Automated vertical plant cultivation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11129339-B2
Application number	US-201815973212-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 7, 2018
Priority date	May 8, 2017
Publication date	Sep 28, 2021
Grant date	Sep 28, 2021

Abstract

An automated plant cultivation system is provided having multi-tiered vertically arranged horizontal magazine structures each employing seed or plant capsules with a fluid circulation and illumination and communication network controlled by an on-board processor. Particularly, the system includes a magazine structure having seed/plant capsules within seed/plant reservoirs alternately arranged between at least one of a light source substantially concealed from direct viewing. A fluid channel extends across a long axis of the magazine structure, wherein the magazine structure is adapted for use of seed/plant capsules with nutrient composite plant growth cultivation, hydroponic plant growth cultivation, aeroponic plant growth cultivation methods or combinations thereof.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An automated vertical plant cultivation system comprising:
a structure including a plurality of fixed self-supported magazines for plant cultivation configured to convey fluid to a plurality of seed or plant capsules nestled inside each of the plurality of fixed self-supported magazines and convey power to a power-consuming device coupled to each of the plurality of fixed self-supported magazines,
wherein the power-consuming device is at least one light source,
wherein each of the fixed self-supported magazines is communicatively coupled to a processor and at least one of a memory device, an Internet of Things (IOT) device, a transceiver, and a power supply,
wherein at least one of the seed or plant capsules has a unique identifier and a unique electronic address and is communicatively coupled to the processor,
wherein, in response to a signal or a command, the processor is configured to identify the seed or plant capsule and a location of the seed or plant capsule within the fixed self-supported magazine and control operation of the seed or plant capsule, and
wherein, to control operation of the seed or plant capsule, the processor is configured to at least one of:
authenticate the seed or plant capsule with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system,
identify a unique address associated with the seed or plant capsule,
authorize the seed or plant capsule to join a communication network used by at least one of the processor, the memory device, the IOT device, the transceiver, and the power supply,
identify a location of the seed or plant capsule location in the magazine,
retrieve care instructions associated with a seed or plant of the seed or plant capsule,
set parameters for controlling seed or plant capsule,
identify a date of manufacture of the seed or plant of the seed or plant capsule, and
identify a date of expiration of the seed or plant of the seed or plant capsule date.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seed or plant capsule includes a tamper proofing device, and wherein the processor is configured to, in response to a signal from the temper proofing device indicating that tempering with at least one of the seed or plant capsules has been detected, disable communication with the at least one of the seed or plant capsules.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to identify a location of each of the plurality of fixed self-supported magazines and control circulation of fluid and flow of power and data thereto.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a moisture sensor probe disposed inside each of the plurality of seed or plant capsules, wherein the moisture sensor probe is communicatively coupled to the processor and is configured to measure a moisture level and communicate data representative of the moisture level to the processor.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a dedicated fluid valve, wherein the processor is configured to control the dedicated fluid valve to convey fluid to the plurality of seed or plant capsules nestled inside each of the plurality of fixed self-supported magazines.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of seed or plant capsules defines an overflow fluid outlet port and a drain port and is configured to receive irrigation using one of an aeroponic cultivation irrigation method, a hydroponic cultivation irrigation method, and a conventional cultivation irrigation methods.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein, to provide irrigation using aeroponic cultivation irrigation method, the processor is configured to control a valve disposed at the overflow fluid outlet port to retain fluid in each of the seed or plant capsules through a seed germination period and periodically evacuate the fluid through the drain port to air roots of a plant within the seed or plant capsule.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein receiving irrigation using one of the hydroponic cultivation irrigation method and the conventional cultivation irrigation method includes sealing the drain port of each of the seed or plant capsules to prevent draining of fluid therethrough.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seed or plant capsule includes a visible indicator located on an exterior surface, and wherein the visible indicator displays a condition of the seed or plant of the seed or plant capsule.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control operation of individual capsules of the plurality of seed or plant capsules.

Assignees

• Spiro Daniel S

Inventors

• Spiro Daniel S

Classifications

• A01G31/065

  with means for recycling the nutritive solution · CPC title

• A01G9/247

  Watering arrangements · CPC title

• A01G29/00

  Root feeders; Injecting fertilisers into the roots · CPC title

• A01G31/06 Primary

  Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers · CPC title

• A01G9/047

  Channels or gutters, e.g. for hydroponics · CPC title