Apparatus and method for determining a distance to an object in a field for the controlled release of chemicals on plants, weeds, trees or soil and/or guidance of farm vehicles

A method, comprising:

• moving a sensor with respect to an object in a field, said sensor comprising a source of light and a light detector, light from said source of light scanning over said object and light from said source of light reflecting off said object and being incident upon said light detector of said sensor, said light reflecting off said object causing a signal to be output from said light detector of said sensor;
• using a signal output from said light detector of said sensor to obtain distance information, said distance information being indicative of a distance between said sensor and said object when said light from said source is reflecting off said object;
• and
• using a signal output from a light detector of said sensor to determine a spectral reflectance characteristic of said object, said spectral reflectance characteristic being indicative of whether said object is a living plant.

A method, comprising:

• electronically detecting light which has reflected off an object in a field;
• making a determination whether said object has a spectral characteristic of a plant;
• and
• guiding a vehicle or an implement through said field with respect to said object based at least in part on said determination.

A method, comprising:

• electronically detecting light which has reflected off an object in a field;
• obtaining information indicative of a distance to said object;
• and
• guiding a vehicle or an implement through said field with respect to said object based on said information.

A method, comprising:

• moving a first sensor with respect to a tree, said first sensor comprising a source of light and a light detector, said first sensor outputting information indicative of a distance to said tree;
• moving a second sensor with respect to said tree, said second sensor comprising a source of light and a light detector, said second sensor being coupled to an electronically-controlled spray nozzle;
• and
• selectively disabling said electronically-controlled spray nozzle based at least in part on said distance information output from said first sensor, said second sensor otherwise controlling said electronically-controlled spray nozzle to spray objects having a predetermined spectral characteristic.

A method, comprising:

• moving a light detector over a surface of a field to obtain spectral reflectance information;
• forming a two-dimensional map of at least a part of said field using said spectral reflectance information by classifying areas of said surface of said field based on their spectral reflectance characteristics, some of said areas being plants disposed in a row and others of said areas being soil;
• and
• analyzing said two-dimensional map to locate said row of plants, said forming and analyzing occurring in a digital processor moving over said surface with said light detector.

A method, comprising:

• moving a light detector over a surface of a field to obtain distance information;
• forming a two-dimensional map of at least a part of said field using said distance information to classify said areas of said surface, some of said areas being plants disposed in a row and others of said areas being soil;
• and
• analyzing said two-dimensional map to locate said row of plants, said forming and analyzing occurring in a digital processor moving over said surface with said light detector.

A structure, comprising:

• a source of light;
• a light detector;
• means, coupled to said light detector, for determining whether an optical path between said source of light and said light detector is obstructed, light traveling in said optical path from said source of light to said light detector having to reflect off an object in order to reach said light detector;
• and
• an electronically-controlled plante-eliminating device coupled to said means for determining.