other physical properties of water may be taken into account while designing the image such that the desired graphic is properly displayed.

[0076] With respect to water-borne graphics, similar to the aforementioned land-based examples wherein plants are used to form the graphic 250, water-borne plants may similarly be used to form a graphic utilizing, as a vehicle 100, a water-borne craft.

[0077] Drones may similarly be utilized to facilitate painting a graphic on a building appurtenant to the real property 200, or on the real property, in view of the above, or to create the Graphics on Real Property, discussed herein. For example, a drone may bear seeds and may convey them and deposit them in predetermined locations under the control of a navigation-based control system. As another example, architectural drawings for a building on the property could be mapped and devolved into points of interest to permit a drone to autonomously navigate (e.g., using GPS or other navigation system) the exterior of the building and take predetermined actions. For example, such drone could be used to form or tend to a "wall garden," to apply paint, chemicals or agents, or to pressure wash around windows, with each of the areas around the windows being defined by a plurality of sub-regions or points in space (e.g., similar to 300, 301, etc. in FIG. 1C). In essence, in accord with the concepts disclosed herein, the same general techniques are applicable not only to real property, but to structures as well, and to any surface (e.g., horizontal, inclined, vertical). Thus, the present concepts, in a broad sense, includes taking preexisting surveyed points in space (i.e., in some coordinate reference frame) and utilizing a navigation or positioning system (e.g., GPS) to cause at least one computer-controlled mechanism to perform work on or at those points (e.g., forming a graphic image thereon).

[0078] As to aspects of the present concepts where plants are planted to form a desired graphic, particularly for multi-hybrid systems, yield may be advantageously increased by further mapping (e.g., in the mapping step 420 in FIG. 3) at least one of measured soil characteristics and/or prior harvest data for each of the plurality of N points defining the graphic 250 (e.g., 300, 301 in FIG. 1C) and selecting and placing seeds (e.g., selecting hybrids) better adapted for the particular soil characteristics at each point.

[0079] As discussed above, the graphic 250 on real property 200 may utilize contrasting hybrids dispensed at pre-determined points (see, e.g., FIGS. IB, 1C and points 300, 301). In yet additional aspects, the step of mapping (see, e.g., step 420 in FIG. 3) may advantageously comprise mapping field data and, using software, layering the graphic 250 over this field data, to model the effects of utilizing numerous hybrids to get both contrast as well as increased yield or the effects of planting a field multiple times. To illustrate the practical impact, if one were to plant two hybrids for yield, one hybrid (e.g., an "offensive hybrid") would be selected that would do well under good conditions (e.g., favorable sunlight, water, pest control, stress, etc.) and one hybrid (e.g., a "defensive hybrid") would do better under poor conditions (e.g., a variety that conserves resources and fares better under adverse conditions). Thus, each of the N points of sub-regions forming the graphic 250 may comprise two or more hybrids (e.g., two or four or more combinations of defensive and offensive hybrids) to provide not only potential enhancement to yield, but also to the viability of the graphic. A plurality of hybrids may be utilized to get both contrast as well as to increase yield of a crop by proper placement. The same effects can be achieved by planting a field several times (e.g., a layered application, etc.) if the equipment isn't capable of simultaneously handling the plurality of hybrids. In yet additional aspects, the step of mapping (see, e.g., step 420 in FIG. 3) may advantageously comprise mapping field data and, using software, layering the graphic 250 over this field data, to incorporate existing field characteristics (e.g., a treeline, body of water, rock outcropping) into the graphic such that the characteristic becomes a part of, or even enhances, the overall graphic.

[0080] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, plants could be manipulated to wither in the sun or wind, or any element that is generally predictable, to produce different images in order to get multiple images and possibly better target market at different times of the day to different viewers.

[0081] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, the elevation/curvature/contour of the portion of the real property corresponding to the graphic is factored into the acts that are implemented to form the graphic so that the graphic presents, to the intended vantage point(s), a non-distorted graphic. By way of illustration, if an area allocated to a graphic has a grade (rise/run x 100) of 1 degrees and the graphic is to span a distance of 500 yards, the height of the plants across the grade are advantageously faded or decreased with increasing height of the surface of the real property so that distortion effects or visual defects (e.g., shadows, etc.) caused by height differentials are minimized or eliminated. The factoring of such surface features may comprise, for example, selection of different plant types having different heights at maturity, planting the same type of plants at different times (e.g., in stages) so that at a specific time frame over which the graphic is to be realized the plants varying growth stages yield a visually consistent graphic, or mechanical manipulation of the plants to equalize a height of the plants to a particular elevation.

[0082] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, circular irrigation rigs (or alternatively a highly specified irrigation array) with smart data could be used for manipulation, for instance to fertilize, to apply bots, or to chemically apply nutrients, water, seed, dye, paint and/or chemicals through a smart data system to manipulate seeds or plants to produce a graphic in accordance with known positions of the nozzles or outlets of each point in the irrigation rig or array.

[0083] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, sod land could be planted in order to create a graphic and obtain ad money, while still producing a crop of sod. For instance, multiple varieties could be planted, weather permitting, to produce a year-round graphic (e.g., advertisement). Sod may also be manipulated using any of the various forms referenced herein (e.g., harvesting) to create a graphic.

[0084] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, the plants can be manipulated to "dye" the earth different colors so that when the plants are removed, and before new plants are planted, the graphic will be visible. [0085] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, a direction that a plant is planted can be selected to influence the graphic 250. For example, the visibility of or contrast of a graphic can be affected by the aerial viewing method's or viewer's vantage point (e.g., the graphic image has different characteristics, such as reflectivity or contrast, when viewed from a first direction (e.g., the direction it was planted) or from a second direction (e.g., against the direction or against the grain of the field)). These characteristics may be further influenced by the effects and directions of sunlight and the present concepts include utilization of the incident sunlight anticipated for particular times of year and particular times of day to optimize a visual presentation of a graphic 250.

[0086] In at least some aspects of the present concepts, the changing visual presentation of maturing plants could be placed to either mature into different images or they could be manipulated, at some point, mechanically or chemically, to convey different visual presentations of the graphic at different times or even to present different graphics at different times (e.g., modification of a first graphic to produce a second graphic substantively different than that of the first graphic). In practice this concept of changing a graphic or have it change on its own could be done by several means. In one aspect, seeds are planted so that at a certain growth stage 1 image is shown, and then, for instance, when the corn tassels, have the hybrids placed so that the tassels produce a second image. Stated differently, plants that contrast at different points in their life cycle can be placed to provide different graphics from the same plants at different times. In another aspect, plants are manipulated with chemicals, or mechanically, to create a graphic by essentially overwriting the original image. An example would be to create an original graphic and then go over the graphic with either chemicals, sprayers, harvesting equipment, cultivating equipment, bots, drones etc. to produce a second graphic. Essentially manipulating or deleting the original graphic in order to create another graphic through various means.

[0087] In accord with aspects of the present concepts, chemicals (applied externally, applied via plant uptake mechanisms, applied via bots, etc.) and/or mechanical work may be applied to plants (e.g., computer-controller mechanism(s), bots, etc.) to manipulate or alter the plants to achieve a desired contrast, which may be used to alter an image or create an image. By way of example, a graphic is defined, as described above, and signals sent to a plurality of bots to instruct each bot to move to occupy a specific spatial position (e.g., 2-D or 3-D) to form the graphic or each of the plurality of bots being programmed to move to occupy a specific spatial position. As another example, a graphic is defined, as described above, and signals sent to a plurality of bots to instruct each bot to move to occupy a specific spatial position and take a specific action or actions at the specific spatial position and optionally areas adjacent thereto to form the graphic or each of the plurality of bots being programmed to move to occupy a specific spatial position and take a specific action or actions at the specific spatial position and optionally areas adjacent thereto to form the graphic. In such aspects, the spatial position to be occupied by each bot may advantageously be communicated to each bot through one or more navigation systems (e.g.,. positional transponders, antenna, etc.) in one-way or two-way communication with each bot. In another aspect, the spatial position to be occupied by each bot may advantageously be communicated to each bot through at least one navigation system in one-way or two-way communication with at least one bot, with a plurality of the bots being oriented relative to other ones of the bots. As to the specific action or actions to be performed by one or more of the bots, the bot could, for example, be instructed to either mechanically disrupt certain processes of a plant in order to manipulate it, or deliver chemicals or nanobots to, predetermined places in order to produce the relevant portion of the graphic. Similarly, the specific action or actions to be performed by one or more of the bots could comprise planting, with the bot(s) transporting seeds to predetermined locations for planting by the bot(s), as well as cultivate by burrowing or could comprise reflecting light and emitting light in order to produce the relevant portion of the graphic. In at least some aspects, the bots are solar, thrive off vegetation, and/or battery powered.

[0088] It is to be understood that the present concepts are not limited to the particular embodiments described above. While the invention has been described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention. Each of the embodiments disclosed herein, and obvious variations thereof, inclusive of any combination of elements disclosed herein whether or not such combinations are expressly disclosed in combination, is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property comprises the acts of:

defining the graphic to be formed on the real property;

scaling the graphic, or portion thereof, to a designated portion of the real property; mapping the scaled graphic, portion thereof, to the selected portion of the real property, the act of mapping comprising defining a plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property to be altered to form the graphic;

inputting the mapped graphic, or portion thereof, into a physical, non-transient memory device operatively associated with a navigation system, the navigation system comprising a part of, and providing inputs to, a control system for at least one computer-controlled mechanism, the control system being configured to selectively actuate at least one computer-controlled mechanism to cause the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to actuate and alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof; traversing the designated portion of the real property with the at least one computer- controlled mechanism; and

controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism, during the traversing of the designated portion of the real property, to selectively alter only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, either contemporaneously with the act of altering or at a time subsequent thereto.

2. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1 , wherein the physical, non-transient memory device is disposed locally to the at least one computer-controlled mechanism.

3. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1, wherein the physical, non-transient memory device is disposed remotely from the at least one computer-controlled mechanism.

4. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1, wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1, wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises at least one of a spreader, planter, seeder, tiller, plow, mulcher, mower, harrow, cultivator, subsoiler, sprayer, nozzle or pulverizer.

6. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1, wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises an agricultural vehicle bearing at least one of a spreader, planter, seeder, tiller, plow, mulcher, harrow, cultivator, subsoiler, sprayer, nozzle or pulverizer.

7. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a first computer- controlled mechanism comprising one of a spreader, planter, seeder, tiller, plow, mower, mulcher, harrow, cultivator, subsoiler, sprayer, nozzle or pulverizer, and

wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a second computer- controlled mechanism comprising one of a spreader, planter, seeder, tiller, plow, mower, mulcher, harrow, cultivator, subsoiler, sprayer, nozzle or pulverizer.

8. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1,

wherein the act of mapping comprises defining at least a plurality of first points and a plurality of second points on the designated portion of the real property to be altered to form the graphic,

wherein the control system is configured to selectively actuate the at least one computer- controlled mechanism to cause the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to actuate in a first manner to impart a first alteration on only the first plurality of points and to actuate in a second manner to impart a second alteration on only the second plurality of points, and

wherein the act of controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism, during the traversing of the designated portion of the real property, to selectively alter only the first plurality of points and the second plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, either contemporaneously with the act of altering or at a time subsequent thereto.

9. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 1,

wherein the selective altering of only the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, comprises using the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to selectively dispense or plant one or more seeds of a first seed type only at the plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, and

wherein the graphic is formed at a time subsequent to the selective dispersing or planting of the seeds of the first seed type.

10. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 8,

wherein the control system is configured to selectively actuate the at least one computer- controlled mechanism to cause the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to selectively dispense or plant one or more seeds of a first seed type only at the plurality of first points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof and to selectively dispense or plant one or more seeds of a second seed type only at the plurality of second points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof,

wherein the act of controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism, during the traversing of the designated portion of the real property, causes the at least one computer- controlled mechanism to dispense or plant one or more seeds of a first seed type only at the plurality of first points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof and to dispense or plant one or more seeds of a second seed type only at the plurality of second points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, at a time subsequent to the dispersing of or planting of the seeds of the first seed type and the second seed type,

wherein the first seed type and the second seed type are different seed types.

11. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 8,

wherein the time subsequent to the dispersing of or planting of the seeds of the first seed type and the second seed type is a time of maturity for at least one of the first seed type and the second seed type.

12. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 8,

wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a mower, and wherein the act of controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to selectively alter only the first plurality of points and the second plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, comprises setting the mower to operate at a first height relative to the ground at positions corresponding only to the first plurality of points and setting the mower to operate at a second height relative to the ground at positions corresponding only to the second plurality of points, the first height being different than the second height.

13. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 8,

wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a tiller or plow, and wherein the act of controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to selectively alter only the first plurality of points and the second plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, comprises setting the tiller or plow to operate at a first depth relative to the ground at positions corresponding only to the first plurality of points and setting the tiller or plow to operate at a second depth relative to the ground at positions corresponding only to the second plurality of points, the first depth being different than the second depth.

14. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 8,

wherein the at least one computer-controlled mechanism comprises a sprayer or nozzle, and

wherein the act of controlling the at least one computer-controlled mechanism to selectively alter only the first plurality of points and the second plurality of points on the designated portion of the real property or sub-portion thereof, to form the graphic, or portion thereof, on the designated portion of the real property, comprises dispensing a first substance from the sprayer or nozzle at positions corresponding only to the first plurality of points and dispensing a second substance from the sprayer or nozzle at positions corresponding only to the second plurality of points, the first substance being different than the second substance.

15. The computer-implemented method for forming a graphic on real property according to claim 14, wherein the first substance is a different color than the second substance.