Wireless sensor clip and intelligent flowerpot for monitoring potted plants
A system that uses a mobile, battery-powered sensor clip and embedded sensors in a pot or growth medium to measure multiple physical and chemical parameters of a potted plant and wirelessly transmit digitized data in real time to an external receiver or central processor. Owners or users receive simplified, icon-based indications or alerts about current or predicted plant states; data processing may combine local sensor readings with historical, profile or weather data.
(57) What the patent covered
This write-up was generated by AI from the patent's text and may contain mistakes, so check it against the original patent before relying on it.
An apparatus claim for a mobile, self-powered sensor clip or sensor unit mountable on or near a plant and/or placed in the pot or culture medium that contains a power supply, at least two cross-linked sensors each producing electrical signals (including at least one that detects nutritive or harmful substance content in the culture medium), an electronic device that digitizes those signals, and a wireless transmitter that sends the digitized parameter signals in real time to a receiver outside the pot. A corresponding method claim covers mounting such a sensor clip, sensing at least two parameters including nutritive/harmful substance content, digitizing the electrical signals and transmitting them wirelessly in real time for external processing and indication to the user.
Distinguishing feature: Integration of a removable, self-powered mobile sensor clip plus at least two cross-linked sensors including a sensor for nutritive or harmful substances integrated with digital encoding and real-time wireless transmission from within or on a pot.
Novelty 3/5. Multi-parameter pot sensors and wireless plant monitors existed; this patent combined a removable powered sensor clip, at least two cross-linked sensors including nutrient/harm agent sensing, in-pot concealment, and real-time digital wireless reporting with central processing and icon-based user indication.
Manufacturing
Injection-molded plastic housings, PCB fabrication with surface-mount components, assembly of electrochemical or resistive sensors (spot-welded or glued electrodes), press-fit or ultrasonic insertion of PCB and battery into housing, final assembly and test.
Materials: Plastic housing for clip and pot internals (likely ABS, polycarbonate or polypropylene), Printed circuit board with mixed-signal electronics, Electrochemical sensor materials (e.g., ion-selective membranes, metal electrodes), Small battery (coin cell or rechargeable Li-ion), Wireless antenna (printed or wire).
Manufacturability 4/5. Several simple parts (molded housings, PCB, sensors, battery) with routine surface-mount assembly and moderate manual or automated assembly of the sensor clip into the pot; does not require complex precision machining but needs sensor calibration and waterproofing.
Market demand
No demand check has been run for this patent. Likely search terms: plant sensor clip wireless, smart flowerpot moisture nutrient monitor, potted plant wireless sensor. The links in the sidebar open these searches.
Buyers: Home gardeners, plant enthusiasts, greenhouse operators, facility managers monitoring indoor plants.
Before manufacturing
No related continuation or divisional patents in force were found. Design patents, trademarks and unrelated patents may still cover the product.
Practical risks include sensor lifetime and calibration (especially chemical sensors), battery life and waterproofing, crowded consumer market for plant sensors, and the patent lapsed so no enforceable rights remain; no legal advice provided.
About 1.5% of lapsed patents are later revived by their owners. This page is a research lead, not legal advice. Obtain a freedom-to-operate opinion before manufacturing.