Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
CROP MOISTURE DATA CONVERSION TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool for use with a meter of the type
used to measure an electrical capacitance representation as an indication of
moisture
content of a sample of a given commodity, in which the tool is arranged to
correlate
the electrical capacitance representation measured by the meter, in the form
of a dial
drum reading, and a temperature of the commodity to a percentage of moisture
of the
sample using correlation data associated with the given commodity.
BACKGROUND
For more than 55 years, the Model 919 grain moisture tester has been
the industry standard throughout the Canadian grain handling system for the
determination of moisture in more than 100 different agricultural commodities.
This
scientific piece of equipment has formed the cornerstone of grain moisture
testing in
Canada and is used by government agencies, grain elevators and farmers across
Canada and the United States. There are approximately 25,000 units presently
in use
by Canadian farms and the importance of this piece of moisture testing
equipment is
unquestionable to everyone in the grain handling system.
The Canadian Grain Commission generates moisture charts that are
used in conjunction with Dimo's Tool and Die Ltd.'s Model 919 moisture tester.
Generally a 250 gram sample of the commodity is weighed and placed into the
dump
tube of the moisture meter. At this time, the temperature of the grain sample
is
recorded. The sample is then dumped into the measuring cell and a dial drum
reading
or number value is obtained when the needle of the analogue meter movement
reaches the lowest point. The dial drum value corresponds indirectly to a
measured
capacitance of the sample. The temperature and dial drum value are then
searched
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
2
for on the corresponding paper chart for the particular commodity. This
process of
manually determining the final moisture content of the grain by looking up the
temperature and dial drum value can be tedious and difficult as the paper
charts are
in a table format and contain a vast amount of data. The presentation of the
information contained in the charts is completed as well as can be,
considering the
huge amount of data they contain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a moisture
data conversion tool for use with a meter for determining an electrical
capacitance
representation of a sample of a given product, the tool comprising:
a portable housing;
a data input supported on the housing for receiving electrical
capacitance representation data and temperature data of the sample;
a memory supported on the housing for storing correlation data therein
which correlates electrical capacitance representation data to moisture
content of the
given product;
a processor supported on the housing for determining moisture content
of the sample using the electrical capacitance representation data, the
temperature
data, and the correlation data;
a display supported on the housing for displaying the moisture content
of the sample as determined by the processor; and
a power source for supplying electrical power to the processor and the
display.
The display on the housing also displays the commodity selection,
stored results, and temperature data.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
3
This electronic hand held tool will contain the chart data for every
commodity that their Model 919 can be used to determine moisture content. The
measured electrical capacitance representation corresponds to a dial drum
value read
from the Model 919 moisture meter available by Dimo's Tool and Die Ltd.
Stored in the device will be commodity information and related
temperature, dial drum and moisture content values. Farmers will simply select
the
commodity that they would like to test, use our moisture tester and input the
temperature of the sample along with the dial drum value given by the Model
919.
The LCD display of the device will show the producer the percent moisture.
This will
dramatically cut down on the time it takes to test individual samples and make
the
Model 919 an even more user friendly moisture testing device. Instead of
producers
having to look values up in a paper chart they can simple input the values
into the
storage device and have the moisture content displayed for them. They will
also be
able to store previous test values to be recalled later in the season if
necessary.
Preferably the memory stores correlation data therein associated with a
plurality of different given products, and the data input is arranged for
receiving
product selection data. The processor is thus arranged to determine moisture
content
of the sample using the electrical capacitance representation data, the
temperature
data, the product selection data and the correlation data associated with a
selected
one of the given products as determined by the product selection data.
The memory may include test weight data indicating test weight of the
sample for use with the meter for each of the given products, the display
being
arranged for displaying the test weight data responsive to determination of
the
selected one of the products.
At least some of the correlation data preferably comprises one or more
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
4
regression formulas, each representing moisture content as a function of
electrical
capacitance and temperature of a sample of the given product. When the memory
stores correlation data associated with a plurality of different given
products, the
correlation data preferably comprises different formulas associated with the
different
given products respectively.
Some of the correlation data may comprise a plurality of different
moisture content values, each with a respective electrical capacitance
representation
and temperature associated therewith. In this instance the processor is
arranged to
determine moisture content by determining which moisture content value is
associated with the input electrical capacitance representation data and
temperature
data of the sample. Some of the correlation data in this instance may also
comprise a
formula representing moisture content as a function of moisture content values
associated with a different one of a plurality of given products.
The processor may also be arranged to extrapolate moisture content
from moisture content values stored in the memory when the electrical
capacitance
representation data and the temperature data fall outside of a range of
electrical
capacitance representation and temperature values associated with the
respective
moisture content values stored in the memory. This extends or increases the
measuring range of the moisture meter.
The processor may be operable in two modes: a moisture content
determination mode and a test weight determination mode. In the moisture
content
determination mode, the processor determines moisture content of the sample
using
the electrical capacitance representation data, the temperature data and the
correlation data. In the test weight determination mode, the processor is
arranged to
display one of a test weight or a conversion of density units responsive to a
measured
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
density (in units of grams per half litre) input into the data input.
When the memory includes test weight data for a sample of the given
product associated with a plurality of different given products, the processor
is
preferably arranged to determine the test weight data responsive to a
selection of one
5 the given products and a measured density (in grams per half litre) of the
sample
being received by the data input.
The processor may be arranged to convert density data which is input
into the data input into a plurality of density values each having different
units of
measurement, the density values being displayed on the display. The density
values
preferably include kilograms per hectalitre and pounds per bushel.
The memory preferably comprises a rewritable memory arranged to
store determined moisture content for a plurality of different samples and
subsequently recall the moisture content of the plurality of different
samples.
The memory is also preferably arranged to store appended data with
each moisture content. The appended data may include for example: data
relating to
field conditions or location with which the sample is associated, an
identification of the
given product, or a date of moisture content determination by the processor.
When the memory stores correlation data therein associated with a
plurality of different given products, the memory preferably includes a first
(or
favourites) location storing correlation data of a first portion of the given
products and
a second location storing correlation data associated with a second portion of
the
given products, the first location of the memory being more readily accessible
by a
user using the data input than the second location.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
6
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the housing of the tool.
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the electrical components of the
tool.
Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the order of operation of the
processor of the tool.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a tool generally
indicated by reference numeral 10. The tool 10 is an apparatus which is
particularly
suited for use with a moisture meter, for example a Model 919TM moisture
tester made
available by Dimo's Tool & Die Limited, Winnipeg, Canada. The tool 10 makes
use of
the electrical capacitance of a product as determined by the moisture tester
to
correlate this data to a moisture content expressed as a percentage of mass
which is
useful for grading various commodities including various types of grain or
other similar
crops.
The moisture meter generally involves applying an electrical current to a
sample of the given product having a known mass. Electrical capacitance (in
units of
picofarads or microfarads) is measured and a representation thereof is
displayed as
an indirectly corresponding dial drum value. Temperature of the sample at the
time of
capacitance measurement is also measured by a separate thermometer. Various
testing is performed by more complex means other than the tool 10 of the
present
invention to associate a moisture content value with various different values
of
electrical capacitance representation and temperature and selection of the
type of
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
7
given product.
The tool 10 generally comprises a portable housing 12 which is suitable
sized to be handheld by an operator for being portable to various different
working
environments. Within the housing there is provided a central processing unit
14 for
controlling various operations of the tool.
Input keys 16 are provided for inputting data into the processor by an
operator manually contacting the various keys. The input keys 16 preferable
comprise
a numbered keypad including characters 1 through 9 and 0 along with additional
functions of up and down scrolling buttons, enter and delete keys, and
alternate
function keys.
A display 18 is supported on the housing on a front surface of the
housing along with the input keys 16. The display comprises a graphical liquid
crystal
display (LCD) or other suitable electronic display for displaying characters
to an
operator of the tool.
Within the interior of the housing there is provided a read only memory
for long term storage of the correlation data relating to various types of
given
product. This correlation data remains stored in the read only memory 20
throughout
the various functions of the tool.
A rewritable memory 22 is also coupled to the processor 14 for
20 temporary storage of determined values of moisture content as well as
any associated
data to be stored therewith. Moisture content values associated with a
plurality of
different samples of one or more given products can be stored within the
rewritable
memory for subsequent recall of any one of the moisture content values.
Alternatively
the values may be deleted and overwritten with new data values in the
rewritable
memory 22.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
8
A battery 24 is provided within the housing to provide a portable power
supply for operating the processor and the display, and all other associated
electrical
components of the tool.
The central processor is arranged to control various functions and
modes of the tool 10 for determining moisture content values as well as other
useful
information for use with the moisture meter of the prior art. As shown in
figure 3, upon
initially operating the tool a user first selects a mode of operation between
a moisture
content determination mode 26 or a test weight determination mode 28.
In the moisture content determination mode 26, the processor queries
the operator with the relevant type of commodity or product with which
moisture
content is to be determined. This is accomplished by providing a list of all
of the
different given product stored in the memory having correlation data
associated
therewith on the display 18 of the tool. The selection may first require
selection
between different classes of commodities displayed as a first list including
for example
cereals, oilseeds, etc., before a second list of commodities is then presented
representing a subgrouping of commodities within the selected class. The
memory
also includes weight data associated with each of the different commodity or
product
types which represents the desired mass of the sample to be placed into the
moisture
meter with which the tool is to be used to obtain a proper electrical
capacitance
representation from the moisture meter which can be used by the processor with
the
correlation data.
Once the sample weight for testing has been identified to the user on
the display 18, the user measures an appropriate sized sample to be placed
into the
moisture tester and measures the temperature of the sample. The moisture
tester
measures an electrical capacitance through the sample, resulting in a
representation
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
9
of the electrical capacitance which is displayed as a dial drum value on the
tester. The
processor then uses the inputted temperature data, electrical capacitance
representation data (or dial drum data) and selection of the given product to
determine which correlation data to use and subsequently determine the
moisture
content using the correlation data.
The determined moisture content is then displayed as a numerical value
on the display 18 and the option is given to the operator to store this
determined
moisture content value in the rewriteable memory 22. When storing in the
memory 22,
the option is also given for the operator to append additional data with the
moisture
content value being stored. This additional appended data may comprise a
description of the field, its location or a storage location associated with
the particular
sample of which the moisture content is being determined. Other appended data
may
include a date of the moisture content determination and the type of product,
however
some of this additional appended data can be appended automatically rather
than
requiring additional input by the user.
In the alternative mode of test weight determination 28, the processor
again queries the operator for the particular type of product concerned. The
processor
then queries the operator through the display 18 for a density (in grams per
half litre)
to be input. The density of the desired sample to be measured of a given
product is
measured in units of grams per half litre and inputted under these units of
measure
into the processor using the input keys. The processor then converts this
density data,
which has been measured, into a plurality of different density values each
having
different units of measure but expressing an identical density. These various
conversions are displayed on the display 18 for the operator to see.
Also displayed is the desired test weight (for some commodities) for a
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
sample to be used in the moisture meter as the read only memory 20 includes
multiple different test weights associated with at least some of the plurality
of different
types of product which are categorized according to different densities of the
sample.
Thus the tool will display to the operator the correct test weight to be used
which
5 corresponds with the correlation data associated with that particular
selected product
depending also upon the varying density of the product.
Once the test weight has been displayed following the weight
determination mode 28, the operator is given the option of immediately
inputting a
measured temperature and electrical capacitance representation (represented by
a
10 dial drum value) of the sample of proper test weight which has been then
placed
within the moisture meter associated with the tool 10 of the present
invention. The
processor is then arranged to follow the remaining steps of the moisture
content
determination mode 26 to automatically determine the moisture content using
the
correlation data associated with the already selected one of the plurality of
different
product types.
The correlation data may comprise a chart of values in which a plurality
of different moisture content values each have a respective electrical
capacitance
representation and temperature associated therewith for a given commodity
type. The
processor thus determines moisture content by locating on the chart of
information the
temperature and electrical capacitance representation which most closely match
the
temperature and electrical capacitance representation inputted into the
processor and
then the associated moisture content value is determined to be the moisture
content
of the sample.
Due to the desire to minimize the amount of data stored on the read only
memory, only a limited number of temperature and electrical capacitance
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
11
representation values are stored along with their respective moisture content
values
so that in most instances when the processor searches for similar temperature
or
electrical capacitance representation data for a particular selected type of
product, the
processor will either average the moisture content values of the two closest
sets of
data of related temperature and electrical capacitance values or if outside of
the range
of the charted information the processor will automatically extrapolate a
moisture
content value using averaging and extrapolating algorithms beyond the range of
temperature and electrical capacitance representations (dial drum values)
stored in
the memory, thus extending the measuring range of the moisture tester.
Some or all of the correlation data can instead be in the form of an
arithmetic formula which has been determined by experimentation to represent
moisture content as a function of temperature of the sample, the measured
electrical
capacitance representation (or dial drum value) of the sample using the
moisture
tester and the selection as to the type of product being measured. Use of a
formulaic
representation of the correlation data greatly saves space on the read only
memory of
the tool.
In some instances, correlation data for some of the different types of
product maybe stored in chart form whereas other types of correlation data are
stored
in the form of regression formulas which represent moisture content of a
selected type
of product as a function of the charted data associated with a different one
of the
various product types stored in memory. Samples of formulas for certain types
of
selected product are shown in the following table as a function of charted
information
of a different product.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
12
Crop Procedure
Use the CGC Cranberry Bean Chart #2 with a 2501
Azuki Beans gram sample and subtract 2.5% moisture from the
ichart result.
I Use the CGC Pea Bean Chart #2 and subtract 1.1%
Dutch Brown Beans
t moisture from the chart result.
Eastern White Use
the CGC Dark Red Kidney Beans Chart #2 aid
Kidney Beans add 0.5 to the result.
Great Northern I
Use the CGC Pea Bean Chart #2 and subtract 1.4%
White Beans moisture from the chart result.
1 ________________________________________________________________
I Use the CGC Dark Red Kidney Bean Chart #2 and
Kintoki Beans I read the results directly.
Light Red Kidney I Use the CGC Dark Red Kidney Beans Chart #2 and
Beans read the results directly.
4 n
IUse the CGC Pea Bean Chart #2 and subtract 0.A5/0
lOtebo Beans
from the chart result.
Use the CGC Pea Bean Chart #2 and subtract 1.1%
1Pin k Beans imoisture from the chart result.
Use the regression formula:
=
% moisture = 0.155 X meter reading + 8.03 + {OA X
1Small Red Beans (22 T)}
sample temperature (C)
Sample Size -- 250 grams 15
Use the conversion table and the tough and damp
' Mixed Grain limits of the predominant grain.
The rewriteable memory 22 preferably includes first and second storage
locations which are recognized separately by the processor. This permits
correlation
20 data from a first portion of the different types of product to be stored
in the first
location while a remaining or second portion of the correlation data
associated with a
second portion of the given product are storable in the second location.
Preferably
only a small minority of the overall number of products stored are stored in
the first
location so that the products stored in the first location can be represented
as a short
25 list of favourites or more frequently used with commodities which are
more readily
accessible to the user by being provided as a shorter list of selection to be
made.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
13
Less frequently selected commodities can then be stored in the second portion
in a
much longer list presented to the operator.
The unit will consist of a membrane type keypad for data input and a
graphical liquid crystal display (LCD) to present results to the producer.
These
components will be housed in an electronic box likely made of some type of ABS
plastic. It will run using a 9 volt battery that will be accessible from the
outside of the
box.
The producer's first choice will be moisture testing or determination of
test weight. If moisture testing, then the commodity will be chosen next
followed by
inputting the value of the temperature of the sample and the dial drum value
from the
Model 919 moisture tester. The percent moisture will then be displayed for the
producer. If they chose test weight determination then they will choose their
commodity and input the number of grams per half litre. This value will then
be
translated into the pounds per bushel (Canadian), pounds per bushel (United
States)
and kilograms per hectalitre. These values will then be displayed for the
producer to
see.
A partial list of commodities to be included in the device to start with are
shown in the following table, along with data comprising their associated test
sample
weights or amounts.
CA 0 2 5 6 7 5 8 7 2 0 1 4 - 0 3 - 1 0
14
, Class of Grain Weight (grams) Date and table no.
i' Amber durum wheat 250 1990-08,4
i
!Barley, 52 kg/hL & over 225 2000-07, 13
!Barley, Lt. Wt, < 52kg/hL 200 1979-rev., 10
1Black beans 250 1977-02, 1
1Brown mustard 250 , 1990-08,8
'Buckwheat 225_ 1978-04,3
!Ganda and rapeseed 250_ 1991-08,5
;Chick peas 250 1998-07, 1
Corn, low moisture 1250 2000-07, 6
1
!Corn, high moisture 175 2000-07, 11A
;Corn, test weight correction 175 2002-07, 118
!Canada prairie spring wheat, red and white 250 1990-08, 1
, Cranberry beans 225 2006-07, 2 i
, Dark red kidney beans 250 2006-07, 2
!Eastern red wheat 250 1990-07, 1
lEastern red spring wheat 250 2000-07, 1
=
!Eastern hard red winter wheat 250 2000-07, 1
!Eastern soft red winter wheat 250 2000-07, 1
1Eastern white winter wheat 250 2002-07,5
'Extra strong red spring 250 2002-08, 2
1-Fababeans 250 1977-02, 2
Flaxseed and milli 225 1998-07,6
Hard white, spring wheat 250 2005-08, 1
Hulless barley 225 1994-08, 1
Lentils 250 1979-08, 1
i Oats 200 2001-08, 6
_, ____________________________________________
1Oats, Lt. Wt, < 48kg/hL 140 12003-08, 1
!Oriental mustard 250 1990-07,7
r
Pea beans 250 1977-02,2 .
_ _____________________________________________
1Peas, green & yellow 250 1977-02,2
1Pinto beans 250 1999-07, 1
i Red spring wheat, 66 kg/hL &over 250 1999-08, 10
; Red spring wheat, <66 kg/hL 225 1979-08, 9
1i Rye 250 1977-08,5
'Safflower seed, calibrate at 73 150 1992-08, 1
1Soft white spring wheat 250 1895-08, 3
1Soybean - 225 2005-07,8
1 _ __________
. Split peas, green & yellow
I- 250 1996-07, 1
' Sunflower seed, calibrate at 73 150 1978-10, 3
r7Triticale 250 1981-08, 1
1Westem winter wheat 250 2002-08, 5
'Yellow mustard 250 1990-08, 6
1Canary Seed - Canary Seed is not a grain under the authority of the Canada
Grain Act.
i Nonetheless, to support the marketing of this seed, the Grain Research
Laboratory has
[developed a conversion table, dated September 1991. Use this table to test a
250 gram
I sample.
71-en7;ileed - Hemp seed is not a grain under the authority of the Canada
Grain Act.
I Nonetheless, to support the marketing of this seed, the Grain Research
Laboratory has
I developed a conversion table. Feb. 99, 176 grams, calibrate at 73.
CA 02567587 2014-03-10
Test weight conversion charts will include the following commodities:
Amber Durum Wheat, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Flaxseed, Oats, Rye, Solin,
Soybean, Sunflower Seed (Confectionery), Sunflower Seed (Oil), and Wheat.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
5
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same
made,
it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification
shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
