# US 12,111,304 B2 · Soil and environment sensor and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,304 B2 - Document ID: US12111304B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/880,822 - Filed: 2022-08-04 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-15 - Applicants: Michael Murray - Inventors: Michael Murray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111304B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/24: Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) - G01N 27/223: {for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity (rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825)} - G01N 27/226: {Construction of measuring vessels; Electrodes therefor} - G01N 33/245: {for agricultural purposes} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract The present invention is a sensor device comprising: a housing; a processing unit assembly disposed within the housing, wherein the processing unit comprising a high frequency oscillator, a first voltage meter, a low frequency oscillator, a second voltage meter; a probe having a predetermined shape and profile attached to the processing unit and extending from the housing a predetermined distance; and a first sensing unit integrated into the probe and in electrical communication with the high frequency oscillator and the first voltage meter; a second sensing unit integrated into the probe relative to the first sensing unit and in electrical communication with the low frequency oscillator and the second voltage meter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor device comprising: a housing; a processing unit assembly disposed within the housing; a probe connected to the processing unit and substantially exposed; at least one sensing structure integrated into the probe and in electrical communication with the processing unit, wherein the at least one sensing structure provide information related to the moisture and salinity of soil, and the information is calculated by the processing unit based on data collected from the at least one sensing structures wherein the at least one sensing structure further comprising; high frequency sensing structures integrated along a center line the probe; and low frequency sensing structures integrated along an end of the probe of; and a signal generator in electrical communication with the processing unit and the at least one sensing structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, wherein, sensing structures are disposed within the probe, wherein the probe is of a predetermined thickness based on the sensing structures. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising; an air sensor contained with the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising; a light sensor, contained within the housing, wherein the housing has an aperture positioned relative to the light sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising; a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is contained within the housing and positioned distal to the probe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising; a wireless connection module contained within the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, further comprising; a power source contained within the housing and connected to the processing unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, wherein, the probe has a predetermined shape and profile based on the high frequency and low frequency sensing structures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the low frequency sensing structures and the gap is of a predetermined size. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further includes at least one oscillator, wherein the at least on oscillator is in communication with the at least one sensing structure, and the at least one oscillator is able to generate predetermined frequency measurements to the at least one sensing structures. ### Claim 11 A sensor device comprising: a housing; a processing unit assembly disposed within the housing, wherein the processing unit comprising a high frequency oscillator, a first voltage meter, a low frequency oscillator, a second voltage meter; a probe having a predetermined shape and profile attached to the processing unit and extending from the housing a predetermined distance; and a first high frequency sensing unit integrated into the probe and in electrical communication with the high frequency oscillator and the first voltage meter, wherein the first sensing unit is contained within the probe along a center line of the probe; a second low frequency sensing unit integrated into the probe relative to the first sensing unit and in electrical communication with the low frequency oscillator and the second voltage meter, wherein the second sensing unit is positioned on an exterior surface and along an end of the probe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sensor device of claim 11, wherein the first sensing unit, comprises, two members displaced along an exterior edge of the probe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sensor device of claim 11, wherein the processing unit controls the frequencies of the high and low frequency oscillators. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sensor device of claim 11, wherein the frequencies of the high and low frequency oscillators are set at a predetermined value based on the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit physical properties. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The sensor device of claim 11, wherein the second sensing unit, comprises, two mating members of a predetermined profile and positioned distal to a centerline of the probe. ### Claim 16 A sensor device comprising: a housing; a control module contained within the housing; a probe extending from the housing; and first high frequency sensing units integrated into the probe and in electrical communication with the control module, wherein the first sensing node is contained within the probe along a center line of the probe; and a second low frequency sensing unit integrated into the probe and in electrical communication with the control module, wherein the second sensing node is exposed on a surface and integrated along an end of the probe; wherein the control module is able to measure the impedance of the first and second sensing units to calculate a moisture and salinity value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sensor device of claim 16, wherein the control module measures a voltage gain across the first and second capacitive bridge to calculate a voltage gain across each sensing unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The sensor device of claim 16, wherein the control module comprises; a first oscillator and a first voltage meter and a first capacitive bridge connected to the first sensing unit and a second oscillator and a second voltage meter, and a second capacitive bridge connected to the second sensing unit, where the oscillators are adjusted based on a set of physical properties related to the first and second sensing units. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The sensor device of claim 16, wherein the control module comprises; an air sensing circuit; a temperature sensing circuit; and a light sensing circuit.