# US 12,004,273 B2 · Self-propelled sensing system for grow operations

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- Number: US 12,004,273 B2
- Document ID: US12004273B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/052,685
- Filed: 2022-11-04
- Published: 2024-05-09
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2022-11-04
- Assignees: Verilytix Inc.
- Applicants: Verilytix Inc.
- Inventors: Toby J. Velte; Quinton J. Krueger; Robert J. Barnes
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004273B2

## CPC

- A01G 9/26: Electric devices {(A01G9/249 takes precedence)}
- H05B 45/12: using optical feedback
- A01G 7/045: {with electric lighting}
- A01G 9/249: {Lighting means (with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045)}
- H05B 45/18: using temperature feedback
- H05B 47/105: in response to determined parameters
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A sensing system includes at least one sensor and a movement subsystem configured to move the at least one sensor between a plant and a light source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensing system comprising:
an upward-facing light sensor;
a downward-facing light sensor;
a movement subsystem configured to move the upward-facing light sensor between a plant and a light source;
wherein the upward-facing light sensor receives light from the light source and wherein the downward-facing light sensor that receives light reflected from the plant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein in the plant is supported by a structure and the movement subsystem is supported by the structure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sensing system of claim 2 wherein the movement subsystem is supported by a rail that in turn is supported by the structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the movement subsystem comprises a motor that moves with the at least one sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the movement subsystem is configured to move the upward-facing light sensor between the plant and multiple light sources and wherein the sensing system further comprises a second upward-facing light sensor and a third upward-facing light sensor that each receive light from a respective light source of the multiple light sources.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the sensing system further comprises a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of air at the sensing system and an infrared light sensor for sensing the temperature of the plant.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the sensing system further comprises a carbon dioxide sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the sensing system further comprises a range finder for detecting a distance between the plant and the range finder.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sensing system of claim 1 wherein the movement subsystem is configured to move the upward-facing light sensor between a bed containing multiple plants and a plurality of light sources.

### Claim 10

A self-propelled sensing system comprising:
a support interface configured to support the self-propelled sensing system on a structure;
a motor configured to move the self-propelled sensing system along the structure; and
a boom extending from the support interface and comprising:
a plurality of upward-facing light sensors configured to measure light received from above the self-propelled sensing system; and
a downward-facing light sensor configured to measure light received from below the self-propelled sensing system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The self-propelled sensing system of claim 10 further comprising a temperature sensor and an infrared sensor.