Utilizing Light Or Sound Patents (Class 47/58.1LS)
  • Publication number: 20130263503
    Abstract: A method for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant includes a provision of at least one stroboscopic lamp disposed adjacent the plant. The stroboscopic lamp is cycled through at least one on-period and at least one off-period for a predetermined cycling time. The plant is exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one on-period, and not exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one off-period. A maturation rate and the growth of the plant are thereby encouraged. A related system includes the at least one stroboscopic lamp and a controller for controlling the stroboscopic lamp according to the method, for encouraging maturation and growth of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: FIREFLY-ONE, LLC
    Inventor: Richard S. Bostdorff
  • Patent number: 8549787
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for facilitating plant growth and a light emitting component. The fixture comprises a single light emission source LED device which provides at least two emission peaks in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm and at least one of the emission peaks has Full Width of Half Maximum (FWHM) at least 50 nm or higher. The emission peaks of the LED match well with a plant photosynthesis response spectrum and is therefore particularly suitable for high efficiency artificial lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Valoya Oy
    Inventor: Lars Aikala
  • Publication number: 20130255150
    Abstract: A method of improving the growth and/or pathogen resistance of a plant, comprising the step of exposing at least part of the plant to a transient period of high intensity illumination providing a photon flux at the plant surface having at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a red photon flux comprising at least 100 micromoles photons per square metre per second, and having a wavelength of between 600 and 700 nm; (b) a blue photon flux comprising at least 100 micromoles photons per square metre per second, having a wavelength of between 420 and 480 nm. The Invention also provides apparatus for providing such conditions to growing plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Stanislaw Karpinski, Magdalena Szechynska-Hebda
  • Publication number: 20130239475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crabb, Robert C. Marrow, Jeffrey C. Emmerich, Marty Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20130235188
    Abstract: A system prepares plant specimens, tracks the plant specimens, captures images of the plant specimens, and evaluates growth parameters of the plant specimens in the captured images. The system prepares receptacles by placing a predetermined quantity of gel, if required by a particular test, into a receptacle and a layer of material, if required by a particular test, on top of the gel. The system separates a quantity of seeds into individual seeds and places an individual seed in each receptacle between the gel layer and the cover layer. The receptacles are then arrayed into decks and carts and subjected to controlled stress conditions and conditions conducive to germination and growth. An image capture device captures backlit images of the receptacles, and a processor analyzes the captured images for growth parameters of the plant specimens and enters those parameters into a database together with a unique identifier of the plant specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Brad D. White, Nathalie Vignaux, Phillip Guy
  • Publication number: 20130152464
    Abstract: A sensor system for determining an optical property of a plant by means of a reflection measurement, having a first light source, which emits light along a first beam axis, and a second light source, which emits light along a second beam axis, and at least one receiver, which is aligned along a third beam axis, to detect light reflected from the plant. The first light source, the second light source, and the receiver are arranged relative to one another so that a target cylinder, which respectively extends along the first beam axis and the second beam axis, and a first measuring cylinder, which extends along the third beam axis, at least partially overlap one another in a measuring space, and the first beam axis and the second beam axis respectively enclose an angle (?, ?) with the third beam axis. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FRANKE GMBH
    Inventor: FRANKE GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130155702
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes an emitter having a plasma bulb and a driver which provides an RF signal to the emitter to drive the plasma bulb. The lighting apparatus may be used for various applications including illuminating plants and organisms in an aquatic environment, growing plants, facility lighting, and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: STRAY LIGHT OPTICAL TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gerald W. Rea, Robert A. Drake
  • Patent number: 8458954
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for controlling a plant disease is provided to reliably inhibit a spore formation and a hyphal growth of a filamentous fungi, reliably induce a disease resistance, prevent a leaf scorch, and promote a growth of a plant. A UV light source repeats a light irradiation which has an irradiation pattern of combining a light irradiation, in which UV-C and UV-B and a visible light are superimposed, with a visible light irradiation alone at least twice a day. The emission of UV-B and UV-C enables the reliable inhibition of the spore formation of the filamentous fungi, for example. Its intermittent emission prevents a plant from getting too used to ultraviolet rays, promotes a generation of an antibacterial substance, for example, and prevents a leaf scorch. The continuous emission of the visible light enables a promotion of a growth of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamada, Masaki Ishiwata, Akinobu Oichi, Kanetake Furihata, Takashi Omi
  • Publication number: 20130139437
    Abstract: An illumination and grow light system and associated methods are provided to produce an emission spectrum which may be optimized for plant response curve, as well as provide high quality light with respect to the human response curve. Embodiments of the present invention may include highly efficient tunable lamps and associated modulation controls that allow specific radiation wavelength bands to be manipulated, the emission direction and intensity to be varied, and the output power to be coordinated to create high fluxes of photosynthetic active radiation while maintaining a desirable color temperature and high color rendering index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: BIOLOGICAL ILLUMINATION, LLC
    Inventor: BIOLOGICAL ILLUMINATION, LLC
  • Patent number: 8453376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a full spectrum sunshine simulation apparatus for developing biological growth which comprises a full spectrum light emitting diode module and a photoperiod controller. Therein, the full spectrum light emitting diode module includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, wherein the luminescence spectrum of the full spectrum light emitting diodes has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm. The photoperiod controller, connected to the full spectrum light emitting diode module, is in charge of lighting periods of the plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, color temperatures and emitting angles of the lights emitted from the plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, thereby simulating a environment under artificial sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Sinetics Associates International Taiwan Ltd., J.S. Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Hsien Chen, Wen-Ho Chen
  • Publication number: 20130115180
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for administering electromagnetic radiation (EMR), for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes, or for purposes of curing a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Andy Ofer Goren, John McCoy
  • Publication number: 20130047503
    Abstract: An illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution has a wavelength up conversion feature and is suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment. The best mode is considered to be a light device with at least one blue LED (101) with wavelength up conversion binary alloy quantum dots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) made by colloidal methods that are arranged to produce an emission spectrum similar to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum with the blue LEDs. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant (310, 311) production are realized. The device is especially advantageous for greenhouses that already have legacy LED systems. These LED systems can often just be upgraded by adding the quantum dot array to arrive at the lighting solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: VALOYA OY
    Inventors: Lars Aikala, Ilkka Kivimaki
  • Publication number: 20130042527
    Abstract: An improved method to produce artificial light for plant cultivation, an illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution and device suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment are described. The best mode is considered to be a lighting device with binary alloy quantum dots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) made by colloidal methods to produce a size distribution of quantum dots that produces an emission spectrum similar to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant (310, 311) cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant production are realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: VALOYA OY
    Inventors: Lars Aikala, Ilkka Kivimaki
  • Publication number: 20130008085
    Abstract: Lighting method and devices can be used to treat a seedling in a growth chamber or greenhouse prior to the introduction of the seedling to outdoors. A light by which the plants can be prepared for the outdoors, by giving them certain wavelengths of light they do not currently receive from the light in the greenhouse or growth chambers. The light can be applied in smaller doses during the major part of nursing of the seedlings or as a “sun-shock” period in the end of the indoors nursing period. By giving the seedlings this light, they are prepared to Sun light and do not need to spend a few weeks under the sunshade curtains. Thus, the growth cycle of tree seedlings is shortened, the proportion of viable seedlings is enhanced, and one work phase in the growth process is eliminated, thereby improving the economics of seedling cultivation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: VALOYA OY
    Inventors: Lars Aikala, Ilkka Kivimaki
  • Publication number: 20130008086
    Abstract: A system for evaluating the quality and/or vigor of plants is described. Plants are planted in row sections and a cart is used to pass a radiometric sensor over the row sections. The cart has a radiometric sensor assembly positioned above the row section. Each sensor assembly generates a data signal and a computer receives and stores the data signals. The field cart is positioned above the row sections and measures the existence of plants in the row section and the quantity of vegetation in the row section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG
    Inventors: Walter Stachon, Ken Luebbert, John Gass, Duane A. Grensteiner, Taylor Dowden
  • Publication number: 20120311926
    Abstract: A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Mittelmark
  • Publication number: 20120279121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multistage thermal convection apparatus such as a two-stage thermal convection apparatus and uses thereof. In one embodiment, the two-stage thermal convection apparatus includes a temperature shaping element that assists a thermal convection mediated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The invention has a wide variety of applications including amplifying nucleic acid without cumbersome and expensive hardware associated with many prior devices. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus can fit in the palm of a user's hand for use as a portable, simple to operate, and low cost PCR amplification device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILLIPS ELECTRONICS,. N.V.
    Inventors: Rob Franciscus Maria Van Elmpt, Cristina Tanase, Henricus Marie Peeters
  • Patent number: 8302346
    Abstract: Biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use. Specifically, methods for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency including applying pulsed light to a photosynthetic organism, using a chlorophyll fluorescence feedback control system to determine one or more photosynthetic efficiency parameters, and adjusting one or more of the photosynthetic efficiency parameters to drive the photosynthesis by the delivery of an amount of light to optimize light absorption of the photosynthetic organism while providing enough dark time between light pulses to prevent oversaturation of the chlorophyll reaction centers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan W. Hunt, Senthil Chinnasamy, Keshav C. Das, Erico Rolim de Mattos
  • Publication number: 20120222350
    Abstract: A method of applying acoustic wave to rice seeds for increasing yield comprises the following steps: (1) Process rice seeds by winnowing and/or wet separation; (2) Soak the rice seeds for 10 to 12 hours and pre-process by acoustic wave irradiation in power density from 0.25 to 25 w/L; (3) Use acoustic wave frequency from 10 khz to 2000 khz for acoustic wave processing; (4) Take out the rice seeds processed by the acoustic wave from soaking liquid and keep the rice seeds stationary until they excrete convex white flakes. A device for applying acoustic wave to rice seeds for increasing yield comprises a container (1) for holding rice seeds and soaking liquid, and also a dasher (2); at least one ultrasonic transducer (3) for generating acoustic wave is disposed on sides or bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GUANGZHOU NEWPOWER ULTRASONIC ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
    Inventors: Zhuosheng Yan, Zhuoli Yan, Jinxuan Yan, Xiangru Tang, Guoxi Li, Zhizhong Yang
  • Publication number: 20120210640
    Abstract: An embodiment includes an enclosure having a nutrient bed for retaining and providing nutrients to plants grown therein. An adjustment mechanism provided for adjusting the level of one or more environmental variables therein so as to at least partially simulate the growing conditions found at a specific altitude. Exemplary environmental variables include water levels, broad-spectrum light intensity, UV light intensity, pH, nutrients, air temperature, soil temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, atmospheric oxygen, atmospheric pressure and combinations thereof. The adjustment mechanism may include one or more broad-spectrum/full spectrum lights, UV generating lights, skylights, vacuum/pressure pumps, hypoxicators, oxygen generators, carbon dioxide regulators, heaters, air conditioning units and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: David Ivanovic
  • Publication number: 20120192486
    Abstract: A light weight and modular light emitting diode (LED) light bar comprising an extruded aluminum LED fixture frame with integral cooling fins is disclosed herein. The light bar of the present invention is used for high density multi-layer hydroponic grow facilities to greatly improve the uniformity and intensity of light distribution over the plants and at a much reduced energy cost and less heat-to-space compared to conventional lighting used in grow rooms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: ILLUMITEX, INC., G-CON, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Shanahan, R. Barry Holtz, Paul Winberg
  • Publication number: 20120159845
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for facilitating plant growth and a light emitting component. The fixture includes a single light emission source LED device which provides at least two emission peaks in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm and at least one of the emission peaks has Full Width of Half Maximum (FWHM) at least 50 nm or higher. The emission peaks of the LED match well with a plant photosynthesis response spectrum and is therefore particularly suitable for high efficiency artificial lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: VALOYA OY
    Inventor: Lars Alkala
  • Publication number: 20120124903
    Abstract: In an illumination apparatus for plant growth using LEDs, a light source emitting mixed color light of red and blue is dominant light source. However, actually, the luminescence intensity of red light is weaker than that of blue light, and the color is adjusted by the number of lamps used. Thus, a small number of blue LEDs are interspersed among a large number of red LEDs, and there is a problem in that it is not possible to make irradiation of blue light uniform. The present invention provides a multicolor light emitting diode lamp in which a blue LED and a AlGaInP-based red LED having high luminescence efficiency, balancing with the blue LED are mounted in the same package. The red LED includes a light emitting section including a light emitting layer having a composition formula, (AlXGa1-X)YIn1-YP (0?X?1 and 0<Y?1). The red LED emits at least as many photons as the blue LED when the same electric current is flowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventor: Ryouichi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120076873
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to consume raw food cultivated in appropriate soil. The constitution of the health food is: consuming cereals including rices and wheats with or without husk, millets, pulses, tubers, leaf vegetables, fruit vegetables, rosette crops, root vegetables, citrus fruits, fruits, melons, seaweeds, and liverworts etc. as is; or consuming powders thereof, or by soaking in water so as to process to a degree that cell are not destructed (or if cells are destructed, the whole of leaf vegetables including root, stem, and leaf or a portion thereof are consumed as e.g. juice) and consuming without processing treatment including heating, boiling in water, or steaming; or these cereals, millets, or pulses are soaked in water to allow sprouting, and consumed at around the time of sprouting without processing treatment including heating, boiling in water, or steaming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Chikatsugu Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20120042419
    Abstract: UV light treatment increases harvested seed yield. UV treatment in combination with chemical treatment also increases seed yield. UV treatment of corn, soybean, and wheat varieties resulted in enhanced harvested seed yield. Hormetic response, disinfection, disinfestations, and other factors are induced by UV treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: HORIZON SEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles L. Wilson, Glenn F. Heidinger
  • Publication number: 20110302839
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cultivating plant material in an agricultural or horticultural controlled growth environment is provided. The method includes providing a plant material to by cultivated, generating light having a color temperature in the range with an electrodeless induction lamp, and exposing the plant material to the light for a sufficient amount of time to promote the desired plant growth outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: 6062 Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: ERIC SENDERS, Cary Senders, Mathew Geschke, T. Stephen Weber
  • Patent number: 8074397
    Abstract: To provide an illuminator for plant growth that can illuminate a plant intermittently (pulse illumination) or continuously to cause an effect similar to sunbeam spot phenomenon, thereby accelerating photosynthetic reaction. Specifically, the illuminator for plant growth includes a light source composed of a semiconductor optical device, a control unit for outputting a turn-on timing signal for the light source, a rhythm signal detecting unit for A/D converting an input rhythm signal, a timing signal modulating unit for modulating the turn-on timing signal with the output signal from the rhythm signal detecting unit, and a pulse drive unit for pulse-modulating a power signal with the modulated turn-on timing signal outputted from the timing signal modulating unit and supplying the pulse-modulated power signal to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: CCS Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Yoneda, Minoru Takahata, Takahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8061080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controlling device (10) for a greenhouse (15), with a computerized control element (20), a lighting element (30) and at least one detector element (40), wherein the lighting element (30) and the detector element (40) are connected with the computerized control element (20), wherein the lighting element (30) comprises at least one light emitting mean (31), emitting a light (32), wherein the light (32) illuminates a plant (70) growing in the greenhouse (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Loebl, Wolfgang O. Budde, Joseph Hendrik Anna Maria Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20110232178
    Abstract: Compounds and methods that release 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-trifluoromethylcyclopropene, and other substituted cyclopropenes are disclosed. The compounds and methods overcome present limitations for storage, transportation, and application of the cyclopropene containing compounds by using light, including sunlight, and/or heat as the primary release trigger. Additional products released include innocuous gases and value added aryl-group compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: John Perrin Davis, Cheryl D. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20110209400
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting assembly for growing plants. The lighting assembly has a first light source emitting light in a first wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm; a second light source emitting light in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm; and a controller for controlling the output of the first light source independent from the output of the second light source. Disclosed are also an enclosure for growing plants, and a method for growing plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: LEMNIS LIGHTING PATENT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Otto Rooymans
  • Publication number: 20110209404
    Abstract: A method of altering the level of at least one phytochemical in a harvested plant cell comprising chlorophyll or in harvested plant tissue comprising chlorophyll, the plant cell or tissue being capable of photosynthesis and/or being capable of blue light adsorption by shining blue light onto the surface of the plant cell or tissue, wherein the light intensity of the blue light striking the cell surface or the tissue surface is sufficient to initiate a biochemical process within the cell or tissue thereby altering the level of at least one phytochemical therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Lionel Scott
  • Publication number: 20110207615
    Abstract: Methods for manipulating yield and generation time of plants, especially short day plants such as soybean are provided. The methods comprise manipulating external signals such as long day conditions, short day conditions, growth medium, and nutrient supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel J. Ovadya, Bala Karunanandaa, Karen Gabbert, Qin Zeng
  • Patent number: 8001722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the yield of harvested seed in plants by the application of selected doses of a physical plant stressor such as UV-C light (253.7 nm), X-rays, gamma ray, and electron beam irradiation to sowing seeds. This method can be used alone to enhance seed yield or in combination with standard seed treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Horizon Seed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Lindsay Wilson, Glenn Frederick Heidinger
  • Publication number: 20110197503
    Abstract: To provide a light guiding film including: a light entrance portion which allows incident light from a light source to enter; a wavelength converting portion which absorbs the incident light and converts the wavelength of the incident light to a wavelength utilizable for growth of a plant; and a light exit portion which allows the light with the converted wavelength to exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshihisa USAMI
  • Publication number: 20110179706
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan W. Hunt, Senthil Chinnasamy, Keshav C. Das, Erico Rolim de Mattos
  • Publication number: 20110147617
    Abstract: A solution for managing illumination of an organism with ultraviolet light is provided. A set of ultraviolet fluorescence characteristics of the organism can be determined using fluorescence data for the organism. The set of ultraviolet fluorescence characteristics can be used to determine a set of target properties of the ultraviolet light. The set of target properties can be used to illuminate the organism with ultraviolet light. The illumination can be managed during growth of the organism, breeding of the organism, and/or maintenance of the organism after harvest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Shur, Steven J. Britz
  • Publication number: 20110131876
    Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for automatically growing agricultural crops vertically and/or in a continuous fashion throughout each year (Vertical Farm) in combination with contiguous and co-located production of biofuel, food, biomass for the purpose of carbon sequestering (carbon credits), and biomass electric power generation. A process that incorporates vast arrays of continuous-loop conveyors, towering upon vertical framework, which allow potted plants to be transported throughout all stages of maturity in a manner which substantially multiplies yield per acre, allows production to proceed in both natural and artificial light, allows production and harvesting to be automated, and allows production to proceed in conditions which are highly favorable to plants but unfavorable to humans. The entire apparatus can be constructed of lightweight, cost-effective materials which afford mass-production and mass-array into vast automatic growing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Glen James Pettibone
  • Publication number: 20110098348
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plants producing, as their major cannabinoid cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) or its neutral (decarboxylated) form cannabichromene (CBC), hereafter jointly referred to as CBC(A). It additionally relates to: • A botanical material obtainable from said plants; • A botanical raw material (BRM), • An extract including a botanical drug substance (BDS) and a purified BDS; • A formulation comprising the BRM, BDS, purified BDS or other extract; • The use of the BRM, BDS, purified BDS or other extract in the manufacture of a medicament; • A method of deriving plants yielding a high proportion of the cannabinoid CBC (A) at the expense of other cannabinoids; • A method of cultivating plants such that they yield a high proportion of the cannabinoid CBC(A) at the expense of other cannabinoids; and • A method of extracting CBC(A) from said plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: GW PHARMA LIMITED
    Inventor: Etienne De Meijer
  • Publication number: 20110088317
    Abstract: A retractable high-reflectivity wall provides improved lighting conditions for growing plants. The wall is retractable, so that it does not get in the way when the user wishes to work in the grow area. The wall can also be retracted so that it is easier to move, carry, reposition, resize, and/or remove as needed. The wall may be implemented as a sheet including a reflective surface adhered or otherwise mounted onto a flexible backing such as a vinyl surface for additional support/reinforcement. The resulting flexible reflective wall is mounted onto a roller assembly which allows the wall to be extended or retracted. A support bar can be affixed to the roller assembly via brackets or other hardware. The entire apparatus can be suspended from or affixed to a ceiling, wall, fixture, or other object, or it can be supported by a stand or other assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20110047867
    Abstract: A method and system of treating plants is provided. The method includes measuring optical properties of a plant using a plurality of spectral bands. The method further includes calculating in a computational device at least two vegetative indexes using the optical properties, each of the at least two vegetative indexes correlating to one or more plant growth parameters. The method further includes calculating in the computational device a water invariant chlorophyll index from at least two vegetative indexes using the plurality of spectral bands. The also provides for treating one or more of the plants based on the water invariant chlorophyll index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: KYLE H. HOLLAND
  • Publication number: 20110041399
    Abstract: A system for evaluating the quality and/or vigor of plants is described. Plants are planted in row sections and a cart is used to pass a radiometric sensor over the row sections. The cart has a radiometric sensor assembly positioned above the row section. Each sensor assembly generates a data signal and a computer receives and stores the data signals. The field cart is positioned above the row sections and measures the existence of plants in the row section and the quantity of vegetation in the row section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG
    Inventors: Walter Stachon, Ken Luebbert, John Gass, Duane A. Grensteiner, Taylor Dowden
  • Publication number: 20100287830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a full spectrum sunshine simulation apparatus for developing biological growth which comprises a full spectrum light emitting diode module and a photoperiod controller. Therein, the full spectrum light emitting diode module includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, wherein the luminescence spectrum of the full spectrum light emitting diodes has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm. The photoperiod controller, connected to the full spectrum light emitting diode module, is in charge of lighting periods of the plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, color temperatures and emitting angles of the lights emitted from the plurality of full spectrum light emitting diodes, thereby simulating a environment under artificial sunlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: SINETICS ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN LTD., J.S. TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KAI-HSIEN CHEN, WEN-HO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100281771
    Abstract: A disease control device has light emitting diodes (D1 to Dn) emitting green light and a controller (2) controlling a drive circuit (1) for turning on the light emitting diodes (D1 to Dn). The drive circuit (1) is controlled by the controller (2) to cause the light emitting diodes (D1 to Dn) to emit green light to irradiate plants with the light. The irradiation with the green light enhances resistance of the plants against diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Rika Kudo, Yutaka Ishida, Keiji Yamamoto, Kazumasa Kakibuchi, Ayako Suekane
  • Publication number: 20100281772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the yield of harvested seed in plants by the application of selected doses of a physical plant stressor such as UV-C light (253.7 nm), X-rays, gamma ray, and electron beam irradiation to sowing seeds. This method can be used alone to enhance seed yield or in combination with standard seed treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: HORIZON SEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Lindsay Wilson, Glenn Frederick Heidinger
  • Patent number: 7774979
    Abstract: A process for photomorphogenically enhancing plants is presented wherein a natural or artificial light source emits light through a transmittive material. The material is optionally borosilicate glass with a steep edge situation at or near 280 nm so as to selectively filter out light in the UVC or low UVB regions. The glass allows high transmissibility such that as much as 98% of all light at or above the edge situation passes thorough the material. The percent transmission and edge situation may be defined by glass thickness or by combining multiple types of glass. The light is then contacted with a plant whereby a photomorphogenic response is elicited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: William E. Hurst
  • Publication number: 20100107491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the yield of harvested seed in plants by the application of selected doses of a physical plant stressor such as UV-C light (253.7 nm), X-rays, gamma ray, and electron beam irradiation to sowing seeds. This method can be used alone to enhance seed yield or in combination with standard seed treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Lindsay Wilson, Glenn Frederick Heidinger
  • Publication number: 20100050499
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an intelligent pest-killing lamp that attracts, disorients, and ideally kills plant pests, soil insects and sanitary insects, protecting plants and crops. The invention generates light at wavelengths between about 360 nm and about 420 nm with about 365 nm being preferred. The invention can also generates combinations of four colors of light. The light pulses at frequencies ranging from about 250 to about 500 hz, disorienting pests. The invention comprises a screw lamp base, an upper cover, a middle cover, a lamp and a control circuit board. The control circuit board comprises a controller that controls the light pulse frequency and an oscillator that drives the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FUWAYSUN TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventor: Chaowei Liang
  • Publication number: 20100043096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancement of photosynthesis and biomass of a plant by plastid transformation with MDH gene, more precisely a method for enhancement of photosynthesis and biomass of C3 plant by plastid transformation system with MDH gene. The MDH plastid transgenic plant prepared by the method of the present invention exhibits not only increased photosynthesis efficiency but also increased growth rate, leaf area, stem diameter and biomass of the plant, compared with the control plant. Therefore, the plastid transformed C3 plant prepared by C4 type gene introduction can be effectively used for enhancing photosynthesis and biomass of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jang Ryol Liu, Hwa-Jee Chung, Sung Ran Min, Won Joong Jeong, Hyun Tae Kim, Ju Young Park, Jung He Hur
  • Publication number: 20090313891
    Abstract: A class of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) emit light tailored to the absorption spectra of growing plants. Upon photoexcitation, the OLEDs generate light in both the blue-green and red regions of the visible spectrum. A heavy metal atom present in the ?-conjugated polymer chain (such as platinum and/or iridium) acts via the spin-orbit coupling mechanism to cause an enhancement of the ratio of fluorescent to phosphorescent emission to be of approximately equal strength. These two emission bands overlap the absorption spectra of common plants grown under hydroponic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: University of Utah
    Inventors: Zeev Valentine Vardeny, Leonard Wojcik, Tomer Drori, Matthew C. DeLong
  • Publication number: 20090300983
    Abstract: The invention is a methodology and device to accept sunlight that is concentrated, modified and filtered to wavelengths known to promote rapid growth, flowering, and fruiting of plants. Such modified light is introduced into the invented chamber which allows the control of factors such as temperature and humidity, CO2 levels, air circulation, and the circulation of water and nutrients. In its preferred embodiment, the invention will use a portion of the collected light to power an array of photovoltaic (PV) chip arrays with the chamber to provide sufficient electricity to power the fans, pumps, and sensors employed within the growing chamber, making it totally self-sufficient once water, nutrients, and seedlings have been introduced into the system. The system may be used within a solid soil or hydroponics growth system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur Robert Tilford, Philip Frank Zimmermann