US 11,719,681 B2
Capturing and analyzing data in a drone enabled environment for ecological decision making
Hyman David Chantz, Scarsdale, NY (US); and Doga Tav, Fredericton (CA)
Assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)
Filed by International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/85,450.
Prior Publication US 2022/0137023 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 33/24 (2006.01); G01N 27/04 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); A01B 79/00 (2006.01); B64U 101/00 (2023.01)
CPC G01N 33/24 (2013.01) [A01B 79/005 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); G01N 27/041 (2013.01); G05D 1/0094 (2013.01); B64U 2101/00 (2023.01); G01N 2033/245 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-implemented method for capturing data in a drone enabled environment for testing soil and ecological decision making, comprising:
initiating, using a computer, collection of data from multiple sources using a drone, the data regarding information about soil at a specified soil location, in response to the drone flying over air space of a physical or geographical location respective to the soil location and/or landing at the soil location;
receiving, using the computer, soil data, as part of the data, from the drone in response to testing the soil, the testing of the soil including conducting a ground conductivity test using two or more probes coupled to respective landing pads of the drone, and positioning the drone over the soil location such that the two or more probes contact the soil;
analyzing the data to determine a best location for seeding and growing a plant in the soil;
initiating, as part of the testing of the soil, physical contact of a probe into the soil, wherein the probe is frangible and breaks off the drone when physical resistance from the soil exceeds a stress threshold;
receiving additional soil data, as part of the data, from the probe including first stress data related to the probe breaking off in response to the physical resistance from the soil exceeding the stress threshold; and
analyzing the additional data to determine a best location for seeding and growing a plant in the soil.