Patents by Inventor Arnold W. Schumann

Arnold W. Schumann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11468670
    Abstract: Various embodiments detect and manage target vegetation in vegetation areas, including crop beds, between crop beds, and turfgrasses. In one embodiment, a machine learning model is trained to detect target vegetation in captured images. An information processing system is programmed utilizing the machine learning model. One or more images of a particular area are captured, and target vegetation is detected within the one or more images. A position of the detected target vegetation is determined within the one or more images. An applicator disposed on an agrochemical applicator system that is mapped to the position of the detected target vegetation within the one or more images is determined. The applicator is activated based on a current speed of a vehicle coupled to the agrochemical applicator system, and further based on configuration data associated with the applicator. Activating the applicator selectively applies an agrochemical to the detected target vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arnold W. Schumann, Nathan S. Boyd, Jialin Yu
  • Patent number: 10881095
    Abstract: Various examples are discussed for creating punched holes into a plastic mulch covering a top soil bed and precisely spraying herbicide for a limited time into each of the punched holes and on the top soil located directly below each of the punched holes in a plasticulture vegetable production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nathan S. Boyd, Arnold W. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20200342225
    Abstract: Various embodiments detect and manage target vegetation in vegetation areas, including crop beds, between crop beds, and turfgrasses. In one embodiment, a machine learning model is trained to detect target vegetation in captured images. An information processing system is programmed utilizing the machine learning model. One or more images of a particular area are captured, and target vegetation is detected within the one or more images. A position of the detected target vegetation is determined within the one or more images. An applicator disposed on an agrochemical applicator system that is mapped to the position of the detected target vegetation within the one or more images is determined. The applicator is activated based on a current speed of a vehicle coupled to the agrochemical applicator system, and further based on configuration data associated with the applicator. Activating the applicator selectively applies an agrochemical to the detected target vegetation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Arnold W. Schumann, Nathan S. Boyd, Jialin Yu
  • Publication number: 20190133108
    Abstract: Disclosed are various examples for creating punched holes into a plastic mulch covering a top soil bed and precisely spraying herbicide for a limited time into each of the punched holes and on the top soil located directly below each of the punched holes in a plasticulture vegetable production operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan S. Boyd, Arnold W. Schumann
  • Patent number: 8488874
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for controlling a variable-rate sprayer for precision agriculture. Highly efficient digital image processing enables rapid and reliable control of the variable rate sprayer. In one embodiment, image processing uses only a subset of luminance, hue, saturation and intensity textural features to provide rapid image recognition. In another embodiment, an image is decomposed into RGB components and a G is ratio determined. For example, the textural method is useful in growing season where color differentiation is difficult. The G ratio method is useful in early spring and late fall where color differentiation is possible. These rapid computationally light methods enable a mobile sprayer system to identify crop or field conditions in real-time and to dispense an appropriate amount of agrochemical in a specific section of the sprayer boom where the target has been detected as the mobile sprayer advances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dalhouse University
    Inventors: Qamar-Uz Zaman, Young Ki Chang, Arnold W. Schumann
  • Publication number: 20120195496
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for controlling a variable-rate sprayer for precision agriculture. Highly efficient digital image processing enables rapid and reliable control of the variable rate sprayer. In one embodiment, image processing uses only a subset of luminance, hue, saturation and intensity textural features to provide rapid image recognition. In another embodiment, an image is decomposed into RGB components and a G is ratio determined. For example, the textural method is useful in growing season where colour differentiation is difficult. The G ratio method is useful in early spring and late fall where colour differentiation is possible. These rapid computationally light methods enable a mobile sprayer system to identify crop or field conditions in real-time and to dispense an appropriate amount of agrochemical in a specific section of the sprayer boom where the target has been detected as the mobile sprayer advances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Qamar-Uz ZAMAN, Young Ki Chang, Arnold W. Schumann