Measuring and testing – Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-12
2001-03-20
Patel, Harshad (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
C073S30400R, C324S694000, C340S620000, C340S604000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202479
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring soil moisture. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a system and a method for determining the soil moisture content of a volume of soil and alerting a plant caretaker of a need to add water to the soil for the health of a plant that resides within the soil.
Plants, of course, are often used as decorative accessories in the home, at many business and the like. Often, plants may be difficult to maintain. Different plants typically require different watering needs. Often, people who have several plants water all of their plants simultaneously, whether water is required for the plant or not. Likewise, plants often go unwatered and become too dry and may subsequently die.
It is, however, generally known to provide an apparatus to monitor soil moisture content to assist in determining watering needs for a plant. Typically, a monitor is placed within a volume of soil that measures a conductance across probes within the soil. The strength of an electrical current across the probes is dependent on the conductance of the soil, which, in turn, is dependent on the moisture content of the soil. A signal may be produced indicative of the soil moisture content. The signal may be interpreted to determine if the plant in which the probe is placed requires water.
However, known soil moisture monitors are deficient in many aspects. First, known soil moisture monitoring apparatuses are large and unsightly and tend not to fit in the natural settings of a potted plant. Still further, known visual alert systems consist of blinking lights that may become hidden in the pot. Known audible alert systems typically consist of a series of beeps or buzzing sounds. Such visual and audible alert systems may not fit within the natural setting of a household plant.
Therefore, an improved soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method are needed that overcome the deficiencies of known systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring soil moisture content and audibly alerting a plant caretaker of the need to add water for the needs of a plant within the soil. More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring soil moisture content wherein the sensing mechanism is small and hidden from view and the audible signal generating mechanism is provided within a housing that is shaped like a creature that may be found around plants or otherwise in nature. Furthermore, the audible signal generated by the monitoring apparatus generally corresponds to the creature embodied in the creature shaped housing.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a soil moisture monitoring apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a soil moisture sensor. A processor is connected to the soil moisture sensor. An audible signal generator is connected to the processor capable of generating an audible signal. A housing shaped like a known creature is provided in which the creature is capable of producing a recognizable sound. The audible signal generator is associated with the housing, and the audible signal generated by the audible signal generator activates replication of the recognizable sound of the creature.
In an embodiment, the creature-shaped housing is a frog shape.
In an embodiment, the recognizable sound generated by the audible signal generator replicates the sound of a frog.
In an embodiment, the creature-shaped housing is a cricket shape.
In an embodiment, the recognizable sound generated by the audible signal generator replicates the sound of a cricket.
In an embodiment, the creature-shaped housing is a bird shape.
In an embodiment, the recognizable sound generated by the audible signal generator replicates the sound of a bird.
In an embodiment, a power supply means is connected to the processor.
In an embodiment, a switch is associated with the power supply means.
In an embodiment, a look-up table is associated with the processor and provides a reference to the processor indicative of a predetermined soil moisture level.
In an embodiment, an input means is associated with the processor.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for monitoring soil moisture. The system has a volume of soil with a soil moisture content. A plant grows within the volume of soil. A soil moisture sensor is located in the volume of soil. A processor is attached to the soil moisture sensor. An audible signal generator is connected to the processor. A housing shaped like a known creature is provided. The audible signal generator is associated with the housing and the audible signal generated by the audible signal generator activates replication of the recognizable sound of the creature.
In an embodiment, a look-up table is associated with the processor. The look-up table provides a reference to the processor indicative of the predetermined soil moisture level.
In an embodiment, a creature-shaped housing contains the audible signal generator therein.
In an embodiment, an input means is associated with the processor.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for monitoring soil moisture. The method comprises the steps of: providing a volume of soil having a soil moisture content; providing a plant growing within the volume of soil; providing a soil moisture sensor connected to a processor, the processor connected to an audible signal generator; providing a housing replicating a creature capable of producing a recognizable sound associated with the creature connected to the audible signal generator; placing the soil moisture sensor in the volume of soil; and placing the creature-shaped housing around the plant.
In an embodiment, an input means is connected to the processor and inputs a reference into the processor. The reference corresponds to a predetermined soil moisture level desired for the plant.
In an embodiment, a power supply means is connected to the processor.
In an embodiment, a look-up table associated with the processor is provided.
It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method that allow a plant caretaker to determine when water should be added to a volume of soil in which a plant is growing.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method in which the sensing mechanism is small and can be hidden from view within the volume of soil or pot of soil.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method that has an input means allowing a plant caretaker to adjust a reference that would determine when the plant caretaker should be alerted depending on the watering needs of different plants.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method that has a power supply providing an electrical current through the monitor.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method that emits an audible signal alerting a plant caretaker of the need to add water to the plant.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method wherein an audible signal generally corresponds to a sound that a creature in nature would make.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method wherein the audible signal generating device is contained within a creature-shaped housing that would be found within nature.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a soil moisture monitoring apparatus, system and method wherein the audible signal generating mechanism contained within the creature-shaped housing may be placed in and around the plant in a way that may be audibly
Patel Harshad
Patents +TMS
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