Claims:
1. A soil parameter sensing device comprising:
one or more leads configured to be inserted in a soil of interest to sense one or more soil parameters and generate a corresponding one or more signals associated with the sensed one or more soil parameters; and
a signal conditioning unit configured to receive the generated one or more signals and transform the received one or more signals into a readable format,
wherein the sensed one or more soil parameters in the readable format is displayed on a display coupled with said soil parameter sensing device to enable immediate assessment of the soil of interest.
2. The soil parameter sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more soil parameters are selected from any or a combination of a soil temperature, soil moisture and electrical conductivity of the soil.
3. The soil parameter sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soil parameter sensing device comprises a memory configured to store the sensed one or more soil parameters.
4. The soil parameter sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soil parameter sensing device comprises a communication module configured to transmit the sensed one or more soil parameters to one or more remote trans-receivers.
5. The soil parameter sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more solar cells are coupled with said soil parameter sensing device to power said soil parameter sensing device.

, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of sensing devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to detection of parameters of a soil of interest for displaying and monitoring the soil parameters.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Typically, most of the people do not know about soil characteristics like moisture content present in the soil, temperature of the soil, electrical conductivity of the soil, water present in the soil, ratio of soil and water, quality of soil etc. It is also difficult to analyse soil properties for further utilization because soil characteristics are estimated inaccurately and with some delay in estimation. The methods generally used for detecting soil characteristics also require large amount of currents and voltages to send detected soil information or data to users. Further, the detected soil characteristics are not provided to users in a proper readable format.
[0004] United States Patent document US5260667 describes a method for determining water content present in an oil-in-water emulsion with the help of a plurality of sensors. The sensors measure admittance of the emulsion and produces signal representation of the water content present in the emulsion. This prior art is related to determination of water content of the emulsion and does not take care of identifying soil characteristics such as moisture content in the soil.
[0005] United States Patent document US5686841 discloses a roadway sensor for surface installation and a thin ceramic contact sensor is used to measure antenna parameters of a space above a roadway or bridge surface. However, this prior art does not disclose monitoring of information related to the soil precisely.
[0006] United States Patent document US5124552 describes a method of sensing moisture on a web based on a web moisture sensor that transmits and receives infrared signal. This prior art does not take care of monitoring of parameters of the soil in real time.
[0007] United States Patent document US4840706 describes an infrared scanning gauge to measure moisture content of a paper web by implementing measurement channel and a reference channel. This prior art does not take care of the accurate measuring and monitoring of moisture content, temperature, electrical conductivity etc. characteristics of the soil.
[0008] United States Patent document US3626286 describes a meter to measure moisture present in the soil by placing two probes into the soil with soil in-between the probes, wherein the probes are made of insulted plates of metal or flat insulated cable made of one or more conductors. The output moisture content of the soil is helpful in controlling irrigation valves. This prior art is related to capacitive based moisture sensing by using ultrasonic oscillator but does not take care of cost-effective implementation to sense and to monitor moisture content in the soil.
[0009] There is, therefore, a need in the art, for a cost-effective means to sense parameters like moisture, temperature etc. of the soil accurately and to monitor the sensed soil parameters in real-time.
[0010] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0011] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0012] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0013] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0014] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS
[0015] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable means to monitor parameters of a soil in an efficient manner.
[0016] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a self-powered means to sense and monitor soil parameters accurately.
[0017] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a simpler and cost-effective means to monitor parameters such as moisture, temperature etc. of a soil in real-time.

SUMMARY
[0018] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of sensing devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to detection of parameters of a soil of interest for displaying and monitoring the soil parameters.
[0019] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a soil parameter sensing device, the device comprising: one or more leads configured to be inserted in a soil of interest to sense one or more soil parameters and generate a corresponding one or more signals associated with the sensed one or more soil parameters; and a signal conditioning unit configured to receive the generated one or more signals and transform the received one or more signals into a readable format, wherein the sensed one or more soil parameters in the readable format is displayed on a display coupled with said soil parameter sensing device to enable immediate assessment of the soil of interest.
[0020] In an embodiment, the sensed one or more soil parameters are selected from any or a combination of a soil temperature, soil moisture and electrical conductivity of the soil.
[0021] In another embodiment, the soil parameter sensing device can include a memory configured to store the sensed one or more soil parameters.
[0022] In another embodiment, said soil parameter sensing device can include a communication module configured to transmit the sensed one or more soil parameters to one or more remote trans-receivers.
[0023] In another embodiment, one or more solar cells are coupled with said soil parameter sensing device to provide renewable power to said soil parameter sensing device.
[0024] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a soil parameter sensing device for sensing and displaying soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a display based portable self-powered sensor module for monitoring soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for sensing and displaying soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0030] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0032] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0033] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non – claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0034] Embodiments described herein relate to the field of sensing devices, and in particular to detection of parameters of a soil of interest using one or more sensors for displaying and monitoring the soil parameters in real-time.
[0035] In an aspect, a sensing device is placed in soil to detect parameters related to the soil such as moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity of the soil etc. and display the soil parameters for monitoring in real-time.
[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to the monitoring of soil conditions in real time and taking decisions related to utility of the soil based on displayed soil parameters data in a readable format.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a soil parameter sensing device for displaying soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Said soil parameter sensing device 100 comprises: one or more leads 102 configured to be inserted in a soil of interest to sense one or more soil parameters and generate a corresponding one or more signals associated with the sensed one or more soil parameters; and a signal conditioning unit 104 configured to receive the generated one or more signals and transform the received one or more signals into a readable format, wherein the sensed one or more soil parameters in the readable format is displayed on a display 106 coupled with said soil parameter sensing device 100 to enable immediate assessment of the soil of interest.
[0038] In an embodiment, the one or more soil parameters can be selected from soil temperature, soil moisture, electrical conductivity of the soil etc.
[0039] In another embodiment, said soil parameter sensing device can comprise a memory 112 configured to store the sensed one or more soil parameters.
[0040] Memory 112 may comprise any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0041] In another embodiment, said soil parameter sensing device 100 can include a communication module 110 configured to transmit the sensed one or more soil parameters to one or more remote trans-receivers.
[0042] In another embodiment, the communication module 110 can transmit the one or more soil parameters using a wired or a wireless technology. The wireless technology can be selected from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, 3G communication, 4G communication, 5G communication, satellite communication, radar communication, microwave communication etc. technologies. The wired technology can include telephone networks, cable television or internet access, fibre-optic communication etc.
[0043] In another embodiment, the soil parameter sensing device 100 can be made with a different composition of POP, soil, timber etc. The selection of composition usually depends on the soil type.
[0044] In another embodiment, the soil parameter sensing device 100 can be coupled with one or more solar cells 108 to provide power to the soil parameter sensing device 100 without depending on any external commercial power source.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the soil parameter sensing device 100 can be implemented in agricultural fields, farms, playgrounds, flower nurseries, gardens, green houses etc. to identify soil quality and its properties such as minerals etc.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a display based portable self-powered sensor module for monitoring soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the sensor module 200 includes one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202, wherein the one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202 can be made with a different composition of POP, soil, timber etc. The selection of composition usually depends on the soil type.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202 present in the sensor module 200 include three leads (Lead 1, Lead 2 and Lead 3) to analyse temperature, moisture and electrical conductivity of the soil by inserting the leads in a soil of interest. The sensor module 200 includes a solar cell 204 mounted on exposed part of each of the one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202 to make each sensor self-powered and to reduce costs of providing additional power. The solar cell 204 provides renewable power to a signal conditioner 206, a microcontroller 208, and a display module 210 through a battery 212.
[0048] In another embodiment, the one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202 are connected to the signal conditioner 206 and the signal conditioner 206 is operatively connected to the display module 210 via the microcontroller 208. The one or more man-made soil moisture sensors 202 detect parameters of the soil in the soil of interest and send the detected parameters data in an electrical or digital format to the microcontroller 208 through the signal conditioner 206.
[0049] In another embodiment, the microcontroller 208 sends the soil parameters data to the display module 210 for the data to be displayed in a readable format.
[0050] In another embodiment, the signal-conditioner 206 can include one or more amplifiers, analogue-to-digital converters, filters and digital-to-analogue converters etc. components. In another embodiment, the sensor module can be implemented in agricultural fields, farms, playgrounds, flower nurseries, gardens, green houses etc. to identify soil quality.
[0051] In an aspect, the sensor module 200 can be connected to one or more cloud-based servers or dedicated servers to store the data and to share the data to be displayed to remote users via mobile devices.
[0052] In an implementation, the microcontroller 208 can send data to a communication module. The communication module can include wired or wireless transceivers to communicate and to provide transfer of data with external networks such as cloud servers, remote mobile devices etc.
[0053] Each mobile device selected from mobile devices can include a mobile application with a display interface to provide all the soil parameters in a readable format to the remote user such as a farmer. The mobile device can establish a communication link with one or more servers to receive the data stored in the one or more servers. This can provide an easy data access to multiple remote users by taking data from the one or more servers whenever required.
[0054] Each of the one or more transceivers can be configured with a wired or wireless technology to establish a communication link with the one or more data servers and/or with one or more mobile devices. The communication link can provide a transfer of information among one or more processors, one or more data servers, one or more mobile devices etc. The wireless technology can be selected from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology, 3G communication, 4G communication, 5G communication, satellite communication, radar communication, microwave communication etc. technologies. The wired technology can include telephone networks, cable television or internet access, fibre-optic communication, etc.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for sensing and displaying soil parameters, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 can include at step 302, providing a power supply to the soil parameter sensing device by attaching solar cell to the soil parameter sensing device and storing the power generated by the solar cell in a battery; at step 303, checking whether the sufficient power is generated to turn on the soil parameter sensing device for sending soil parameters data via electrical signals; at step 304, preparing detector leads L1, L2 and L3 for the soil parameter sensing device; at step 305, providing configurable user mode to set threshold data of soil parameters using a display module; at step 306, providing the sensor leads L1, L2 and L3 to measure soil temperature, moisture and electrical conductivity of the soil.
[0056] In an embodiment, at step 307, checking whether the user wants to inject the man-made soil parameter sensing device in the soil to monitor soil parameters for farming purpose; at step 308, logging or storing soil parameters in a permanent memory; and at step 309, displaying the soil parameters on a display module.
[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the displayed soil parameters data can be used for further analysis of soil conditions such as fertility of soil, water content present in the soil, types of crops suggested for the soil etc.
[0058] In another embodiment, at step 305, users can set and modify desired threshold values to soil parameters like moisture content, temperature etc. using the display module mounted on the soil parameter sensing device.
[0059] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0060] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[0061] The present disclosure provides a portable means to monitor parameters of a soil in an efficient manner.
[0062] The present disclosure provides a self-powered means to sense and monitor soil parameters accurately.
[0063] The present disclosure provides a simpler and cost-effective means to sense monitor parameters such as moisture, temperature etc. of a soil in real-time.