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US4931775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Plant watering need monitor
Assignee: MODUBLOX & Co Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-21
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2008-07-21
Abstract
Abstract An alarm device for monitoring the watering needs of a plant which comprises a stick surmounted by a cylindrical box containing the electrical elements. The stick is buried in the soil of a pot holding a plant. The alarm device is powered by a battery easily installable and consists of a conductive probe detector located at the buried end of the stick. It also comprises a first integrated circuit which is switched by a backwards connected amplifier acting as a very high impedance switch which minimizes power consumption. The circuit emits a series of pulses when a threshold resistance level is reached. These pulses trigger a melody integrated circuit which produces a pleasant singing melody destined to draw the attention of the plant grower to the watering needs of a plant. The tune is repeatedly reproduced until the soil resistance detected by the probe detector has exceeded a threshold resistance level.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W. Sheriff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/048; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An electrical device operating at low currents for signaling the watering needs of a plant by monitoring the moisture level of the soil around said plant comprising: means for sensing said moisture level by generating an electrical signal generally proportional to said moisture level; means for supporting said sensing means, shaped and dimensioned to be planted in said soil; means for calibrating said device in accordance with the amount of water ordinarily needed by said plant; a first semi-conductor switch having a drain terminal, a gate terminal and a source terminal, said drain terminal being connected to a voltage source through a load resistor, said gate terminal being connected to a signal reference ground, and said source terminal being connected to said electrical signal through a high value series resistor; oscillating means for sending electrical pulses at a first frequency, said oscillating means being connected to said drain terminal and being triggered when the voltage differential between said signal and said voltage source causes a certain current flow across said first semi-conductor switch and said load resistor; and audio-means responsive to said oscillating means for generating an audio-signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electrical device operating at low currents for signaling the watering needs of a plant by monitoring the moisture level of the soil around said plant comprising: means for sensing said moisture level by generating an electrical signal generally proportional to said moisture level; means for supporting said sensing means, shaped and dimensioned to be planted in said soil; means for calibrating said device in accordance with the amount of water ordinarily needed by said plant; a first semi-conductor switch having a drain terminal, a gate terminal and a source terminal, said drain terminal being connected to a voltage source through a load resistor, said gate terminal being connected to a signal reference ground, and said source terminal being connected to said electrical signal through a high value series resistor; oscillating means for sending electrical pulses at a first frequency, said oscillating means being connected to said drain terminal and being triggered when the voltage differential between said signal and said voltage source causes a certain current flow across said first semi-conductor switch and said load resistor; and audio-means responsive to said oscillating means for generating an audio-signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said supporting means has the form of a stick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said semi-conductor switch is a field effect transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said means for sensing comprises a first and second electrode, said first electrode surrounding said second electrode almost entirely and serving as said supporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said electrical siganl is a function of the resistance between said electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said electrical signal is a function of the capacitance between said electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrical device is powered by a battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said battery comprises no more than three 1.5 volt, 100 microampere-hour cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said battery comprises no more than two 1.5 volt, 100 microampere-hour cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: dividing means for reducing said first frequency of said electrical pulses and for yielding electrical pulses at a second frequency; and said audio-means being activated by said electrical pulses at said second frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said oscillating means and said dividing means are built into an integrated chip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said calibrating means, said first semi-conductor switch, said oscillating means, said dividing means and said audio-means are housed in a cylindrical container surmounting said supporting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said audio-means comprises: a music synthesizer generating said audio-signal; and second means for amplifying said audio-signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 13, wherein said music synthesizer is programmed to generate a popular melody.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |