App Controlled Poinsettia Covering System

SmartSettia provides remote control and monitoring for the commercial production of poinsettias and other greenhouse plants using a web connected device. The system strategically controls timed covering and uncovering of poinsettias to control exposure to light, and allows for monitoring of other ambient properties.

Background
A 2016 senior design team developed a poinsettia covering system for the University of Idaho Greenhouse. The covering system uses a garage door opener motor that is controlled using a preconfigured schedule that is programmed into an Arduino. The current system doesn't include a way to allow users to remotely manage or receive vital feedback about the covering system. So now the 2017 senior design team SmartSettia is tasked with modernizing the system to allow for in-depth automation and remote management.

Problem Statement
Controlling poinsettia photo-period is essential in preparing them for a specific market date and final height. The Sixth Street Greenhouse has streetlights as well as internal lighting that invades the room where the poinsettias are stored. To mitigate the effect of this stray light, the students of the Plant & Soils Science Club have an automated poinsettia covering system (created in 2016) that opens at 8am and closes at 5pm. The problem is there is no feedback for if system is open or closed other than physically going on site and verify the unit is operating as it should. The covering system's schedule is hard coded so the system can't be used on other plants that have different photo-periods. Lastly the system can't be remotely controlled in case of an emergency.

Goal
Developing a internet based application that will:  Be web based Run on Windows, iOS, and Android User based access control Use an IP camera for video monitoring Include the ability to remotely control the pointsettia covering system Receive real time system notifications 

Non Automated Poinsettia Covering System
2016 Project hardware we will be building upon.

Design
Mock-ups and Prototypes of the interface of SmartSettia are shown below, demonstrating the progression of the design.

Smartsettia Members Group Photo


Group photo of the members of team SmartSettia.

Documents

 * [[Media:SmartSettia_Design_Goals.pdf|Design Goals]]