TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to testing device, and more specifically, to an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device (hereinafter interchangeably referred as “portable testing device”) to test/analyze the quality of soil/water using chromatography technique.

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] Soil, water, air, and plants are vital natural resources that help to produce food and fiber for humans. They also maintain the ecosystems on which all life on Earth ultimately depends. Soil serves as a medium for plant growth; a sink for heat, water, and chemicals; a filter for water; and a biological medium for the breakdown of wastes. Soil interacts intimately with water, air, and plants and acts as a damper to fluctuations in the environment. Soil mediates many of the ecological processes that control water and air quality and that promote plant growth.
[0004] However, the degradation of soil and water resources is a serious threat for the human welfare and the natural environment as a result of the unique climate, topography, soil characteristics, and peculiarities of agriculture. The detrimental effects of agricultural practices on soil quality include erosion, desertification, salinization, compaction, and pollution. The resultant impacts on water resources include pollution due to nutrient and pesticide leaching and intrusion of seawater into aquifers. In order to select the appropriate sustainable strategies for preventing those impacts, research should focus on development of an accurate soil quality monitoring system at multiple scales based on a functional evaluation of soils.
[0005] The testing of soil for many reasons is well known in the art. One reason for such testing of the soil is to determine the presence of contaminants which may be the subject of environmental concern. For example, it is well known that a substantial amount of pollution has been caused by the leakage of tanks storing various liquids. One particular problem is the wide spread use of underground storage tanks for various petroleum products with it being known that many of these tanks leak due to corrosion and/or other reasons.
[0006] Soil analysis techniques are utilized to determine certain soil characteristics for agricultural application. The soil of a field may be analyzed for purposes of selecting crop as well as analyzing application rates for fertilizer and other chemicals. Systems have developed for providing variable rate application of fertilizer and other products to a field. Different soil characteristics may affect the analysis for determining the proper quantity of a particular product to be applied to a field. It is desirable to provide a soil analysis system which provides the necessary data for effectively analyzing the quantity of product to be applied to a field. It is also desirable to have a soil analysis system which can be used to provide soil characteristic information by location in a field.
[0007] Many different types of proposals have been advanced in the art regarding the testing of the soil for contamination. One common type of testing involves the physical removal of a soil sample and forwarding of the same to a suitable laboratory for analysis. Disadvantages encountered with this method include the delays which are involved for the analysis of the samples and furthermore, the procedure normally involves a fairly substantial expense. Other known methods and apparatus for the testing of soil are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,425 which shows an apparatus and method for measuring the presence of a volatile constituent of a sample of ground water or soil mixed with water. A different type of in-situ testing for contaminants is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,862 wherein a penetrometer is used to determine chemical contaminants in soil using calorimetric techniques.
[0008] It is known to test water to determine the concentration of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate in the water. Conventional tests, however, suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, conventional tests require large, heavy, expensive equipment that must be calibrated on a daily basis and materials that are expensive and difficult to purchase. Conventional tests are also complex and require extensive formal training before they can be performed. Further, conventional tests require undesirable delays in receiving the results of the tests. Still further, conventional tests are not sufficiently automated and are subject to human error.
[0009] However, there are various technologies or devices available to determine quality of water and soil individually but there is no device that analyze/ test soil and water both. Further, there are various devices or techniques available to determine the quality of water and soil but they are also complex and require extensive formal training before they can be performed. Further, in prior-art there is no single-handedly portable soil/water testing device which can test/analyze the quality of soil and water using chromatography technique.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need of an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device to test/analyze the quality of soil/water using chromatography technique. Further, there is a need of an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device that is compact, light-weight, portable and inexpensive. Furthermore there is a need of a portable soil and water testing device that is lightweight, portable, having GPS tracker, battery operated, and include a communication means or protocol (Wi-Fi or GSM module) to connect with external devices.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[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.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is a general object of the present disclosure to an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and/or water testing device to test/analyze the quality of soil extract /water using chromatography technique.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and/or water testing device that is compact, light-weight, portable and inexpensive.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to a portable soil and/or water testing device that is lightweight, portable, having GPS tracker, battery operated, and include a communication means or protocols (Wi-Fi or GSM module) to connect with external devices.

SUMMARY
[0018] The present disclosure relates to testing device, and more specifically, to an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device (hereinafter interchangeably referred as “portable testing device”) to test/analyze the quality of soil/water using chromatography technique.
[0019] Problems to be solved in the present invention are that there are various technologies or devices available to determine quality of water and soil individually but there is no device that analyze/ test soil and water both. Further, there are various devices or techniques available to determine the quality of water and soil but they are also complex and require extensive formal training before they can be performed. Further, in prior-art there is no single-handedly portable soil/water testing device which can test/analyze the quality of soil and water using chromatography technique. Most importantly, the existing technologies or devices are bulky and complex to operate making them not easy for portability and requires technical experts for operations.
[0020] Therefore, there is a need of an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and/or water testing device to test/analyze the quality of soil/water using chromatography technique. Further, there is a need of an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and/or water testing device that is compact, light-weight, portable and inexpensive. Furthermore there is a need of a portable soil and water testing device that is lightweight, portable, having GPS tracker, battery operated, and include a communication means or protocols (Wi-Fi or GSM module) to connect with external devices.
[0021] To solve the above problems, the present invention is achieved by the following solution:
[0022] A portable soil/water testing device which can test/analyze the quality of soil extract/water using chromatography technique, wherein: the device incorporates a digital plate, test equipment, and an insertion tube/strip slot for inserting a test tool. The device is portable, includes a GPS tracker, and configured with communication means or protocols, such as e.g. Wi-Fi or GSM for connecting with external devices or a cloud server. The proposed device can be built without incorporating a digital plate, wherein image processing, as done by the digital plate, may be performed by a software app installed on a mobile device.
[0023] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a portable testing device for analyzing quality of soil extract or water using chromatography. The portable testing device can include a testing paper and an insertion slot. The insertion slot can insert a test tool, wherein a first end of said test tool, upon insertion in said insertion slot, is connected to say testing paper, and a second end of said test tool is immersed in the soil extract or the water to be tested for analyzing quality thereof.
[0024] In an aspect, test tool, when in contact with said soil extract or said water can be tested, distributes components to separate and move in direction of said testing paper.
[0025] In an aspect, testing paper can perform a chromatography test for analyzing the quality of said soil extract or said water; said chromatography test generating characteristics of patterns formed through chromatographic process as an indicator of the quality of said soil extract or said water.
[0026] In an aspect, testing paper can be a chromatography paper for analysing the quality of said soil extract or said water. In an example, a Pfeiffer's circular chromatography (PCC) paper can be used for analysing the quality of said soil extract or said water.
[0027] In an aspect, the chromatography paper can generate colored patterns formed on circular filter papers associated with said chromatography paper.
[0028] In an aspect, test tool can be a non-reusable chemically treated paper microfluidics.
[0029] In an aspect, test tool can be a reusable test tube.
[0030] In an aspect, the portable soil or water testing device can include a light source for illuminating said testing paper.
[0031] In an aspect, the device further can include an electronic device having a processor, a display, and a camera, wherein said camera, when in contact with said soil extract or said water to be tested, captures images of said testing paper, and said display presents one or more quality parameters of said soil extract or said water obtained by image processing by the processor of said electronic device.
[0032] In an aspect, the device further can include a communication module to transmit one or more results obtained for the quality of said soil extract or said water to one or more remote devices for processing the results.
[0033] In an aspect, the device predicts deficiency of micro-nutrients in said soil extract or said water based at least on the agro-climatic condition.
[0034] Other features of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from accompanying drawings and from detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0036] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary proposed portable testing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary proposed portable testing device having an electronic device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary network architecture of the proposed portable testing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware or by human operators.
[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0042] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present disclosure with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present disclosure may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the disclosure could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0043] 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.
[0044] Although, the present disclosure has been described with the purpose of voice enabled interactive kiosk, it should be appreciated that the same has been done merely to illustrate the disclosure in an exemplary manner and any other purpose or function for which they explained structure or configuration can be used is covered within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0045] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, 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).
[0046] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this disclosure. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any electronic code generator shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0047] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a portable soil/water testing device that can test or analyze the quality of soil extract /water using chromatography technique. The device can include a Digital Plate, a Test Equipment, and an Insertion Tube/Strip slot for inserting a test tool. The device can be portable, includes a GPS tracker, and configured with communication means or protocols such as for e.g. Wi-Fi or GSM for connecting with external devices or a cloud server. The proposed device can be built without incorporating a Digital Plate, wherein image processing, as done by the digital plate, may be performed by a software app installed on a mobile device.
[0049] In an aspect, the proposed testing device can be portable and is an assembly of three components namely digital plate, test equipment, and an insertion tube/strip slot for inserting a test tool. The digital plate can be configured with a camera for capturing images of the internal components of the test equipment and has image processing capabilities. The test equipment includes a cavity that has a light source for illumination, wherein the light source is calibrated with different environmental parameters. The test equipment can be configured with a chromatography technology, such as PCC (Pfeiffer's circular chromatography), for testing purposes. Further, the test equipment includes an insertion slot for receiving an insertion tube/strip. The Insertion tube/strip can be a chemically treated strip or a test tube that uses microfluidic technology. The test tube can be re-usable while the tool is not re-usable. During a test, said insertion tube/strip has can be dipped inside the soil extract or water to be tested for determining its characteristics or properties or presence of foreign material.
[0050] In an aspect, the proposed device can be built without incorporating a ‘Digital Plate’, wherein image processing, as done by the digital plate, may be performed by a software app installed on a mobile device.
[0051] In an aspect, the device can be include a GPS tracker, and configured with communication means or protocols such as for e.g. Wi-Fi or GSM for connecting with external devices or a cloud server.
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary proposed portable testing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] In an embodiment, the portable testing device (100) can analyze quality of soil extract or water using chromatography. The portable testing device (100) can include a testing paper (108) and an insertion slot (106). The insertion slot (106) can receive a test tool, wherein a first end (104-1) of said test tool (102), upon insertion in said insertion slot (106), is connected to said testing paper (108), and a second end (104-2) of said test tool (102) can be immersed in the soil extract or the water to be tested for analyzing quality thereof.
[0054] In an embodiment, the test tool (102), when in contact with said soil extract or said water can be tested, distributes components to separate and move in direction of said testing paper.
[0055] In an embodiment, the testing paper (108) can perform a chromatography test for analyzing the quality of said soil extract or said water; said chromatography test generating characteristics of patterns formed through chromatographic process as an indicator of the quality of said soil extract or said water.
[0056] In an embodiment, testing paper can be a chromatography paper for analysing the quality of said soil extract or said water. In an example, a Pfeiffer's circular chromatography (PCC) paper can be used for analysing the quality of said soil extract or said water.
[0057] In an embodiment, the portable device (100) can further include a communication module (110) to transmit one or more results obtained for the quality of said soil extract or said water to one or more remote devices for processing the results.
[0058] In an embodiment, the portable device (100) can include a light source (112) for illuminating said testing paper.
[0059] In an embodiment, the test tube (102) can be a chemically treated strip using micro-fluidic technology or a test tube. The test tube can be re-usable while the strip is not re-usable. This test tool (102) can be dipped in the soil extract or water to be tested for determining its characteristic or properties or presence of foreign material.
[0060] FIG. 2 (200) illustrates exemplary proposed portable testing device having an electronic device (202), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] In an embodiment, the portable testing device (100) as recited above can analyze quality of soil extract or water using chromatography. The portable testing device (100) can include a testing paper (108) and an insertion slot (106). The insertion slot (106) can insert a test tool (102), wherein a first end (104-1) of said test tool (102), upon insertion in said insertion slot (106), is connected to said testing paper (108), and a second end (104-2) of said test tool (102) can be immersed in the soil extract or the water to be tested for analyzing quality thereof.
[0062] In an embodiment, the portable testing device (100) can further include an electronic device (202). The electronic device (202) can have a processor (208), a display (206), and a camera (204). The camera (204) can be in contact with said soil extract or said water to be tested, captures images of said testing paper. The display (206) can present/ display one or more quality parameters of said soil extract or said water obtained by image processing by the processor of said electronic device.
[0063] While there is now restrictions that the portable testing device (100) needs to have the electronic device (202), it may be appreciated that, the presence of the electronic device (202) may further enhance the working and technical scope of the the portable testing device (100).
[0064] In an embodiment, the chromatography testing, reflectance testing and electrophoresis testing can be used to isolate elements or minerals found in the soil extract and to analyze various soil characteristics.
[0065] In one embodiment, the electronic device (202) may include at least one processor (208), an input/output (I/O) interface (206), and a memory (not shown). The at least one processor (208) may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor (208) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory. The I/O interface (206) may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface (206) may allow the proposed electronic device (202) to interact with a user directly. Further, the I/O interface (206) may enable the proposed electronic device (202) to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface (206) can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface (206) may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[0066] The memory may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory may include modules, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
[0067] In one embodiment, the electronic device (202) may include the capturing device (204) that can control the one or more processor (208) to capture one or more images of said testing paper (108). It may be appreciated that, in order to take the images, the portable testing device (100) can be provided with a slit on its surface thorough which the the capturing device (204) can take the images.
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, while the portable device (100) has a capability to process/analyze the results of testing paper (108) and share the same with computing devices at remote locations, the capturing device (204) can also further enhance the analysis of the results by processing the images captured by the capturing device (204). In an example, the portable device (100) can determine the present of acid or salt in the soil extract based on the testing paper (108) and transmit the same to computing devices at remote locations, however, when there is presence of the capturing device (204), which is not mandatory, the capturing device (204) can capture the images of the testing paper (108) and accordingly process the images to obtain further refined results in terms of percentage of cid or salt in the soil extract along with the any additional information like whether the soil is good for agriculture or cultivation.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the capturing device (204) can use a plurality of existing or proprietary algorithms to process the images and provide refined results and/or additional information.
[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the capturing device (204) can be selected from any or combination of smart phones, tablet computers, portable computers, camera and the like, may all be utilized, thereby to provide both flexibility and an adaptability for system and method to operate in a wide variety of situations and circumstances without the need for specialized field equipment and/or centralized issuing and control thereof, although either may be utilized when and where desired.
[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device (202) or the capturing device (204) itself can include communication capability, such as by WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular telephony and/or satellite telephony, including for voice communication, image transmission, text messaging, and data transmission and reception. The electronic device (202) or the capturing device (204) itself also can include a device locating capability that can determine the physical location of device, such as, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, a triangulation device, an interactive locator provided by a cellular or other communication system, or another position determining device or feature, whether a physical device or software implemented. The electronic device (202) or the capturing device (204) itself also includes at least one capability for capturing biometric identifying data, such as a facial image captured by imager, a fingerprint captured by touch screen , a digitized signature captured by touch screen, or biometric identifying data captured by a separate device, e.g., by a fingerprint scanner FP. The electronic device (202) or the capturing device (204) itself further includes a source of accurate, reliable and trusted date and time data, e.g., by communication with an external source such as a cellular telephone system, a server, or a satellite system such as a communication satellite or a GPS satellite, or a precision internal clock or an internal clock that is synchronized at least periodically and/or regularly to such accurate, reliable and trusted external source of date and time data.
[0072] Additional the testing device can be used to correlate data to determine organic matter content. For example, the relative particle size (or soil texture) may be measured or inputted to the system prior to operation. Depending upon the particle size of the soil, different equations are used to analyze organic matter content from the reflectance data. Additionally, soil moisture data may be used to factor in moisture content for the reflectance data to isolate the influence of moisture content on the reflectance data to isolate the organic matter content. Thus, relative organic matter content may be derived for the soil sample which may be used for determining proper field treatments for maximum yield or performance.
[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary network architecture of the proposed portable testing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0074] In an implementation, said proposed portable device (100) can beembedded with/incorporated with one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more IoT devices.
[0075] As used herein, the IoT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a WiFi™ transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee™ transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi-Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IoT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IoT device does not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface, and thus may not be configured to directly communicate with a cellular network. In some embodiments, an IoT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.
[0076] IoT devices may include home automation network devices that allow a user to access, control, and/or configure various home appliances located within the user's home (e.g., a television, radio, light, fan, humidifier, sensor, microwave, iron, and/or the like), or outside of the user's home (e.g., exterior motion sensors, exterior lighting, garage door openers, sprinkler systems, or the like). Network device may include a home automation switch that may be coupled with a home appliance. In some embodiments, network devices may be used in other environments, such as a business, a school, an establishment, a park, or any place that can support a local area network to enable communication with network devices. For example, a network device can allow a user to access, control, and/or configure devices, such as office-related devices (e.g., copy machine, printer, fax machine, or the like), audio and/or video related devices (e.g., a receiver, a speaker, a projector, a DVD player, a television, or the like), media-playback devices (e.g., a compact disc player, a CD player, or the like), computing devices (e.g., a home computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device, or the like), lighting devices (e.g., a lamp, recessed lighting, or the like), devices associated with a security system, devices associated with an alarm system, devices that can be operated in an automobile (e.g., radio devices, navigation devices), and/or the like.
[0077] A user may communicate with the network devices using an access device that may include any human-to-machine interface with network connection capability that allows access to a network. For example, the access device may include a stand-alone interface (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a home computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall panel, a keypad, or the like), an interface that is built into an appliance or other device e.g., a television, a refrigerator, a security system, a game console, a browser, or the like), a speech or gesture interface (e.g., a Kinect™ sensor, a Wiimote™, or the like), an IoT device interface (e.g., an Internet enabled device such as a wall switch, a control interface, or other suitable interface), or the like. In some embodiments, the access device may include a cellular or other broadband network transceiver radio or interface, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular or other broadband network using the cellular or broadband network transceiver radio. In some embodiments, the access device may not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface.
[0078] User may interact with the network devices using an application, a web browser, a proprietary program, or any other program executed and operated by the access device. In some embodiments, the access device may communicate directly with the network devices (e.g., communication signal). For example, the access device may communicate directly with network devices using Zigbee™ signals, Bluetooth™ signals, WiFi™ signals, infrared (IR) signals, UWB signals, WiFi-Direct signals, BLE signals, sound frequency signals, or the like. In some embodiments, the access device may communicate with the network devices via the gateways and/or a cloud network.
[0079] Local area network may include a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination of a wired and wireless network. A wireless network may include any wireless interface or combination of wireless interfaces (e.g., Zigbee™, Bluetooth™, WiFi™, IR, UWB, WiFi-Direct, BLE, cellular, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMax™, or the like). A wired network may include any wired interface (e.g., fiber, Ethernet, powerline, Ethernet over coaxial cable, digital signal line (DSL), or the like). The wired and/or wireless networks may be implemented using various routers, access points, bridges, gateways, or the like, to connect devices in the local area network. For example, the local area network may include gateway and gateway. Gateway can provide communication capabilities to network devices and/or access device via radio signals in order to provide communication, location, and/or other services to the devices. The gateway is directly connected to the external network and may provide other gateways and devices in the local area network with access to the external network. The gateway may be designated as a primary gateway.
[0080] The network access provided by gateway may be of any type of network familiar to those skilled in the art that can support data communications using any of a variety of commercially-available protocols. For example, gateways may provide wireless communication capabilities for the local area network 100 using particular communications protocols, such as WiFi™ (e.g., IEEE 802.11 family standards, or other wireless communication technologies, or any combination thereof). Using the communications protocol(s), the gateways may provide radio frequencies on which wireless enabled devices in the local area network can communicate. A gateway may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, Node B, Evolved Node B (eNodeB), access point base station, a Femtocell, home base station, home Node B, home eNodeB, or the like.
[0081] Gateways may include a router, a modem, a range extending device, and/or any other device that provides network access among one or more computing devices and/or external networks. For example, gateway may include a router or access point or a range extending device. Examples of range extending devices may include a wireless range extender, a wireless repeater, or the like.
[0082] A router gateway may include access point and router functionality, and may further include an Ethernet switch and/or a modem. For example, a router gateway may receive and forward data packets among different networks. When a data packet is received, the router gateway may read identification information (e.g., a media access control (MAC) address) in the packet to determine the intended destination for the packet. The router gateway may then access information in a routing table or routing policy, and may direct the packet to the next network or device in the transmission path of the packet. The data packet may be forwarded from one gateway to another through the computer networks until the packet is received at the intended destination.
[0083] As in a typical network architecture of the present disclosure can include a plurality of network devices such as transmitter, receivers, and/or transceivers that may include one or more Internet of Things (IOT) devices. As used herein, an IOT devices can be a device that includes sensing and/or control functionality as well as a Wi-Fi transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee transceiver radio or interface, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi Direct transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and/or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IOT device to communicate with a wide area network and with one or more other devices. In some embodiments, an IOT device may include a cellular transceiver radio, and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio. IOT devices may include home automation network devices that allow a user to access, control, and/or configure various home appliances located within the user's home (e.g., a television, radio, light, fan, humidifier, sensor, microwave, iron, and/or the like), or outside of the user's home (e.g., exterior motion sensors, exterior lighting, garage door openers, sprinkler systems, or the like). Network device may include a home automation switch that may be coupled with a home appliance. In some embodiments, network devices may be used in other environments, such as a business, a school, an establishment, a park, or any place that can support a local area network to enable communication with network devices. For example, a network device can allow a user to access, control, and/or configure devices, such as office-related devices (e.g., copy machine, printer, fax machine, or the like), audio and/or video related devices (e.g., a receiver, a speaker, a projector, a DVD player, a television, or the like), media-playback devices (e.g., a compact disc player, a CD player, or the like), computing devices (e.g., a home computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device, or the like), lighting devices (e.g., a lamp, recessed lighting, or the like), devices associated with a security system, devices associated with an alarm system, devices that can be operated in an automobile (e.g., radio devices, navigation devices), and/or the like.
[0084] In an embodiment, a plurality of proposed portable devices 100-1, 100-2 and 100-n (collectively referred as “proposed portable device (100)”) can be connected with a reporting engine (306) through a network (302). In an exemplary embodiment, the portable device 100 can analyze the soil extract and water based on the chromatography principle and can share the finding of the analysis with the reporting engine (306). In another embodiment, the reporting engine (306) can report the quality and characteristics of soil extract and water analysed by the portable testing device. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be appreciated that, although the present subject matter is explained considering that the the reporting engine (306) is implemented as an application on a server (304), it may be understood that the reporting engine (306) may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a server, a network server, a cloud-based environment and the like. It would be appreciated that the proposed the reporting engine (306) may be accessed by multiple users (not shown), through one or more computing devices (not shown), or applications residing on the computing devices. In an aspect, the reporting engine (306) can be operatively coupled to a website and so be operable from any Internet enabled computing device. Examples of the computing devices may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation.
[0085] In another embodiment, the reporting engine 306 can be connected to a database/ storage (308) to store analysed data. In one implementation, the network (302) can be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network (302)can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. Further, the network (302)may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 106 can include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[0086] Furthermore, although aspects of the present disclosure have been explained with respect to users, such users may be individual, individuals, or legal entities, and therefore any type/form of user falls completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0087] In an exemplary working of the invention for soil extract testing:
A. Initial Display: Automated Soil Testing Device
B. Input: Dip strip/tube in to the soil sample.
C. LCD:
Displays the N P K & pH Values of the soil sample along with the crops can be grown for the obtained N P K & pH. If switch is pressed it displays other type of crop can be grown along with the amount of N P K to be added.
[0088] In an exemplary working of the invention for water testing:
A. Initial Display: Automated Water Testing Device
B. Input: Dip strip/tube in to the water sample.
C. LCD:
Displays the N P K & pH Values of the water sample along with the crops can be grown for the obtained N P K & pH. If switch is pressed it displays other type of crop can be grown along with the amount of N P K to be added.
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, soil testing device has been developed for soil testing of agricultural farm. The N P K & pH values vary from one type of soil to others. N P K & pH values of soil sample are measured in real-time and compared with the pre-stored values received from the agricultural department. The system also provides the information about the crops that can be grown in respective soils. Wireless communication system has been incorporated for interacting with the experts.
[0090] While the above examples only recites that N P K & pH values are analyzed or calculated by the proposed testing device (100), it may be appreciated that, the proposed testing device (100) is not restricted to monitor, analyze and/or calculate only these test parameters and are provided for exemplary purposes. The parameters such as but not limited to N (Nitrogen) ,P (Phosphorous) ,K (Potassium) , pH, Zn (Zinc) , Fe (Iron), B (Boron), Cu (Copper), As (Arsenic), Ca (Calcium), Mg (Magnesium), Cl (Chlorine), E.Coli Bacteria, Pesticides, and the like can also be monitored, analyzed and/or calculated.
[0091] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “communication network” is intended to include internet, LAN, WAN, intranet or cloud networks or any communication medium possible for interaction among the devices and with the server. The term “user”, as used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise denotes the initiator of the whole process who creates a unique code and distribute it to others, in order to get access on networking platform, once the unique code use count threshold is reached. Within the context of this document the “device” can be any computing or smart device such as, computers, laptops, smart phones, multimedia sets, tablets, etc. As used herein, the word sign up and registration can be used collectively or interchangeably either as “sign up” or “registration” having the same meaning unless the context dictates otherwise.
[0092] 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 subject 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 “comprises” and “comprising” 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 refers 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 practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0093] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0094] The present disclosure provides an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device to test/analyze the quality of soil extract/water using chromatography technique.
[0095] The present disclosure an internet of things (IOT) based portable soil and water testing device that is compact, light-weight, portable and inexpensive.
[0096] The present disclosure provides a portable soil and water testing device that is lightweight, portable, having GPS tracker, battery operated, and include a communication means or protocol (Wi-Fi or GSM module) to connect with external devices.

Claims:

1.A portable testing device (100) for analyzing quality of soil extract or water using chromatography, said portable testing device comprising:
a testing paper (108); and
an insertion slot (106) for inserting a test tool, wherein a first end of said test tool, upon insertion in said insertion slot, is connected to said testing paper, and a second end of said test tool is immersed in the soil extract or the water to be tested for analyzing quality thereof.

2. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test tool, when in contact with said soil extract or said water to be tested, distributes components to separate and move in direction of said testing paper.

3. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said testing paper (108) performs a chromatography test for analyzing the quality of said soil extract or said water, said chromatography test generating characteristics of patterns formed through chromatographic process as an indicator of the quality of said soil extract or said water.

4. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said testing paper (108) is a chromatography paper for analyzing the quality of said soil extract or said water.

5. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the chromatography paper generates colored patterns formed on circular filter papers associated with said chromatography paper.

6. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test tool is a non-reusable chemically treated paper implementing microfluidics.

7. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said test tool is a reusable test tube.

8. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable soil or water testing device includes a light source (112) for illuminating said testing paper.

9. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises an electronic device (202) having a processor (208), a display (206), and a camera (204), wherein said camera (204), when in contact with said soil extract or said water to be tested, captures images of said testing paper, and said display (206) presents one or more quality parameters of said soil extract or said water obtained by image processing by the processor of said electronic device.

10. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a communication module (110) to transmit one or more results obtained for the quality of said soil extract or said water to one or more remote devices for processing the results.

11. The portable testing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device predicts deficiency of micro-nutrients in said soil extract or said water based at least on the agro-climatic condition.