Sunlight measuring device

• US 7,271,887 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BAR Development, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Suncalc Corporation
• Inventors: Richardson, James E., Bickel, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Hwa
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, TRI T
• Application Number:
  US11/204,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 356/128, 356/149, 356/416, 356/432, 356213-227, 250/226, 250/210
• US Class Current: 356/218
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0219 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4266 for measuring solar light
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/12 Sunshine duration recorders measuring intensity of sunshine G01J

Abstract

A sunlight measuring device that quantifies the accumulation of light at a particular site. The sunlight measuring device is a battery-operated device mounted on a stake for easy insertion into the ground. The device is placed at the intended site for growing a plant. The light that falls on the sunlight measuring device over a period of time is accumulated and the light accumulation is represented by a visual signal that indicates one of four light conditions: full sun, partial sun, partial shade, full shade.

Claims

1. A sunlight measuring device comprising:

a sunlight measurement means for sensing incoming light at a particular site over a period of time and converting said incoming light to an electronic signal;

a microprocessor that receives said electronic signal, determines a magnitude of said electronic signal and calculates an accumulated light value over said period of time, and compares said accumulated light value to threshold values that are programmed into said microprocessor;

a plurality of light condition indicators, each single light condition indicator corresponding to a particular one of said threshold values; and

a power supply;

wherein, when said accumulated light value reaches one of said threshold values, said microprocessor causes a corresponding light condition indicator of said plurality of light condition indicators to be illuminated; and

wherein said illuminated light condition indicator indicates a light condition that corresponds to one of several light conditions, said several light conditions being indicated in common gardening terms that include a full sun condition and a full shade condition.

2. The sunlight measuring device of claim 1, said sunlight measurement means comprising a sunlight collector lens, a light sensor, and a printed circuit board that includes said microprocessor;

wherein said incoming light is transmitted through said sunlight collector lens to said light sensor;

wherein said light sensor converts said incoming light into an electrical signal and transmits said signal to said microprocessor; and

wherein said microprocessor determines a magnitude of said electrical signal and calculates an accumulated light signal and compares said accumulated light signal with a programmed series of threshold values.

3. The sunlight measuring device of claim 2, said sunlight measurement means further comprising a filter for passage of light that is within a wavelength range of photosynthetically active radiation and blocking passage of light that is outside of said wavelength range.

4. The sunlight measuring device of claim 3, wherein said filter is a magenta filter.

5. The sunlight measurement device of claim 2, said sunlight measurement means further comprising a chassis on which said printed circuit board is mounted, said chassis having a translucent area for allowing passage of light.

6. The sunlight measurement device of claim 2, wherein said light condition indicators are light-emitting diodes that are mounted on said printed circuit board.

7. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1, wherein said sunlight collector lens is a dome-shaped lens.

8. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1, wherein said sunlight collector lens diffuses incoming light.

9. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1 further comprising a protective housing that includes a sunlight display panel and a housing;

wherein said sunlight display panel provides visual access to said light condition indicators.

10. The sunlight measurement device of claim 9, said housing including an installation means.

11. The sunlight measurement device of claim 10, wherein said installation means is a stake that is insertable in a ground surface.

12. The sunlight measurement device of claim 10, wherein said installation means is an adhesive mount.

13. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1, wherein said several light conditions further include a partial sun condition.

14. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1, wherein said several light conditions further include a partial shade condition.

15. The sunlight measurement device of claim 1, wherein said period of time is 24 hours and said sunlight measurement means stops sensing light at the end of said period of time.

16. The sunlight measurement device of claim 15, wherein said light condition indicator remains illuminated for an additional period of time.

17. The sunlight measuring device of claim 16, wherein said additional period of time is 12 hours.

18. A sunlight measuring device comprising:

a sunlight measurement means for sensing incoming light at a particular site over a period of time, said sunlight measurement means comprising a sunlight collector lens, a light sensor, and a printed circuit board with a microprocessor;

a plurality of light condition indicators, each single light condition indicator corresponding to a particular one of said threshold values;

a power supply; and

a chassis on which said printed circuit board is mounted, said chassis having a translucent area for allowing passage of said incoming light through said sunlight collector lens to said light sensor;

wherein said light sensor converts said incoming light into an electrical signal and transmits said signal to said microprocessor;

wherein said microprocessor calculates an accumulated light signal over time and compares said accumulated light signal with a series of threshold values that are programmed into said microprocessor;

wherein, when said accumulated light signal reaches one of said threshold values, said microprocessor causes a corresponding light condition indicator of said plurality of light condition indicators to be illuminated; and

wherein said illuminated light condition indicator indicates a light condition that corresponds to one of several light conditions, in common gardening terms that include a full sun condition and a full shade condition.