Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Automated Controlled Environment Agriculture

Publication ID: 24-11856902_0003_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Automated Controlled Environment Agriculture,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856902_0003_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856902_0003_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,902.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a production facility layout for automated controlled environment agriculture, but it had limitations in terms of scalability, monitoring, and optimization. This invention addresses these limitations by incorporating synergistic combinations of distinct technologies to create a more powerful system.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention's synergistic combinations of AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials provide a non-obvious and novel solution to the limitations of the original patent. The integration of these technologies creates a more efficient, productive, and sustainable controlled environment agriculture system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include integrating other technologies like robotics, computer vision, or biotechnology. Variations of the invention could be applied to different types of crops, facilities, or geographic locations.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in the agriculture and food production industries, particularly in areas like vertical farming, greenhouses, and indoor agriculture. The market for controlled environment agriculture is growing rapidly, and this invention could provide a competitive edge to companies adopting these technologies.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01G31/06
A A01 A01G31/045

Field of Art

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with focus on automated crop production systems, facility design, and agricultural technology integration

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with advanced degree in agricultural engineering, plant sciences, or related field, experienced in automated agricultural systems, IoT technologies, and facility design for controlled crop production

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's proposed technological integrations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's automated controlled environment agriculture framework. The proposed AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies are well-established optimization techniques in agricultural systems. The variations represent logical combinations of known technologies to enhance the efficiency and monitoring capabilities of crop production facilities.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Automated crop production facility with nutrient and thermal corridors
PTD Variation
AI-powered climate control system that dynamically adjusts temperature, humidity, and light levels
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable application of machine learning to existing automated climate management systems, representing an incremental technological improvement
Source Patent Element
Facility layout with integrated processing and storage areas
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based inventory management system tracking crop movement and supply chain
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of applying distributed ledger technologies to agricultural logistics and inventory tracking
Source Patent Element
Controlled environment agricultural production system
PTD Variation
IoT sensor network for real-time crop health monitoring and data collection
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious implementation of standard monitoring technologies to enhance existing automated agricultural systems
Source Patent Element
Crop production facility with modular design
PTD Variation
Cloud-based data analytics platform integrating multiple facility performance metrics
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of existing facility management technologies using standard cloud computing architectures
Source Patent Element
Automated crop production methodology
PTD Variation
Advanced growing medium materials optimized for water retention and nutrient delivery
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine materials engineering approach to incrementally improving agricultural substrates
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856902 and the technological variations disclosed herein, a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the proposed agricultural technology integrations obvious and non-inventive. The combination of AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials represents predictable technological improvements within the existing controlled environment agriculture domain, thereby rendering potential derivative claims obvious and unpatentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,902
TitleProduction facility layouts for automated controlled environment agriculture
Assignee(s)MJNN LLC