Novelty moisture detector for plants

• US 7,271,729 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank M. Rice
• Original Assignee: Frank M. Rice
• Inventors: Rice, Frank M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US11/179,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 340/602, 340/604, 340/620, 340/693.5, 47/405, 47/485, 47/62.R, 47/79
• US Class Current: 340/602
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/008 Component parts, e.g. dispensing fittings, level indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

A novel moisture detector for detecting moisture in potting media or soil for plants includes a body formed to represent a creature. Inside the body is a processor and a battery. One or more probes adapted to be inserted into soil extend from the body and send an electrical signal to the processor to indicate a level of moisture proximate to said probes. At least one eye of the creature carries a light emitting diodes (LED) that lights up when the probes are inserted into soil having insufficient moisture. Furthermore, when the user touches one of the eyes, the LED lights as long as the battery has sufficient power to operate the processor.

Claims

1. A moisture detector for detecting moisture in potting media or soil for plants, comprising:

a body formed to represent a creature having at least one eye;

a processor housed in said body;

probes in electrical connection with said processor and extending from said body, said probes being adapted to send an electrical signal to said processor, said signal from said probes indicating a level of moisture proximate to said probes, said processor adapted to receive said signal from said probes;

a power source housed in said body and in electrical connection with said processor; and

at least one light emitting diode carried by said body at said at least one eye and in electrical connection with said processor and said power source so that, when said probes are inserted into soil and said level of moisture in said soil is insufficient for a given plant, and said signal from said probes so indicates, said processor causes said power source to light said light-emitting diode, and wherein said processor is adapted to extract a signal from said probes by sending a signal to said probes, and further comprises means for evaluating a return signal that is generated by said probes and returned to said processor.

2. The detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said creature is formed as a realistic presentation or fanciful presentation of an animal having at least one eye or an equivalent to at least one eye, said animal preferably being a small animal of a type that is commonly found out of doors.

3. The detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises an electrical device in electrical connection with said probes, said electrical device preferably comprising an integrated circuit.

4. The detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor is programmed with a signal level that can be selected depending upon the moisture requirement of the plant to indicate the lowest acceptable moisture level.

5. The detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises means for comparing said electrical signal to said selected signal level to determine whether said electrical signal is indicative of a sufficient level of moisture in said soil.

6. The detector as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further comprises means to direct power from said power source to flow to said light emitting diode carried by said body at said eye if said moisture level in said soil is lower than said selected signal level.

7. The detector as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor further comprises means to direct power from said power source to flow to said light emitting diode carried by said body at said eye if said moisture level in said soil is lower than said selected signal level.

8. The detector as recited in claim 1, wherein said eye comprises a switch for testing the strength of said power source.

9. The detector as recited in claim 8, wherein said power source comprises a battery.

10. The detector as recited in claim 8, wherein said switch comprises a capacitive switch or mechanical switch.

11. The detector as recited in claim 10, wherein said mechanical switch is biased to the off position by a spring that is removable from the off position when said eye is touched by a user causing said processor to be momentarily bypassed and the electrical current from said battery to flow directly to said light emitting diode in said eye, causing light to be emitted from said light emitting diode and signify sufficient battery strength.

12. A moisture detector for detecting moisture in potting media or soil for plants, comprising:

a body formed to represent a creature having at least one eye;

a processor housed in said body;

probes in electrical connection with said processor and extending from said body, said probes being adapted to send an electrical signal to said processor, said signal from said probes indicating a level of moisture proximate to said probes, said processor adapted to receive said signal from said probes;

a power source housed in said body and in electrical connection with said processor; and

at least one light emitting diode carried by said body at said at least one eye and in electrical connection with said processor and said power source so that, when said probes are inserted into soil and said level of moisture in said soil is insufficient for a given plant, and said signal from said probes so indicates, said processor causes said power source to light said light-emitting diode, said eye comprising a mechanical switch,

wherein said mechanical switch is biased to the off position by a spring that is removable from the off position when said eye is touched by a user causing said processor to be momentarily bypassed and the electrical current from said battery to flow directly to said light emitting diode in said eye, causing light to be emitted from said light emitting diode and signify sufficient battery strength.

13. The detector as recited in claim 12 wherein said creature is formed as a realistic presentation or fanciful presentation of an animal having at least one eye or an equivalent to at least one eye, said animal preferably being a small animal of a type that is commonly found out of doors.

14. The detector as recited in claim 12, wherein said processor further comprises an electrical device in electrical connection with said probes, said electrical device preferably comprising an integrated circuit.

15. The detector as recited in claim 12, wherein said processor is programmed with a signal level that can be selected depending upon the moisture requirement of the plant to indicate the lowest acceptable moisture level.

16. The detector as recited in claim 12, wherein said processor further comprises means for comparing said electrical signal to said selected signal level to determine whether said electrical signal is indicative of a sufficient level of moisture in said soil.

17. The detector as recited in claim 12, wherein said processor is adapted to extract an signal from said probes by sending an electrical or other signal to said probes, and further comprises means for evaluating the signal that is generated by said probes and returned to said processor.

18. The detector as recited in claim 12, wherein said power source comprises a battery.