Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for detecting gas leaks using a drone are provided. Aspects include capturing a first set of data regarding a presence of a gas in the geographic area while flying along the initial flight path. Aspects also include creating secondary flight paths through regions in the geographic area in which the presence of the gas exceeds a threshold amount and capturing a second set of data regarding a concentration of the gas in the one or more regions while flying along the secondary flight paths. Aspects further include capturing wind data while flying along the initial and second flight paths and creating a three-dimensional gas plume model for gas leaks identified in the geographic area based on the first set of data, the second set of data and the wind data, wherein the three-dimensional gas plume model identifies a source of the gas leaks.

Abstract: Techniques for using a scaling relationship between crop drymass and elevation at a farm level to redistribute crop yield data are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing crop yield is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining crop yield data for a farm; cleansing the crop yield data using a data filter(s), wherein one or more data points are eliminated from the crop yield data by the data filter; and redistributing a value of the data points eliminated from the crop yield data to data points remaining in the crop yield data to create a crop yield distribution for the farm.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling precipitation collection vessels to accurately and efficiently collect, measure, and aggregate precipitation accumulation data are disclosed. In one embodiment according to aspects of the present invention, a computer-implemented method includes collecting snow in a plurality of collection vessels by orienting an open end of each of the plurality of collection vessels perpendicularly to a direction of the wind based at least in part on a wind model. The computer-implemented method further includes measuring a snow level of the snow in each of the plurality of collection vessels to generate snow level data for each of the plurality of collection vessels. The computer-implemented method further includes aggregating the snow level data for each of the plurality of snow collection by assembling the snow accumulation data from each of the plurality of collection vessels.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling soil moisture, water accumulation and fertilizer distribution in land. Elevation location data for land areas are extracted from two or more pixels of a topographic image including topographic data. Each pixel represents a land area. Wetness indices for the land areas are determined from the elevation and location data, based on the slope between two or more defined areas of land and an upslope contributing area per unit contour length. At risk defined areas of land, e.g., those at risk of accumulating water are identified based on wetness indices. Water is transported from the at risk defined areas of land to another location. The transporting of water reduces the risk of accumulating water in the at risk defined areas of land and improves crop growth potential in those areas.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of optical sensors located along at least one pipe segment of a rotating arm that pivots around an irrigation area of a field, the plurality of optical sensors continuously monitors soil and vegetation conditions and transmits sensed data to a central computer, and a plurality of in-ground sensors scattered in the irrigation area of the field, the plurality of in-ground sensors continuously monitors soil conditions and transmits sensed data to a plurality of gateway devices located in the rotating arm, the plurality of gateway devices transmits data from the plurality of in-ground sensors to the central computer where data from the plurality of optical sensors and the plurality of in-ground sensors is integrated with external data to determine water and fertilizer needs based on which an irrigation schedule is created.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining farm boundary delineations within a target geographic area, comprising extracting data from pixels of a satellite image of the target geographic area, evaluating the data using a classification algorithm to generate one or more line segments between adjacent pixels, the one or more line segments being representative of a portion of a boundary delineation, connecting the one or more line segments to an adjacent line segment to form a boundary delineation defining at least one parcel of land within the target geographic area, and generating a boundary delineation map including the boundary delineation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for crop type identification using satellite observation and weather data. The method includes extracting current and historical data from pixels of satellite images of a target region, generating temporal sequences of vegetation indices, based on the weather data, converting each timestamp of the temporal sequences into a modified temporal variable correlating with actual crop growth, training a classifier using a set of historical temporal sequences of vegetation indices with respect to the modified temporal variable as training features and corresponding historically known crop types as training labels, identifying a crop type for each pixel location within the satellite images using the trained classifier and the historical temporal sequences of vegetation indices with respect to the modified temporal variable for a current crop season, and estimating a crop acreage value by aggregating identified pixels associated with the crop type.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating direct and diffuse sunlight reaching a location as a function of time using color whole sky images are provided. In one aspect, a method for forecasting solar insolation is provided that includes the steps of: obtaining color whole sky images using a digital camera which are taken at different times, and wherein an image of a solar disk is present in at least one of the color whole sky images; creating sky transparency images from the color whole sky images; determining atmospheric solar scattering based on a width of the solar disk in the color whole sky images; determining cloud motion trajectories from a time series of the sky transparency images; and calculating the solar insolation as a function of time using the sky transparency, the atmospheric solar scattering, and the cloud motion trajectories. A system for forecasting solar insolation is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for managing visitor flow in environments on which the visitors can have an impact are provided. In one aspect, a method for managing visitor flow in an indoor space is includes the steps of: obtaining real-time data from a wireless sensor network present in the indoor space, wherein the data indicates a presence/number of visitors in the indoor space and an environmental condition(s) in the indoor space; creating a risk map using the real-time data which indicates an impact the presence/number of visitors have on the environmental conditions in the indoor space; and generating an alert whenever the risk map indicates that the presence/number of visitors have greater than a predefined threshold impact on the environmental conditions in the indoor space. Systems for managing visitor flow in indoor spaces such as a gallery of a museum or a room in a hospital are also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of optical sensors located along at least one pipe segment of a rotating arm that pivots around an irrigation area of a field, the plurality of optical sensors continuously monitors soil and vegetation conditions and transmits sensed data to a central computer, and a plurality of in-ground sensors scattered in the irrigation area of the field, the plurality of in-ground sensors continuously monitors soil conditions and transmits sensed data to a plurality of gateway devices located in the rotating arm, the plurality of gateway devices transmits data from the plurality of in-ground sensors to the central computer where data from the plurality of optical sensors and the plurality of in-ground sensors is integrated with external data to determine water and fertilizer needs based on which an irrigation schedule is created.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for performing diagnostics on water distribution systems (e.g., automated drip-line irrigation systems). Embodiments of the present invention can afford users with the ability to identify defective components based on the diagnostics. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide users with additional information in regard to potential causes and trends.

Abstract: A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spectrometer apparatus comprising a mobile device including an integrated camera, having a camera lens and an image sensor. The camera lens is located within a body of the mobile device that comprises a detachable housing coupled to the body of the mobile device. The detachable housing includes a first end and a second end opposed to the first end. The first end includes an optical input and the second end includes an opening that is substantially aligned with the camera lens. An optical spectrometer device is located within the housing and optically coupled to both the optical input at the first end of the housing and the camera lens at the second end of the housing. The optical spectrometer device receives a target image from the optical input and generates a spectral image that is received by the image sensor via the camera lens.

Abstract: A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure.

Abstract: An aerosol distribution determining system is provided. The system includes a set of pairs. Each of the pairs includes a light emitter mounted to a black object for respectively emitting electromagnetic radiation and absorbing a portion of the electromagnetic radiation. The system further includes a hyperspectral imaging camera for capturing hyperspectral images of the electromagnetic radiation in an absence of and in a presence of an aerosol distribution. The system also includes a data processing system for determining at least one of a size, a vertical density distribution, and a shape of particles in the aerosol distribution based on information derived using the hyperspectral images.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating direct and diffuse sunlight reaching a location as a function of time using color whole sky images are provided. In one aspect, a method for forecasting solar insolation is provided that includes the steps of: obtaining color whole sky images using a digital camera which are taken at different times, and wherein an image of a solar disk is present in at least one of the color whole sky images; creating sky transparency images from the color whole sky images; determining atmospheric solar scattering based on a width of the solar disk in the color whole sky images; determining cloud motion trajectories from a time series of the sky transparency images; and calculating the solar insolation as a function of time using the sky transparency, the atmospheric solar scattering, and the cloud motion trajectories. A system for forecasting solar insolation is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting emission sites include identifying a set of known emitters having visible features and a spectroscopic signature that correspond to sites that emit a substance to form a training set. A classifier is generated based on the training set. New emitters are identified based on the classifier, a spectroscopic signature map, and a map of visible features. An alert is provided responsive to the identification of a new emitter.

Abstract: An automated irrigation control comprising crop sensor physically attached to a crop and a light sensitive sensor having a photo-detector for monitoring light intensity of a crop, an irrigation conduit extending along the span of the irrigation zone and adapted to carry fluid, with one or more controllable valves and sensors, growth sensors placed in close proximity of the crop sensors, a computer control system, an irrigation controller, and a communications link between the computer control system, the one or more crop sensor, the three or more growth sensors, and the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A segmented variable drip irrigation system, comprised of a first horizontally disposed conduit and a second horizontally disposed conduit encompassing the first horizontally disposed conduit. The first horizontally disposed conduit passes through a forward end section, a middle section and exits through a rear end section of the second horizontally disposed conduit. The second horizontally disposed conduit contains a drain mounted to its end, at least one flow control valve and a plurality of drip emitters connected to the second horizontally disposed conduit.

Abstract: An aerosol distribution determining system and method are provided. The system includes a set of light emitters for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The system further includes a hyperspectral imaging camera for capturing hyperspectral images of the electromagnetic radiation in an absence of and in a presence of an aerosol distribution. The system also includes a data processing system for determining at least one of a size, a vertical density distribution, and a shape of particles in the aerosol distribution based on a spectral response, an angular distribution, and a polarization of the aerosol distribution derived using the hyperspectral images.