The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 19, 2009
George A. May, Slidell, LA (US);
Mark Allen Lanoue, Long Beach, MS (US);
Matthew Bethel, Slidell, LA (US);
Robert E. Ryan, Diamondhead, MS (US);
George A. May, Slidell, LA (US);
Mark Allen Lanoue, Long Beach, MS (US);
Matthew Bethel, Slidell, LA (US);
Robert E. Ryan, Diamondhead, MS (US);
The Institute for Technology Development, Stennis Space Center, MS (US);
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”.