System, Method, and Apparatus for Optimizing Efficient Use of Resources in a Controlled Farming Environment
First Claim
1. A system for optimizing plant growth in a controlled environment, the system comprising:
- a controller, wherein said controller has a bidirectional communication link to the internet;
a valve, wherein said valve is remotely activated and coupled to a water source;
a valve interface providing a communication link from the valve to a controller;
an electrical source, wherein the electrical source is coupled to one or more light sources; and
,an electrical interface providing a communication link from the electrical source and the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and apparatus for optimizing efficient use of resources in a controlled farming environment is disclosed. Various inputs to a controlled farming environment, wherein the controlled farming environment includes a plurality of plants, are controlled based on the nutrition information for the plurality of the plants. Third party information, such as electrical rate information from a power company, can be accessed by the system and may also be utilized to control the inputs to the farming environment. For example, if a power company offers incentives or reduced rates to not utilize power during certain time periods, the system of the present invention will send a signal to the electrical interface to only power the light source to the controlled environment at times other than the certain time period so as to take advantage of the reduced rates or incentives.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for optimizing plant growth in a controlled environment, the system comprising:
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a controller, wherein said controller has a bidirectional communication link to the internet; a valve, wherein said valve is remotely activated and coupled to a water source; a valve interface providing a communication link from the valve to a controller; an electrical source, wherein the electrical source is coupled to one or more light sources; and
,an electrical interface providing a communication link from the electrical source and the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of optimizing plant growth for a plurality of plants in a controlled environment, the method comprising:
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determining nutrition information for one or more plants; determining rate information for one or more inputs in the controlled environment; ascertaining current levels of inputs in the controlled environment; and
,adjusting the inputs to the controlled environment based on the nutrition information and current levels of inputs. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for optimizing plant growth in a controlled environment, the apparatus comprising
at least one processor; - and
at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to; determine nutrition information for one or more plants; ascertain current levels of inputs in the controlled environment; and
,adjust the inputs to the controlled environment based on the nutrition information and current levels of inputs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification