Patent ID: 6114687
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A self-contained garden dosimeter device for continuously receiving, continuously recording, and periodically displaying at a selected site the level of intensity of light radiation striking said device; comprising:a. a housing having internal and external surfaces adapted for mounting components of the device;b. a support secured to said housing for supporting said housing above ground level at said site;c. light sensing means comprising at least one light sensor means mounted to said housing and dependent on the continuing presence of light radiation within a green plant's radioactive spectrum striking said at least one light sensor means being operative to produce at least one analog output signal proportional to the level of intensity of said radiation received by said at least one light sensor means;d. optical filter means including at least one optical filter mounted on said housing and positioned outwardly of said light sensor means and operative to filter light radiation received at said site such that the light radiation transmitted by said optical filter to said at least one light sensor means is within a green plant's photoactive radiation spectrum of approximately 400 to 700 nm, and wherein said at least one filter selectively attenuates the intensity of said photoactive radiation that has a sub-optimum effect on plant growth, such that said at least one sensor output signal due to the radiation striking said sensor means mimics the green plant's growth response to the said radiation within said photoactive radiation spectrum;e. a central processing system mounted within said housing having an input and output means, said central processing system input means being connected to receive said analog output signal;f. a digital display mounted on one of said surfaces and electrically connected to said output means of said processing system, said digital display having a window for displaying the amount of said photoactive radiation passing through said at least one optical filter and striking said at least one light sensor means at said selected site;g. means connected to said central processing unit for requesting central processing unit output corresponding to the amount of photoactive radiation within a green plant's photoactive spectrum of approximately 400 to 700 nm and incident at a particular garden site as requested for presentation on said display; andh. a power source electrically coupled to said device for providing power thereto.