Autonomous Precision Agriculture: Herbicide Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856949_0010_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Future Evolutions & Paradigm Shifts

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Autonomous Precision Agriculture: Herbicide Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856949_0010_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856949_0010_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,949.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent on stable, concentrated herbicidal compositions addressed the need for efficient crop protection. However, it did not account for the increasing complexity of modern farming, herbicide resistance, and environmental concerns. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing autonomous, precision application and monitoring systems that minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and optimize crop yields.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a paradigm shift in crop protection by integrating autonomous drones, machine learning, and modular farming, which are not obvious extensions of the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of these components to create a precision agriculture system that addresses the limitations of traditional herbicidal compositions.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include the use of other autonomous vehicles, such as ground-based robots or satellites, for precision herbicide application and monitoring. Variations may include the integration of additional sensors, such as soil moisture sensors or weather stations, to further optimize crop yields and minimize environmental impact.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in precision agriculture, crop protection, and sustainable farming practices. The target market includes large-scale farming operations, agricultural cooperatives, and companies focused on sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01N25/22
A A01 A01N25/02
A A01 A01N25/30
A A01 A01N57/12
A A01 A01N57/20

Field of Art

Agricultural Chemical Formulations and Precision Agriculture Technologies, focusing on herbicide composition, delivery systems, and crop protection methodologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with advanced degrees in agricultural engineering, chemistry, or biotechnology, possessing expertise in herbicide formulation, crop protection technologies, and emerging agricultural automation techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the disclosed precision agriculture system represents a predictable technological progression from existing herbicidal composition patents, leveraging known technologies in drone automation, machine learning, and targeted chemical delivery to address agricultural challenges inherent in traditional herbicide application methods.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Liquid herbicidal composition with specific surfactant and solvent combinations
PTD Variation
Nanocapsule-based herbicidal composition with stimuli-responsive polymer matrix
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would find it obvious to modify existing herbicide delivery mechanisms using known encapsulation technologies to achieve more precise and controlled chemical release, representing a standard design optimization in agricultural chemical engineering
Source Patent Element
Method of preparing herbicidal compositions with specific ingredient mixing protocols
PTD Variation
Autonomous drone-based precision herbicide application system
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating automated application technologies with existing herbicide formulations represents a predictable technological evolution, utilizing standard robotics and geospatial mapping techniques to improve chemical delivery efficiency
Source Patent Element
Water-soluble herbicidal ingredient concentration methods
PTD Variation
Machine learning algorithms for predicting and preventing herbicide-resistant weed populations
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying computational predictive techniques to existing herbicide application strategies constitutes a logical extension of known agricultural management practices, representing an obvious combination of chemical formulation knowledge with emerging data science approaches
Source Patent Element
Crop protection formulation techniques
PTD Variation
Vertically-integrated modular farming system with microclimate-controlled environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Developing enclosed agricultural systems with integrated chemical delivery represents a predictable technological progression in controlled agriculture, utilizing known principles of environmental management and precision chemical application
Source Patent Element
Herbicidal composition mixing and preparation methods
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based tracking platform for herbicide origin and application verification
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing blockchain technologies for supply chain transparency constitutes an obvious technological enhancement to existing agricultural chemical management practices, representing a standard approach to improving traceability and accountability
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856949 and the disclosed technological variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed precision agriculture technologies and herbicide delivery methods to be obvious extensions of existing crop protection methodologies, thereby rendering potential patent claims in these domains anticipated and non-patentable under standard obviousness criteria.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,949
TitleStable, concentrated herbicidal compositions
Assignee(s)BASF SE