US 12,130,595 B2
System and methods for automated and modular controlled-environment agriculture units
Mark Edward Skinner, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by CommonTech Corp, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Jan. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/568,735.
Prior Publication US 2023/0213894 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. A01G 9/14 (2006.01); A01G 7/00 (2006.01); A01G 31/00 (2018.01); G05B 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 13/0265 (2013.01) [A01G 9/14 (2013.01); A01G 31/00 (2013.01); A01G 7/00 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for automated and modular controlled-environment agriculture units, comprising:
a growing unit communicatively coupled to a network;
wherein the growing unit comprises a fixed lower assembly coupled to an upper assembly via a first motorized track;
the lower assembly comprising a second motorized track along the bottom and a hinged door along the one side of the lower assembly;
the upper assembly comprising one or more lights, an air vent, a water line, and one or more nutrient lines; and
the upper assembly further comprising one or more carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and humidity sensors;
a supply of a plurality of resources;
a plurality of automation equipment, wherein the plurality of automation equipment measures and delivers a supply of water, seeds, nutrients, and soil to the growing unit; and
a computer system comprising a memory and a processor operating on the network, wherein a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory and operating on the processor, causes the computer system to:
receive an instruction to begin growing a specific crop;
identify the specifications needed to facilitate the specific crop, wherein the specifications are stored in a crop profile and comprise a spatial and nutrient profile of the specific crop;
identify a next available growing unit for the specific crop;
send a signal to the plurality of automation equipment to measure and deliver the proper amount of growing medium and water to the growing unit via the water line, and one or more nutrient lines;
monitor the environmental levels within the growing unit via the one or more sensors;
adjust the height of the upper assembly via the first motorized track based on the crop profile;
adjust the environment within the growing unit based on the crop profile and the monitored levels; and
activate the second motorized track and the hinged door of the lower assembly to expel the specific crop from the growing unit upon detection of crop maturity or based on the crop profile.