Wireless sensor systems for hydroponics
First Claim
1. A sensing system comprising:
- a first sensor system configured to measure a plurality of characteristics of an environment surrounding a plant in a hydroponic system;
a network device including a controller, a first communication interface configured for communication with the first sensor system, and a network interface configured for communication through a network, the network device being configured to transmit measurements from the first sensor system through the network to a remote device;
a housing containing the first sensor system and the network device, wherein a portion of the housing has a shape that matches a collar in the hydroponic system and that allows the sensing system to be inserted into or removed from the collar; and
a power receiving circuit in the housing, wherein;
inserting the housing in the collar positions the power receiving circuit for an inductive coupling with a power transmitting circuit in the collar; and
the power receiving circuit uses an induce voltage to supply power to the second sensor system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hydroponic system includes a first sensor system that measures one or more characteristics of a nutrient solution, a second sensor system that measures one or more characteristics of an environment of a plant; and a network device including a communication interface to the first sensor system and a communication interface to the second sensor system. The network device may be configured to transmit measurements from the sensor systems through a wireless network to a remote device or database. The network device and the sensor systems may be implemented in a housing that fits within a collar of the hydroponic system. The collar can allow easy replacement of the sensor systems and can electrically isolate the sensor systems.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensing system comprising:
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a first sensor system configured to measure a plurality of characteristics of an environment surrounding a plant in a hydroponic system; a network device including a controller, a first communication interface configured for communication with the first sensor system, and a network interface configured for communication through a network, the network device being configured to transmit measurements from the first sensor system through the network to a remote device; a housing containing the first sensor system and the network device, wherein a portion of the housing has a shape that matches a collar in the hydroponic system and that allows the sensing system to be inserted into or removed from the collar; and a power receiving circuit in the housing, wherein; inserting the housing in the collar positions the power receiving circuit for an inductive coupling with a power transmitting circuit in the collar; and the power receiving circuit uses an induce voltage to supply power to the second sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensing system for hydroponics, the system comprising;
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a sensor system that measures a plurality of characteristics of a nutrient solution in a reservoir of a hydroponic system; a network device including a controller, a first communication interface configured for communication with the sensor system, and a network interface configured for communication through a network, the network device being configured to transmit measurements from the sensor system through the network to a remote device; a housing containing the sensor system and the network device, wherein a portion of the housing has a shape that matches a collar in the hydroponic system and that allows the sensing system to be inserted into or removed from the collar; and a power receiving circuit in the housing, wherein; inserting the housing, in the collar of the hydroponic system positions the power receiving circuit for an inductive coupling with a power transmitting circuit in the collar; and the power receiving circuit uses an induce voltage to supply power to the sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hydroponic system comprising:
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a plant fixture; a reservoir configured to contain a nutrient solution for growing of a plant in the plant fixture; control electronics for the hydroponic system; a first sensor system that measures a plurality of characteristics of the nutrient solution; a second sensor system that measures a plurality of characteristics of an environment surrounding the plant; and a network device including a controller, a first communication interface configured for communication with the first sensor system, a second communication interface configured for communication with the second sensor system, a third communication interface configured for communication with the control electronics; and
a network interface configured for communication through a wireless network, the network device being configured to transmit measurements from the first and second sensor systems through the wireless network to a remote device and through the third communication interface to the control electronics;a collar; a power transmission circuit in the collar; a power receiving circuit; and a housing containing the second sensor system, the network device, and the power receiving circuit, wherein a portion of the housing has a shape that matches the collar and that allows the housing to be inserted into or removed from of the collar. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification