Expert system for controlling plant growth in a contained environment
First Claim
1. A system for optimizing plant growth within an enclosed growth chamber, comprising:
- illumination means for controlling spatial, temporal and spectral characteristics of illumination within the growth chamber, said illumination means comprising an array of individually actuable light sources arranged in a grid cell pattern within the growth chamber, and having differing wavelengths, and means for individual control and modulation of said light sources within each cell of said cell pattern;
biomass detection means comprising at least one imaging device which can identify and map location and quantity of plants in a growth medium within the growth chamber;
plant stress detection means for acquiring spatially distributed image data which characterize plant vigor and stress within the growth chamber, according to said grid cell pattern, said plant stress detection means comprising at least one imaging device selected from the group consisting of multispectral imagers, hyperspectral imagers, RAMAN, thermal luminescence imagers and photo acoustic devices;
environmental monitoring means for monitoring a plurality of environmental parameters that affect plant growth within the growth chamber;
environmental control means for controlling each of said environmental parameters; and
an expert system coupled to receive data generated by said biomass detecting means, said plant stress detection means, said root zone imager and said environmental monitoring means, and coupled to control said illumination means and said environmental control means;
whereinsaid expert system contains a knowledge base that includes heuristic information, a plant data base containing cultivation and diagnostic information for plants growing within the growth chamber, and plant biomass and stress detection algorithms; and
said expert system is trained to regulate said illumination and environmental parameters within the growth chamber, so as to achieve optimized uniform plant growth with minimized consumption of energy and materials, to diagnose deviations from optimal growth conditions, and to determine and implement remedial actions by adjustment of said illumination and environmental parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a system for optimizing crop growth, vegetation is cultivated in a contained environment, such as a greenhouse, an underground cavern or other enclosed space. Imaging equipment is positioned within or about the contained environment, to acquire spatially distributed crop growth information, and environmental sensors are provided to acquire data regarding multiple environmental conditions that can affect crop development. Illumination within the contained environment, and the addition of essential nutrients and chemicals are in turn controlled in response to data acquired by the imaging apparatus and environmental sensors, by an “expert system” which is trained to analyze and evaluate crop conditions. The expert system controls the spatial and temporal lighting pattern within the contained area, and the timing and allocation of nutrients and chemicals to achieve optimized crop development. A user can access the “expert system” remotely, to assess activity within the growth chamber, and can override the “expert system”.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for optimizing plant growth within an enclosed growth chamber, comprising:
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illumination means for controlling spatial, temporal and spectral characteristics of illumination within the growth chamber, said illumination means comprising an array of individually actuable light sources arranged in a grid cell pattern within the growth chamber, and having differing wavelengths, and means for individual control and modulation of said light sources within each cell of said cell pattern; biomass detection means comprising at least one imaging device which can identify and map location and quantity of plants in a growth medium within the growth chamber; plant stress detection means for acquiring spatially distributed image data which characterize plant vigor and stress within the growth chamber, according to said grid cell pattern, said plant stress detection means comprising at least one imaging device selected from the group consisting of multispectral imagers, hyperspectral imagers, RAMAN, thermal luminescence imagers and photo acoustic devices; environmental monitoring means for monitoring a plurality of environmental parameters that affect plant growth within the growth chamber; environmental control means for controlling each of said environmental parameters; and an expert system coupled to receive data generated by said biomass detecting means, said plant stress detection means, said root zone imager and said environmental monitoring means, and coupled to control said illumination means and said environmental control means;
whereinsaid expert system contains a knowledge base that includes heuristic information, a plant data base containing cultivation and diagnostic information for plants growing within the growth chamber, and plant biomass and stress detection algorithms; and said expert system is trained to regulate said illumination and environmental parameters within the growth chamber, so as to achieve optimized uniform plant growth with minimized consumption of energy and materials, to diagnose deviations from optimal growth conditions, and to determine and implement remedial actions by adjustment of said illumination and environmental parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification