Patent Publication Number: US-2023148484-A1

Title: Method of operating a camera assembly in an indoor gardening appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to systems for gardening plants indoors, and more particularly, to camera assemblies within gardening appliances and methods of operating the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional indoor garden centers include a cabinet defining a grow chamber having a number of trays or racks positioned therein to support seedlings or plant material, e.g., for growing herbs, vegetables, or other plants in an indoor environment. In addition, such indoor garden centers may include an environmental control system that maintains the growing chamber at a desired temperature or humidity. Certain indoor garden centers may also include hydration systems for watering the plants and/or artificial lighting systems that provide the light necessary for such plants to grow. 
     Certain indoor gardening appliances include a grow tower that includes features for supporting a plurality of plants. This grow tower may be a large, rotating structure that is primarily supported from a single motor shaft centered below the tower and driven by a drive motor. Monitoring plant growth within such indoor garden centers can be difficult. For instance, users may travel for a period of time and be unable to directly observe plants within the indoor garden centers. 
     Accordingly, an improved indoor gardening appliance would be useful. More specifically, an indoor gardening appliance that allows a user to monitor plant growth within the indoor garden center would be particularly beneficial. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a gardening appliance defining a vertical direction is provided. The gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, a grow tower rotatably mounted within the liner, the grow tower defining a root chamber, the grow tower having a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more plant pods, a camera assembly positioned and oriented for capturing one or more images of the grow tower, and a controller in operative communication with the camera assembly. The controller is configured to receive, from a user interface device, image capture instructions from a user, and obtain, using the camera assembly, an image in accordance with the image capture instructions. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a camera assembly in a gardening appliance is provided. The gardening appliance includes a grow tower rotatably mounted within a liner and having a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more plant pods. The method includes receiving, from a user interface device, image capture instructions from a user, the image capture instructions comprising at least one of a time of image capture, lighting conditions for image capture, or an angle of image capture, and obtaining, using the camera assembly, an image in accordance with the image capture instructions. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    provides a perspective view of a gardening appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a front view of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1    with the doors open according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross sectional view of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1   , taken along Line  3 - 3  from  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1   , with a top panel and doors removed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective cross-sectional view of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1   , taken along Line  5 - 5  from  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    is a top cross-sectional view of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1   , taken along Line  5 - 5  from  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7    provide a perspective view of a grow tower of the exemplary gardening appliance of  FIG.  1    according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  8    provides a method of operating a camera assembly in a gardening appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring now to the figures, a gardening appliance  100  will be described in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present subject matter. According to exemplary embodiments, gardening appliance  100  may be used as an indoor garden center for growing plants. It should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are intended only for explaining aspects of the present subject matter. Variations and modifications may be made to gardening appliance  100  while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, gardening appliance  100  includes a cabinet  102  that is generally configured for containing and/or supporting various components of gardening appliance  100  and which may also define one or more internal chambers or compartments of gardening appliance  100 . In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for gardening appliance  100 , e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof. It should be appreciated that cabinet  102  does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include open structure supporting various elements of gardening appliance  100 . By contrast, cabinet  102  may enclose some or all portions of an interior of cabinet  102 . It should be appreciated that cabinet  102  may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     As illustrated, gardening appliance  100  generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. The horizontal direction is generally intended to refer to a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V (e.g., within a plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T). Cabinet  102  generally extends between a top  104  and a bottom  106  along the vertical direction V, between a first side  108  (e.g., the left side when viewed from the front as in  FIG.  1   ) and a second side  110  (e.g., the right side when viewed from the front as in  FIG.  1   ) along the lateral direction L, and between a front  112  and a rear  114  along the transverse direction T. In general, terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing gardening appliance  100 . 
     Gardening appliance  100  may include an insulated liner  120  positioned within cabinet  102 . Liner  120  may at least partially define an internal temperature-controlled chamber, referred to herein generally as a climate-controlled chamber  122 , within which plants  124  may be grown. Although gardening appliance  100  is referred to herein as growing plants  124 , it should be appreciated that other organisms or living things may be grown or stored in gardening appliance  100 . For example, algae, fungi (e.g., including mushrooms), or other living organisms may be grown or stored in gardening appliance  100 . The specific application described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any manner. 
     Cabinet  102 , or more specifically, liner  120  may define a substantially enclosed back portion  126  (e.g., proximate rear  114  of cabinet  102 ). In addition, cabinet  102  and liner  120  may define a front opening, referred to herein as front display opening  128  (e.g., proximate front  112  of cabinet  102 ), through which a user of gardening appliance  100  may access climate-controlled chamber  122 , e.g., for harvesting, planting, pruning, or otherwise interacting with plants  124 . According to an exemplary embodiment, enclosed back portion  126  may be defined as a portion of liner  120  that defines climate-controlled chamber  122  proximate rear side  114  of cabinet  102 . In addition, front display opening  128  may generally be positioned proximate or coincide with front side  112  of cabinet  102 . 
     Gardening appliance  100  may further include one or more doors  130  that are rotatably mounted to cabinet  102  for providing selective access to climate-controlled chamber  122 . For example,  FIG.  1    illustrates doors  130  in the closed position such that they may help insulate climate-controlled chamber  122 . By contrast,  FIG.  2    illustrates doors  130  in the open positioned to permit access to climate-controlled chamber  122  and plants  124  stored therein. Doors  130  may further include a transparent window  132  through which a user may observe plants  124  without opening doors  130 . 
     Although doors  130  are illustrated as being rectangular and being mounted on front side  112  of cabinet  102  in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, doors  130  may have different shapes, mounting locations, etc. For example, doors  130  may be curved, may be formed entirely from glass, etc. In addition, doors  130  may have integral features for controlling light passing into and/or out of climate-controlled chamber  122 , such as internal louvers, tinting, UV treatments, polarization, etc. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, cabinet  102  further defines a drawer  134  positioned proximate bottom  106  of cabinet  102  and being slidably mounted to cabinet  102  for providing convenient storage for plant nutrients, system accessories, water filters, etc. In addition, behind drawer  134  is a mechanical compartment  136  for receipt of an environmental control system including a sealed system for regulating the temperature within climate-controlled chamber  122 , as described in more detail below. 
       FIG.  3    provides a schematic view of certain components of an environmental control system  140  that may be used to regulate a climate or environment within climate-controlled chamber  122 . Specifically, environmental control system  140  may include one or more subsystems for regulating temperature, humidity, hydration, nutrient dosing, lighting, and any other aspects of the environment within one or more portions of climate-controlled chamber  122 , e.g., as desired to facilitate improved or regulated growth of plants  124  positioned therein. Although exemplary subsystems and subsystem configurations are described below, it should be appreciated that aspects of environmental control system  140  may vary while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     As illustrated, environmental control system  140  includes a sealed system  142  that is generally configured for regulating a temperature and/or humidity within one or more regions of climate-controlled chamber  122 . In this regard, as shown schematically in  FIG.  3   , sealed system  142  may be located partially within mechanical compartment  136  and includes a compressor  144 , a first heat exchanger or evaporator  146  and a second heat exchanger or condenser  148 . As is generally understood, compressor  144  is generally operable to circulate or urge a flow of refrigerant through sealed system  142 , which may include various conduits which may be utilized to flow refrigerant between the various components of sealed system  142 . Thus, evaporator  146  and condenser  148  may be between and in fluid communication with each other and compressor  144 . 
     During operation of sealed system  142 , refrigerant flows from evaporator  146  and to compressor  144 . For example, refrigerant may exit evaporator  146  as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor. Upon exiting evaporator  146 , the refrigerant may enter compressor  144 , which is operable to compress the refrigerant and direct the compressed refrigerant to condenser  148 . Accordingly, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may be increased in compressor  144  such that the refrigerant becomes a more superheated vapor. 
     Condenser  148  is disposed downstream of compressor  144  and is operable to reject heat from the refrigerant. For example, the superheated vapor from compressor  144  may enter condenser  148  and transfer energy to air surrounding condenser  148  (e.g., to create a flow of heated air). In this manner, the refrigerant condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture. A condenser fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent condenser  148  and may facilitate or urge the flow of heated air across the coils of condenser  148  (e.g., from ambient atmosphere) in order to facilitate heat transfer. 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, an expansion device or a variable electronic expansion valve  150  may be further provided to regulate refrigerant expansion. During use, variable electronic expansion valve  150  may generally expand the refrigerant, lowering the pressure and temperature thereof. In this regard, refrigerant may exit condenser  148  in the form of high liquid quality/saturated liquid vapor mixture and travel through variable electronic expansion valve  150  before flowing through evaporator  146 . Variable electronic expansion valve  150  is generally configured to be adjustable, e.g., such that the flow of refrigerant (e.g., volumetric flow rate in milliliters per second) through variable electronic expansion valve  150  may be selectively varied or adjusted. 
     Evaporator  146  is disposed downstream of variable electronic expansion valve  150  and is operable to heat refrigerant within evaporator  146 , e.g., by absorbing thermal energy from air surrounding the evaporator (e.g., to create a flow of cooled air). For example, the liquid or liquid vapor mixture refrigerant from variable electronic expansion valve  150  may enter evaporator  146 . Within evaporator  146 , the refrigerant from variable electronic expansion valve  150  receives energy from the flow of cooled air and vaporizes into superheated vapor and/or high-quality vapor mixture. An air handler or evaporator fan  152  is positioned adjacent evaporator  146  and may facilitate or urge the flow of cooled air across evaporator  146  in order to facilitate heat transfer. From evaporator  146 , refrigerant may return to compressor  144  and the vapor-compression cycle may continue. 
     As explained above, environmental control system  140  includes a sealed system  142  for providing a flow of heated air or a flow cooled air throughout climate-controlled chamber  122  as needed. To direct this air, environmental control system  140  may include a duct system  154  for directing the flow of temperature regulated air, identified herein simply as flow of air  156  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  3   ). In this regard, for example, evaporator fan  152  can generate a flow of cooled air as the air passes over evaporator  146  and a condenser fan (not shown) can generate a flow of heated air as the air passes over condenser  148 . 
     This temperature-regulated flow of air  156  may be routed through a cooled air supply duct and/or heated air may be routed through a heated air supply duct (not shown). In this regard, it should be appreciated that environmental control system  140  may generally include a plurality of ducts, dampers, diverter assemblies, and/or air handlers to facilitate operation in a cooling mode, in a heating mode, in both a heating and cooling mode, or any other mode suitable for regulating the environment within climate-controlled chamber  122 . It should be appreciated that duct system  154  may vary in complexity and may regulate the flows of air from sealed system  142  in any suitable arrangement through any suitable portion of climate-controlled chamber  122 . 
     Although an exemplary sealed system  142  and duct system  154  are illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to sealed system  142  and/or duct system  154  while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, sealed system  142  may include additional or alternative components, duct system  154  may include additional or different ducting configurations, etc. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, evaporator  146  and evaporator fan  152  may be positioned at top  104  of cabinet  102  and refrigerant may be routed from mechanical compartment  136  and through cabinet  102  to evaporator  146 . In addition, it should be appreciated that gardening appliance  100  may have one or more subsystems integrated with or operably coupled to duct system  154  for filtering the flow of air  156 , regulating the concentration of one or more gases within the flow of air  156 , etc. 
     Referring now generally to  FIGS.  1  through  7   , gardening appliance  100  generally includes a rotatable carousel, referred to herein as a grow tower  160  that is mounted within liner  120 , e.g., such that it is within climate-controlled chamber  122 . More specifically, grow tower  160  may be positioned on top of a turntable  162  that is rotatably mounted to a sump  164  of gardening appliance  100 . In general, grow tower  160  extends along the vertical direction V from sump  164  to a top wall  166  of climate-controlled chamber  122 . 
     In addition, grow tower  160  is generally rotatable about a central axis  168  defined by turntable  162 . Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, central axis  168  is parallel to the vertical direction V. However, it should be appreciated that central axis  168  could alternatively extend in any suitable direction, e.g., such as the horizontal direction (e.g., defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T). In this regard, grow tower  160  generally defines an axial direction A, i.e., parallel to central axis  168 , a radial direction R that extends perpendicular to central axis  168 , and a circumferential direction C that extends around central axis  168  (e.g., in a plane perpendicular to central axis  168 ). 
     As illustrated, grow tower  160  may generally separate, divide, or partition climate-controlled chamber  122  into a plurality of grow chambers (e.g., identified generally by reference numeral  170 ). More specifically, grow chambers  170  are generally defined between grow tower  160  and liner  120  or between grow tower  160  and doors  130 . In general, grow chambers  170  are intended to support the leafy growth of plants  124  (e.g., or other portions of plants  124  other than the plant roots). According to the illustrated embodiment, grow tower  160  divides climate control chamber  122  into three grow chambers  170 , referred to herein generally as a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. As illustrated, these grow chambers  170  are circumferentially spaced relative to each other and define substantially separate and distinct growing environments. As such, each grow chamber  170  may receive plants  124  having different growth needs and the grow environment within each respective grow chamber  170  may be maintained as grow tower  160  is rotated within climate-controlled chamber  122 . 
     In addition, according to the illustrated embodiment, grow tower  160  may generally define an internal chamber, referred to herein as a root chamber  172 . In general, root chamber  172  may be substantially sealed relative to (or isolated from) grow chambers  170  and is configured for containing the roots of plants  124  throughout the growing process. As will be described in more detail below, grow tower  160  may generally define one or more apertures  174  that are defined through grow tower  160  to permit access between grow chambers  170  and root chamber  172 . According to exemplary embodiments, these apertures  174  may be configured to receive plant pods  176  into root chamber  172 . 
     Plant pods  176  generally contain seedlings, root balls, or other plant material for growing plants  124  positioned within a mesh or other support structure through which roots of plants  124  may grow within grow tower  160 . A user may insert a portion of plant pod  176  (e.g., a seed end or root end) having the desired seeds through one of the plurality of apertures  174  into root chamber  172 . A plant end (e.g., opposite the root end) of the plant pod  176  may remain within grow chamber  170  such that plants  124  may grow from grow tower  160  such that they are accessible by a user. 
     As will be explained below, water and other nutrients may be supplied to the root end of plant pods  176  within root chamber  172 . For example, a hydration system may be configured to provide a flow of hydrating mist including water, nutrients, and other suitable constituents for providing the desirable growth environment for plants  124 . According to exemplary embodiments, apertures  174  may be covered by a flat flapper seal or seal cap (not shown) to prevent hydrating mist from escaping root chamber  172  when no plant pod  176  is installed and to facilitate improved climate control within root chamber  172  and grow chambers  170 . In addition, according to the illustrated embodiment, root chamber  172  may be operably coupled with sealed system  142  for facilitating suitable climate control within the root chamber  172 , e.g., to achieve desirable growing conditions. 
     Although grow tower  160  described and illustrated above includes a single root chamber  172 , it should be appreciated that according to alternative exemplary embodiments, grow tower  160  may further include one or more internal dividers (not shown) that are positioned within root chamber  172  to divide root chamber  172  into a plurality of sub-chambers or root chambers. Each of these root chambers may be partially or substantially isolated from the other root chambers to facilitate independent climate control, hydration, gas regulation, etc. In addition, each of these root chambers may be in fluid communication with one of the plurality of grow chambers  170  through the plurality of apertures  174 . 
     Notably, it may be desirable according to exemplary embodiments to form a fluid-tight seal between the grow tower  160  and liner  120 . In this manner, as grow tower  160  rotates within climate-controlled chamber  122 , grow chambers  170  may remain fluidly isolated from each other. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment, grow tower  160  may generally define a grow module diameter (e.g., defined by its substantially circular footprint formed in a horizontal plane). Similarly, enclosed back portion  126  of liner  120  may be substantially cylindrical and may define a liner diameter (not labeled). In order to prevent a significant amount of air from escaping between grow tower  160  and liner  120 , and in order to fluidly isolate the various grow chambers  170 , the liner diameter may be substantially equal to or slightly larger than the grow module diameter. 
     As best shown in  FIG.  7   , environmental control system  140  may further include a hydration system  180  which is generally configured for providing water and/or nutrients to plants  124  to support their growth. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, hydration system  180  may be fluidly coupled to a water supply and or nutrient distribution assembly to selectively provide desirable quantities and concentrations of hydration, nutrients, and/or other fluids onto plants  124  to facilitate improved plant growth. For example, hydration system  180  includes misting device  182  (e.g., such as a fine mist spray nozzle or nozzles) that is fluidly coupled to a water supply (not shown). For example, the water supply may be a reservoir containing water (e.g., distilled water) or may be a direct connection municipal water supply. According to exemplary embodiments, hydration system  180  may include one or more pumps (not shown) for providing a flow of liquid nutrients to misting device  182 . In this regard, for example, water or nutrients that are not absorbed by roots of plants  124  may fall under the force of gravity into sump  164  and these pumps may be fluidly coupled to sump  164  to recirculate the water through misting device  182 . 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, misting device  182  is positioned at a top of root chamber  172  and may be configured for charging root chamber  172  with mist for hydrating the roots of plants  124 . Alternatively, misting devices  182  may be positioned at a bottom of root chamber  172  (e.g., within sump  164 ) for spraying a mist or water into root chamber  172 . Because various plants  124  may require different amounts of water for desired growth, hydration system  180  may alternatively include a plurality of misting devices  182 , e.g., all coupled to the water supply and/or nutrient supplies. This plurality of misting devices  182  may be spaced apart at along the vertical direction V within root chamber  172 . In this manner, these misting devices  182  may provide different concentrations of hydration and/or nutrients to different regions within root chamber  172 . 
     Notably, environmental control system  140  described above is generally configured for regulating the temperature and humidity (e.g., or some other suitable water level quantity or measurement) within one or all of the plurality of chambers  170  and/or root chambers  172  independently of each other. In this manner, a versatile and desirable growing environment may be obtained for each and every chamber  170 . 
     Referring now for example to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , gardening appliance  100  may further include a light assembly  184  which is generally configured for providing light into selected grow chambers  170  to facilitate photosynthesis and growth of plants  124 . As shown, light assembly  184  may include a plurality of light sources (not labeled) stacked in an array, e.g., extending along the vertical direction V. For example, light assembly  184  may be mounted directly to liner  120  within climate-controlled chamber  122  or may alternatively be positioned behind liner  120  such that light is projected through a transparent window or light pipe into climate-controlled chamber  122 . The position, configuration, and type of light sources described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any manner. 
     Light assembly  184  may include any suitable number, type, position, and configuration of electrical light source(s), using any suitable light technology and illuminating in any suitable color. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, light assembly  184  includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may each illuminate in a single color (e.g., white LEDs), or which may each illuminate in multiple colors (e.g., multi-color or RGB LEDs) depending on the control signal from controller  196 . However, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, light assembly  184  may include any other suitable traditional light bulbs or sources, such as halogen bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, glow bars, a fiber light source, etc. 
     As explained above, light generated from light assembly  184  may result in light pollution within a room where gardening appliance  100  is located. Therefore, aspects of the present subject matter are directed to features for reducing light pollution, or to the blocking of light from light assembly  184  through front display opening  128 . Specifically, as illustrated, light assembly  184  is positioned only within the enclosed back portion  126  of liner  120  such that only grow chambers  170  which are in a sealed position are exposed to light from light assembly  184 . Specifically, grow tower  160  acts as a physical partition between light assemblies  184  and front display opening  128 . In this manner, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , no light may pass from the first or second grow chambers  170  (i.e., the “rear” or enclosed grow chambers  170 ) through grow tower  160  and out through front display opening  128 . As grow tower  160  rotates, two of the three grow chambers  170  will receive light from light assembly  184  at a time. According to still other embodiments, a single light assembly may be used to reduce costs, whereby only a single grow chamber  170  will be illuminated at a single time. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIGS.  3  and  7   , gardening appliance  100  may further include a motor assembly  186  or another suitable driving element or device for selectively rotating grow tower  160  during operation of gardening appliance  100 . In this regard, according to the illustrated embodiment, motor assembly  186  is positioned below grow tower  160 , e.g., within mechanical compartment  136 , and may be mechanically coupled to turntable  162  for selectively rotating turntable  162  and grow tower  160  about central axis  168 . 
     As used herein, “motor” may refer to any suitable drive motor and/or transmission assembly for rotating turntable  162  and grow tower  160 . For example, motor assembly  186  may include a brushless DC electric motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable type or configuration of motor. For example, motor assembly  186  may include an AC motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or any other suitable type of AC motor. In addition, motor assembly  186  may include any suitable transmission assemblies, clutch mechanisms, or other components. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  2   , gardening appliance  100  may include a control panel  190  that may represent a general-purpose Input/Output (“GPIO”) device or functional block for gardening appliance  100 . In some embodiments, control panel  190  may include or be in operative communication with one or more user input devices  192 , such as one or more of a variety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and touch pads. 
     Additionally, gardening appliance  100  may include a display  194 , such as a digital or analog display device generally configured to provide visual feedback regarding the operation of gardening appliance  100 . For example, display  194  may be provided on control panel  190  and may include one or more status lights, screens, or visible indicators. According to exemplary embodiments, user input devices  192  and display  194  may be integrated into a single device, e.g., including one or more of a touchscreen interface, a capacitive touch panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or other informational or interactive displays. 
     Gardening appliance  100  may further include or be in operative communication with a processing device or a controller  196  that may be generally configured to facilitate appliance operation. In this regard, control panel  190 , user input devices  192 , and display  194  may be in communication with controller  196  such that controller  196  may receive control inputs from user input devices  192 , may display information using display  194 , and may otherwise regulate operation of gardening appliance  100 . For example, signals generated by controller  196  may operate gardening appliance  100 , including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnected devices, in response to the position of user input devices  192  and other control commands. Control panel  190  and other components of gardening appliance  100  may be in communication with controller  196  via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. In this manner, Input/Output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller  196  and various operational components of gardening appliance  100 . 
     As used herein, the terms “processing device,” “computing device,” “controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these “controllers” are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, controller  196  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND/OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. 
     Controller  196  may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors. 
     For example, controller  196  may be operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle of gardening appliance  100 . In this regard, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that controller  196  as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by controller  196 . 
     The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller  196 . The data can include, for instance, data to facilitate performance of methods described herein. The data can be stored locally (e.g., on controller  196 ) in one or more databases and/or may be split up so that the data is stored in multiple locations. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more database(s) can be connected to controller  196  through any suitable network(s), such as through a high bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). In this regard, for example, controller  196  may further include a communication module or interface that may be used to communicate with one or more other component(s) of gardening appliance  100 , controller  196 , an external appliance controller, or any other suitable device, e.g., via any suitable communication lines or network(s) and using any suitable communication protocol. The communication interface can include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more network(s), including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, motor assembly  186  may be operably coupled to controller  196 , which is programmed to rotate grow tower  160  according to predetermined operating cycles, based on user inputs (e.g., via touch buttons  192 ), etc. In addition, controller  196  may be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors, such as temperature or humidity sensors, positioned within the various chambers  170  for measuring temperatures and/or humidity, respectively. Controller  196  may then operate motor assembly  186  in order to maintain desired environmental conditions for each of the respective chambers  170 . For example, as described herein, gardening appliance  100  includes features or subsystems for providing certain locations of gardening appliance  100  with light, temperature control, proper moisture, nutrients, and other requirements for suitable plant growth. Motor assembly  186  may be used to position specific chambers  170  where needed to receive such growth requirements. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, such as where grow tower  160  divides climate-controlled chamber  122  into three grow chambers  170 , controller  196  may operate motor assembly  186  to index grow tower  160  sequentially through a number of preselected positions. More specifically, motor assembly  186  may rotate grow tower  160  in a counterclockwise direction (e.g., when viewed from a top of grow tower  160 ) in 120° increments to move chambers  170  between sealed positions and display positions. As used herein, a chamber  170  is considered to be in a “sealed position” when that chamber  170  is substantially sealed between grow tower  160  and liner  120 . By contrast, a chamber  170  is considered to be in a “display position” when that chamber  170  is at least partially exposed to front display opening  128 , such that a user may access plants  124  positioned within that chamber  170 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the first grow chamber and the second grow chamber (i.e., the rear chambers) are both in a sealed position, whereas the third grow chamber (i.e., the front chamber) is in a display position. As motor assembly  186  rotates grow tower  160  by 120 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, the second grow chamber will enter the display position, while the first grow chamber and the third grow chamber will be in the sealed positions. Motor assembly  186  may continue to rotate grow tower  160  in such increments to cycle grow chambers  170  between these sealed and display positions. 
     Gardening appliance  100  and grow tower  160  have been described above to explain an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, according to alternative embodiments, gardening appliance  100  may be a simplified to a two-chamber embodiment with a square liner  120  and a grow tower  160  that divides the climate-controlled chamber  122  in half to define a first grow chamber and a second grow chamber. According to such an embodiment, by rotating grow tower  160  by 180 degrees about central axis  168 , the first chamber may alternate between the sealed position (e.g., facing rear side  114  of cabinet  102 ) and the display position (e.g., facing front side  112  of cabinet  102 ). By contrast, the same rotation will move the second chamber from the display position to the sealed position. 
     According to still other embodiments, gardening appliance  100  may include a three chamber grow tower  160  but may have a modified cabinet  102  such that front display opening  128  is wider and two of the three grow chambers  170  are displayed at a single time. Thus, the first grow chamber may be in the sealed position, while the second grow chamber and the third grow chamber may be in the display positions. As grow tower  160  is rotated counterclockwise, the first grow chamber is moved into the display position and the third grow chamber is moved into the sealed position. 
     As discussed in greater detail below, a user of gardening appliance  100  may desire to monitor or observe plants within grow chamber  170 , e.g., remotely. Thus, gardening appliance  100  includes features for capturing image(s) of grow chamber  170 . In particular, referring again briefly to  FIGS.  2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7   , gardening appliance  100  includes a camera assembly  200  that is mounted to cabinet  102  that is configured for capturing image(s) of grow chamber  170 . Moreover, as grow tower  160  rotates within cabinet  102 , camera assembly  200  may capture image(s) of each grow chamber  170 , subsections of grow chamber  170 , or portions of grow tower  160 . 
     Specifically, as illustrated in the figures, camera assembly  200  may include a single camera  202  for capturing images of grow chamber  170 . Moreover, the single camera  202  may be positioned and oriented for capturing image(s) of the entire height of each portion of grow chamber  170  and/or each section of grow tower  160 . For example, single camera  202  may be positioned and oriented for capturing an image of the entire height and/or width of grow section each grow chamber  170  when in the display position. For example, single camera  202  may be mounted in a front corner of cabinet  102 , such that single camera  202  has a field of view that can encompass some or all of grow chamber  170  without obstructing view into grow chamber  170  by a user of gardening appliance  100 . By using a single camera rather than multiple cameras, costly components may be omitted from gardening appliance  100 . Moreover, complex image processing may be avoided. 
     However, grow tower  160  is tall and thus elongated along the vertical direction V, and the single camera  202  may be positioned in close proximity to grow tower  160  within cabinet  102 , e.g., no more than thirty centimeters (30 cm), no more than twenty-five centimeters (25 cm), no more than twenty centimeters (20 cm), etc. from grow tower  160 . Thus, capturing image(s) of plants  124  within all apertures  174  in each of first, second, and third chambers grow chambers  170  can be difficult. The single camera  202  may also include a wide-angle curvilinear lens. The position, orientation, and/or lens selection of the single camera  202  can facilitate capturing image(s) of the entire height and/or width (e.g., along the radial direction R) of each grow section of grow chambers  170  with the single camera  202 . 
     As a particular example, the single camera  202  may be positioned on cabinet  102  within a top half of climate-controlled chamber  122 . Moreover, the single camera  202  may be positioned on cabinet  102  within a top third of grow chamber  170 . Accordingly, the single camera may be positioned above a middle of grow chamber  170 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. The single camera  202  may also be positioned at or proximate front display opening  128  and/or the display position for grow tower  160 . The single camera  202  may also be oriented such that an optical axis of the single camera  202  defines an angle with the vertical direction V, the angle being no less than five degrees (5°) and no greater than twenty degrees (20°), or about ten degrees (10°). The single camera  202  may be further oriented such that the optical axis of the single camera  202  defines an angle with the lateral direction L, the angle being no less than thirty degrees (30°) and no greater than sixty degrees (60°), or about forty-five degrees (10°). Such positioning and/or orientation of the single camera  202  may advantageously allow the single camera  202  to capture image(s) of the entire height and/or width of each grow section of grow chamber  170 . 
     Controller  196  may be in operative communication with single camera  202 . Moreover, controller  196  may be configured for triggering single camera  202  in response to grow tower  160  rotating a threshold angle from a home position of grow tower  160 . For instance, when grow tower  160  is positioned such that third chamber  216  is in the display position, controller  196  may activate motor  230  and then trigger single camera  202  to capture an image after grow tower  160  rotates about twenty degrees (20°) from the display position for third chamber  216  Such delayed triggering may facilitate taking images of the grow sections of chambers  212 - 216  when such portions of grow tower  160  are positioned about normal to optical axis of the single camera  202 , e.g., in plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. 
     Gardening appliance  100  may also include a light assembly  204  positioned at grow chamber  170 . Light assembly  204  may be operable to illuminate at least a portion of grow chamber  170 . For instance, light assembly  204  may be positioned at or proximate front display opening  128  and/or the display position for grow tower  160 . Light assembly  204  may be user operable to illuminate the front display opening  128  and/or the display position for grow tower  160 . For example, controller  196  may activate light assembly  204  in response to the user of gardening appliance  100  actuating a light input of input selectors  192  on control panel  190 . In addition, controller  196  may activate light assembly  204  when the single camera  202  captures an image. Thus, light assembly  204  may illuminate the field of view of the single camera  202  and/or act as a flash for the single camera  202 . Light assembly  204  may include light emitters on both sides of front display opening  128  and/or the display position for grow tower  160 , e.g., along the lateral direction L, at a top of front display opening  128  and/or the display position for grow tower  160 , etc. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1   , a schematic diagram of an external communication system  220  will be described according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. In general, external communication system  220  is configured for permitting interaction, data transfer, and other communications between gardening appliance  100  and one or more external devices. For example, this communication may be used to provide and receive operating parameters, user instructions or notifications, performance characteristics, user preferences, or any other suitable information for improved performance of gardening appliance  100 . In addition, it should be appreciated that external communication system  220  may be used to transfer data or other information to improve performance of one or more external devices or appliances and/or improve user interaction with such devices. 
     For example, external communication system  220  permits controller  196  of gardening appliance  100  to communicate with a separate device external to gardening appliance  100 , referred to generally herein as an external device  222 . As described in more detail below, these communications may be facilitated using a wired or wireless connection, such as via a network  224 . In general, external device  222  may be any suitable device separate from gardening appliance  100  that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user. In this regard, external device  222  may be, for example, a personal phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or personal computer, a wearable device, a smart home system, or another mobile or remote device. 
     In addition, a remote server  226  may be in communication with gardening appliance  100  and/or external device  222  through network  224 . In this regard, for example, remote server  226  may be a cloud-based server  226 , and is thus located at a distant location, such as in a separate state, country, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, external device  222  may communicate with a remote server  226  over network  224 , such as the Internet, to transmit/receive data or information, provide user inputs, receive user notifications or instructions, interact with or control gardening appliance  100 , etc. In addition, external device  222  and remote server  226  may communicate with gardening appliance  100  to communicate similar information. 
     In general, communication between gardening appliance  100 , external device  222 , remote server  226 , and/or other user devices or appliances may be carried using any type of wired or wireless connection and using any suitable type of communication network, non-limiting examples of which are provided below. For example, external device  222  may be in direct or indirect communication with gardening appliance  100  through any suitable wired or wireless communication connections or interfaces, such as network  224 . For example, network  224  may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, any other suitable short- or long-range wireless networks, etc. In addition, communications may be transmitted using any suitable communications devices or protocols, such as via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, wireless radio, laser, infrared, Ethernet type devices and interfaces, etc. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL). 
     External communication system  220  is described herein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it should be appreciated that the exemplary functions and configurations of external communication system  220  provided herein are used only as examples to facilitate description of aspects of the present subject matter. System configurations may vary, other communication devices may be used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more associated appliances, other communication protocols and steps may be implemented, etc. These variations and modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     Now that the construction of gardening appliance  100  and the configuration of camera assembly  200  according to exemplary embodiments have been presented, an exemplary method  300  of operating a gardening appliance will be described. Although the discussion below refers to the exemplary method  300  of operating gardening appliance  100 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary method  300  is applicable to the operation of a variety of other gardening appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller  196  or a separate, dedicated controller. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , method  300  includes, at step  310 , providing, through a user interface device, a prompt regarding image capture instructions for use in a gardening appliance. In this regard, gardening appliance  100  may be configured for interacting with the user of the appliance through any suitable user interface, e.g., in order to obtain feedback regarding the desired timing and conditions of image captures obtained within gardening appliance  100 . For example, the image capture instructions may include at least one of a time of image capture, lighting conditions for the image capture, an angle of grow tower  160  for the image capture, or any other suitable conditions within gardening appliance  100  that may affect the image obtained. 
     In general, the user interface device may be any suitable device or mechanism through which a user may interact with gardening appliance  100  and provide image capture instructions. For example, according to exemplary embodiments, the user interface device may be control panel  190 . In this regard, a user may manipulate control panel  190  through the use of user inputs  192  or other buttons to input the desired image capture instructions. More specifically, user inputs  192  may include an “image capture” button that may be pressed at the desired time for taking an image. In addition, display  194  may display a sequence of images or video obtained by camera assembly  200  such that the user may select the desired orientation of grow tower  160  by pressing the appropriate user input  192 . The user may further use control panel  190  to regulate operating parameters of gardening appliance  100  in accordance with image capture instructions, such as turning on light assembly  204 , operating motor assembly  186  to rotate grow tower  160  to the desired angular orientation, etc. 
     By contrast, the user interface device may also be a remote device (e.g., identified herein as external device  222 ), which may be a user&#39;s cell phone, a tablet, a computer, or any other device for interacting with gardening appliance  100 . In this regard, external device  222  may include a software application that permits interaction and control gardening appliance  100 , including the ability to monitor video obtained by camera assembly  200  and input the image capture instructions to gardening appliance  100 . 
     Whether the user interface device is control panel  190 , external device  222 , or some other suitable device, controller  196  of gardening appliance  100  may provide the prompt to the user as a request to receive image capture instructions. As noted above, the prompt may include providing a video stream of the grow tower  160  while rotating and the image capture instructions may include a selection of the desired angular orientation of grow tower  160  when the image capture is desired. This prompt may be sent at a predetermined frequency or certain time interval, such as every 30 minutes, once every hour, once every day, or at any other suitable intervals or frequency. By contrast, the prompt may be sent to the user when a particular condition occurs, such as the detection of a sprout or growth on one of plants  124 . By contrast, images obtained by camera assembly  200  may be used to determine that pruning is needed, and the prompt may be sent in response to such a condition. It should be appreciated that these conditions may be detected by image analysis, including image processing, machine learning or artificial intelligence image recognition techniques, or in any other suitable manner. 
     Step  320  may include receiving, from the user interface device, the image capture instructions from the user of gardening appliance  100 . As noted above, these image capture instructions may be provided in response to the prompt sent from gardening appliance  100  and may include any suitable image capture parameters, such as the time, lighting, angle, or other parameters that might affect the obtained image. Step  330  may include obtaining, using a camera assembly mounted within view of the grow tower, an image in accordance with the image capture instructions. In this regard, upon receipt of the image capture instructions at step  320 , controller  196  may adjust appliance operating parameters, may properly frame an image, and may obtain an image capture in accordance with the image capture instructions. 
     For example, upon receiving the image capture instructions, controller  196  may stop operation of motor assembly  186 , may illuminate light assembly  204 , and may obtain one or more images at the desired angle of image capture. If the image capture instructions include an angle of image capture, e.g., normal to grow tower  160 , step  330  may include operating the motor assembly  186  to rotate grow tower  160  to the desired angle of image capture. Once at the desired angle of image capture, other operating parameters of gardening appliance  100  may be adjusted, such as illumination of the display position using light assembly  204 , and the desired image may be obtained. According to exemplary embodiments, after the desired image is obtained, motor assembly  186  may be used rotate grow tower  160  back to its original position (e.g., the position of grow tower  160  prior to moving to the desired angle of image capture). 
       FIG.  8    depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methods discussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, or modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, although aspects of method  300  are explained using gardening appliance  100  as an example, it should be appreciated that this method may be applied to operate a camera assembly in any other suitable gardening appliance. 
     As explained above, aspects of the present subject matter focus on a camera feature of a central rotating grow tower of an indoor plant growing appliance, where the consumer is actively engaged in photo timing and other photo parameters. An ultra-wide-angle curvilinear lens camera may be positioned on the case side of the device at an optimal angle and distance from the rotatable tower to simplify the camera lens requirements and to provide a minimal image distortion. The camera can capture the image of each tower side and may store the images either on the unit, on the cloud (e.g., on remote server  226 ), or in a software application (e.g., on remote device  222 ). The camera system may include an appropriate lens selection and mount design to take an image of the entire grow tower present in the display chamber at a given time by end user. 
     The iteration of camera timing may rely on user input so the camera can be triggered at appropriate time. For example, the end user may be given an interface, i.e., either on the product or in the software application that includes a “take photo” or similarly worded option for allowing the user to direct the appliance to take a photo at any given time. Further, this option may also include a control algorithm that turns the tower orthogonal to the camera, turns ON lighting, takes a photo, and then returns the tower back to its original position. In addition, the end user may be prompted with a mobile push notification, notifying the user that the grow tower is rotating or will soon begin to rotate. If the user responds to the notification, a live video may be shown to the user and the user can choose when to take images of the plants and may adjust any other suitable image capture parameters. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.