Probe for plant selection and health maintenance system

• US 7,400,975 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Parrot Drones
• Original Assignee: Plantsense, LLC
• Inventors: Wilkins, David L., Glenn, Matthew K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman; Hal D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suglo; Janet L
• Application Number:
  US11/712,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20070208517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 702/2, 702/3, 702/19, 702/182, 47/17, 47/581.R, 705/1, 374/28, 374/141, 374/208
• US Class Current: 702/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/00 Botany in general

Abstract

A probe for use in a computerized plant selection and health maintenance system comprises a controller having a processor adopted to process environmental data received from a plurality of sensors and a communications interface adapted to transmit environmental data; and a soil mount removably engaged with the controller having a receptacle adapted to snugly receive the communications interface and a stake adapted to removably engage with soil. The receptacle advantageously allows engagement and disengagement of the controller from the soil mount by hand without the need for tools or independent attachment mechanisms, which has heightened importance where portability of the controller is required, and protects sensitive electronic components of the controller, such as the communications interface, from environmental contaminants.

Claims

1. A probe, comprising:

a controller having a processor adapted to process environmental data received from a plurality of sensors, wherein the processor adjusts temperature readings taken by a temperature sensor as a function of light readings taken by a light sensor, and a communications interface adapted to transmit environmental data; and

a soil mount removably engaged with the controller, the soil mount having a first receptacle adapted to snugly receive the communications interface and a stake coupled with the first receptacle adapted to removably engage with soil.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein an interior cross section of the first receptacle matches an exterior cross section of the communications interface.

3. The probe of claim 1, wherein a depth of the first receptacle matches a length of an exposed portion of the communications interface.

4. The probe of claim 1, wherein the first receptacle is made of a rubberized material.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise the light sensor, the temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a soil moisture content sensor and a soil pH sensor.

6. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a shield removably engaged with the controller, the shield having a second receptacle adapted to snugly receive the controller.

7. The probe of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a loudspeaker.

8. The probe of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a status display.

9. The probe of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a GPS receiver.

10. The probe of claim 1, wherein the soil mount comprises a depth mark indicating a recommended submersion depth for the soil mount.

11. The probe of claim 1, wherein the communications interface comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

12. The probe of claim 1, wherein the communications interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

13. The probe of claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts light readings taken by the light sensor as a function of time of day.

14. The probe of claim 1, further comprising a stand removably coupled to the soil mount.

15. The probe of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to time stamp the environmental data received from the plurality of sensors.

16. A probe, comprising:

a controller having a processor adapted to process environmental data received from a plurality of sensors, wherein the processor adjusts humidity readings taken by a humidity sensor as a function of light readings taken by a light sensor, and a communications interface adapted to transmit environmental data; and

a soil mount removably engaged with the controller, the soil mount having a first receptacle adapted to snugly receive the communications interface and a stake coupled with the first receptacle adapted to removably engage with soil.

17. An environmental probe, comprising:

a controller having a processor adapted to process environmental data received from a plurality of sensors and a communications interface; and

a soil mount removably engaged with the controller and having a stake adapted to removably engage with soil,

wherein the processor adjusts temperature readings taken by a temperature sensor as a function of light readings taken by a light sensor.

18. An environmental probe, comprising:

a controller having a processor adapted to process environmental data received from a plurality of sensors and a communications interface; and

a soil mount removably engaged with the controller and having a stake adapted to removably engage with soil,

wherein the processor adjusts humidity readings taken by a humidity sensor as a function of light readings taken by a light sensor.