Automated Plant Probe with Feedback-Based Lighting and Care Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional garden and houseplant probes are analog devices that lack automation and require manual operation, and automated watering systems are time-based, failing to adapt to local conditions or plant-specific needs, while novice gardeners struggle with organic gardening and climate change impacts complicate planting schedules and plant care.

Innovation Solution

An automated plant probe system that communicates with a mobile device to determine local planting conditions and provide personalized gardening recommendations, including plant type recognition, weather data, soil analysis, and automated maintenance actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional analog probes are used for plant monitoring, then device simplicity is maintained, but automation capability and adaptability to local conditions are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plant probe system automatically monitors soil conditions, identifies plant types, and provides maintenance recommendations without human intervention. The system self-calibrates and adapts to local conditions, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining relative simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The probe system performs multiple functions including soil moisture sensing, plant type recognition, weather data integration, and automated maintenance scheduling. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single comprehensive system, managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If time-based automated watering systems are used, then labor effort is reduced, but adaptability to plant-specific needs and local conditions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to plant needsVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors soil moisture levels, plant health indicators, and weather conditions, then adjusts watering schedules based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables adaptability to real-time conditions while the system handles the complexity of decision-making, keeping operation simple for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The watering schedule dynamically adjusts based on current soil conditions, plant type requirements, and forecasted weather. Instead of fixed time-based schedules, the system adapts its operation parameters continuously, providing plant-specific care while maintaining ease of use through automated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If succession planting is implemented to maximize produce supply, then food availability is improved, but difficulty in determining proper planting timing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduce supply consistencyVSAvoidplanting timing determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates optimal planting schedules for succession planting based on plant hardiness zones, historical weather data, and current soil conditions. It provides advance recommendations for when to plant each successive crop to ensure continuous harvest, eliminating the complexity of timing determination from the gardener's task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual calculation and observation methods with automated sensor-based monitoring and algorithmic scheduling. Soil sensors, weather stations, and plant databases work together to determine optimal planting times, substituting complex manual planning with automated intelligent decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If manual organic gardening practices are used, then environmental sustainability is achieved, but knowledge requirement and time investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegardening maintenance effortVSAvoidgardening knowledge requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The probe system acts as an intermediary between the gardener and the complex knowledge of organic gardening. It translates soil sensor data, plant requirements, and weather information into simple maintenance recommendations, reducing the knowledge burden while maintaining sustainable organic practices through data-driven decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260105539A1Automated plant probe system and method with lighting control

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 DAUGHERTY RAYE L

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide an automated plant probe system and method. The plant probe can include a body and a housing with a hardware module. The hardware module can include a communication module, an electronic controller, and memory. The plant probe can include a probe with a sensor module. The sensor module can including various sensors, such as a moisture sensor and/or a growing media sensor. The plant probe system can include a control system in communication with the communication module of the plant probe. The control system can receive plant data from the sensor module and use the plant data to provide plant recommendations.