Adaptive Agricultural Monitoring Systems
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept leverages wearable sensor technology to optimize crop growth, monitor environmental conditions, and control pest populations in agricultural fields, greenhouses, and aquaculture.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on ensuring constant pressure of a physiological sensor against a human subject. However, the limitations of this technology in addressing agricultural challenges led to the development of this new inventive concept, which applies the core technology to monitor and control various aspects of agricultural ecosystems.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a wearable band with an inward-facing surface that faces towards or rests against a plant, and an outward-facing surface opposite the inward-facing surface. The wearable band is coupled to a sensor module that measures soil moisture levels, detects pest activity, or monitors vital signs of an animal. The system can optimize crop growth by adjusting watering schedules, monitor and control environmental conditions in greenhouses, and optimize livestock health. The device can also monitor and control pest populations in agricultural fields and water quality in aquaculture.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a novel application of wearable sensor technology to the agricultural industry, providing a non-obvious solution to the specific challenges faced in this field. The inventive concept's ability to adapt to different agricultural contexts and monitor various parameters sets it apart from the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include wearable bands designed for specific crop types, adjustable sensor modules for different environmental conditions, or integration with existing agricultural management systems. Variations may include using different types of sensors, such as thermal or acoustic sensors, or developing specialized wearable bands for livestock or aquaculture.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the agricultural technology market, with applications in precision agriculture, greenhouse management, livestock health, and aquaculture. The target industries include agricultural companies, greenhouse operators, livestock farmers, and aquaculture businesses.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical and Agricultural Sensor Systems, focusing on wearable sensor technologies for monitoring physiological or environmental parameters
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with expertise in sensor design, biomedical engineering, and agricultural monitoring technologies, capable of adapting sensor systems across different application domains
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental similarity between the source patent's wearable physiological monitoring system and the agricultural monitoring system disclosed in the PTD. The core technical principles of a wearable band with an integrated sensor module are directly transferable between human and agricultural applications. The variations represent predictable extensions of the original sensor technology to new contextual domains.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,297 |
|---|---|
| Title | Systems, apparatuses, and methods for ensuring constant pressure of a physiological sensor against a subject |
| Assignee(s) | Tula Health Inc |