Retail point seed treatment systems and methods

Abstract

An automated seed treatment system is adapted for on-site operation at a retail seed distributor. A sealed seed-treater vessel is configured to apply a plurality of chemical treatments to a batch of seed based on a seed treatment recipe. A programmable system controller is electrically coupled to a pump controller of each of a plurality of pump-stations. The programmable system controller is configured to receive a material transfer indication from each of the plurality of pump-stations and issue commands to the pump controller of each pump-station in response to the seed treatment recipe. The programmable system controller is configured to collect operational data representing at least consumption of chemical from the chemical container at each of the pump-stations based on the corresponding material transfer indication during seed treatment and to provide the operational data to a remotely hosted information system located remotely from the site of the retail seed distributor and accessible to at least one third party that is distinct from the retail seed distributor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for automatically treating seed at a retail seed distribution center, the retail seed distribution center including a seed treatment vessel configured to apply one or more chemical treatments controllably delivered from a plurality of drums or kegs containing the chemical treatments directly to the seed treatment vessel for application to seed based on seed treatment recipes and controlled by a system controller, the process comprising:
 automatically applying, via the seed treatment vessel, a plurality of chemical treatments to batches of seed based on the seed treatment recipes from the plurality of drums or kegs by a plurality of pumps located at each of the plurality of drums or kegs;   automatically collecting operational data representing at least consumption of the plurality of chemical treatments and providing the operational data to a remotely hosted information system located remotely from the retail seed distribution center.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing chemical parameter information received from an inventory database that is remotely accessible by a supplier of the drums or kegs.   
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving environmental condition data from an external source and automatically making adjustments to the seed treatment recipe based on the environmental condition data.   
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the operational data includes information representing a pump performance. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the operational data includes material consumption information representing a quantity of treated seed. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically receiving, from the remotely hosted information system, the seed treatment recipe.   
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically receiving, from the remotely hosted information system, constraint information containing limits on chemical formulations; and   automatically applying the constraint information to limit whether certain recipes can be run.   
     
     
         8 . A method for supporting operations of a plurality of geographically distributed retail seed distribution centers by an automated information system comprising computing hardware operating under program control, the method comprising:
 communicating, via a network interface module, with a plurality of retail seed treatment systems that are located at the plurality of retail seed distribution centers;   communicating, via the network interface module, with each of the seed treatment systems at each of the retail seed distribution centers, and at least one third party;   facilitating information exchange between each seed retailer party and the at least one third party, such that operational data that is automatically generated by the seed treatment system of each seed retailer party is received via the network interface module and provided via the network interface module to the at least one third party, and wherein material handling data that is generated by the at least one supplier party is received via the network interface module and provided via the network interface module to each seed retailer party.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the material handling data is adapted to cause the seed treatment system of each seed retailer party to automatically adjust its operational parameters. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one third party includes one or more supplier parties selected from the group consisting of: a chemical supplier party, a seed supplier party, a seed treatment operations support services supplier party, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the operational data includes data generated by each of the seed treatment systems selected from the group consisting of: seed treatment system parameter information, run history information, current status information, material usage information, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the operational data includes material consumption information representing a performance of a pumping subsystem of a first seed treatment system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the material handling data includes data generated by the at least one supplier party selected from the group consisting of: inventory tracking information, recipe information, seed parameter information, safety information, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing information exchange functionality between each seed retailer party and the at least one supplier party such that transactional information relating to sale of materials from one or more of the at least one supplier party to a seed retainer party is exchanged therebetween.   
     
     
         15 . A method of treating seeds at a retail distribution site, the method comprising:
 mixing a plurality of treatment chemicals at a point of application according to a recipe;   applying the mixture of treatment chemicals to an unknown quantity of seeds;   determining the weight and density of each of the plurality of treatment chemicals applied to the unknown quantity of seeds;   calculating a consumed volume for each of the plurality of treatment chemicals applied to the unknown quantity of seeds upon completion of the chemical application; and   monitoring the consumption of each of the plurality of treatment chemicals.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 reporting the consumed volume of each of the plurality of treatment chemicals to a database, the computer database being stored in a tangible computer readable medium.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 calculating a volume of one or more treatment chemical necessary to treat a quantity of seed.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 measuring an environmental condition at a seed treatment site; and   adjusting a rate of application of the mixture of treatment chemicals in response to the environmental condition.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 measuring a moisture content of the quantity of seed after the quantity of seed is treated with the mixture of treatment chemicals.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting a rate of application of the mixture of treatment chemicals in response to a measured moisture content in the quantity of seed.