WO2019123445A1

WO2019123445A1 - Integrated sampling and measurement apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019123445A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/050466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doron REINIS; Sagi GLIKSMAN
Original assignee: Croptimal Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2018-04-26
Publication date: 2019-06-27

Abstract

An integrated apparatus for sampling and measurement of outdoor materials / conditions is provided. The apparatus includes a mobilizer, a sampler and an analyzer. The sampler includes a collector and a preprocessor. The collector is adapted to collect one or more samples of the material / conditions to be sampled and / or measured. The preprocessor includes a closed loop dryer adapted to lower a moisture content of the one or more sample to a predetermined value, using a heat emitted from the mobilizer.

Description

Integrated Sampling and Measurement

Apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to an agricultural analysis system, and more particularly to an integrated sampling and measurement apparatus for analyzing agricultural conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Background of the invention is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information and / or publications are prior art.

[0003] Traditionally, and even today, the agriculture sector has always been the main stay for a sustained growth of the world's economy. Specifically, productivity of the agricultural lands has been the most impactful concern, and as the world's population increases, the impact increases substantially.

[0004] Accordingly, over the last few decades numerous efforts have been made to increase the productivity of the agriculture lands, activities, while reducing the labor, as well as other costs. Currently, most of the improved productivity and reduced labor may be attributed mainly to advances in irrigation and harvesting machinery and in improved fertilizing and insecticide chemicals.

[0005] Recently, across the globe, precision farming has been proposed to provide farming inputs. Precision farming mechanism involves testing of plants, water, soil and other condition in or around the farming field as a prerequisite for the realization of agricultural input. These agricultural inputs are varied to match specific soil / field / water characteristics of each region of a farming field to prevent environmental damage and to further improve the high quality yield and crop productivity. For example, specific soil characteristics can vary significantly within a farming field. Therefore, in general, particular regions of the farming field may require too much or too little fertilizer, water and / or insecticide. Therefore, if not provided with accurate and optimized input, there is a significant chance of field damage. Further, the crop yield achieved in such instances may be sub-optimal in quality as well as quantity. Therefore, there has been a significant rise in demand for such precision farming based agriculture analysis, prompted by environmental and economic factors which in turn has intensified the need for an inexpensive, fast, convenient, and precise agriculture testing mechanisms.

[0006] Most of the current precision agriculture analysis systems are limited to laboratory based analysis systems. Such analysis system involves tedious sampling method, requires expensive equipment, and considerable laboratory space along with numerous chemical reagents. These factors for agriculture analysis methods are highly expensive for all and also causes serious agronomic and horticultural pursuits. Further, these fixed laboratories provide results typically in a time frame of several days and therefore in most cases too late for the application of effective corrective measures, whenever applicable.

[0007] While there has been some recent efforts for developing mobile infrastructure for analyzing farming fields / plants / soil, and the like, on the go, but there has been certain limitations with these mechanisms and infrastructures. One of such limitation includes, requirement of collection of samples in different containers. Further, these samples must be processed individually and in separate containers which in turn is a great time taking process. Further, such mobile infrastructure also requires separate tools for various purposes such as a heater for drying the samples, a grinder for grinding the samples, powering means for powering the various components, and many others. Therefore, the mobile infrastructure currently available becomes very difficult to manage. Accordingly, it has therefore been very difficult, costly and inefficient to use these mobile infrastructure which while being complex to operate, involves higher operating and maintenance cost.

[0008] In light of the foregoing, there exists a need for a mobile mechanism for performing agricultural analysis which while being simple, easy to operate, and highly cost effective, is able to perform the analysis quickly and independently.

[0009] Numerous advantages and features of the present invention may become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiment thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following disclosure, aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an integrated apparatus for sampling and measurement of outdoor materials / conditions is provided. The apparatus includes a mobilizer, a sampler and an analyzer. The sampler includes a collector and a preprocessor. The collector is adapted to collect one or more samples of the material / conditions to be sampled and / or measured. The preprocessor includes a closed loop dryer adapted to lower a moisture content of the one or more sample to a predetermined value, using a heat emitted from the mobilizer.

[0012] Generally, the preprocessor further includes a sampling bin having a bin base adapted to receive the one or more collected sample evenly spread thereon.

[0013] Optionally, the preprocessor includes a divider for dividing the collected sample into a plurality of sub-samples [0014] Additionally, the preprocessor includes a particulator adapted to particulate a sample to a substantially uniform and small particles size.

[0015] Optionally, the particulator may be any apparatus such as selected from a grinder, shredder, divider, sheer, and / or the like, suitable for performing an operation selected from one or more of but not limited to grinding, shredding, slicing, cutting, and / or any other suitable parti culating operation..

[0016] Potentially, the particulator particulates a sample to a size ranging between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0017] Possibly, the mobilizer includes a powering motor connected to a finned heat exchanger tube through an exhaust pipe.

[0018] Further possibly, the closed loop dryer includes an air duct defined by an air channel having a first end for a cold air inlet extending towards a second end for a warm air outlet, the air channel enclosing the finned heat exchanger tube therein.

[0019] Yet possibly, the first end includes an air fan for driving cold air through the air duct towards the second end such that air becomes warm due to contact with the finned heat exchanger tube.

[0020] Yet further Possibly, the second end defining the warm outlet is directed towards the bin base such that warm air flowing there through lowers the moisture content of the sample placed onto the bin base.

[0021] Optionally, the duct includes an air filter at second end defining the warm air outlet for filtering the warm air directed towards the sample bin.

[0022] Potentially, the air fan is powered by the mobilizer of the apparatus.

[0023] Further potentially, the mobilizer includes a powering motor, such as an engine of a laboratory car. [0024] Preferably, the one or more sample may be selected from but not limited to a soil, leave, crop, water and the like.

[0025] Preferably, the predetermined moisture value to which the sample is dried, is dependent on the one or more property of the sample, the property including but not limited to soil type, crop kind, and the like.

[0026] Possibly, the apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a temperature profile within the dryer, the temperature profile including drying temperature, drying time, and the like

[0027] Further possibly, the control unit controls the temperature profile using a temp feedback loop and / or based on predefined temperature pattern and / or the one or more property of the sample.

[0028] Optionally, the sampler may be a robot configured to collect and process the sample for analysis by the analyzer.

[0029] Generally, the analyzer is adapted to parallelly and simultaneously analyse each of the sub-samples to be measured / analyzed.

[0030] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preparing a sample by drying the collected sample is provided without requiring any external heater / drying means. The method includes collecting the one or more samples from the outdoor area whose material's / conditions needs to be measured / analyzed. The method further includes particulating the each of the one or more samples into a substantial uniform and small sized particles. The method furthermore includes evenly spreading the small sized particles of each of the one or more samples onto one of the bin base. Thereafter, the closed loop dryer is turned by the control unit thereby lowering the moisture content of the each of the sample particles to a predetermined value. [0031] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of parallel and simultaneous sampling and measurement / analysis of one or more property of the outdoor materials / conditions, is provided. The method includes collecting the one or more samples from the outdoor area whose material's / conditions needs to be measured / analyzed. The method further includes dividing the collected sample into a plurality of sub-samples. The method furthermore includes particulating the each of the sub-samples into a substantial uniform and small sized particles. Thereafter, the small sized particles of each of the sub-sample is evenly spread onto one of the bin base which are then dried thereon. Thereafter, each of the dried sub-sample is processed parallelly and simultaneously and fed to the analyzer.

[0032] Possibly, the sub-sample is processed by a split spoon processing method in which each of the sub-samples is received into a predetermined extraction tube having a predetermined solvent. Thereafter, an extraction is performed for each of the sub-samples by shaking each of the extraction tubes simultaneously. Once the extraction is complete, an extracted liquid is collected from each of the extraction tube for further analysis.

[0033] Further possibly, the analysis for each of the sub-sample is performed by chemical solvent analyzer.

[0034] Alternatively, the analysis for each of the sub-sample is done by unloading each of the sub-samples into an xrf machine for performing x-ray analysis simultaneously.

[0035] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions. [V]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Exemplary and / or illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be presented herein below in the following figures, by way of example only. The present disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like portions have the same reference numerals. It should be emphasized that according to common practice, various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. On the contrary, dimensions of various features, and / or the features themselves, may be expanded and / or reduced and / or roughly shown and / or omitted entirely, to show details of particular components, in a purpose that the present disclosure may become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying schematic figures. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] FIG. la illustrates a block diagram a general schematic representation of an integrated sampling and measurement apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. lb illustrates a block diagram a general schematic representation of an integrated sampling and measurement apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a general illustrative representation of an external structure of the integrated sampling and measurement apparatus in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a general illustrative representation of the of an internal structure of the integrated sampling and measurement apparatus in accordance with the first preferred exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a general illustrative representation of the of an internal structure of the integrated sampling and measurement apparatus in accordance with the second preferred exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a general illustrative representation of a closed loop dryer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps for preparing a sample by drying the sample internally, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0044] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps for parallel and simultaneous sampling and measurement / analysis of one or more property of the sample, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] As required, schematic, exemplary embodiments of the present application are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed

embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various and / or alternative forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0046] Aspects, advantages and/or other features of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, which discloses various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. It is to be understood that each specific portion includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0047] Exemplary embodiments may be adapted for many different purposes and are not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary purposes set forth herein. Other non-limiting examples of such embodiments are compositions that may be used, for example, for structural components. Those skilled in the art would be able to adapt the embodiments of the present disclosure, depending for example, on the intended use of the embodiment. Moreover, examples and limitations related therewith brought herein below are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following specification and a study of the related figures.

[0048] The present application discloses an integrated sampling and measuring apparatus for providing accurate analysis of one or more properties of outdoor materials / conditions such as water, soil, plant, leaves, plant tissue, and the like. Such an apparatus while provides the capability of collecting a sample, processing the sample and measuring / analyzing, using a single apparatus, also provides the capability of parallel / simultaneous analysis without need of any additional / external components such as a power source, heating mechanism, particulator, and the like. Further, the apparatus while applicable for a various kind of samples, is able to measure one or more property of a sample by dividing the sample in a plurality of sub-samples. It is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated this invention need not be limited to any specific application. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the present invention can be utilized in a wide variety of applications, including: precision farming, non-destructive sampling mechanisms, in various industries such as food industry, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture industry and many others. Moreover, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be applied in combination with various known tools, and / or devices, to achieve any desired application. It must also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “an opening” is intended to mean a single opening or a combination of openings,“a sample” is intended to mean one or more samples, or a combination thereof.

[0049] In description of the FIGS la - lb that follow, elements common to the schematic system will have the same number designation unless otherwise noted. Fig. la depicts a block diagram illustrating an integrated sampling and measurement apparatus 1000 for accurate agricultural analysis. The apparatus 1000 is preferably installed within a mobile container and / or a cargo vehicle 1090 such as, but not limited to, vans, enclosed trucks, and the like. The apparatus 1000 includes a mobilizer 1100. The mobilizer 1100 is a powering motor such as a generator, electric motor either present within the mobile container 1090, or otherwise connected to one or more energy providing component of the mobile container 1090 which in turn may be converted to electrical energy for powering one or more components of the apparatus 1000. The apparatus 1000 further includes a sampler 1200 for preparing a sample. The sampler 1200 includes a collector 1210 for collecting one or more sample [not shown] from an agricultural land and / or farming area. The sampler 1200 further includes a preprocessor 1220 for processing the sample collected by the collector 1210. The preprocessor 1220 includes a particulator 1222, a sampling bin 1224 and a closed loop dryer 1226. The closed loop dryer 1226 is an inbuilt dryer that utilizes a heat emitted by the mobilizer 1100 for drying and therefore lowering the moisture content of the one or more samples to a predetermined level. The apparatus 1000 furthermore includes an analyzer 1300 for measuring / analyzing the sample prepared and processed by the sampler 1200. In operation, a sample is collected by the collector 1210 which is then processed by the preprocessor 1220, and then analyzed by the analyzer 1300 to determine one or more characteristics / properties / concentration of the sample. [0050] In a modification of the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. lb, the apparatus 1000 includes a division unit 1228 provided within the preprocessor assembly 1220 thereof. The division unit 1228 is functionally connected to the collector 1210. The division unit 1228 simplifies the apparatus 1000 in that it provides an additional means for dividing the sample collected by the collector 1210 into a plurality of sub-samples. Such a capability allows the avoidance of collecting the same sample plurality of times in instances when one or more property / characteristic of the sample has to be measured by analyzing them separately.

[0051] FIG. la and lb schematically show the arrangement of the basic components of the apparatus 1000 of the present disclosure. However, in the construction of commercial functional units, secondary components such as wires, leads, couplers, connectors, support structure and other functional components known to one of skill in the field of precision farming and more particularly the testing implements, may be incorporated within the apparatus 1000. Such commercial arrangements are included in the present invention as long as the structural components and arrangements disclosed herein are present.

[0052] Fig 2 depicts an exemplary integrated sampling and measurement apparatus 2000 as utilized within the current disclosure. The apparatus 2000 is installed /configured within a mobile container 2090. The mobile container 2090 includes a generally closed housing 2091 having a top surface 2092, bottom surface 2093 and four lateral sidewalls 2094 defining an interior portion 2095 therein and accessible through atleast one access hole 2096 configured on the top surface 2092 and / or atleast one of the sidewalls 2094. The apparatus 2000 is generally supported within the inner portion 2095 of the closed housing 2091. The mobile container 2090 further includes one or more components such as including but not limited to wheels, engine, already known in the art for making the mobile container movable and controllable by a user. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile container 2090 may be any known cargo vehicle such as including but not limited to a van, trucks, and any other kind of four-wheeler having an inner space sufficient to support the apparatus 2000 of the current disclosure. In other embodiments, the mobile container 2090 may be a generally known container having one or more wheels, and which may be moved by a user manually and / or using any motor / driving components present therein.

[0053] The apparatus 2000 includes a mobilizer 2100, a sampler 2200 and one or more analyzers 2300. The mobilizer 2100 is a mobilizing component of the mobile container 2090. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 3, the mobile container is a cargo vehicle and the mobilizer 2100 is an engine of any known kind configured to provide a movement to the mobile container 2090. As already suitably known, the mobilizer 2100 emits heat during its working which generally needs to be exhausted out of the mobile container 2090 using one or more mechanism as will be discussed later.

[0054] The sampler 2200 is a sampling unit adapted to collect and then prepare the sample to make it suitable for analysis by the one or more analyzer 2300. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample may be selected from one or more of but not limited to a soil, plant leaves, water, a complete plant, a plant tissue, and the like. The sampler 2200 includes a collector 2210 adapted to collect one or more samples from the outdoor surface / farming area / agriculture land.

[0055] The collector 2210 may be of any known configuration suitable for collecting the one or more sample and passing it to the interior portion 2095 through the access hole 2096. In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in fig. 2, the collector 2210 includes a first collecting trough 2214, optionally having a cutting blade 2212 and extending out of the mobile container 2090 through a connecting rod 2216. The collector further includes a second collecting trough (not shown) configured within the inner portion 2095 of the housing 2091.

[0056] As used herein, the term“cutting blade” may be any sample engaging device that is able to pass through the soil core, plant leaves, creates a soil core and able to collect the same within the first trough 2214. The cutting blade 2212 may be a cutting member formed in any suitable shape and configuration. The first cutting trough 2214 is of a closed geometric shape such as a generally oval-shaped or polygonal-shaped cross sections such that a discrete sample can be collected from a desired sampling depth. Accordingly, the cutting blade 2212 cuts and / or separates the sample such as soil, plant leaves, plant tissue, and collects in the first collecting trough 2214.

[0057] The connecting rod 2216 is a movable structure adapted to move the collector

2210 in between one or more positions. The connecting rod 2216 is generally movable in a horizontal, vertical direction. Further, the connecting rod 2216 is rotatable through about 280°. Such a horizontal, vertical and rotational motion is adapted to support the connecting rod 2216 move in one or more direction to collect samples from soil, plants, and the like. Accordingly, the collector 2210 may be rotated and / or raised and / or lowered, such a movement being controllable by an operator, for collecting the sample from one or more desired locations along an arc around mobile container 2090. Further, the sample collected in the first trough 2214 is passed to the second trough 2218 through a rotary motion as required.

[0058] While the collector 2210 has been described as an exemplary structure, it should be understood that any suitable automatic collecting mechanism, already known in the art may be used for collecting the sample from the soil, plants, and the like, without deviating from the scope of the current disclosure.

[0059] The sampler 2200 further includes a preprocessor 2220 adapted to process the sample collected within the second trough 2214 and prepare the same for analysis by the analyzer 2300. The preprocessor 2220 includes one or more sampling bins 2222 for receiving the one or more samples from the collector 2210. The sampling bin 2222 includes a generally cylindrical bin base 2224 adapted to hold the sample evenly and uniformly spread thereon. Alternatively, the bin base 2224 may be of any possible shape and configuration, suitable for uniform spreading of the sample thereon thereby increasing the surface area of the sample and therefore facilitating faster processing thereof.

[0060] The preprocessor 2220 further includes a closed loop dryer 2226 as illustrated in Fig. 5 adapted to dry and therefore, reducing a moisture content of the sample placed onto the bin base 2224. The closed loop dryer 2226 utilizing the heat emitted from the mobilizer 2100, is an inbuilt dryer not requiring any external power source / motor for functioning thereof. The closed loop dryer 2226 includes an air duct 2500. The air duct 2500 includes a hollow air channel 2502 having a first end 2504 defining a cold air inlet extending towards a second end 2506 defining a warm air outlet directed towards the bin base 2224 and enclosing a finned heat exchanger tube 2508 connected to the mobilizer 2100 through one or more exhaust pipes 2104. The finned heat exchanger tube includes one or more fluids adapted to be heated by the heat emitted from the mobilizer 2100, and therefore having a heated outer body 2104a. The air duct 2500 further includes an air fan 2510 at the first end 2504 for driving air through the air duct through the air channel 2502 towards the second end 2506. Accordingly, when the air driven by the air fan 2510 passes through the finned heat exchanger tube 2104, it becomes warm while travelling towards the second end 2506. The warm air when blown out of the air duct 2500 is received at the bin base 2224 and thereby reducing the moisture content of the sample distributed and spread thereupon. The air fan 2510 may be any suitable fan known in the art, configured to drive cold air from outside of the mobile container 2090 from the open environment, and sized to be accommodated at the first end 2504 of the air channel 2502. Generally, the dryer is configured to reduce the moisture content of the sample to less than about 5 percent by weight. However, in other embodiments, the moisture content may be predetermined on the basis of one or more property of the sample, the property including but not limited to soil type, crop type, and the like.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, the air duct 2500 may further include an exhaust fan (not shown) for blowing the warm air towards the bin base 2224. Further optionally, the air duct further comprising an air filter at second end 2506 for filtering the warm air directed towards the bin base 2224. Accordingly, the air filter may be implemented as a replaceable dust collecting filter which may collect the harmful chemical components included in the hot air directed towards the bin base 2224.

[0062] In some embodiments, the closed loop dryer 2226 may further include a feedback loop managed by a control unit [not shown], to be discussed in detail later. In such configuration, the dryer includes a sensing unit [not shown] to determine a moisture level of the sample placed onto the bin base 2224 post-drying, after a cycle of drying has been completed. If the post-drying moisture level is found to be less than the predefined/inputted level, the control unit may be configured to further adjust and restart the drying operation, based on the determined moisture level of the already dried sample, so as to achieve the predefined moisture level.

[0063] The preprocessor 2220 further includes a particulator 2700 for particulating the sample placed onto the bin base 2224, to a substantially uniform and small particles size. The particulator 2700 may be any apparatus such as selected from a grinder, shredder, divider, sheer, and / or the like, suitable for the current application and for performing an operation selected from one or more of but not limited to grinding, shredding, slicing, cutting, and / or any other suitable particulating operation.

[0064] Preferably, the participator particulates the sample to a particle size ranging between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and preferably ranging between lmm and 2mmm. However, any suitable size may be achieved as desired for an accurate analysis / measurement of the sample.

[0065] The preprocessor 2220 further includes a sample preparation unit 2900 adapted to prepare the sample suitable to be analyzed by the analyzer 2300. The sample preparing unit is a combination of one or more preparation techniques to enable a parallel sampling of the dried and participated sample. In some embodiments, the sampling unit 2900 includes a split to spoon mechanism suitable to perform a chemical extraction of plurality of samples and / or sub-samples parallelly and simultaneously. Such split to spoon mechanism for chemical sampling include a plurality of extraction tubes, each containing a designated solvent relevant to extraction of a particular element.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 2000 further includes one or more atmosphere / weather / external condition sensing units for providing as input during the operations thereof. Such sensing units are already known in the art and may be integrated within the apparatus of the current disclosure without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sampler 2200 may be a robot configured to collect and process the sample for analysis by the analyzer 2300.1n all such embodiments, the sampler 2200 may include all sub-components, suitably configured therewithin without deviating from the scope of the current disclosure.

[0068] As already mentioned, the apparatus 2000 further includes one or more analyzers 2300 adapted to analyze / measure / detect the presence of one or more property of the sample processed by the sampler 2200. The analyzer 2300 may be any suitable analyzer that may provide an analysis / measurement / elemental concentration of the agricultural samples such as plant tissues, soil, leaves, and the like. In one of the embodiment, the analyzer 2300 may be an xrf machine utilizing an x-ray analysis for detecting one or more property / concentration of one or more element within the samples. In another embodiment, the analyzer 2300 may be a chemical analyzer adapted to chemically detect the presence of one or more elements, nutrients, and the like within the sample. In yet other embodiments, the analyzer may be a combination of one or more analyzers suitably known in the art for detecting one or more properties of the sample. The one or more properties of the sample may include but not limited to detection and / measuring of primary macro-nutrients such as potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen and / or a secondary macro-nutrient such as sodium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium and magnesium; and / or a micro-nutrient such as chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel and molybdenum.

[0069] Further, In addition to the various nutrients, the analyzer 2300 may be adapted to analyze plants, e.g., plant material for other elements such as sodium, vanadium, silicon, selenium, barium, strontium and iodine. In such cases, knowledge of the amounts of these materials may be desirable to avoid toxicity levels of such elements. Further, the analyzer 2300 may be an analyzer suitable to detect the presence and level of any heavy metals such as iron, lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium and the like in plants or of similar importance and relevance such levels of heavy metals in any fertilizers and/or soil amendments (e.g., manures) being used.

[0070] The control unit is a decision making component, and is configured to automate the working of the apparatus 2000. The control unit is connected to the collector 2210, the closed loop dryer 2226, the particulator 2700 and all other components of the apparatus to provide operation instruction thereto. When managing the working of the closed loop dryer 2226, the control unit receives sensing information from the sensing unit and provide operational instruction to the dryer 2226 in accordance with a temperature profile for performing the drying of the sample. The temperature profile determines various properties of the drying operations, such as for example, including but not limited to drying temperature, drying time, and the like on the basis of one or more inputs / predetermined drying pattern as to be provided by a user.

[0071] Accordingly, It may be understood that the control unit 140 may be a computing device, including typical components like, a display unit, a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), at least one stored program, display readouts, and at least one input unit. The input unit may includes a data capturing unit for receiving the temperature pattern / sampling input / analysis requirements, etc. The processing unit may be adapted to processing the data received by input unit on the basis of predetermined logics / rules for smooth sampling / analysis of the sample of the plant, soil, and the like. The control unit may further include an instruction unit that delivers the instructions to various components such as various mobilizer 2100, sampler 2200, analyzers 2300, or the sub-components thereof, to facilitate a desired and smooth operation.

[0072] The CPU, RAM, ROM, and program act in concert to evaluate the inputs received and to control the sampling / analyzing process. The CPU and RAM may be specially manufactured for this invention, or may preferably make us of off-the- shelf items available at the time of manufacture. The ROM may also be specially designed for this invention and may include program instructions. However, PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs or the like are preferred, which allow for selective programming, and may be arranged to be programmed even in the field. The RAM is preferably used to temporarily store operator and system inputs, but may also be used to store programming instructions supplemental to the program or programs stored in the ROM. Based on the programming instructions from the ROM or other memory source and the inputs received, the CPU sends outputs to the display panel, as well as to outputs that control various components of the apparatus 2000.

[0073] In some embodiments, the control unit may be provided as a computer program product, such as may include a computer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory machine-readable medium maintaining instructions interpretable by a computer or other electronic device, such as to perform one or more processes. A non- transitory machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form (including a processing application or software) readable or interpretable by a machine (such as a computer). The non-transitory machine- readable medium may take the form of, but is not limited to, any known storage technique, including magnetic storage media, optical storage media, magneto- optical storage media; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (including EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; and otherwise.

[0074] The apparatus 2000 further includes a power generator 2800 for providing an electric current to the various components thereof. The power generator 2800 is generally a generator movably connected to the mobilizer 2100 such as the engine in the current example. Accordingly, when a torque provided at a mobilizer 2100 is transferred onto the power generator 2800 using one or more pivotable shaft (not shown), the power generator 2800 produces electrical energy.

[0075] The electrical power provided by the electrical generator can then be used to reliably power electrical consumers of the apparatus 2000 including the air fan 2510, the control unit 2700, the sensing units, the collector 2210, the sampler 2220 and the analyzer 2300, and various components and sub- components thereof.

[0076] As indicated in Fig. la, the apparatus of the present disclosure may also be implemented in accordance to the second embodiment. Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary apparatus 3000 in accordance with the second embodiment of the apparatus 1000. While all other components of the apparatus 3000 is same as that disclosed in reference to the apparatus 2000, the apparatus 3000 includes an additional component, a dividing unit 3100 adapted to divide each of the sample collected by the collector 2100 into a plurality of sub-samples. The dividing unit 3100 may be any suitable divider capable of performing the dividing the sample into a plurality of samples without deviating from the scope of the current disclosure dividing unit 3100 is particularly important in the instances where multiple properties of the same sample has to be measured by the apparatus of the current disclosure. Accordingly, such a dividing unit 3100 avoids the requirement of the collection of same sample a number of times and therefore requiring wastage of resources as well as precious time. [0077] Fig. 6 with reference to Figs. l through 5, is a flow diagram illustrating a method 600 of for parallel and simultaneous sampling and measurement / analysis of one or more property of the sample, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 600 starts at step 602 and proceeds to step 604 where one or more samples are collected from the agricultural land / farming area and received onto the collector 2100. The sample could either be a soil sample, or otherwise, a tissue, a root, leaves, or other components of a crop and / or a plant. The method then proceeds to step 606 where the sample collected by the collector 2100 is received onto the base bin 2224 of the one or more sampling bins 2222 such that particles of the sample is uniformly and substantially spread onto, thereby providing a larger surface area for a quicker processing thereof. The method then proceeds to step 608 where the sample placed onto the base bin 2224 is dried using the closed loop dryer 2226. The drying process of the particles of the sample using the closed loop dryer may be explain using a method 700 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0078] The method 700 starts at 702 and proceeds to step 704 where an instruction for drying the sample placed onto the base bin 2224 is received at the control unit. The instruction may include input information such as crop type, expected moisture level after the drying process, and the like. The method then proceeds to step 706 where the control unit senses the sample to determine a temperature profile for drying the sample. Thereafter, at step 708, the control unit instructs the power generator 2800 to turn on a power supply to air fan 2510 which in turn directs and blows warm air towards the base bin 2224 thereby drying the sample placed thereon. The method then proceeds to an optional step 710 where the control unit employs the feedback loop to check if the sample is dried to a required level and if not achieved, the method 700 moves back to step 706. If however, the required level of moisture content is received, the method proceeds to the step 712 where the control unit instructs the power generator 2800 to stop the power supply which in turn stops the drying process. [0079] Looping back to the method 600, once the sample is dried by the close loop dryer 2226, the method proceeds to step 610 where the sample is parti culated to a desired size using the parti culator 2900 and thereafter at step 612, a parallel and simultaneous sampling is achieved. In one embodiment, the sample preparation is performed by a split to spoon chemical extraction method. In such an extraction mechanism, each of the samples is received within a designated extraction tube having a predetermined solvent contained therein. Thereafter, each of the extraction tube is shaken parallelly and simultaneously to perform the extraction of the sample. Thereafter, the extracted liquid is collected from each of the extraction tube to obtain the sample ready to be analyzed by the one or more analyzer 2300. Once the sample is prepared the sample is fed into the one or more analyzers 2300 which performs an action to determine / detect / measure , one or more property / characteristic / concentration of the sample.

[0080] For implementation with the apparatus 300, the method further includes an additional step 605 of dividing each of the sample into a plurality of sub-samples as required and then placing each of the sub-sample on a separate base bin 2224. Thereafter, each of the sub-sample is processed separately and parallelly as explained within the method 600.

[0081] The apparatus of the current disclosure, therefore provides a simple, independent, easy to operate, cost and labor efficient method for automatic sampling and measurement / analysis of the prepared sample on-the -go and is therefore highly recommended to be used for precision farming. Further, the time required for making the analysis is reduced significantly to from a few days to a few minutes.

[0082] Further, the sample and / or sub-sample prepared, and / or processed by the apparatus of current disclosure is kept undestroyed and may be stored for future use. Accordingly, the reliability of the samples is increased as the same sample may be tested again and again whenever required in future. [0083] It will be understood that numerous modifications may be made to perform a sampling / measurement of the one or more samples and / or sub-samples using the integrated sampling and measurement apparatus 1000 of the current disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is to be contemplated for a person skilled in the art that any possible operative sampling technique and / or analyzer mechanism may be utilized in any possible combination to achieve highly accurate and easy analysis using the apparatus 1000 of current disclosure.

[0084] Referring to Fig. 6-7, methodology in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the claimed subject matter is illustrated. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodology is shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the claimed subject matter. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that the methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout this specification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media.

[0085] Throughout the specifications of the present disclosure, the term "comprising" means including but not necessarily to the exclusion of other elements or steps. In other words, the term comprising indicates an open list. Furthermore, all directional references (such as, but not limited to, upper, lower, inner, outer, upward, downward, inwards, outwards, right, left, rightward, leftward, inside, outside, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise, lineal, axial and/or radial, or any other directional and/or similar references) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Moreover, all directional references are approximate and should not be interpreted as exact, but rather as describing a general indicator as to an approximate attitude.

[0086] Similarly, joinder references (such as, but not limited to, attached, coupled, connected, accommodated, and the like and their derivatives) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of segments and relative movement between segments. As such, joinder references may not necessarily infer that two segments are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

[0087] In some instances, components are described with reference to "ends" having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with an-other part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to components which terminate immediately be-yond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular segment, link, component, part, member or the like. Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to,“second”,“second”,“third”,“fourth”, or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader’s understanding of the various embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another embodiment, variation and/or modification.

[0088] As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of preferred embodiments. Functionalities may be separated or combined in procedures differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An integrated apparatus adapted for sampling and measurement of outdoor materials and / or conditions, the apparatus comprising a mobilizer, a sampler, and an analyzer, the sampler comprising a collector and a pre-processor, the pre-processor comprising a closed-loop dryer for lowering a moisture content of a sample to a predetermined value, wherein the dryer utilizing heat emitted from the mobilizer for lowering the moisture content of the sample.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the preprocessor further comprising a particulator to particulate the sample to substantially uniform and small sized particles.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the particulator particulates the sample to a particle size ranging between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and preferably ranging between lmm and 2mmm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pre-processor further comprising a sample bin having one or more bin base, whereupon the particles of the sample is substantially evenly spread.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobilizer comprising a powering motor connected to a finned heat exchanger tube through an exhaust pipe.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the powering motor is an engine of a laboratory car.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dryer comprising an air duct, the duct comprising an air channel having a first end defining a cold air inlet extending towards a second end defining a warm air outlet, the air channel enclosing the finned heat exchanger tube therein

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first end comprising an air fan for driving air through the air duct wherein further the second end defining the warm outlet is directed towards the bin base such that warm air flowing there through lowers the moisture content of the sample placed onto the bin base.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the air duct further comprising an air filter at second end defining the warm air outlet for filtering the warm air directed towards the sample bin.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the air fan is powered by the mobilizer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is dependent on the one or more property of the sample, the property including but not limited to soil type, crop type, and the like

12. The apparatus further comprising a control unit for controlling a temperature profile within the dryer, the temperature profile including drying temperature, drying time, and the like.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control unit controls the temperature profile using a temp feedback loop and / or based on predefined temperature pattern and / or based on the kind of material.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit comprising one or more input/output interfaces.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more input interfaces comprise one or more of but not limited to a display, a data storage, a printer and / or a communications interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sampler comprising a robot configured to collect and process the sample.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outdoor materials and / or condition comprising one or more of soil, leaves, plant tissues, crop, and water.

18. An integrated apparatus adapted for sampling and measurement of outdoor materials, and conditions, the apparatus comprising a mobilizer, a sampler, and an analyzer, the sampler comprising a collector and a pre-processor, the pre-processor comprising a dividing unit for dividing the sample into a plurality of sub samples, and a closed-loop dryer for lowering a moisture content of each of the sub-sample to a predetermined value, wherein the analyzer is adapted to parallelly and simultaneously analyse each of the sub-samples.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pre-processor further comprising a sample bin connected to the division unit having a bin base, whereupon particles of the sample are substantially evenly spread.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the mobilizer comprising a powering motor

connected to a finned heat exchanger tube through an exhaust pipe.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the powering motor is an engine of a laboratory car.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the dryer comprising an air duct, the duct comprising an air channel having a first end defining a cold air inlet extending towards a second end defining a warm air outlet, the air channel enclosing the finned heat exchanger tube therein

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first end comprising an air fan for driving air through the air duct wherein further the second end defining the warm outlet is directed towards the bin base such that warm air flowing there through lowers the moisture content of the sample placed onto the bin base.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the air duct further comprising an air filter at second end defining the warm air outlet for filtering the warm air directed towards the sample bin.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the air fan is powered by the mobilizer.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the analyzer comprising a solvent based chemical analyzer having a one or more extracting tubes, each of the extraction tube comprising a predetermined extraction solvent, adapted to determine the presence of a predetermined element.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the predetermined element is one or more selected from but not limited to a macro-nutrient such as potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen and / or a secondary macro-nutrient such as sodium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium and magnesium; and / or a micro-nutrient such as chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel and molybdenum.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the analyzer comprising an XRF machine for X-ray analysis of each of the sample.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the material is selected from one or more of but not limited to soil, water, plant, leaves, plant tissues and the like

30. A method of sampling and measuring one or more outdoor materials, in accordance with any of aforementioned claims, the method comprising the steps of: a) collecting one or more samples using the collector; b) particulating the sample to a predetermined size; c) receiving the sample on to the bin base of sample bin; d) drying the sample; e) Processing the dried sample. f) Analyzing the processed sample

31. The method of claim 30, the method further comprising the step of dividing the one or more sample to a plurality of sub-samples before the step (b).

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of drying the sample is performed by the close loop dryer utilizing heat emitted from the mobilizer for lowering the moisture content of the sample.

33. The method of claim 30 & 31, wherein the step of processing the one or more sample is performed by a split soon sampling method, the method comprising the steps of- a) receiving each of the sub-samples into a predetermined extraction tube having a predetermined solvent; b) Performing an extraction of each of the sub-samples by shaking each of the extraction tubes simultaneously; c) Collecting an extracted liquid from each of the extraction tubes;

34. The method of claim 30, 31 and 32, wherein the step of analyzing the one or more sub samples comprising loading each of the extraction liquid into a designated cup for chemical analysis.

35. The method of claim 30 and 31, wherein the wherein the step of analyzing the one or more samples comprising the step of unloading each of the sub-samples into an xrf machine for performing x-ray analysis simultaneously.