WO2019194691A1

WO2019194691A1 - Measurement and evaluation system of environmental conditions for soil, water and air

Info

Publication number: WO2019194691A1
Application number: PCT/PL2019/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cezary Bogumił WINCENCIAK
Original assignee: Wincenciak Cezary Bogumil
Priority date: 2018-04-06
Filing date: 2019-04-08
Publication date: 2019-10-10
Also published as: PL425145A1; PL233024B1

Abstract

The measurement and evaluation system of environmental conditions for soil, water and air is characterized in that it is built of two electronic modules where the module (I) is equipped with the internal Li-Ion battery (1) supplying the whole internal electronic control system (2), connected to the GPS module (16), and the battery (1) is recharged during operation by the photovoltaic cell (3) located on the upper part of the device (4) that has the additionally built-in external micro USB socket (5) allowing recharging the internal battery (1) by connecting to the external charger (6) using the USB cable (7) suitable for the socket (5) and the control system (2) connected permanently to the weather conditions analysis system (8) and the soil analysis system (9), and that is also connected permanently to the internal data transmission system - WiFi and GSM module (10) - used for wireless connection with the external control panel (11), whereas the module (II) has its own power source built of the interchangeable batteries (12) supplying the second separate internal electronic control system (13) that controls operation of the water and aqueous solution quality analysis system (14) and the control of the module II takes place by means of the control panel (11) connected to the internal electronic control system (13) through a wireless connection with a data transmission system (15) where this is permanently connected with the internal control system (13).

Description

Measurement and evaluation system of environmental conditions for soil, water and air

The present invention relates to a measurement and evaluation system of environmental conditions and particularly: soil pH, humidity and temperature; water and working liquid pH, hardness and temperature; air temperature, humidity and dew point, and wind velocity; fall in total; as well as insolation level using a portable integrated multifunctional device designed for utilization and use in the plant raising technology at all production methods.

P.369892 shows a method of priority level setting in a multiprogramming computer system with priority scheduling, a multiprogramming computer system and a computer program for their use. The method of priority level setting in a multiprogramming computer system with priority scheduling where executive threads of each process have a standard priority level consists in measurement of relative use of one or more processors in the system by the executive process threads. The priority levels of one or more executive threads are reduced if their measured relative use exceeds a certain threshold level of intensification and stays above this level within the intensification period of time (DTi).

P.363559 shows a station that comprises the first network attachment to receive the primary data stream where the information coming from the first transmitter and transferred within the first network in the first format has been encoded according to a key. The station comprises also a system to receive authorization transfers allowing the authorized receiver to decipher an encrypted data stream and at least one next network attachment for connection to the second network. The station is adapted for retransmission at least a part of information in a form of at least one secondary data stream in another format, different from the first format, using the second network, to at least one secondary sending-receiving station connected to this second station. The station is adapted for transmission of the secondary stream of data encoded according the same key and to transfer the received authorization transfers that allows the authorized receiver to decipher this secondary data stream at the secondary sending-receiving station.

Any available measurement methods are not complex, of low accuracy and do not provide ready solutions of individual problems and difficulties in agricultural sector as regards food production. Also, a range of today’s devices is not large and this additionally makes a measurement difficult and reduces any sense of the whole analysis at individual farms. The object of the present invention is to work out a mobile multifunctional remote- controlled device that combines a dozen or so measurement elements communicating with a smartphone, a tablet as well as portable and desktop computers for great distances.

A device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is built of two electronic modules placed in separate housings and connected together in such a manner that the module I is equipped with an internal Li-Ion battery 1 supplying the whole internal electronic control system, connected to a GPS module, and the battery is recharged during operation by a photovoltaic cell located on the upper part of the device that has an additionally built-in external micro USB socket allowing recharging the internal battery by connecting to an external charger using an USB cable suitable for the socket and the control system connected permanently to a weather conditions analysis system and a soil analysis system, and that is also connected permanently to an internal data transmission system - WiFi and GSM module - used for wireless connection with an external control panel, whereas the module II has its own power source built of interchangeable batteries supplying the second separate internal electronic control system that controls operation of a water and aqueous solution quality analysis system and the control of the module II takes place by means of a control panel connected to an internal electronic control system through a wireless connection with a data transmission system where this is permanently connected with the above-mentioned internal control system.

The device has the built-in data transmission module (WiFi and GSM) and the localization module (GPS) as well as the built-in external micro USB socket allowing recharging the internal battery, the device diagnostics and another technical activities after it is connected to an external network charger or eg.: a computer using an USB cable suitable for the socket. Like the module I, the module II of the device has its own housing that comprises an internal electronic control system, a measurement system and a data transmission module - Bluetooth. The whole module has a known power source, i.e. interchangeable batteries. A measurement element of this part (electrode) has a special housing that protects it against any damages. The described before module (I) takes measurement of soil factors, i.e.: soil pH, soil temperature and soil humidity. The measurement takes place after the device is placed in soil at suitable depth and then the device is started by an integrated and dedicated software (the suitable function is switched on using a control device, eg. a smartphone). The device takes many pH measurements. The final results are shown after the soil temperature and humidity compensation is taken into consideration. A measurement location can be saved using a special function in the control system, through a suitable selection of commands in a form of GPS positions. In case of a next measurement at the same area, the device (operating system) indicates the measurement position used before to allow measurement to be taken at the same positions on the field concerned; this allows accurate tracking of changes of an index value. In addition, the device analyses results and sends a feedback information on recommendations for the plantation (field) concerned. For example, it provides an expected correct value and a changed value and then, it provides recommendations as messages to the control device; an exemplary content can be as follows: use a fertiliser (of specified chemical composition) in amount of x tonnes per hectare.

Next important factors measured by the device (module I) are soil humidity and soil temperature. They are measured adequately to the pH measurements after the lower part of the device is inserted in the soil at the suitable depth. These parameters can be measured in two ways:

- once, using a similar method as in the soil pH analysis - after selection of the command on the control device;

- in cycles - in this case, the device stays placed in the soil under analysis for a longer time.

In the latter case, a suitable command is given for the device from the control panel. The measurement can be taken in any intervals of time. The soil humidity and temperature can be measured at the same time. These factors can be also analysed independently from each other. Results are sent to the remote control device. There, their archiving and evaluation are possible. On this basis, the device can send professional external messages with recommendations concerning a given cultivation, after a suitable option is chosen by an user. For example, once the soil temperature reaches the indicated level of 5°C, the user will receive the message on optimum conditions for maize seed sowing on the soil area under analysis. This mechanism applies to measurement of both soil temperature and humidity.

The second medium analysed by this device module (module I) is air, and more precisely, the weather conditions. The device takes the following measurements continuously, in cycles, i.e. in the specified intervals of time or once: air temperature, air humidity, amount of precipitation, wind velocity, air dew point temperature and insolation level. The device starts analysis of weather conditions after it is placed in the suitable area (this can be a tunnel, a field surface, a yard or another space). Like in case of the analysis described before, the control, the settings and the readout of results are made from the control device (eg. a tablet). Weather factors can be measured individually or collectively (several or all at the same time). The measurement results are shown in numbers and/or in a graphic manner on the control device. They are archived and the measured value can be retrieved including the time. At the same time, when suitable settings are chosen and alarm values are set, the device will inform on exceeding the set value by means of warning messages sent to the control device. The module II takes the following measurements: water and aqueous solution pH, hardness and temperature. The measurement is taken after the measuring element of the device (module II) is placed in, eg.: the stagnant water (situated in various containers, tanks, agricultural machinery, ditches, etc.). The device takes the measurement after it receives a command. The described above three parameters under analysis can be measured all at once or individually - separately, independently of each other. The measured values can be saved, analysed and evaluated.

The advantage of the operating system is a possibility to analyse precisely the measurement results. The user can choose a pesticide or another formulation to be evaluated before its use for cultivation. After that, the device - the system - will analyse the water for its usefulness for plant protection treatments etc. and if necessary, it will send a professional feedback message to the user - for example: in order to allow the chosen formulation x to operate effectively, you must reduce pH of the water under analysis by addition a water conditioner - the formulation name - in the amount of x ml per 100 1 of water.

At the same time, once the analysis of the water quality is carried out, the water parameters can be saved as the base ones and on this basis, you can analyse and select different formulations and products used for cultivation, without necessity to take the next measurements. You can also analyse their efficiency and receive messages including information on recommendations to be implemented in order to increase efficiency of the used product.

The subject of the present invention is shown as an embodiment in the figure depicting the block diagram of this device.

As you can see in the diagram, the module I is equipped with the internal Li-Ion battery 1 supplying the whole internal electronic control system 2 connected to the GPS module 16, and the battery 1 is recharged during operation by the photovoltaic cell 3 located on the upper part of the device 4 that has the additionally built-in external micro USB socket 5 allowing recharging the internal battery 1 by connecting to the external charger 6 using the USB cable 7, suitable for the socket 5 and the control system 2 connected permanently to the weather conditions analysis system 8 and the soil analysis system 9. It is also connected permanently to the internal data transmission system 10 used for wireless connection with the external control panel 11 , whereat the module (II) has its own power source built of interchangeable batteries 12 supplying the second separate internal electronic control system 13 that controls operation of the water and aqueous solution quality analysis system 14 and control of the module (II) takes place by means of the control panel 11 connected to the internal electronic control system 13 through a wireless connection with the data transmission system 15 where this is permanently connected with the above-mentioned internal control system 13. In the embodiment, the device is located at a greens plantation in the middle of the farmland and its alarm temperature value is set to 0°C. In case of ground frost occurrence, the device alarms the user on a hazard of plantation damage with low temperatures. The device evaluates efficiency of the chosen products used for agricultural production based on the weather factors under analysis. For example: After selection of suitable product from the list placed in the control panel, the device will give a message, for example: in the conditions of the current air temperature value, the formulation x has low treatment effectiveness. It is recommended to shift the treatment until the evening or to change the formulation x to a different one, eg. y or z. The same relates to the remaining parameters, i.e. air humidity, wind velocity, precipitation, air dew point, insolation level. In addition, for the air dew point, we place the device on the plantation concerned if we carry out a field treatment in the evening or at night. It sends the currently changing values of the measured parameters to the operator. Once the suitable values and settings are chosen on the control panel, the device will send a message to the user immediately if a change of the weather conditions occurs, for example - the dew point has been reached on the plantation. On this basis, it is recommended to reduce the amount of the working liquid used for the treatment from the current 250 to 200 l/ha; the device as a whole measures several factors at the same time. The module I can take measurements remotely for very long distances thanks to use of two methods of data transmission: the WiFi module and GSM module - while using SIM cards in the measuring device.

The module II has the Bluetooth module for data transmission. Its range of remote operation is shorter.

The device can operate at both open area and closed space. Thanks to use of a resistant waterproof construction, the device is fast to exposure - light, rain, dust, wind as well as mechanical damage. Due to use of any control transfer, the device is fully compatible with the available personal devices (a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone) and with stationary devices (a desktop computer). The device is protected against possible theft by use of the unique individual access code assigned to the given piece of the device. Thanks to this, in case of theft, a new user cannot start or use this device on his/her own without having the special code.

The device, through analysis of the measured parameters, evaluates efficiency of the chosen formulations on-line and sends messages with recommendations and indexes concerning the used products and activities; the device can save the measured values of parameters under analysis and they can be retrieved at any location and time in the given control panel after log-in. It warns also on hazards resulting from a change of parameters under analysis through sending the suitable warning messages to the control panel. The device can operate stationarily after its location in the soil at the suitable depth or as a mobile unit if fastened on agricultural devices and machinery. The device can operate in the network created by several of the same models by connection of several pieces - the measuring devices - to one control panel.

Claims

Claim

The measurement and evaluation system of environmental conditions for soil, water and air, characterized in that it is built of two electronic modules located in two separated housings, where the module (I) is equipped with the internal Li-Ion battery (1) supplying the whole internal electronic control system (2), connected to the GPS module (16), and the battery (1) is recharged during operation by the photovoltaic cell (3) located on the upper part of the device (4) that has the additionally built-in external micro USB socket (5) allowing recharging the internal battery (1) by connecting to the external charger (6) using the USB cable (7) suitable for the socket (5), and the control system (2) connected permanently to the weather conditions analysis system (8) and the soil analysis system (9), and that is also connected permanently to the internal data transmission system - WiFi and GSM module (10) - used for wireless connection with the external control panel (11), whereas the module (II) has its own power source built of the interchangeable batteries (12) supplying the second separate internal electronic control system (13) that controls operation of the water and aqueous solution quality analysis system (14) and control of the module II takes place by means of the control panel (11) connected to the internal electronic control system (13) through a wireless connection with a data transmission system (15) where this is permanently connected with the internal control system (13).