Week 17. Invention, intellectual property and income

Presentation (DRAFT)

You can view my draft presentation here

Invention: "The Green Guardian"

Key Components:

• Moisture Sensor: The system incorporates a moisture sensor to measure the soil moisture content accurately.
• LED Indicators (Red, Yellow, Green): Visual indicators in the form of red, yellow, and green LEDs provide real-time feedback on the soil moisture status.
• Seeed Studio Development Board: An embedded microcontroller, specifically a Seeed Studio development board, is used to process data from the moisture sensor and control the LED indicators.
• 3D-Printed Housing: The invention includes a 3D-printed housing designed to accommodate the moisture sensor, LEDs, and the Seeed Studio development board. The housing is modular for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.
• Custom Milled PCB: A custom printed circuit board (PCB) is designed and milled for the electronic circuit. This PCB facilitates the connection and interaction between the moisture sensor, LEDs, and the Seeed Studio board.

Functionality:

• The primary function of the Smart Plant Moisture Monitoring System is to continuously monitor the soil moisture level in a plant's environment.
• The moisture sensor provides real-time data on the soil moisture content.
• The embedded microcontroller processes this data and triggers the appropriate LED indicator to visually represent the soil moisture status.
• The color-coded LEDs serve as follows:
• - Green LED: Indicates appropriate moisture levels, signifying that the plant is in a healthy state.
• - Yellow LED: Suggests that additional watering is recommended as the moisture level is below the optimal range.
• - Red LED: Signals that immediate attention is needed as the soil moisture level is critically low and potentially harmful to the plant.

Design and Fabrication:

• The design involves both 2D and 3D components. The 2D design includes the layout of the custom PCB, while the 3D design encompasses the housing and enclosure for the components.
• Additive fabrication processes, specifically 3D printing, are used to create the housing and enclosure.
• Subtractive fabrication processes involve milling a custom PCB for the electronic circuit.

Electronics Design and Production:

• Electronics design involves creating a circuit layout for the custom PCB, specifying components, and designing connections.
• The custom PCB is milled, allowing for a precise and tailored electronic circuit that fits the specific requirements of the project.

Embedded Microcontroller Interfacing and Programming:

• The Seeed Studio development board is programmed to read data from the moisture sensor and control the LED indicators based on the moisture levels.
• The programming logic includes interpreting moisture data and activating the appropriate LED indicator, providing a user-friendly and intuitive visual representation.

System Integration and Packaging:

• System integration involves assembling all individual components, including the 3D-printed housing, custom milled PCB, moisture sensor, LEDs, and Seeed Studio board, into a cohesive and functional unit.
• The 3D-printed housing serves as packaging, encapsulating and protecting the electronic components while allowing for easy access for maintenance.

In summary, my invention, "The Green Guardian," is an intelligent system that uses advanced sensors, embedded systems, and creative design to enable plant owners to monitor and respond to the moisture needs of their plants effectively.

Intellectual Property

I decided to use https://chooser-beta.creativecommons.org/. Creative Commons (CC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating the sharing of knowledge and culture. It provides free licenses that allow creators to specify how their work can be used by others while retaining copyright. People use CC licenses to enable the sharing and reuse of creative work under standardized terms, making it easier for creators to grant permission to the public to use their work. It's very easy to use and takes you step by step through the process of deciding what type of license you need.

The Green Guardian by Nikki Stancampiano is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

This is what the site looks like:

Dissemeniation Plan

A dissemination plan is my strategic roadmap for creating awareness and sharing information about "The Green Guardian." It's about reaching the right audience, being transparent about funding, ensuring intellectual property protection, and outlining our engagement strategies. This plan is crucial for establishing trust, attracting users, and fostering collaboration.

Target Audience:

"The Green Guardian" is designed for environmentally conscious individuals, gardening enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sustainable living. Our communication strategies will be tailored to resonate with this audience, addressing their concerns and interests.

Funding Sources:

"The Green Guardian" is currently funded through a combination of personal investment and PAST Foundation funds. In the future, I might tap into potential grants from environmental initiatives or eduactional programs.

Below is an outline of my dissemination plan:

Week 1-2: Project Documentation

• Compile detailed documentation with visuals.

Week 3-4: Video Demonstration

• Create an engaging video showcasing Green Guardian's features.

Week 5-6: Social Media Presence

• Establish dedicated social media accounts.
• Share updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Week 7-8: Website Development

• Build a website featuring project details, documentation, and videos.

Week 9-10: Collaborate and Present

• Engage with online communities, seek feedback.
• Schedule online presentations and webinars.

Week 11-12: Local Media Outreach

• Draft press releases and reach out to local media outlets.

Week 13-14: Networking and Partnerships

• Connect with relevant organizations and tech communities.
• Explore potential partnerships for promotion.

Week 15-16: Online Platforms and Competitions

• Submit the project to platforms like Hackster and relevant competitions.

Week 17-18: User Engagement

• Set up a feedback mechanism on the website.
• Encourage users to share experiences and suggestions.

Week 19-20: Continuous Updates

• Regularly update documentation, website, and social media.
• Address user feedback and showcase improvements.

Ongoing: Long-Term Engagement

• Develop a strategy for long-term engagement.
• Keep the community informed about the project's evolution.

Future Opportunity

One possible future opportunity is to partner with the PAST Foundation (my place of work) to develop an enriching student program within our agricultural pathway. In this program, participants embark on a hands-on STEM journey by creating their personalized iterations of "The Green Guardian." This program is designed to immerse students in interdisciplinary learning, spanning electronics, programming, and environmental science. By integrating sensors calibrated for varying moisture levels, students will experiment with different plant species to decipher optimal care routines. The initiative aims to nurture innovation and problem-solving skills, encouraging students to think critically about sustainable agriculture. The collaborative learning environment fosters teamwork, while the real-world application of STEM concepts instills a sense of environmental responsibility. Outcomes include the acquisition of technical skills, heightened environmental awareness, and career exploration opportunities within STEM fields related to agriculture. Implementation involves curriculum development, resource allocation, educator training, and student recruitment, with a focus on continuous support and feedback. This comprehensive program not only enriches students' educational experiences but also aligns with broader objectives of STEM literacy and environmental consciousness within the agricultural domain.