SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING A GROW CYCLE

• US 20160198639A1
• Filed: 08/21/2015
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grow Solutions Tech LLC (Nu Skin Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Circle Design Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Millar, Gary Bret
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/04 Electric or magnetic or acoustic treatment of plants for promoting growth
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/44 for providing special optical effects, e.g. progressive motion of light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating a grow cycle are described. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a plant type for providing grow lighting and receiving first data for creating a first grow cycle for a first predetermined period of plant growth, where the first grow cycle includes providing a first wavelength of photon-emitting lighting. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving second data for creating a second grow cycle for a second predetermined period of plant growth, where the second grow cycle includes providing a second wavelength of photon-emitting lighting, determining when the first predetermined period of plant growth begins, and in response to determining that the first predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implementing the first grow cycle. In some embodiments, the method includes determining when the second predetermined period of plant growth begins and, in response to determining that the second predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implementing the second grow cycle.

Claims

1. A method for creating a grow cycle, comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a plant type for providing grow lighting;

receiving, by the computing device, first data for creating a first grow cycle for a first predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the first grow cycle includes providing a first wavelength of photon-emitting lighting;

receiving, by the computing device, second data for creating a second grow cycle for a second predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the second grow cycle includes providing a second wavelength of photon-emitting lighting;

determining, by the computing device, when the first predetermined period of plant growth begins;

in response to determining that the first predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implementing, by the computing device, the first grow cycle;

determining, by the computing device, when the second predetermined period of plant growth begins; and

in response to determining that the second predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implementing, by the computing device, the second grow cycle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes receiving a number of plants that will be grown under the first grow cycle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes receiving a location of grow lighting devices that will be subject to the first grow cycle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes receiving a type of grow lighting device that will be subject to the first grow cycle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes receiving a position of plants that will be subject to the grow cycle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first data includes at least the following:

receiving a lighting time for a grow lighting device to illuminate for the grow cycle; and

receiving a cycle time for repeating the lighting time for the grow lighting device.

7. A system for creating a grow cycle, comprising:

a grow lighting assembly that comprises a plurality of low heat lighting elements, wherein a first lighting element of the plurality of low heat lighting elements outputs a first wavelength of photon-emitting light, and wherein a second lighting element of the plurality of low heat lighting elements outputs a second wavelength of photon-emitting light;

a computing device that stores logic that, when executed by the computing device, causes the system to perform at least the following;

provide a user interface for creating a grow cycle;

receive a plant type for the grow lighting assembly to provide grow lighting to a plant;

receive first data for creating a first portion of the grow cycle for a first predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the first portion of the grow cycle includes providing a first wavelength of photon-emitting lighting;

receive second data for creating a second portion of the grow cycle for a second predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the second portion of the grow cycle includes providing a second wavelength of photon-emitting lighting; and

implement the grow cycle.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computing device is configured as at least one of the following:

a component of the grow lighting assembly, a hub device coupled to the grow lighting assembly, and a remote computing device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of low heat lighting elements comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the grow lighting assembly comprises at least one of the following for determining when the second portion of the grow cycle begins:

a camera, proximity sensor, and laser.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the grow lighting assembly comprises a positioning device for adjusting a position of the plurality of low heat lighting elements.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein receiving the first data includes at least one of the following:

receiving a number of plants that will be grown under the first portion of the grow cycle, receiving a location of grow lighting devices that will be subject to the first portion of the grow cycle, receiving a type of grow lighting device that will be subject to the first portion of the grow cycle, and receiving a position of plants that will be subject to the grow cycle.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein receiving the first data includes at least the following:

receiving a first lighting time for a grow lighting device to illuminate for the grow cycle; and

receiving a second lighting time for repeating the illumination for the grow lighting device.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic further causes the system to receive data related to the first predetermined period of plant growth and provide the data to a user.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for creating a grow cycle that stores logic that, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform at least the following:

provide a user interface for creating a grow cycle;

receive a plant type for a grow lighting assembly to provide grow lighting to a plant;

receive first data for creating a first portion of the grow cycle for a first predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the first portion of the grow cycle includes providing a first wavelength of photon-emitting lighting via a first plurality of low heat lighting elements;

receive second data for creating a second portion of the grow cycle for a second predetermined period of plant growth, wherein the second portion of the grow cycle includes providing a second wavelength of photon-emitting lighting via a second plurality of low heat lighting elements;

determine when the first predetermined period of plant growth begins;

in response to determining that the first predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implement the first portion of the grow cycle;

determine when the second predetermined period of plant growth begins; and

in response to determining that the second predetermined period of plant growth has begun, implement the second portion of the grow cycle.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computing device is configured as at least one of the following:

a component of the grow lighting assembly, a hub device, and a remote computing device that is remote from the plant.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of low heat lighting elements comprises at least one of the following:

light emitting diodes (LEDs) and cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL).

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein receiving the first data includes at least one of the following:

receiving a number of plants that will be grown under the first portion of the grow cycle, receiving a location of grow lighting devices that will be subject to the first portion of the grow cycle, receiving a type of grow lighting device that will be subject to the first portion of the grow cycle, and receiving a position of plants that will be subject to the grow cycle.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein receiving the first data includes at least the following:

receiving a lighting time for a grow lighting device to illuminate for the grow cycle; and

receiving a cycle time for repeating the lighting time for the grow lighting device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the logic further causes the computing device to receive data related to the first predetermined period of plant growth and provide the data to a user.