Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following IJ.S. Provisional Application

No. 62/746,614 filed October 17, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] These teachings generally relate to the ripenmg of produce and, more specifically, to ripening the produce according to a target shipping date.

Background

[0003] Various types of produce is grown for consumption by customers. For example, fruits and vegetables are grown, shipped to stores, and purchased by customers.

[0004] The condition of these products changes as time progresses. One way that the produce changes is that it ripens. For example, bananas ripen from the time they are picked in the production areas until they time they are purchased by customers. Stores typically want to present produce in optimum condition because if the produce is not in this condition, the produce is difficult to sell.

[0005] Ripening chambers exist that can be used to hasten the ripening process. For example, the ripening chambers can be used to increase or decrease the ripening speed of the produce.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The above needs are at least partially met through the provision

of approaches that adjust the ripening conditions of produce to conform to a target shipping date for the produce, wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 comprises a diagram of a system as configured m accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

[0008] FIG. 2 comprises a flowchart as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

[0009] FIG. 3 comprises a diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

[0010] FIG. 4 comprises a diagram as configured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings.

Detailed Description

[0011] Generally speaking, these approaches relate to being able to dynamically alter the ripening condition of a fruit or vegetable (or other produce or commodities) in order to meet changing target shipping dates. In these approaches, the target shipping date for the produce might change (e.g., from the 1 ^st of the month, to the 15 ^to of the month, and then again to the 30th of the month), based on a wide variety of different factors. As the date changes, the operating conditions of the chamber are changed to conform the condition of the produce to the new shipping dates. Put another way, the desired condition of the produce is manipulated to meet the target shipping date, even as this shipping date changes.

[0012] In aspects, data is gathered from the field (e.g., the country of origin, growing conditions, temperature, and humidity to mention a few examples). Transport conditions (e.g., time in transit, temperature, humidity) are also monitored. The item is received at the warehouse, and a robot automatically grades the item. A human may alternatively grade the item. All of the sensed or gathered information is included in a profile. The profile is converted into a schedule which is applied to control the conditions and other aspects of operation of a ripening chamber. In examples, the schedule might include the time spent by the fruit in the chamber and temperature and/or humidity conditions of the chamber.

[0013] Periodically, humans or automated sensors check the condition of the produce and/or the conditions of the chamber. For example, images may be obtained of the produce in

- z - the chamber and a determination is made as to whether it is ripening too fast. If the produce is ripening too quickly, then the schedule for the chamber can be adjusted. Other schedules for other chambers may also be adjusted based upon information obtained from the experience of produce in the one chamber.

[0014] The parameters of the schedule are selected so that the produce is shipped in suitable condition to meet a certain target date. In other aspects, the target date is adjusted dynamically and in real-time as demand (or other) conditions or other requirements change. This adjusts the schedule of the chamber. For example, a store may need more or less of the produce on a certain data and this amount can change over time.

[0015] In many of these embodiments, a system that is configured to adjust ripening conditions for produce includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, an electronic user device, and electronic communication network, a database, and a control circuit.

[0016] The first sensor is deployed in a production area of produce. The first sensor obtains first information concerning growing conditions of the produce.

[0017] The second sensor is deployed on a shipment vehicle. The shipment vehicle moves the produce from the production area. The second sensor obtains second information associated with shipment conditions of the produce.

[0018] The third sensor is deployed at a first robot at a distribution center or warehouse.

The produce is delivered to the distribution center or warehouse via the shipment vehicle. The third sensor is configured to determine third information concerning the condition and grade of the produce.

[0019] The electronic user device is configured to receive from a user a target shipping date to ship the produce to a retail store or customer from the distribution center or

warehouse. The electronic communication network is coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the electronic user device. The database is disposed at a central processing center and is configured to store the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date.

[0020] The control circuit is disposed at the central processing center and is coupled to the network and the database. The control circuit is configured to obtain the first information, second information, third information, and target shipping date from the database and create a ripening schedule. The ripening schedule when implemented at a ripening chamber is effective to control the environmental conditions and the time spent in the ripening chamber by the produce m order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to conditions desired to meet the target shipping date. For example, the produce may need to be m a particular ripening state on a particular shipping date.

[0021] The control circuit is further configured to apply the ripening schedule to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber and receive an adjusted target shipping date from the user device via the network. The control circuit is still further configured to dynamically and in real-time adjust the ripening schedule in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to satisfy the adjusted target shipping date. The control circuit is further configured to apply the adjusted ripening schedule to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber.

[0022] A second robot obtains fourth information concerning conditions of the produce in the ripening chamber. The control circuit is configured to dynamically and in real-time adjust the ripening schedule according to the fourth information.

[0023] In some aspects, the control circuit utilizes the fourth information to adjust a second ripening schedule of a second ripening chamber. In other aspects, the ripening schedule defines one or more of: the time the produce is held in the ripening chamber, the temperature of the ripening chamber, the humidity of the ripening chamber, and the application of a gas (e.g., ethylene gas) to the produce in the ripening chamber that is effective to hasten ripening of the produce.

[0024] In some examples, the first sensor obtains weather information. In other examples, the second sensor measures the amount of time spent by the produce m transit on the vehicle. In still other examples, the third sensor comprises a camera and the camera obtains images of the produce.

[0025] In other aspects, the produce is shipped according to the target shipping date or the adjusted target shipping date. In other examples, the shipment vehicle comprises a ground vehicle, an aircraft, an automated ground vehicle, an aerial drone, or a ship. Other examples of vehicles for combinations of vehicles) are possible. [0026] In others of these embodiments, approaches for adjusting ripening conditions for produce are provided. At a first sensor, first information is obtained concerning growing conditions of produce. The first sensor is deployed in a production area of the produce.

[0027] At a second sensor that is deployed on a shipment vehicle, second information associated with shipment conditions of the produce is obtained. The shipment vehicle moves the produce from the production area.

[0028] At a third sensor that is deployed at a first robot at a distribution center or warehouse, third information concerning the condition and grade of the produce is determined or obtained. The produce is delivered to the distribution center or warehouse via the shipment vehicle.

[0029] A target shipping date to ship the produce to a retail store or customer from the distribution center or warehouse is received from a user at an electronic user device. At a database at a central processing center the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date are stored.

[0030] At a control circuit at the central processing center, the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date are obtained from the database. A ripening schedule is created and the ripening schedule when implemented at a ripening chamber is effective to control the environmental conditions and the time spent in the ripening chamber by the produce in order to conform ripening conditi ons of the produce to the target shipping date. The ripening schedule is applied to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber.

[0031] At the control circuit, an adjusted target shipping date is received from the user device via the network. The ripening schedules is adjusted dynamically and in real-time in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to satisfy the adjusted target shipping date. The adjusted ripening schedule is applied to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber.

[0032] A second robot obtains fourth information concerning conditions of the produce in the ripening chamber. The control circuit dynamically and in real-time adjusts the ripening schedule according to the fourth information. |Ό033] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a system 100 includes a first sensor 102, a second sensor

104, a third sensor 106, an electronic user device 108, and electronic communication network 110, a database 112, and a control circuit 1 14.

[0034] The first sensor 102 is deployed in a production area 1 16 of produce 118. The production area 116 may be fields, groves, or other areas used to grow the produce 118. The first sensor 102 obtains first information concerning growing conditions of the produce 118. For example, the growing conditions may include the rainfall, the temperature patterns, or the humidity patterns of the production area 116. In other examples, the growing conditions include the country (or geographic area) or origin.

[0035] The second sensor 104 is deployed on a shipment vehicle 120. The shipment vehicle 120 moves the produce from the production area 116. In other examples, the shipment vehicle 120 comprises a ground vehicle, an aircraft, an automated ground vehicle, an aerial drone, or a ship. In other aspects, the shipment vehicle 120 is a combination of two or more vehicles (e.g., a truck, a ship, and then a truck). The second sensor 104 obtains second information associated with shipment conditions of the produce 118. For example, the time the produce 1 18 spends on the shipment vehicle 120, the temperature conditions or records of the chamber on the vehicle where the produce is stored may be sensed and/or obtained.

[0036] The third sensor 106 is deployed at a first robot 122 at a distribution center or warehouse 124. The produce 1 18 is delivered to the distribution center or warehouse 124 via the shipment vehicle 120. The third sensor 106 is configured to determine third information concerning the condition and grade of the produce 1 18. For example, the third sensor 106 may gather images of the produce 1 18, which can be analyzed to determine the grade of the produce 118.

[0037] The electronic user device 108 is configured to receive from a user 136 a target shipping date to ship the produce to a retail store or customer from the distribution center or warehouse 124. The electronic user device 108 may be any electronic device such as a personal computer, laptop, tablet, cellular phone, or smartphone to mention a few examples.

[0038] The electronic communication network 110 is coupled to the first sensor 102, the second sensor 104, the third sensor 106, and the electronic user device 108. The electronic communication network 110 may be any network or combination of networks such as the internet, a wireless network, a cellular communication network, a wide area network, or a local area network to mention a few examples.

[0039] The user 136 may enter the target shipping date into the electronic user device

108 and this information is stored in the database 112 (e.g., via action of the control circuit 114). The database 112 is disposed at a central processing center 126 and is configured to store the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date. The database 112 may be any suitable memory storage device.

[0040] The control circuit 114 is disposed at the central processing center 126 and is coupled to the network 110 and the database 112. It will be appreciated that as used herein the term“control circuit” refers broadly to any microcontroller, computer, or processor-based device with processor, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals, which is generally- designed to govern the operation of other components and devices. It is further understood to include common accompanying accessory devices, including memory, transceivers for communication with other components and devices, etc. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. The control circuit 114 may be configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in a memory as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.

[0041] The control circuit 1 14 is configured to obtain the first information, second information, third information, and target shipping date from the database 1 12 and create a ripening schedule. The ripening schedule when implemented at a ripening chamber 128 is effective to control the environmental conditions and the time spent in the ripening chamber 128 by the produce in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to the target shipping date.

[0042] The control circuit 114 is further configured to apply the ripening schedule to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber 128 and receive an adjusted target shipping date from the user device 108 via the network 1 10. The control circuit 114 is still further configured to dynamically and in real-time adjust the ripening schedule in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to satisfy the adjusted target shipping date. The control circuit 114 is additionally configured to apply the adjusted ripening schedule to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber 128.

[0043] A second robot 130 with a fourth sensor 132 obtains fourth information concerning conditions of the produce in the ripening chamber. The control circuit 114 is configured to dynamically and in real-time adjust the ripening schedule according to the fourth information.

[0044] The first robot 122 and the second robot 130 may be automated ground vehicles, aerial drones, or robotic devices at a fixed location. As mentioned, the robots 122 and 130 may include sensors that obtain images of the produce or sense conditions. The robots 122 and 130 may also perform other functions. For example, the robots 122 and 130 may also include the ability for the robot to actually inspect the interior of the produce 118 and various other attributes such as the adherence of the skin. These aspects may also be checked by humans. Furthermore, the robots 122 and 130 may also perform other functions such as moving the produce 118 from location-to-location.

[0045] In some aspects, the control circuit 1 14 utilizes the fourth information to adjust a second ripening schedule of a second ripening chamber 129. In other aspects, the ripening schedule defines one or more of the time the produce is held in the ripening chamber 129, the temperature of the ripening chamber 129, the humidity of the ripening chamber 129, and the application of a gas to the produce in the ripening chamber 129 that is effective to hasten ripening of the produce 1 1 8. An apparatus 135 is used by the control circuit 1 14 to control these conditions.

[0046] In still other aspects, the produce 1 1 8 is shipped from the ripening chamber 128 according to the target shipping date or the adjusted target shipping date. As mentioned, the condition of the produce 1 18 conforms to a condition needed to meet the target shipping date.

In one example, the ripening state of the produce 1 18 (how much it has ripened according to visual or non-visual inspection of the produce) will conform or substantially conform to the ripening conditions desired by a retail store according to the shipping date.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2, one approach for adj ustmg the ripening conditions for produce is described. At step 202 and at a first sensor, first information is obtained concerning growing conditions of the produce. The first sensor is deployed in a production area of the produce. For example, the first sensor may monitor for weather conditions m the fields where the produce is grown (e.g., rainfall, humidity, or sunshine to mention a few examples). In other examples, the sensor may detect or receive the country, state, city or some other geographical point or area of origin of the produce. It will he appreciated that more than one sensor may be deployed when more than one type of information is obtained.

[0048] At step 204 and at a second sensor that is deployed on a shipment vehicle, second information associated with shipment conditions of the produce is obtained. For example, the information may include the transit time of the produce in the vehicle or conditions (e.g., temperature or humidity) in the vehicle. As with the first sensor, it will be appreciated that more than one sensor may be deployed when more than one type of information is obtained.

[0049] At step 206, the shipment vehicle moves the produce from the production area. In examples, the vehicle is a truck. In other examples, more than one vehicle may be involved (e.g., the produce may be shipped first in a first truck, then in a ship, and then in a second truck for delivery to a warehouse). When more than one vehicle, more than one second sensor may be deployed (e.g., one or more sensors in the first truck, one or more sensors in the ship, and one or more sensors in the second truck).

[005Q] At step 208 and at a third sensor that is deployed at a first robot at a distribution center or warehouse, third information concerning the condition and grade of the produce is determined. The produce is delivered to the distribution center or warehouse via the shipment vehicle. For example, a camera may be used to obtain images of the produce. A computer program (at the first robot, the warehouse, or a central location) may be used to analyze the image. It will be appreciated that more than one third sensor may be deployed when more than one type of information is obtained.

[0051] At step 210, a target shipping date to ship the produce to a retail store or customer from the distribution center or warehouse is received from a user at an electronic user device. The electronic user device may be any electronic device such as a personal computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to mention a few examples. The target shipping date may specify a

- in calendar date and/or time on a specific date to ship the produce. Other examples of target shipping dates are possible.

[0052] At step 212 and at a database at a central processing center the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date are stored. The data may be received over the same network, different networks, or combinations of different electronic networks to mention a few examples. The database is maintained at a central location so as to allow the collection of information from various sensors spread across a wide variety of different geographical locations.

[0053] At step 214 and at a control circuit at the central processing center, the first information, the second information, the third information, and the target shipping date are obtained from the database. The control circuit is likewise disposed at the central location so as to facilitate the fast and efficient processing of information. If, for example, the control circuit were disposed at scattered remote locations it would be extremely difficult to efficiently and quickly process received sensed information and issue appropriate instructions.

[0054] At step 216 and at the control circuit, a ripening schedule is created and the ripening schedule when implemented at a ripening chamber is effective to control the environmental conditions and the time spent in the ripening chamber by the produce in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to the target shipping date. The ripening schedule may specify the conditions within a ripening chamber and how long these conditions are to be applied. For example, if the produce is to be exposed to elements (e.g., gas) that hasten ripening, the schedule may specify how long these elements are applied and, when multiple elements are applied, the order of application. In still other examples, conditions in the ripening chamber may also be changed. For example, temperature and humidity conditions may be changed.

[0055] At step 218 and at the control circuit, the ripening schedule is applied to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber. For example, electronic instructions may be sent to the ripening chamber. The electronic instructions cause mechanical elements within the chamber to function (e.g., release the gas or change the temperature in the chamber). For example, the mechanical elements that are controlled may include gas control valves or heaters/cooling elements and fans that adjust the temperature. Other examples are possible. [0056] At step 220 and at the control circuit, an adjusted target shipping date is received from the user device via the network. For example, a retail store may first communicate that it needs the produce on the 15th of the month, and later communicate it needs the produce on the 30th of the month. It will he appreciated that the target shipping date may change multiple tunes.

[0057] At step 222, the ripening schedules is adjusted dynamically and in real-time in order to conform ripening conditions of the produce to satisfy the adjusted target shipping date. For example, if the produce needs to be ripened more quickly, the schedule is adjusted to take into account that the produce needs to be m a more ripe condition to meet the target shipping date.

[0058] At step 224, the adjusted ripening schedule is applied to control ripening conditions in the ripening chamber. As mentioned, electronic instructions may be created and the electronic instructions cause mechanical elements within the chamber to function (e.g , release the gas or change the temperature in the chamber). For example, the mechanical elements that are controlled may include gas control valves or heaters/cooling elements and fans that adjust the temperature. Other examples are possible.

[0059] At step 226, a second robot obtains fourth information concerning conditions of the produce in the ripening chamber. For example, the robot may obtain images of the produce and grade the condition of the produce. In these regards, the images may compare the condition of the produce to images of produce with a known condition, and based upon the comparison, the condition of the produce is determined. A computer program (at the second robot, the ripening chamber, or a central location) may be used to analyze the image. As used herein, “grade” may refer to the color, moisture content, overall appearance, interior condition, and/or surface condition of the produce. Other examples of criteria can be used to grade or classify the produce.

[0060] At step 228, the control circuit dynamically and in real-time adjusts the ripening schedule according to the fourth information. For example, the conclusion may be that the produce is ripening too quickly so that humidity and/or temperature of the chamber is adjusted so that the produce is ripened correctly to satisfy the target shipping date. [0061] It will be appreciated that the adjustments made in one chamber can be applied and used in determining the ripening schedules in other ripening chambers. For example, it may be determined that the humidity conditions in a first chamber are causing the produce in that chamber to ripen too quickly. This information can be applied to the ripening schedules determined for other chambers. For example and for the other chambers, the optimum humidity level required for a particular result in a first chamber and be used to obtain the same or a similar result in these other chambers.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 3, one example of an approach of determining a ripening schedule is described. The approach is represented as a tree-like data structure where decisions are made as to various criteria until a particular ripening schedule is determined or selected.

[0063] The first criteria is the target shipping date. If the target shipping date is within the next 7 days, then branch 302 is selected. If the target shipping date is within the between 7- 10 days, then branch 304 is selected.

[0064] Next, the grade of the produce is considered. If the produce is grade A, then branch 306 is selected. If the produce is grade B, then branch 308 is selected. If the produce is grade C, then branch 310 is selected. As mentioned, the grade level may refer to the color, moisture content, overall appearance, interior condition, and/or surface condition of the produce. Other examples of grades (or classifications) and grading criteria are possible.

[0065] Assuming branch 306 if followed, then the transit time for the produce on board the shipment vehicle is next considered. If the transit time is less than 10 days, then branch 312 is selected. If the transit time is 10 or more days, then go branch 314 is selected for execution.

[0066] Assuming branch 312 is taken, then weather conditions are considered. If normal weather conditions have occurred (e.g., as evidenced by the number of days with rainfall, the amount of sunny days or other criteria), then branch 316 with a first schedule (si) 320 is selected. If wet weather conditions have occurred (as evidenced by the amount of rainfall in the production area of the produce), then branch 318 with a second schedule (s2) 322 is selected. Other schedules are selected based upon traversal of the tree under other conditions.

[0067] It will be understood that other portions of the tree are not shown, but that similar branches a decisions would occur or be present. It will also be appreciated that other approaches could be used to select a schedule. For example, a mathematical formula (or more than one formula) can be used. However, it is contemplated that the particular approach described will make for more efficient and faster computer operation than other approaches.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 4, one example of a schedule 400 is described. The schedule includes control elements (or control criteria) 402 and actions 404 associated with control elements (or control criteria) 402. In this example, the elements 402 include gas 420, humidity 422, temperature 424, and time 426. The actions 404 include activation 430 for a gas application line (associated with gas 420). Changing the humidity level to 70% is action 432 and is associated with humidity 422. Changing the heating/cooling to obtain a 75 degrees temperature in the ripening chamber is action 434 and is associated with temperature

424. Setting an alarm or a timer that when expired activates an alarm is action 436 associated with controlling the amount of time 426 spent in the chamber by the produce. An indication of expiration of the timer or an alarm may be sent electronically to a human or robot via to instruct the human or robot to remove the produce from the chamber.

[0069] In some embodiments, one or more of the exemplary embodiments include one or more localized loT devices and controllers (e.g., included with or associated with the various sensors or robots described herein). In another aspect, the sensors or robots may be seen as an loT device. As a result, in an exemplary embodiment, the localized loT devices and controllers can perform most, if not all, of the computational load and associated monitoring and then later asynchronous uploading of data can be performed by a designated one of the loT devices to a remote server. In this manner, the computational effort of the overall system may be reduced significantly. For example, whenever localized monitoring allows remote transmission, secondary utilization of controllers keeps securing data for other loT devices and permits periodic asynchronous uploading of the summary data to the remote server. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the periodic asynchronous uploading of data may include a key kernel index summary of the data as created under nominal conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, the kernel encodes relatively recently acquired intermittent data (“KRI”). As a result, in an exemplary embodiment, KRI includes a continuously utilized near term source of data, but KRI may be discarded depending upon the degree to which such KRI has any value based on local processing and evaluation of such KRI. In an exemplary embodiment, KRJ may not even be utilized m any form if it is determined that KRI is transient and may be considered as signal noise. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the kernel rejects generic data (“KRG”) by filtering incoming raw data using a stochastic filter that provides a predictive model of one or more future states of the system and can thereby filter out data that is not consistent with the modeled future states which may, for example, reflect generic background data. In an exemplary embodiment, KRG incrementally sequences all future undefined cached kernals of data in order to filter out data that may reflect generic background data. In an exemplary embodiment, KRG incrementally sequences all future undefined cached kernals having encoded asynchronous data in order to filter out data that may reflect generic background data. In a further exemplary embodiment, the kernel wall filter out noisy data (“KRN”). In an exemplary embodiment, KRN, like KRI, includes substantially a continuously utilized near term source of data, but KRN may be retained in order to provide a predictive model of noisy data. In an exemplary embodiment, KRN and KRI, also incrementally sequences all future undefined cached kernels having encoded asynchronous data in order to filter out data that may reflect generic background data.

[007Q] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be vi ewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.