Patents by Inventor Cheng-en Guo

Cheng-en Guo 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: 11915387
    Abstract: Implementations relate to crop yield prediction at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that capture a first geographic area and are acquired over a first predetermined time interval while the first geographic area includes a particular crop. A first plurality of other data points may also be obtained that influence a ground truth crop yield of the first geographic area after the first predetermined time interval. The first plurality of other data points may be grouped into temporal chunks corresponding temporally with respective images of the first temporal sequence. The first temporal sequence and the temporal chunks of the first plurality of other data points may be applied, e.g., iteratively, as input across a machine learning model to estimate a crop yield of the first geographic area at the end of the first predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan
  • Patent number: 11900560
    Abstract: Implementations relate to diagnosis of crop yield predictions and/or crop yields at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that captures a geographic area over a given time interval through a crop cycle of a first type of crop. Ground truth operational data generated through the given time interval and that influences a final crop yield of the first geographic area after the crop cycle may also be obtained. Based on these data, a ground truth-based crop yield prediction may be generated for the first geographic area at the crop cycle's end. Recommended operational change(s) may be identified based on distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction(s) for the first geographic area. Each distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction may be generated based on hypothetical operational data that includes altered data point(s) of the ground truth operational data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Patent number: 11882784
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for predicting soil organic carbon (“SOC”) content for agricultural fields detected in digital imagery. In various implementations, one or more digital images depicting portion(s) of one or more agricultural fields may be processed. The one or more digital images may have been acquired by a vision sensor carried through the field(s) by a ground-based vehicle. Based on the processing, one or more agricultural inferences indicating agricultural practices or conditions predicted to affect SOC content may be determined. Based on the agricultural inferences, one or more predicted SOC measurements for the field(s) may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-En Guo, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Publication number: 20240013373
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for training and applying machine learning models to digital images capturing plants, and to other data indicative of attributes of individual plants captured in the digital images, to recognize individual plants in distinction from other individual plants. In various implementations, a digital image that captures a first plant of a plurality of plants may be applied, along with additional data indicative of an additional attribute of the first plant observed when the digital image was taken, as input across a machine learning model to generate output. Based on the output, an association may be stored in memory, e.g., of a database, between the digital image that captures the first plant and one or more previously-captured digital images of the first plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Hongxu Ma, Cheng-en Guo, Elliott Grant, Yueqi Li
  • Patent number: 11803959
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for training and applying machine learning models to digital images capturing plants, and to other data indicative of attributes of individual plants captured in the digital images, to recognize individual plants in distinction from other individual plants. In various implementations, a digital image that captures a first plant of a plurality of plants may be applied, along with additional data indicative of an additional attribute of the first plant observed when the digital image was taken, as input across a machine learning model to generate output. Based on the output, an association may be stored in memory, e.g., of a database, between the digital image that captures the first plant and one or more previously-captured digital images of the first plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Hongxu Ma, Cheng-En Guo, Elliott Grant, Yueqi Li
  • Publication number: 20230274391
    Abstract: Implementations relate to crop yield prediction at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that capture a first geographic area and are acquired over a first predetermined time interval while the first geographic area includes a particular crop. A first plurality of other data points may also be obtained that influence a ground truth crop yield of the first geographic area after the first predetermined time interval. The first plurality of other data points may be grouped into temporal chunks corresponding temporally with respective images of the first temporal sequence. The first temporal sequence and the temporal chunks of the first plurality of other data points may be applied, e.g., iteratively, as input across a machine learning model to estimate a crop yield of the first geographic area at the end of the first predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan
  • Patent number: 11710219
    Abstract: Implementations relate to detecting/replacing transient obstructions from high-elevation digital images. A digital image of a geographic area includes pixels that align spatially with respective geographic units of the geographic area. Analysis of the digital image may uncover obscured pixel(s) that align spatially with geographic unit(s) of the geographic area that are obscured by transient obstruction(s). Domain fingerprint(s) of the obscured geographic unit(s) may be determined across pixels of a corpus of digital images that align spatially with the one or more obscured geographic units. Unobscured pixel(s) of the same/different digital image may be identified that align spatially with unobscured geographic unit(s) of the geographic area. The unobscured geographic unit(s) also may have domain fingerprint(s) that match the domain fingerprint(s) of the obscured geographic unit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Cheng-en Guo, Elliott Grant
  • Patent number: 11709860
    Abstract: Some implementations herein relate to a graphical user interface (GUI) that facilitates dynamically partitioning agricultural fields into clusters on an individual agricultural field-basis using agricultural features. A map of a geographic area containing a plurality of agricultural fields may be rendered as part of a GUI. The agricultural fields may be partitioned into a first set of clusters based on a first granularity value and agricultural features of individual agricultural fields. The individual agricultural fields may be visually annotated in the GUI to convey the first set of clusters of similar agricultural fields. Upon receipt of a second granularity value different from the first granularity value, the agricultural fields may be partitioned into a second set of clusters of similar agricultural fields. The map of the geographic area may be updated so that individual agricultural fields are visually annotated to convey the second set of clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: David Clifford, Ming Zheng, Elliott Grant, Nanzhu Wang, Cheng-en Guo, Aleksandra Deis
  • Publication number: 20230210040
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for predicting soil organic carbon (“SOC”) content for agricultural fields detected in digital imagery. In various implementations, one or more digital images depicting portion(s) of one or more agricultural fields may be processed. The one or more digital images may have been acquired by a vision sensor carried through the field(s) by a ground-based vehicle. Based on the processing, one or more agricultural inferences indicating agricultural practices or conditions predicted to affect SOC content may be determined. Based on the agricultural inferences, one or more predicted SOC measurements for the field(s) may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Patent number: 11688036
    Abstract: Implementations relate to detecting/replacing transient obstructions from high-elevation digital images, and/or to fusing data from high-elevation digital images having different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions. In various implementations, first and second temporal sequences of high-elevation digital images capturing a geographic area may be obtained. These temporal sequences may have different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions (or frequencies). A mapping may be generated of the pixels of the high-elevation digital images of the second temporal sequence to respective sub-pixels of the first temporal sequence. A point in time at which a synthetic high-elevation digital image of the geographic area may be selected. The synthetic high-elevation digital image may be generated for the point in time based on the mapping and other data described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Cheng-en Guo, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant, Hongxu Ma
  • Patent number: 11676244
    Abstract: Implementations relate to crop yield prediction at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that capture a first geographic area and are acquired over a first predetermined time interval while the first geographic area includes a particular crop. A first plurality of other data points may also be obtained that influence a ground truth crop yield of the first geographic area after the first predetermined time interval. The first plurality of other data points may be grouped into temporal chunks corresponding temporally with respective images of the first temporal sequence. The first temporal sequence and the temporal chunks of the first plurality of other data points may be applied, e.g., iteratively, as input across a machine learning model to estimate a crop yield of the first geographic area at the end of the first predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan
  • Publication number: 20230140138
    Abstract: Implementations relate to diagnosis of crop yield predictions and/or crop yields at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that captures a geographic area over a given time interval through a crop cycle of a first type of crop. Ground truth operational data generated through the given time interval and that influences a final crop yield of the first geographic area after the crop cycle may also be obtained. Based on these data, a ground truth-based crop yield prediction may be generated for the first geographic area at the crop cycle's end. Recommended operational change(s) may be identified based on distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction(s) for the first geographic area. Each distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction may be generated based on hypothetical operational data that includes altered data point(s) of the ground truth operational data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Patent number: 11606896
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for predicting soil organic carbon (“SOC”) content for agricultural fields detected in digital imagery. In various implementations, one or more digital images depicting portion(s) of one or more agricultural fields may be processed. The one or more digital images may have been acquired by a vision sensor carried through the field(s) by a ground-based vehicle. Based on the processing, one or more agricultural inferences indicating agricultural practices or conditions predicted to affect SOC content may be determined. Based on the agricultural inferences, one or more predicted SOC measurements for the field(s) may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MINERAL EARTH SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Publication number: 20230045607
    Abstract: Implementations relate to detecting/replacing transient obstructions from high-elevation digital images, and/or to fusing data from high-elevation digital images having different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions. In various implementations, first and second temporal sequences of high-elevation digital images capturing a geographic area may be obtained. These temporal sequences may have different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions (or frequencies). A mapping may be generated of the pixels of the high-elevation digital images of the second temporal sequence to respective sub-pixels of the first temporal sequence. A point in time at which a synthetic high-elevation digital image of the geographic area may be selected. The synthetic high-elevation digital image may be generated for the point in time based on the mapping and other data described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Cheng-en Guo, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant, Hongxu Ma
  • Patent number: 11562486
    Abstract: Implementations relate to diagnosis of crop yield predictions and/or crop yields at the field- and pixel-level. In various implementations, a first temporal sequence of high-elevation digital images may be obtained that captures a geographic area over a given time interval through a crop cycle of a first type of crop. Ground truth operational data generated through the given time interval and that influences a final crop yield of the first geographic area after the crop cycle may also be obtained. Based on these data, a ground truth-based crop yield prediction may be generated for the first geographic area at the crop cycle's end. Recommended operational change(s) may be identified based on distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction(s) for the first geographic area. Each distinct hypothetical crop yield prediction may be generated based on hypothetical operational data that includes altered data point(s) of the ground truth operational data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Wilson Zhao, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Patent number: 11501443
    Abstract: Implementations relate to detecting/replacing transient obstructions from high-elevation digital images, and/or to fusing data from high-elevation digital images having different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions. In various implementations, first and second temporal sequences of high-elevation digital images capturing a geographic area may be obtained. These temporal sequences may have different spatial, temporal, and/or spectral resolutions (or frequencies). A mapping may be generated of the pixels of the high-elevation digital images of the second temporal sequence to respective sub-pixels of the first temporal sequence. A point in time at which a synthetic high-elevation digital image of the geographic area may be selected. The synthetic high-elevation digital image may be generated for the point in time based on the mapping and other data described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Cheng-en Guo, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant, Hongxu Ma
  • Patent number: 11403846
    Abstract: In embodiments, obtaining a plurality of image sets associated with a geographical region and a time period, wherein each image set of the plurality of image sets comprises multi-spectral and time series images that depict a respective particular portion of the geographical region during the time period, and predicting presence of a crop at particular locations within the particular portion of the geographical region associated with an image set of the plurality of image sets. Determining crop boundary locations within the particular portion of the geographical region based on the predicted presence of the crop at the particular locations, and generating a crop indicative image comprising at least one image of the multi-spectral and time series images of the image set overlaid with indication of crop areas, wherein the crop areas are defined by the determined crop boundary locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Jie Yang, Elliott Grant
  • Publication number: 20220217894
    Abstract: Implementations are described herein for predicting soil organic carbon (“SOC”) content for agricultural fields detected in digital imagery. In various implementations, one or more digital images depicting portion(s) of one or more agricultural fields may be processed. The one or more digital images may have been acquired by a vision sensor carried through the field(s) by a ground-based vehicle. Based on the processing, one or more agricultural inferences indicating agricultural practices or conditions predicted to affect SOC content may be determined. Based on the agricultural inferences, one or more predicted SOC measurements for the field(s) may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng-en Guo, Jie Yang, Zhiqiang Yuan, Elliott Grant
  • Publication number: 20220215037
    Abstract: Some implementations herein relate to a graphical user interface (GUI) that facilitates dynamically partitioning agricultural fields into clusters on an individual agricultural field-basis using agricultural features. A map of a geographic area containing a plurality of agricultural fields may be rendered as part of a GUI. The agricultural fields may be partitioned into a first set of clusters based on a first granularity value and agricultural features of individual agricultural fields. The individual agricultural fields may be visually annotated in the GUI to convey the first set of clusters of similar agricultural fields. Upon receipt of a second granularity value different from the first granularity value, the agricultural fields may be partitioned into a second set of clusters of similar agricultural fields. The map of the geographic area may be updated so that individual agricultural fields are visually annotated to convey the second set of clusters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: David Clifford, Ming Zheng, Elliott Grant, Nanzhu Wang, Cheng-en Guo, Aleksandra Deis
  • Patent number: 11367278
    Abstract: Implementations relate to improved crop field segmentation and crop classification in which boundaries between crop fields are more accurately detected. In various implementations, high-elevation image(s) that capture an area containing multiple demarcated fields may be applied as input across one or more machine learning models to generate a boundary enhancement channel. Each pixel of the boundary enhancement channel may be spatially aligned with a corresponding pixel of the one or more high-elevation images. Moreover, each pixel of the boundary enhancement channel may be classified with a unit angle to a reference location of the field of the multiple demarcated fields that contains the pixel. Based on the boundary enhancement channel, pixel-wise field memberships of pixels of the one or more high-elevation images in the multiple demarcated fields may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Alex Wilson, Christopher Edward Bacon, Jie Yang, Cheng-en Guo