APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING GROWTH RATE OF PLANT IN GREENHOUSE AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

• US 20110153053A1
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Inventors: Kim, Gwang Su, KIM, Kyuhyung, Chu, Moo Jung, Lee, Hyun Woo, Lee, Seok-Jin, Kang, Mangu
• Application Number:
  US12/969,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20110153053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/103
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/246 Air-conditioning systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

Provided is a plant growth control of an apparatus for controlling a growth rate of a plant growing in a greenhouse having a roof formed of a dye-sensitized panel. In the method, a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel is selected according to external environment information. A wavelength control signal corresponding to the selected wavelength is proved to the dye-sensitized panel.

Claims

1. A plant growth control method of an apparatus for controlling a growth rate of a plant growing in a greenhouse having a roof formed of a dye-sensitized panel, the method comprising:

selecting a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel according to external environment information; and

providing a wavelength control signal corresponding to the selected wavelength to the dye-sensitized panel.

2. The plant growth control method of claim 1, wherein the external environment information comprises information on an expected demand for the plant from a distributor.

3. The plant growth control method of claim 2, wherein the selecting of the wavelength comprises:

determining a production of the plant according to the information on the expected demand for the plant and information on an expected production of the plant producible in the greenhouse; and

selecting a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel according to the determined production.

4. The plant growth control method of claim 2, wherein the selecting of the wavelength comprises selecting a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel with reference to a plant growth database storing a correspondence relation between the growth rate of plant and the wavelength of sunlight.

5. The plant growth control method of claim 2, wherein the external environment information further comprises ambient environment information inside/outside the greenhouse.

6. The plant growth control method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the wavelength comprises selecting a wavelength of sunlight such that at least one of visible ray, infrared ray, and ultraviolet ray does not pass through the dye-sensitized panel according to the external environment information.

7. The plant growth control method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the wavelength comprises selecting a wavelength of sunlight according to the external environment information such that a wavelength pertaining to a certain range within visible ray of sunlight passes through the dye-sensitized panel, or such that a wavelength pertaining to a certain range does not pass through the dye-sensitized panel.

8. A plant growth control apparatus comprising:

a dye-sensitized panel used in a roof of a greenhouse;

a greenhouse controller selecting a wavelength of sunlight delivered to a plant through the dye-sensitized panel according to external environment information; and

a panel controller providing a wavelength control signal corresponding to the selected wavelength to the dye-sensitized panel.

9. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the external environment information comprises information on an expected demand for the plant, provided from a distributor.

10. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the greenhouse controller determines a production of the plant according to the information on the expected demand for the plant and information on an expected production of the plant producible in the greenhouse, and selects a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel.

11. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 10, wherein the greenhouse controller comprises a database storing information on the growth of the plant, and selects a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel according to the determined production, with reference to the database.

12. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 11, wherein the greenhouse controller further comprises a plurality of sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, intensity of illumination, and carbon dioxide concentration with respect to an ambient environment inside/outside the greenhouse, and selects a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel with reference to information collected from the plurality of sensors.

13. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the greenhouse controller selects a wavelength of sunlight such that at least one of visible ray, infrared ray, and ultraviolet ray does not pass through the dye-sensitized panel according to the external environment information.

14. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the greenhouse controller selects a wavelength of sunlight according to the external environment information such that a wavelength pertaining to a certain range within visible ray of sunlight passes through the dye-sensitized panel, or such that a wavelength pertaining to a certain range does not pass through the dye-sensitized panel.

15. The plant growth control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the greenhouse controller and the panel controller perform a wireless data communication.