WO2024102071A2 - A system and method for controlling growth of plant - Google Patents

A system and method for controlling growth of plant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024102071A2
WO2024102071A2 PCT/SG2023/050735 SG2023050735W WO2024102071A2 WO 2024102071 A2 WO2024102071 A2 WO 2024102071A2 SG 2023050735 W SG2023050735 W SG 2023050735W WO 2024102071 A2 WO2024102071 A2 WO 2024102071A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
plant
growth
growth parameters
processor
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PCT/SG2023/050735
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French (fr)
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WO2024102071A3 (en
Inventor
Eng Huat KHOO
Andrei KULISH
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National University Of Singapore
Agency For Science, Technology And Research
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Application filed by National University Of Singapore, Agency For Science, Technology And Research filed Critical National University Of Singapore
Publication of WO2024102071A2 publication Critical patent/WO2024102071A2/en
Publication of WO2024102071A3 publication Critical patent/WO2024102071A3/en

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01GHORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G7/00Botany in general
    • A01G7/04Electric or magnetic or acoustic treatment of plants for promoting growth
    • A01G7/045Electric or magnetic or acoustic treatment of plants for promoting growth with electric lighting

Definitions

  • the invention relates to agricultural technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to an Al-driven LED grow-lights system for controlled environment agriculture.
  • Controlled environment agriculture refers to the practice of growing crops indoors, under precise conditions that are optimized for plant growth. This method allows farmers to have full control over factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients, leading to higher yields, reduced environmental impact, and better resource utilization.
  • An objective of the invention is to integrate artificial intelligence (Al) with LED (light-emitting diode) technology to create Al-driven LED grow-lights systems.
  • the lighting systems combine the energy efficiency and flexibility of LED technology with the intelligence of Al algorithms to provide customized lighting conditions tailored to the specific needs of different crops.
  • Al-enabled grow-light system can control the intensity of light on the plant at different stages of growth, manipulating the different visible wavelength spectra to suit different species of vegetation at various growth stages, as well as optimisation of light transmission to save electrical energy in controlled environment agriculture.
  • the present invention provides a system for controlling the growth of a plant comprising at least one lighting device for illuminating light of variable spectrum towards the plant, at least one sensor configured to detect growth parameters of the plant, and a processor configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by the sensor.
  • the processor is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions during various stages of plant growth.
  • the lighting device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) configured to emit light of red, green and blue.
  • the light emitting diodes are arranged on either or both an inner portion and outer portion of a panel of the lighting device.
  • the inner portion comprises at least three separate blocks of light emitting diodes.
  • the senor comprises any one or combination of an ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor and temperature sensor.
  • the growth parameters include but are not limited to plant type, plant health, plant growth stage, and environmental conditions.
  • the processor comprises a light-adjusting module configured for controlling one or more settings of the lighting device.
  • the settings comprise any one or a combination of light intensity, type of light spectrum, duration of illumination and light spectrum ratio.
  • the processor comprises an optimisation module configured to analyse the growth parameters detected employing artificial intelligence.
  • the optimisation module is further configured to optimise the settings of the lighting device, adjusting to the growth parameters detected to generate a personalised lighting profile of various plants.
  • the invention intends to provide a method for controlling the growth of a plant comprising the steps of detecting growth parameters of the plant by at least one sensor analysing the growth parameters detected by a processor and illuminating light towards the plant by at least one lighting device.
  • the processor is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants.
  • the method further comprises the step of employing artificial intelligence by an optimisation module to analyse the growth parameters.
  • the method further comprises the step of optimising the settings of the lighting device by the optimisation module based on the growth parameters for generating customised lighting profiles for various plants.
  • the method further comprises the step of storing datasets of the growth parameters and customised lighting profiles for various plants on a computer-readable storage module.
  • the method further comprising the step of executing an instruction by the processor for optimising the settings of the lighting device based on the detected growth parameters.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for controlling growth of plant according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a lighting device used in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a tabulated result showing the relationship between height and illuminance during an experiment to substantiate the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating graphs showing the relationship between height and illuminance obtained from the data in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a method for turning on or off outer portion of LEDs based on detected growth parameters
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a method for controlling growth of a plant.
  • spatially relative terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one technical element or feature's relationship to another technical element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the technical features in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
  • top can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
  • the device may be otherwise oriented and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
  • the lighting device 1 is a module that comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit adjustable or programmable spectrums of light. These LEDs can produce a wide range of wavelengths, including but not limited to, red, blue, and green.
  • LEDs light-emitting diodes
  • the LEDs can be chosen from either one or a combination of Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LEDs, Diffused Tri Colour Common Anode LEDs, and Diffused LEDs.
  • the lighting device 1 is positioned in proximity to the plant to illuminate the plant effectively.
  • the LEDs are arranged on either or both an inner portion lb and outer portion la of a panel of the lighting device 1 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the inner portion lb comprises at least three separate blocks of LEDs, that are separately controlled to operate to save energy consumption.
  • the Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LED is integrated into the lighting device 1 for emitting light towards the plant.
  • the Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LED offer superior uniformity and illuminance due to small viewing angles in comparison with other LEDs, thus offering concentrated illumination within the designated area which results in higher Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) over the illuminated surface while minimizing energy loss making them ideal for supporting plant growth across various stages.
  • PPFD Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density
  • the LED’s arrangement allows for the independent activation of red, blue, and green plates within a single LED unit. Adjustment can be achieved through coding or by incorporating a variable resistor, thus facilitating the creation of diverse RGB (Red, Green, Blue) ratios tailored to specific plant requirements.
  • variable resistor The higher the resistance of the variable resistor, the smaller the current and hence the lower the illuminance. Vice versa, to have a higher illuminance / PPFD for the plant, the resistance could be lower to allow a bigger current to pass through. Since there are three colours a common cathode tri colour LED could light up, three variable resistors are employed to allow each light colour to vary in illuminance.
  • RGB ratios can be set in an individual LED by changing the intensities of the red, green and blue light within an LED through programming to obtain the required RGB ratio. Lowering the light intensity could be done by inputting a smaller current flow into the LEDs. With the use of a microcontroller and code programming, the colour of the LEDs to light up could be programmed. In one example embodiment, when RB ratio 2:1 is required, for example, for the growth of lettuce, the intensity of red light could be set to be double that of the blue light.
  • the sensor 2 comprises any one or combination of an ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor and temperature sensor to detect growth parameters of a plant and to transmit the data to the processor 3.
  • the growth parameters include but are not limited to plant type, plant health, plant growth stage, and environmental conditions.
  • Ultrasonic sensors can be employed to accurately measure distances between the sensor and the plant.
  • the ultrasonic sensor provides data concerning plant height and growth rate, enabling the system to adjust the lighting device 1 accordingly.
  • Camera can be employed to obtain high- resolution images of the plants within a controlled environment. Image processing algorithms analyze the captured images to assess the growth parameters of the plant.
  • Humidity sensors continuously monitor the moisture level of the plant, while temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature within the controlled environment that is important for regulating plant metabolisms.
  • the processor 3 is equipped with software algorithms tailored for plant growth analysis.
  • the processor 3 receives data from the sensor 2 and processes this information in real-time.
  • the processor 3 is programmed to recognize different plant species and their growth parameters detected by the sensor 2 to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions at various stages of plant growth.
  • the processor 3 comprises an optimisation module 3a configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by employing artificial intelligence.
  • the optimisation module 3a is further configured to optimise the settings of the lighting device 1, adjusting to the growth parameters detected to generate a customised lighting profile for various plants.
  • artificial intelligence algorithms are employed to interpret the growth parameters and optimising the settings of the lighting device 1.
  • machine learning, data analytics or any other Al technique may be used to process the data collected by the sensor 2.
  • the processor 3 also comprises a light-adjusting module 3b configured for controlling one or more settings of the lighting device 1.
  • the settings of the lighting device 1 comprise any one or a combination of light intensity, type of light spectrum, duration of illumination and light spectrum ratio.
  • the light-adjusting module 3b controls the light intensity as some plants thrive in bright, direct light, while others prefer dimmer, indirect light.
  • the light-adjusting module 3b can control the range of wavelengths of light emitted by the lighting device 1. Different wavelengths of light have varying effects on plant growth. By way of example, blue light is important for plant growth, while red light is important for flowering and fruiting.
  • the lighting system 10 can cater to specific growth stages of plants.
  • the light-adjusting module 3b will adjust the settings to increase the duration of photoperiods to ensure the plant receives the optimal amount of light for growth.
  • the light-adjusting module 3b can adjust proportions of the red and blue wavelength of the light spectrum, thus allowing the lighting system to create a customized lighting conditions tailored to the needs of the plants.
  • Datasets of the growth parameters detected by the sensor and customised lighting profiles generated by the optimisation module 3a for the plants are stored on the computer- readable storage module 4, which is connected to the sensor 2 and the processor 3.
  • the computer-readable storage module 4 employed may include hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD), network- attached storage (NAS), cloud services storage, flash drives and memory cards, and databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of employing an ultrasonic sensor 2 to determine a distance d between the sensor and the plant thus providing data to the processor 3 to execute instructions to control the lighting device 1.
  • step SI upon starting the lighting device 1, in step SI, one or more blocks of LEDs in the inner portion lb of the lighting device 1 is/are turned on to illuminate light onto the plant.
  • step S2 the ultrasonic sensor detects the distance d of the plant by transmitting and receiving reflected waves.
  • step S3 a decision is made whether the distance d is more than 5cm? Should the distance detected is less than 5 cm, the processor 3 executes instructions to turn off the LEDs of the outer portion la, in step S4.
  • the processor 3 will then execute instructions to turn on the LEDs of the outer portion la, in step S5.
  • FIG. 6 shows the flowchart for a method for controlling the growth of a plant according to an embodiment.
  • the system 10 initiates a continuous monitoring process by turning on the LEDs of the lighting device 1, in step SIL
  • the sensor 2 detects the growth parameters of the plant.
  • the sensor 2 then sends, in step SI 3, the growth parameters data to the processor 3.
  • the processor 3 analyses the growth parameters, for example, the optimisation module 3a employs artificial intelligence to analyse the growth parameters detected and interprets the plant's requirements at its current growth stage; after the optimisation module 3a has executed its functions, the lightadjusting module 3b responds by adjusting intensities of the LEDs.
  • Step S16 Settings of the lighting device 1 by the optimisation module 3a based on the growth parameters results in generating customised lighting profiles for various plants. Datasets of the growth parameters and the customised lighting profiles for various plants are then stored in the computer-readable storage module 4. The LEDs are then powered by the customized lighting profile and light is illuminated towards the plant. Based on the analyzed growth parameters, the processor 3 controls the lighting device 1 by controlling various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at RGB ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants; to carry out such growth parameter analysis, a decision, in step 15, is made whether there are any changes in the growth parameters detected by the sensor 2? If there are no changes in the growth parameters, the control process reverts to step S12 for continuous monitoring; if there are changes to the growth parameters, the control process proceeds to step S16 below.
  • the processor 3 accesses the customised light profile stored in the computer-readable storage module 4, and customize the light spectrum combinations for each type of plant, as seen in step SI 6, thus ensuring that the illumination meets the precise needs of various species of plants.
  • Blue light helps plants to grow strong stems and to create the chlorophyll needed for plant processes. Whilst not shown, the illumination meter placed at substantially 5 cm from the grow-light was used to measure the illuminance and the value could then be used to determine the PPFD incident on the plant. 5053 lux was measured from the meter and the value was translated into a PPFD of 448.36 pmol/m 2 /s for the plant. The PPFD radiated by the grow-light was greater than the standard requirement of 80 pmol/m 2 /s during seedling and 150 pmol/m 2 /s (PPFD) during vegetative phase of lettuce.
  • intensity of red light was programmed to be double that of blue light.
  • the grow-light could be placed near the seedling to receive a good amount of PPFD.
  • the grow-light needed to be further away from the lettuce to ensure it still provided a coverage of illumination for the lettuce. Consequently, the illuminance become weaker and hence PPFD received by the lettuce was lower.
  • the maximum distance between the plant and the grow-light must be known to ensure the plant stayed within the required range.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a system (10) for controlling growth of a plant comprising at least one lighting device (1) for illuminating light of variable spectrum towards the plant; at least one sensor (2) configured to detect growth parameters of the plant; and a processor (3) configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by the sensor. The processor (3) is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GROWTH OF PLANT
RELATED APPLICATION
[001] The present invention claims priority to Singapore patent application no. 10202251653Q filed on 7 November 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[002] The invention relates to agricultural technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to an Al-driven LED grow-lights system for controlled environment agriculture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[003] In recent years, there has been a significant shift in agricultural practices towards controlled environment agriculture (CEA) methods, driven by the need for efficient and sustainable food production. Controlled environment agriculture refers to the practice of growing crops indoors, under precise conditions that are optimized for plant growth. This method allows farmers to have full control over factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients, leading to higher yields, reduced environmental impact, and better resource utilization.
[004] Among the various factors influencing plant growth, light is one of the most crucial elements. Plants require specific light wavelengths, intensities, and durations for photosynthesis, the process through which they convert light energy into chemical energy, enabling their growth and development. Traditional agricultural lighting systems, such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH) lamps, have been used for decades. However, these systems are energy-intensive, emit excess heat, and often lack the precise spectrum needed for optimal plant growth.
[005] In conventional grow-light panels, the fixed ratio of Red to Blue light emitted by non- changeable LEDs hinders optimal plant growth. Different growth stages of plant growth demand varying ratios of Red to Blue light to enhance productivity. Blue light spectrum facilitates chlorophyll absorption, photosynthesis, and growth, whereas the red light spectrum stimulates flowering and budding processes. However, existing grow-lights available in the market lack the capability to adjust the Red to Blue light ratio, limiting their potential to enhance plant growth productivity.
[006] In the existing grow-light systems, all LEDs remain activated continuously during operation, leading to inefficient energy usage throughout the entire growth cycle. During the initial seedling stage, when the plants are small and require less light, the illumination area from the grow-light panel can be reduced to conserve energy effectively. Additionally, current grow-lights lack the functionality to adjust the Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF) based on the height of the plants. As crops grow taller, they naturally grow closer to the light source, resulting in an increased PPFD (Photon Flux Density). If the received PPFD exceeds the required amount, it leads to the wastage of light energy. Therefore, there is a need for an Al-enabled grow-light system that can automatically reduce energy output as the crops grow taller, ensuring optimal energy utilization and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[007] An objective of the invention is to integrate artificial intelligence (Al) with LED (light-emitting diode) technology to create Al-driven LED grow-lights systems. The lighting systems combine the energy efficiency and flexibility of LED technology with the intelligence of Al algorithms to provide customized lighting conditions tailored to the specific needs of different crops. Al-enabled grow-light system can control the intensity of light on the plant at different stages of growth, manipulating the different visible wavelength spectra to suit different species of vegetation at various growth stages, as well as optimisation of light transmission to save electrical energy in controlled environment agriculture.
[008] The present invention provides a system for controlling the growth of a plant comprising at least one lighting device for illuminating light of variable spectrum towards the plant, at least one sensor configured to detect growth parameters of the plant, and a processor configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by the sensor. The processor is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions during various stages of plant growth. [009] Preferably, the lighting device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) configured to emit light of red, green and blue.
[0010] Preferably, the light emitting diodes are arranged on either or both an inner portion and outer portion of a panel of the lighting device.
[0011] Preferably, the inner portion comprises at least three separate blocks of light emitting diodes.
[0012] Preferably, the sensor comprises any one or combination of an ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor and temperature sensor.
[0013] Preferably, the growth parameters include but are not limited to plant type, plant health, plant growth stage, and environmental conditions.
[0014] Preferably, the processor comprises a light-adjusting module configured for controlling one or more settings of the lighting device.
[0015] Preferably, the settings comprise any one or a combination of light intensity, type of light spectrum, duration of illumination and light spectrum ratio.
[0016] Preferably, the processor comprises an optimisation module configured to analyse the growth parameters detected employing artificial intelligence.
[0017] Preferably, the optimisation module is further configured to optimise the settings of the lighting device, adjusting to the growth parameters detected to generate a personalised lighting profile of various plants.
[0018] The invention intends to provide a method for controlling the growth of a plant comprising the steps of detecting growth parameters of the plant by at least one sensor analysing the growth parameters detected by a processor and illuminating light towards the plant by at least one lighting device. The processor is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants. [0019] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of employing artificial intelligence by an optimisation module to analyse the growth parameters.
[0020] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of optimising the settings of the lighting device by the optimisation module based on the growth parameters for generating customised lighting profiles for various plants.
[0021] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of storing datasets of the growth parameters and customised lighting profiles for various plants on a computer-readable storage module.
[0022] Preferably, the method further comprising the step of executing an instruction by the processor for optimising the settings of the lighting device based on the detected growth parameters.
[0023] Preferably, further comprising the step of executing an instruction by the processor for adjusting the ratio of light spectrums including red, green, and blue lights based on the customised lighting profiles for various plants.
[0024] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] To facilitate an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for controlling growth of plant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a lighting device used in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a tabulated result showing the relationship between height and illuminance during an experiment to substantiate the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating graphs showing the relationship between height and illuminance obtained from the data in FIG. 3;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a method for turning on or off outer portion of LEDs based on detected growth parameters; and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a method for controlling growth of a plant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] From hereon, spatially relative terms, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one technical element or feature's relationship to another technical element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the technical features in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
[0033] For example, if a technical feature within the figures is turned over, its elements described as “top” of other elements or features would then be oriented “bottom” of the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “top” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0034] For example, if a technical feature within the figures is flipped horizontally, its elements described as “left” of other elements or features would then be oriented “right” of the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “left” can encompass both an orientation of left and right. The device may be otherwise oriented and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0035] The present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of examples, with reference to the figures. For ease of reference, common reference numerals or series of numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system 10 for controlling plant growth comprises several components: at least one lighting device 1 provided to emit light of variable spectrum towards the plant, at least one sensor 2 positioned to detect relevant growth parameters and a processor 3 equipped with algorithms for analyzing the data of the growth parameters collected by the sensors. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a computer-readable storage module 4 being connected to the sensor 2 and the processor 3. The lighting device 1 is a module that comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit adjustable or programmable spectrums of light. These LEDs can produce a wide range of wavelengths, including but not limited to, red, blue, and green. The LEDs can be chosen from either one or a combination of Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LEDs, Diffused Tri Colour Common Anode LEDs, and Diffused LEDs. The lighting device 1 is positioned in proximity to the plant to illuminate the plant effectively. The LEDs are arranged on either or both an inner portion lb and outer portion la of a panel of the lighting device 1 as shown in FIG. 2. The inner portion lb comprises at least three separate blocks of LEDs, that are separately controlled to operate to save energy consumption.
[0037] Preferably, the Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LED is integrated into the lighting device 1 for emitting light towards the plant. Advantageously, the Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LED offer superior uniformity and illuminance due to small viewing angles in comparison with other LEDs, thus offering concentrated illumination within the designated area which results in higher Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) over the illuminated surface while minimizing energy loss making them ideal for supporting plant growth across various stages. Additionally, the LED’s arrangement allows for the independent activation of red, blue, and green plates within a single LED unit. Adjustment can be achieved through coding or by incorporating a variable resistor, thus facilitating the creation of diverse RGB (Red, Green, Blue) ratios tailored to specific plant requirements. The higher the resistance of the variable resistor, the smaller the current and hence the lower the illuminance. Vice versa, to have a higher illuminance / PPFD for the plant, the resistance could be lower to allow a bigger current to pass through. Since there are three colours a common cathode tri colour LED could light up, three variable resistors are employed to allow each light colour to vary in illuminance.
[0038] Different RGB ratios can be set in an individual LED by changing the intensities of the red, green and blue light within an LED through programming to obtain the required RGB ratio. Lowering the light intensity could be done by inputting a smaller current flow into the LEDs. With the use of a microcontroller and code programming, the colour of the LEDs to light up could be programmed. In one example embodiment, when RB ratio 2:1 is required, for example, for the growth of lettuce, the intensity of red light could be set to be double that of the blue light.
[0039] The sensor 2 comprises any one or combination of an ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor and temperature sensor to detect growth parameters of a plant and to transmit the data to the processor 3. The growth parameters include but are not limited to plant type, plant health, plant growth stage, and environmental conditions. Ultrasonic sensors can be employed to accurately measure distances between the sensor and the plant. The ultrasonic sensor provides data concerning plant height and growth rate, enabling the system to adjust the lighting device 1 accordingly. Camera can be employed to obtain high- resolution images of the plants within a controlled environment. Image processing algorithms analyze the captured images to assess the growth parameters of the plant. Humidity sensors continuously monitor the moisture level of the plant, while temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature within the controlled environment that is important for regulating plant metabolisms. By analyzing the combined data from the ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor, and temperature sensor, plants' growth patterns, health status, and environmental conditions can be identified and processed by the processor 3.
[0040] The processor 3 is equipped with software algorithms tailored for plant growth analysis. The processor 3 receives data from the sensor 2 and processes this information in real-time. The processor 3 is programmed to recognize different plant species and their growth parameters detected by the sensor 2 to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions at various stages of plant growth.
[0041] The processor 3 comprises an optimisation module 3a configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by employing artificial intelligence. The optimisation module 3a is further configured to optimise the settings of the lighting device 1, adjusting to the growth parameters detected to generate a customised lighting profile for various plants. Preferably, artificial intelligence algorithms are employed to interpret the growth parameters and optimising the settings of the lighting device 1. By way of example, machine learning, data analytics or any other Al technique may be used to process the data collected by the sensor 2.
[0042] The processor 3 also comprises a light-adjusting module 3b configured for controlling one or more settings of the lighting device 1. The settings of the lighting device 1 comprise any one or a combination of light intensity, type of light spectrum, duration of illumination and light spectrum ratio. Preferably, the light-adjusting module 3b controls the light intensity as some plants thrive in bright, direct light, while others prefer dimmer, indirect light. Preferably, the light-adjusting module 3b can control the range of wavelengths of light emitted by the lighting device 1. Different wavelengths of light have varying effects on plant growth. By way of example, blue light is important for plant growth, while red light is important for flowering and fruiting. By adjusting the type of light spectrum, the lighting system 10 can cater to specific growth stages of plants.
[0043] In one example embodiment, for a plant that requires long hours of light exposure, the light-adjusting module 3b will adjust the settings to increase the duration of photoperiods to ensure the plant receives the optimal amount of light for growth. In another example embodiment, should a plant require a higher ratio of red and blue lights, the light-adjusting module 3b can adjust proportions of the red and blue wavelength of the light spectrum, thus allowing the lighting system to create a customized lighting conditions tailored to the needs of the plants.
[0044] Datasets of the growth parameters detected by the sensor and customised lighting profiles generated by the optimisation module 3a for the plants are stored on the computer- readable storage module 4, which is connected to the sensor 2 and the processor 3. The computer-readable storage module 4 employed may include hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD), network- attached storage (NAS), cloud services storage, flash drives and memory cards, and databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of employing an ultrasonic sensor 2 to determine a distance d between the sensor and the plant thus providing data to the processor 3 to execute instructions to control the lighting device 1. As shown in FIG. 5, upon starting the lighting device 1, in step SI, one or more blocks of LEDs in the inner portion lb of the lighting device 1 is/are turned on to illuminate light onto the plant. Following, in step S2, the ultrasonic sensor detects the distance d of the plant by transmitting and receiving reflected waves. In step S3, a decision is made whether the distance d is more than 5cm? Should the distance detected is less than 5 cm, the processor 3 executes instructions to turn off the LEDs of the outer portion la, in step S4. As the plant continues to grow and when the distance d detected by the ultrasonic sensor 2 is more than 5 cm, the processor 3 will then execute instructions to turn on the LEDs of the outer portion la, in step S5.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the flowchart for a method for controlling the growth of a plant according to an embodiment. Upon activation, the system 10 initiates a continuous monitoring process by turning on the LEDs of the lighting device 1, in step SIL Next, in step SI 2, the sensor 2 detects the growth parameters of the plant. The sensor 2 then sends, in step SI 3, the growth parameters data to the processor 3. The processor 3 analyses the growth parameters, for example, the optimisation module 3a employs artificial intelligence to analyse the growth parameters detected and interprets the plant's requirements at its current growth stage; after the optimisation module 3a has executed its functions, the lightadjusting module 3b responds by adjusting intensities of the LEDs.
[0047] Settings of the lighting device 1 by the optimisation module 3a based on the growth parameters results in generating customised lighting profiles for various plants. Datasets of the growth parameters and the customised lighting profiles for various plants are then stored in the computer-readable storage module 4. The LEDs are then powered by the customized lighting profile and light is illuminated towards the plant. Based on the analyzed growth parameters, the processor 3 controls the lighting device 1 by controlling various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at RGB ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants; to carry out such growth parameter analysis, a decision, in step 15, is made whether there are any changes in the growth parameters detected by the sensor 2? If there are no changes in the growth parameters, the control process reverts to step S12 for continuous monitoring; if there are changes to the growth parameters, the control process proceeds to step S16 below.
[0048] For each type of plant illuminated by the lighting device 1, the processor 3 accesses the customised light profile stored in the computer-readable storage module 4, and customize the light spectrum combinations for each type of plant, as seen in step SI 6, thus ensuring that the illumination meets the precise needs of various species of plants. The processor 3, in step SI 7, then executes instructions to illuminate light with the ratios of light spectrums including red, green, and blue lights based on the customised lighting profiles of various plants upon detecting the growth parameters of the plants.
[0049] From hereon, evaluations that were carried out to validate the method for controlling growth of plants are briefly described. It is to be noted that parameters defined or determined in these evaluations are not meant to be interpreted as limitations to the scope of the invention.
Experiment using Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LEDs on Lettuce.
[0050] Experimental work using 13 Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LEDs were set up as a grow-light to observe the lettuce growth. To determine the PPFD produced by the grow-light, an Illumination meter was used to measure the illumination in Lux. In consideration of the size, shape and leaf type of lettuce that could possibly vary quite greatly but generally still a loose rosette structure, the grow-light was built with 13 Transparent Tri Colour Common Cathode LEDs to create a spatial structure that provides much coverage of illumination for the lettuce as it grew bigger. Both Red and Blue light in the LEDs were turned on to produce RB ratio of 1 : 1 colour combination. Red light is highly effective at regulating growth and development for plants. It helps to enhance the photosynthesis of lettuce and promote its growth. Blue light helps plants to grow strong stems and to create the chlorophyll needed for plant processes. Whilst not shown, the illumination meter placed at substantially 5 cm from the grow-light was used to measure the illuminance and the value could then be used to determine the PPFD incident on the plant. 5053 lux was measured from the meter and the value was translated into a PPFD of 448.36 pmol/m2/s for the plant. The PPFD radiated by the grow-light was greater than the standard requirement of 80 pmol/m2/s during seedling and 150 pmol/m2/s (PPFD) during vegetative phase of lettuce.
Experiment by planting lettuce seeds to study the effectiveness of the grow light.
[0051] Lettuce seeds were planted, and the pot was enclosed to seal off external light. The seeds germinated well, and the leaves of the seedling grew bigger than 2cm in an environment with light from the grow-light only. Lettuce seeds germinated and the seedlings grow well under a 439.8mW grow-light built with 13 Common Cathode Tri Colour LEDs with RB ratio of 1: 1. The efficacy of illuminance at 5cm from the grow-light was 11.49 lux/mW and it proved to be sufficient for the lettuce seeds to germinate and grow with seedling leaves bigger than 2cm. The findings led to the subsequent task of building a bigger grow-light with greater power for stronger illuminance.
Effect of a nearer grow light - the nearer the grow light, the stronger the illuminance.
[0052] When the grow light was placed nearer, it was found that the illuminance was stronger. The illuminance became weaker when the LEDs were placed further from 4cm to 10 cm. The Illumination meter was used to verify the difference in illuminance due to distance. An illuminance of 5053 lux was measured when the grow-light was placed 5cm above the Illumination meter, whereas 6385 lux was measured when it was placed 3cm above the Illumination meter. The illuminance increased when the grow-light was placed nearer.
Experimental work to achieve optimisation through RB Ratio.
[0053] At different points in the growth stage of lettuce, the requirement for RB ratio changes. Hence there is a need to vary the RB ratio with respect to the growth stage for optimization. There are two ways to achieve the variation of RB ratio within the Transparent Common Cathode Tri Colour LED:
1) Vary the Delay Time of individual colour through coding.
For example, for RB = 2, program delay time of red light was twice that of blue light.
2) Vary the Light Intensity of individual colour through coding.
For example, for RB = 2, intensity of red light was programmed to be double that of blue light.
Experimental work to achieve optimisation through Energy-Saving. [0054] To turn on the outer rows of the grow-lights la when the lettuce grew bigger: A LED Turn-On scheme was devised for optimizing the energy usage. When the seeds were just sowed, only the middle row of the grow-light lb was turned on. As germination began and when the leaves of the seedlings grew bigger, more rows of LEDs away from the middle row were turned on to cater to the growing lettuce that require a higher PPFD.
[0055] Reduction of PPF from light source when the lettuce grew taller: When the lettuce grew taller, it grew nearer to the grow-light and received a greater amount of PPFD. If the PPFD received was more than what was required, it would be a waste of light energy. As such, the grow-light should have the capability of energy reduction when the lettuce grows taller. To simulate the lettuce growing taller, a ruler was brought closer to the ultrasonic sensor 2; when the ruler was closer to the ultrasonic sensor 2, the LEDs became dimmer.
Experimental work to achieve optimisation through System Expansion.
[0056] To allow addition of LED boards to the grow-light system when the lettuce population increased, four small modules of LED boards were interfaced to an Arduino Microcontroller. The system allowed an expansion of grow-light through having more LED boards to be connected to the Arduino Microcontroller. Vice versa, when it was not needed, fewer number of LED boards were connected to the microcontroller. When the lettuce population grew, more light was needed, more modules of LED boards were connected to the Arduino Microcontroller without the need to install another grow-light system.
Experiment carried out to verify that the distance between grow-light and lettuce was an important factor for healthy grow.
[0057] Experiments were carried out to investigate how illuminance varied as the distance between the grow-light and the plants changed. Knowing the required PPFD of the lettuce as well as the photosynthetic photon flux of the grow-light, the distance h between the plant and the grow-light could then be determined by Eq. 1. The value h is important as it determined how far the plant should be away from the grow-light in order to receive the required illuminance and hence the PPFD.
[0058] At the initial stage of growth, when the leaves of the seedlings were still small, the area of illumination of the light could be small yet providing a full coverage for the seedlings. As such, the grow-light could be placed near the seedling to receive a good amount of PPFD. However, as the lettuce grew, its leaves become bigger, the grow-light needed to be further away from the lettuce to ensure it still provided a coverage of illumination for the lettuce. Consequently, the illuminance become weaker and hence PPFD received by the lettuce was lower. The maximum distance between the plant and the grow-light must be known to ensure the plant stayed within the required range.
[0059] The tabulated results and plotted graph in FIGs. 3 and 4 show that the experimental findings tally with the equation derived that related illuminance / PPFD and the distance h the lettuce was away from the grow light, as expressed in Eq. 1. Blue light was used in the experiment: Taking wavelength A = 465 nm the illuminance measured in unit of lux was converted to irradiance in W/m2 and then to PPFD in pmol/m2/s.
Figure imgf000015_0001
where h = distance between light source and plant
1 —
7r(tan 0)2
P = photosynthetic photo flux
[0060] From the graphs shown in FIG. 4, it could be noticed that the change in illuminance was more significant when it was near the grow-light than when it was further. A change in height gave rise to a big change in illuminance when it was near the grow light.
Experiments were carried out to investigate the grow of lettuce under the illumination of red, blue and green light separately.
[0061] Four Common cathode tri colour LEDs were used to build a grow-light circuit. Three such circuits were made and programmed to shine each colour respectively on three pots of lettuce from the moment the seeds were sowed. Comparisons of the growth of lettuce under red, blue and green light were done 16 days after sowing the seeds. The lettuce germinated very well under blue light but poorly under red and green light.
[0062] Blue LEDs produce the highest efficacy of 75.6 lux/mW and that helped in germination. The width of the seedling was 2cm in width, the biggest among the three seedlings. Even though green light produced a high efficacy of illuminance at 69.9 lux/mW, it did not help the lettuce to germinate well. This tally with information of plants needing green light to grow but its absorption on green light was not high. Red light produced an efficacy of 22.1 lux/mW, the lowest among the three colours. The stem of the seedling was found to be very thin and long, with very small seedling leaves. This tally with the information of plants needing red light to grow tall.
[0063] The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A system for controlling growth of a plant comprising: at least one lighting device (1) for illuminating light of variable spectrum towards the plant; at least one sensor (2) configured to detect growth parameters of the plant; and a processor (3) configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by the sensor; wherein the processor (3) is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions during various stages of plant growth.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device (1) comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light of red, green and blue colours.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting diodes are arranged on either or both an inner portion (lb) and outer portion (la) of a panel of the lighting device (1).
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the inner portion (lb) comprises at least three separate blocks of light emitting diodes.
5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (2) comprises any one or combination of an ultrasonic sensor, camera, humidity sensor and temperature sensor.
6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the growth parameters comprise but are not limited to plant type, plant health, plant growth stage, and environmental conditions. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (3) comprises a light-adjusting module (3b) configured for controlling one or more settings of the lighting device (1). The system according to claim 7, wherein the settings comprise any one or a combination of light intensity, type of light spectrum, duration of illumination and light spectrum ratio. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (3) comprises an optimisation module (3a) configured to analyse the growth parameters detected by employing artificial intelligence. The system according to claim 9, wherein the optimisation module (3a) is further configured to optimise the settings of the lighting device (1), and to adjust to the growth parameters detected to generate customised lighting profiles for various plants. The system according to claim 10, further comprises a computer-readable storage module (4) for storing datasets of the growth parameters and customised lighting profiles for the plants. A method for controlling growth of a plant comprising the steps of: detecting growth parameters of the plant by at least one sensor (2); analysing the growth parameters detected by a processor (3); and illuminating light towards the plant by at least one lighting device (1); wherein the processor (3) is further configured to control various combinations of light spectrums based on the growth parameters such that each light spectrum is combined at RGB ratios allowing customisable lighting conditions for various plants. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of employing artificial intelligence by an optimisation module (3a) to analyse the growth parameters. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of optimising the settings of the lighting device (1) by the optimisation module (3a) based on the growth parameters for generating customised lighting profiles for various plants. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of storing datasets of the growth parameters and customised lighting profiles for various plants on a computer-readable storage module (4). The method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, further comprising the step of executing instructions by the processor (3) for optimising the settings of the lighting device (1) based on the detected growth parameters. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising the step of executing instructions by the processor (3) for adjusting the ratio of light spectrums including red, green, and blue lights based on the customised lighting profiles for various plants.
PCT/SG2023/050735 2022-11-07 2023-11-07 A system and method for controlling growth of plant WO2024102071A2 (en)

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