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Expert system for controlling plant growth in a contained environmentIn 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''.
Document ID
20100008951
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
May, George A.
Lanoue, Mark Allen
Bethel, Matthew
Ryan, Robert E.
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
November 10, 2009
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC8-221
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-Patent-7,617,057
Patent Application
US-Patent-Appl-SN-11/312,464

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