Programmable Plant Tags for Climate-Adaptive Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gardeners and landscapers face challenges in selecting plants that coexist well in landscape settings due to varying climate and soil conditions across different geographic regions, with existing technologies failing to provide centralized, updated, and localized horticultural information for plant selection and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing active programmable electronic plant tags and a data delivery system that provides continually updated horticultural information based on local climate data and specific plant characteristics, using NFC tags and a network architecture to connect plants with relevant data and user devices, allowing for accurate plant selection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plant selection methods are used, then plant selection can be made without technical assistance, but the accuracy and reliability of plant selection deteriorates due to lack of localized climate data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of electronic plant tags, base stations, and a cloud-based platform that mediate between gardeners and localized climate data. The tags attached to plants communicate with base stations positioned at strategic locations, which then transmit data to the cloud platform for processing and delivering personalized recommendations, thus resolving the contradiction by providing accurate localized information without requiring complex on-site analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual plant selection methods with an automated electronic system that uses NFC technology, wireless communication, and algorithmic processing. Instead of relying on gardener expertise or manual observation, the system automatically collects climate data, processes it through computational algorithms, and delivers personalized plant recommendations, substituting mechanical/manual processes with electronic and computational mechanisms
2Loss of information
If centralized climate data is provided, then information availability improves, but the specificity and localization of the information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized climate data system into distributed local nodes. Instead of providing a single centralized database, the system creates multiple localized base stations positioned at specific geographic locations, each collecting and processing climate data for its local area. This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive information availability while achieving precise localization through distributed data collection points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring climate data collection and processing to specific geographic locations. Each base station is positioned at a strategic location and collects climate data specific to that area, creating localized information quality that differs from generic centralized data. The system processes and delivers climate information customized to each local environment, ensuring both availability and precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If static plant information is provided, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing climate conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a living, continuously updating plant information system. Instead of static database entries, the system dynamically collects real-time climate data from sensors, processes this information through algorithms, and automatically updates plant recommendations based on current and forecasted climate conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing climates while managing complexity through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where climate data collected from sensors and environmental monitors is continuously fed back into the system's processing algorithms. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual climate conditions and adjust plant recommendations accordingly. The feedback mechanism enables adaptability by continuously updating information based on real-world conditions while managing complexity through automated iterative processing
4Measurement precision
If detailed localized climate data is collected, then horticultural information accuracy improves, but the difficulty of data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses base stations as intermediary devices that simplify data collection. Instead of requiring direct complex measurements at every possible location, the base stations are positioned at strategic points and automatically collect climate data from their environment. These intermediaries aggregate and process the data, making the collection process simpler while maintaining precision through automated sensing and processing
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for selecting plants based on climate data and plant data. The system receives climate data and plant data and selects plants for a geographical division based on the climate data and plant data. The system generates durable plant tags with for the plants that have an icon that identifies the lighting level and watering level of the plants using a color and a number.