Fiducial Markers for Agricultural and Livestock Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857274_0002_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Fiducial Markers for Agricultural and Livestock Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857274_0002_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857274_0002_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. 11,857,274.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

Adapting the core technology of medical instrument fiducial markers to agricultural and livestock settings, enabling precise tracking, monitoring, and analysis of crops, livestock, and equipment.

Background and Problem Solved

Conventional agricultural and livestock management systems lack precise tracking and monitoring capabilities, resulting in reduced yields, inefficient resource allocation, and poor decision-making. The original patent's fiducial marker technology, initially designed for medical instruments, is now applied to address these limitations in agricultural and livestock settings.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept involves adapting the fiducial marker technology to create a system for tracking agricultural equipment, monitoring crop health, managing farm operations, precision irrigation, and monitoring livestock health. The physical instrument with fiducial markers is designed for use in various agricultural settings, including fields, farms, and livestock enclosures. The instrument is tracked using visible light cameras, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis. The system can detect signs of disease or stress in crops and livestock, optimize irrigation schedules, and provide valuable insights for farmers and livestock managers.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of fiducial marker technology to agricultural and livestock settings, providing a non-obvious solution to the limitations of conventional management systems. The inventive step lies in adapting the technology to address the unique challenges and requirements of these industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include using different types of sensors or cameras, integrating the system with existing agricultural software, or developing specialized instruments for specific crops or livestock. Variations may also include using the technology for other applications, such as environmental monitoring or conservation efforts.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the agricultural and livestock industries, with applications in precision agriculture, farm management, livestock health monitoring, and environmental sustainability. The target market includes farmers, agricultural companies, livestock producers, and government agencies involved in agricultural development and conservation.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/10
A A61 A61B2034/107
A A61 A61B2034/2068
G G06 G06F3/011

Field of Art

Medical instrumentation and tracking technologies, with expertise in fiducial marker systems, imaging technologies, and precision tracking across medical and industrial applications

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with advanced engineering or biomedical background, capable of cross-domain technology adaptation, familiar with optical tracking systems, sensor integration, and interdisciplinary problem-solving

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental similarity between medical instrument tracking and agricultural equipment tracking as both fundamentally involve precise spatial localization using optical markers. The core technological principles of fiducial marker detection are transferable across domains, with predictable modifications to suit specific environmental requirements. The source patent's core innovations of coded markers and visual tracking are directly applicable to agricultural monitoring scenarios.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Fiducial markers with Hamming code error tolerance on a physical instrument
PTD Variation
Applying identical marker technology to agricultural equipment tracking
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of adapting robust tracking systems to new domains with minimal modification, representing a predictable engineering solution
Source Patent Element
Visual light camera-based tracking system
PTD Variation
Extending tracking methodology to monitor crop and livestock health
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of existing optical tracking principles to alternative measurement contexts, representing a standard engineering design choice
Source Patent Element
Code platform with multiple coded regions
PTD Variation
Using multiple marker regions for tracking different agricultural instruments or livestock
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious extension of existing marker technology, representing a finite and predictable implementation strategy
Source Patent Element
Instrument with tubular body and coded surface
PTD Variation
Creating agricultural instruments with integrated tracking markers
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine engineering adaptation applying known marker integration techniques to new instrumental contexts
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857274's teachings, the present disclosure demonstrates that a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the agricultural fiducial marker tracking system an obvious variation of existing medical instrument tracking technologies. The disclosed variations represent predictable engineering adaptations applying known optical tracking principles across technical domains, thereby rendering potential claims of novelty invalid under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,274
TitleMedical instrument with fiducial markers
Assignee(s)Medivis, Inc.