GREENHOUSES

Related Field of the Invention

This invention is related to climate monitoring and control system which monitors and controls the climate (temperature, humidity, light etc.) within greenhouses in agriculture industry with the use of devices (sensor nodes), placed inside the greenhouses, which has sensing, data processing and wireless communication capabilities. Sensor nodes form an ad-hoc (dynamic) wireless sensor network, collect measurements and send these measurements to a central server through cellular network (e.g. GPRS, Edge, UMTS etc.) or a wireless wideband network (e.g. Wimax)

All measurements/data collected from member greenhouses are stored in a database on the central server. End users reach to collected data over a web page on Internet or through a cell phone application. In the mean time, using the same applications they can send commands to sensor nodes to trigger the actuators (heating, ventilation, misting etc.) and provide manual and/or automatic remote control capability.

Sensor nodes installed inside the greenhouse transfer the data they collect to the main gateway/base communication node by relaying through each other. Sensor nodes detect their neighbors by looking at the signal quality and transfer data through the neighbor which has the best link quality. The neighboring node which is used as a bridge is called parent node. If there is a communication problem between the node and its parent, the node starts to use one of its other neighbors as its parent node. This way, the sensor network reconfigures (heals) itself dynamically. Hence sensor nodes can easily be relocated to different spots in the greenhouse.

Background of the Invention (Prior Art)

Existing greenhouse monitoring and control systems are generally formed by wired or simple wireless sensors. With the existing wired systems, measurements taken by sensors are transferred thorough wires to a computer in the greenhouse or a PLC circuitry. Collected measurements can be monitored and climate control systems in the greenhouse can be managed through computer software provided to the end user or through management panels. In existing systems, sensor nodes are only used to collect measurements. Since they don't run any software on them, they cannot directly activate the control mechanism. Therefore, control is performed by a central unit in the greenhouse or a computer.

Remote management for existing systems is made possible by connecting these computers to Internet through modems.

For newly established greenhouses which prefer wired solutions, cable and installation costs could be much more expensive than the cost of sensors. In addition, cables coming from tens of sensors and passing through the plants could obstruct greenhouse production and cause disconnections in the sensor network.

In existing wired systems, sensors could not be relocated within the greenhouse, after being fixed to a certain location with wires. Moreover, because of the installation difficulties and cost, the number of sensors installed is kept limited. This restricts the flexibility and the scalability of the system. Therefore, collected measurements cannot be used to correct each other and for the same reason the system would not be suitable for micro-climate management.

As for the existing wireless solutions, because they generally use single-hop architecture, they experience significant scalability and reliability problems especially when managing large areas. The system developed in this invention offers superior solutions as far as the scalability and reliability concerned, thanks to the fact that the information is transferred from node to node and then to the central unit within the utilized wireless sensor network and the network can reconfigure itself dynamically. In addition to this, existing applications either could not offer any solution or are inefficient on micro-climate management. Similarly, in existing wireless systems, a local computer or a management console in the greenhouse or somewhere close by is used.

Furthermore, in the system developed with this invention, wireless sensor networks are used to collect climate data and to control the climate. This invention offers a superior solution compared to existing greenhouse automation systems especially on wireless installation, flexibility and scalability. Since more sensor units can be used, improved accuracy on measurements makes micro-climatization possible. Thanks to micro-climatization, growth of small plant groups can be monitored and surrounding factors can be adjusted accordingly.

In the system developed with this invention, differently from known techniques, climate parameters (temperature, light, humidity etc.) measured by the sensors within the greenhouse are stored in a server (computer) at a remote central location. Management and data storage on a central server as described in this invention reduces the cost for the end users and makes the installation and remote management of the climate monitoring and control system easier. Remote control commands or control condition set values sent through the central server (from a cell phone or any computer on the Internet) are transmitted to wireless sensor nodes in the greenhouse and this way manual and/or automatic control functionality is made possible.

In the known status of prior art, Crossbow Corporation provides Eko brand product (http://www.xbow.com/eko/) which monitors climate for vineyards by using wireless sensor network technology with similar features. However, this product uses a network topology which doesn't support control mechanism as developed in this invention and all the data is stored on a local device. This device, which acts like a computer/server, connects to Internet through built- in Ethernet port and makes the data available to end users remotely. In the system developed with this invention, data is transmitted from the sensor network to the main server through cellular networks or a broadband communication technology. This way, data coming from multiple sensor networks (or greenhouses) is consolidated and stored in central computers (servers) and then monitored/managed remotely through web, cell phone or text message (SMS) applications. In addition, Crossbow Eko does not provide a mobile application which enables management and control of the wireless sensor network through a cell phone.

Again, as a part of the known status of prior art, Hobo U30 GSM manufactured by Onset Corporation is a remote monitoring system (http://www.onsetcomp.com/rms-outdoor). Onset enables storage and monitoring of measurements taken from a single point by transferring the data through a GSM network to a central server. However, differently from the system developed in this invention, they don't use wireless sensor networks and therefore can not collect measurements from multiple points with a local wireless network. Furthermore, the system that belongs to Onset only provides monitoring capability and doesn't have any control mechanism.

In addition, in the known status of prior art, there is a US patent application with number US2005145018. Even though the invention presented by this application has similarities with this invention with respect to the dynamic network formed by sensor nodes and the mesh network structure, they differ in application area, the proposed network-computer communication style, and control mechanism. Referred US patent application is only related to monitoring pipes' interiors and detecting the problems inside these pipes. There is no control mechanism developed or presented to repair problems following detection. In the system developed with this invention, the following two aspects are described: monitoring of climate (temperature, humidity, light etc.) and controlling of climate control systems inside the network by sensor nodes. In addition, it addresses how data collected by multiple sensor networks are stored in a central server and how control commands passing through this server are processed to manage the climate.

Another system representing the known status of techniques is the invention described in US patent application number US2007276626. In this system, which is developed to monitor the water damage or humidity level by sensors, data is transferred to a remote operation unit rather than a central computer/server. Only the alarm conditions are relayed to customers through GSM. In the system developed with this invention, data is transferred from sensor networks to the central server through a cellular network or a wireless broadband communications technology. Data coming from all greenhouses (local networks) are consolidated and stored in the central server used as a part of this invention. Climate measurements taken are provided to the end users through web, cell phone and/or text message (SMS) applications. Moreover, the system defined in this invention enables remote control commands to be sent to the greenhouse.

Furthermore, again in the known status of existing techniques, there is a patent application in China with number CN 101021729. This invention describes a network structure formed by sensors in a greenhouse. Even though it describes a dynamic network, it does not have a multi-hop structure as proposed in our invention; rather it uses a star topology. This referred invention makes use of wiring in which the node collecting information from other sensors is connected to electrical system on the ceiling of the greenhouse. In our invention no wiring or an electrical system is used. In our invention, in addition to the definition of dynamic network structure, the followings are defined: how the control mechanism is structured and how wireless sensor network processes control data and activates or deactivates the control systems. Moreover, in our invention monitoring and control of wireless sensor networks inside greenhouses remotely through a central server is made possible. Aims of the Invention

Thanks to the climate monitoring and control system developed with this invention, climate parameters (temperature, humidity, light etc.) can be continuously monitored and for undesired values automatic preventive actions can be taken before the products are harmed. For example, when sensors detect excessive light, actuators can trigger the motors controlling shading curtains to close. When the temperature is too high, vents can be automatically opened and if necessary irrigation system can be activated. In the mean time, for the readings beyond pre-defined thresholds, end user is notified with a short message (SMS, MMS etc.) to his/her cell phone or via e-mail.

This invention provides easy installation advantage in greenhouses thanks to its wireless and battery operated flexible structures. This way it ends wiring costs and pollution. At the same time, since no computer system is installed within the greenhouse, total system cost is reduced and the maintenance made easier.

In order to increase productivity in greenhouses, prevent losses occurring because of frost and various diseases and to improve quality, a controlled production environment is a required. One of the main elements of building such an environment is the automation system. Thanks to automation systems, climate within the greenhouse is kept at the ideals for the plants; therefore, the maximum production performance is achieved. Our invention makes greenhouse automation possible with its affordable cost and easy to use and flexible model.

In this invention, nodes of the wireless sensor network setup in the greenhouse are generally operated in sleep mode to reduce battery consumption. Sensor nodes wake up in certain periods and listen to the signals to see if there is any data sent to them. If there is signal with data addressed to them, they process the data or forward it to another node and then go to sleep mode again by turning off their RF transmitter and receiver. Likewise, in certain periods they take measurements and send it to either the main gateway (base station) or to the neighbor node with best data link quality. They go back to sleep mode after the transmission. Multi-hop structure used in the sensor network increases the energy efficiency by keeping the RF signal power at lower levels. In addition to increasing energy efficiency by sending the data through each other in short distances, sensor nodes can easily extend the total coverage area with this structure. Definition of the Figures

In order to better explain the remote wireless climate monitoring and control system developed as a part of this invention, figures and their descriptions are given below.

Figure 1 - Structure and operation model of the system subject matter of the invention

Figure 2 - Data collection and alarm message transfer process flow diagram

Figure 3 - Data query process flow diagram

Figure 4 - Control condition dissemination process flow diagram

Figure 5 - Control mechanism execution process flow diagram

In order to explain the remote wireless climate monitoring and control system for greenhouses in a better way, pieces (components) presented in the drawings/figures are numbered separately and described below.

1- Wireless sensor network in the greenhouse

2- Cellular network or wireless network

3- Internet

4- Main server & central database

5- Greenhouse climate monitoring and control application for cell phone

6- Web application for greenhouse climate monitoring and control

7- Dynamic Network Formation

8- Periodic Measurement Collection

9- Data Transfer through Neighboring Nodes

10- Data Transfer to the Main Server

11- Data Processing and Storage in a Database 12- Alarm Condition Control

13- Alarm Transmission Method

14- E-mail Transmission - Short Text Message (SMS) Transmission - User Data/Measurement Query - Main Server Query Processing - Response Preparation - Response Transmission Medium - Transmission of response as an SMS to user - Transmission of response through Web to user - Transmission of the response to end user's cellular phone - Control Condition Entry - Preparation of the Conditions to be Sent to Network - Data Transfer from the Server to the Main Gateway Device - Dissemination to the Network by the Main Gateway Device - Storing Control Condition on the Related Device/Node - Transmission of Acknowledgement (ACK) to the Main Gateway Device- Transfer of ACK to Main Server - ACK Received? - Periodic measurements to be taken by nodes with control conditions stored- Comparison of the measurements with internal control conditions - Check whether control condition satisfied - Check if control condition is active - Check if the measurement is below the min (or above the max) - Check action to be taken - Notify node M to clear/ deactivate the related dry contact output - Clear/ deactivate the dry contact output N - Check action to be taken 40- Notify node M to set/activate the related dry contact output

41- Set/activate the dry contact output N

Detailed Description of the Invention

The architecture of the remote wireless climate monitoring and control system developed with this invention is given in Figure 1.

The climate monitoring and control system developed with this invention has the following main components: wireless sensor network formed by sensor nodes and main communication device, cellular network or wireless broadband network, main server, a computer connected to Internet and cell phone.

Other than main components, the invention includes a cell phone and short text message communication application, a web application and a central greenhouse information and measurement database.

Description for some of the components explaining the invention is given below: o Wireless sensor network: Sensor networks are composed of nodes which have sensing, processing and communication capabilities and can be battery operated. These networks are generally used to monitor the environment and interact with the physical world. o Sensor node: Devices which have sensing (e.g. temperature, light, humidity etc.), data processing, data storage and communication capabilities. These devices form the wireless sensor networks. o Main gateway/communication (root/sink) node (device or box): In wireless sensor networks, this is the main communication device where all data is collected and transferred to main server. o Central server or main computer: Central computer where data from all member sensor networks are collected. This computer distributes various data to member sensor networks as well. A software program that collects and processes data through Internet protocols such as TCP or UDP and a database runs on this computer. Structure of the invention is given in Figure 1. Description and function of components are as follows:

(1) Wireless Sensor Network in the Greenhouse: Climate in the greenhouse is monitored and controlled by using wireless sensor and control nodes. Sensor nodes form an ad-hoc (dynamic) network as soon as they are installed in the greenhouse. Sensor nodes share collected sensor information (temperature, humidity, light, soil humidity, EC, PH, and CO2 etc) with each other and transmit to main gateway.

(2) Communication between the wireless sensor network in the greenhouse and the central server is established by using GPRS, Edge, 3G, UMTS or similar technologies over cellular network or a wireless broadband data communication service such as Wimax. Main gateway device has necessary hardware to communicate with the wireless sensor network in the greenhouse as well as the cellular network.

(3) Data coming over the cellular network is collected and transferred to central server by using Internet protocols such as TCP and/or UDP by the cell phone operator.

(4) Central main server is the central computer system where measurement data from greenhouses is collected and served to end users through Internet or cell phone. At the same time, end users initially transfer the queries they will be sending to greenhouses or system parameters like control conditions to the main server. Main server transfers this information to the network inside the greenhouse through channels described in steps 2 and 3.

(5) Application which will provide network management and monitoring capability through cell phones: Users can query the sensor readings inside the network by sending short text messages (SMS) or by using a client application installed on their cell phone. At the same time, end users can activate various actuators such as heating, ventilation or misting through their cell phones and ask for text message alerts to be delivered to their cell phones.

(6) Application which will provide network management and monitoring capability through web: Data collected on sensor networks is stored in a central database. Thanks to the web application which is a part of this system, this data is processed and served to the customer. In the mean time, commands can be sent to nodes in the network through this web application. Access to web application is restricted to end users or other users which are authorized by the owner.

This invention also describes wireless sensor network setup inside the greenhouse and sensor node features and placement techniques.

Wireless sensor nodes can be placed with a distance of 30m to 120m between each other. Depending on the structure of the greenhouse, the construction type/material or the type of the product produced, this distance can be shorter or longer. If nodes see each other, this helps them to get better quality signals. Placement of sensor nodes (5) in the greenhouse can be adjusted by looking at the signal link quality between nodes and parent information for each node by using web application. If there is no sensor measurement flow from one node to the other, this may indicate that the nodes are not within each others coverage areas. When this is the case, the node outside coverage area of the other should be moved closer. Sensor nodes can easily be fixed to poles in the greenhouse with double sided tape or cable ties.

Wireless sensor nodes with integrated dry contacts (relays) can be tied to actuators operating with electricity such as vents, fans, heating, heat curtains, shade curtains, misting, cooling pads or alarm bell to provide control capability.

The remote wireless climate monitoring and control system developed with this invention has three main process flows: a. Data collection and alarm message transfer process b. Data query process c. Control condition dissemination and control mechanism execution process

Detailed explanations for these processes are given below with flow diagrams given in Figure 2, 3, 4, and 5.

a. Data collection and alarm message transfer process flow

Wireless sensor nodes are programmed before they are installed in the greenhouse. During the programming, each sensor node takes a unique serial id and each greenhouse/network is assigned a unique code. The same sensor nodes are also addressed with a number for easy recognition in the greenhouse. Serial number within this invention is unique and all devices have different numbers from others. However, addresses are only unique within the network (greenhouse). For example, sensor node with address 1 (one) can exist in more than one network (greenhouse). This way during dissemination data can be sent to the right address and during collection the source address of the incoming data can easily be identified.

After installation in the greenhouse, sensor nodes discover the closest and most reliable path to the base communication node (root) and form an ad-hoc (dynamic) network (7). Those nodes which don't have direct communication link to the base node discover routes to transfer data through other neighboring nodes. During route selection, signal quality and the number of nodes in the route are considered. Sensor nodes periodically (at predefined intervals) measure environmental climate conditions such as temperature, humidity and light (8). Sensor nodes which take measurements transfer their data to the base node according to the route they discovered in step 7 (9). Base communication node transfers the data it collects from the network to the main server through cellular network or wideband wireless network (2) and Internet (3) (10). Data transferred from base communication node to the cellular connectivity terminal is stored in buffer memory to protect losses against communication failures or shortages. Main server processes all the data coming from sensor networks and stores them in the database (11). Software program running on main server compares incoming data to alarm conditions (12). If an alarm situation exists, depending on the transfer medium (13), either an e-mail (14) or a short text message (SMS) (15) is sent to the end user.

b. Data query process flow

End user can query the sensor readings from the wireless sensors in the greenhouse via cell phone or Internet (16). For this process, end users can use their cell phones to send short text messages (SMS) or to query via the client application installed on it or use the web site. After receiving the query, main server processes it to understand the content (17) and prepares the necessary answer (18). Depending on the query method or medium, main server decides with which of the following methods to transfer the answer (19): o Sends the answer to the end user as a short text message (SMS) (20) o Sends the answer to the end user as a web page (21) o Sends the answer to the end user as a screen to be displayed on the cell phone application (22)

ca. Control condition dissemination process flow:

By using the dry contact outputs on main gateway device or the sensor nodes, climate control systems operated with electricity (e.g. motors) such as misting, vents, heating, and curtains can be controlled. For automatic control, various control conditions can be defined in the system. Climate control systems are activated or deactivated as a result of comparison of control conditions against the measurements taken by the sensors local to the related device or attached to other sensor nodes in the network. Control conditions are evaluated according to the following parameters:

(Kl) Sensor Type (e.g. temperature, humidity, light): Defines against which sensor readings the control conditions will be compared.

(K2) Minimum Condition (Set) Value: Defines below what value the control will be activated (start) (K4b) or deactivated (stop) (K4a).

(K3) Maximum Condition (Set) Value: Defines above what value the control will be activated (start) (K4a) or deactivated (stop) (K4b)

(K4) Start Condition: a. When the measurement is above the maximum condition value: When this is the case, if the measurement is above the max condition value the control is activated (started). When it falls below the min condition value, the control is deactivated (stopped). b. When the measurement is below the minimum condition value: When this is the case, if the measurement is below the min condition value the control is activated (started). When it goes above the max condition value, the control is deactivated (stopped).

(K5) Work Duration: Dry contact stays active (i.e. on or working) for this duration. If zero (0), it stays active as long as the control condition is set. (K6) Stall Duration: After working for work duration, dry contact stalls (i.e. off or not working) for stall duration. If zero (0), dry contact only works (i.e. stays active or on) for work duration (K5) and then becomes inactive even if the control condition is set.

(K7) Action Type: Defines what type of action to be taken if the control condition is set. a. Control dry contact output b. Notify another sensor node

(K8) Dry Contact No: For (K7a) case, defines which dry contact output to be controlled.

(K9) Node Address/Number to Be Notified: For (K7b) case, defines which sensor node to be notified if the control condition is set.

(KlO) Synchronization Status: Indicates whether the control system will be controlled in synchronization with events and/or measurements from other sensor nodes.

(KIl) Synchronization No: If synchronization is used (KlO), related sensor nodes use the common synchronization no.

Based on the parameters described above, the control condition is entered through the web page or cell phone (23). Main server prepares these parameters to be transferred to the wireless sensor network (24). Prepared data is transferred from main server to the main gateway device through cellular network or wireless wideband network (2) and Internet (3), (25). Main gateway device sends control conditions to the sensor nodes through dissemination (26). If the receiving nodes realize the condition is addressed for themselves, they store the condition in their internal memories and start checking them (27). Related node transfers the acknowledgement (ACK) message to the main server via main gateway device to indicate successful reception (28, 29). If the main server receives the acknowledgement message, it completes the operation. Otherwise, it thinks that the control condition has not reached to the node and retransmits it to the network (30).

cb. Control mechanism execution process flow:

Sensor nodes which store control conditions in their internal memory periodically take measurements to evaluate control conditions (31). If a taken measurement satisfies (sets) control condition (32, 33), the action to be taken is checked (39). If a sensor node is to be notified, a notification is sent to the related node to tell the condition is set (40). If an internal dry contact output of the sensor node is to be controlled then the related output is activated and this way the connected control system is started (41). If the control condition is not set in step 33, whether the control condition is active at that moment is checked (34). If active, whether the measurement is below the min condition value or above the max condition value is checked (35). If (K4a) is entered in the control condition and the measurement is below min condition value or if (K4b) is selected and the measurement is above the max condition value process flow goes to step (36 - check action to be taken). Depending on the action to be taken (36) either the sensor node entered in K9 is notified (37) or the dry contact output entered in K8 is deactivated/cleared (38).

Climate monitoring and control system developed with this invention helps preventing losses due to frost and diseases, supports reducing labor and energy spendings and plays an importan role on increasing productivity and quality. In addition, invention provides the following benefits:

• Sensing excessive environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, warning authorities and preventing costly losses by taking the automatic preventive actions. (For example, the heating system can be automatically started when temperature falls below normal values.)

• Sensing and understanding different climate conditions within the greenhouse and increasing productivity by doing production planning with the help of these measurements.

• Predicting losses or vegetative diseases due to inconsistency and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and light and sending necessary warnings.

• Comparing products' growth to normal conditions by storing historical environmental variables and taking preventive actions in this direction.