Horticulture Lighting Interface for Spectral Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current horticulture lighting systems struggle to control the spectral composition of light effectively, limiting the ability to provide optimal lighting conditions for plant growth, as they rely on detailed technical information about the installed lighting devices and their positions, and are not energy efficient.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a horticulture action space, represented by dimensions for photosynthesis, phototropine, phytochrome Pr, and phytochrome Pfr actions, allows for the conversion of desired physiological plant responses into control instructions for lighting systems, enabling dynamic spectral control and energy optimization by mapping set points to target points within this space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional horticulture lighting control systems are used, then detailed technical information about lighting devices and their positions is required, but this increases system complexity and makes control difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a horticulture action space as an intermediary coordinate system that mediates between the lighting system and plant physiological responses. This action space with dimensions for photosynthesis, phototropism, and phytochrome actions serves as a universal interface, eliminating the need for detailed device-specific information while simplifying control operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting control methods are used, then control is tied to specific lighting device technologies, but this reduces adaptability to different lighting systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting system adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The horticulture action space provides a universal coordinate system that can interface with any lighting system regardless of technology type. The same action space coordinates can control different lighting devices (LED, HPS, fluorescent), making the control system universally applicable while maintaining simplicity through the standardized multi-dimensional framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional lighting control is used, then energy efficiency is limited, but achieving optimal spectral control would require complex systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidspectral control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls lighting by adjusting parameters in the horticulture action space (photosynthesis action, phototropine action, phytochrome Pr action, phytochrome Pfr action) rather than directly manipulating device-specific parameters. This parameter-based approach enables energy optimization by targeting plant physiological responses directly, achieving spectral control efficiency without complex device-level adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2934089B1A horticulture lighting interface for interfacing at least one lighting system
Publication Date: 2017.02.22 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2934089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2934089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2934089B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an interface (20) for converting a desired physiological plant response into control instructions for at least one lighting system (4,5) which has an adjustable lighting property, said interface (20) comprising: • a receiver for receiving a desired physiological plant response; • a processor functionally coupled to said receiver for converting said desired physiological plant response into said control instructions, and • a transmitter (7), functionally coupled to said processor for transmitting said control instructions to said at least one lighting system (4,5) wherein said desired physiological plant response is defined as a set point in a multi-dimensional horticulture action space.