Grow Room Questions about the Inner Working of a device !

[Slowmo]

@okPeet

This seems like a goodsend But

As someone just on the sideline observing ....

these are my first questions...

Where does the device store data ? ie size of buffer before download to anywhere

Does it work without internet ... and if not why ?




P.s. Imagine being able to a group a cluster of these on wifi connecting to your own database SDK ?



Cheers Slowmo :smoking:

 

[getpulse.co]

Hey @Slowmo ! Great question.

The Nano was designed to ensure successful harvests and improve yields, every time. The customizable notifications will alert growers before issues occur so preventative action can be taken -- without internet this isn't possible.

A small amount of data is stored on the device and periodically the stored data is sent to Pulse servers (just like your AFN posts) -- this how we know when to send alerts and let you check conditions remotely.

The cluster is real... and exporting data into Excel/spreadsheets is something we are working on implementing!


How often is the data updated? Every 60 seconds if plugged into the wall, less frequently on battery.

Let me know if I missed anything!

 

[wwwillie]

So far it is an excellent experience. It's only going to get better from here. That is what makes this such a great opportunity, we can have real input, help make a great product!

 

[okPeet]

@okPeet

This seems like a goodsend But

As someone just on the sideline observing ....

these are my first questions...

Where does the device store data ? ie size of buffer before download to anywhere

Does it work without internet ... and if not why ?




P.s. Imagine being able to a group a cluster of these on wifi connecting to your own database SDK ?



Cheers Slowmo :smoking:

To get into a bit of the details, the device has some on-board memory, but currently uploads the measurement to our servers every minute. In the near future we are planning on optimizing this behavior, so that we collect more data on the device before uploading it to the server.

It doesn't really work without internet because the ability to see what's going on in your grow from anywhere, as well as notifications require it to have internet.

We're open minded to providing an SDK but don't have resources for that at the moment - everything is going into product development!

 

[Slowmo]

To get into a bit of the details, the device has some on-board memory, but currently uploads the measurement to our servers every minute. In the near future we are planning on optimizing this behavior, so that we collect more data on the device before uploading it to the server.

It doesn't really work without internet because the ability to see what's going on in your grow from anywhere, as well as notifications require it to have internet.

We're open minded to providing an SDK but don't have resources for that at the moment - everything is going into product development!

I imagine these being programmed via usb or rs-232 ?
and if so i imagine these could also be used to output data locally, or via wifi to a local reciever...? just a thought

that could be as simple as a deviceid datestamped ascii string. since we are running local only ... the reciever could evaluate and send the needed notications ...

u can still have phone app ... but now it recieves/connects to my server instead of yours !

no more IoT security issues ! since the dataloggers are not on the net them selfs

see no need internet for collecting, just for notifications now .. and you would save some big money, not having to support servers or lease them !

I get that does not collect data from your growers, but if selling data isen't on your agenda anyway ... why should that matter ?

Actually ofc your could offer server hosting for those not wanting to run their own reciever, but the option to run your own should be available imo...

Cheers

 

[Slowmo]

The local receiver could be implemented in so many ways

an similar box in design as the nano , but without sensors and room for a SD maybe, or just internal nands . aka something akind to a rasberry pi or even cheaper

any OS is possible, heck the reciever could be a android app itself ... :smoking: running on a old phone plugged into the wall

My knowledge about Data Acquistion comes from selling and implementing NI and MCC products years back

 

[okPeet]

I imagine these being programmed via usb or rs-232 ?
and if so i imagine these could also be used to output data locally, or via wifi to a local reciever...? just a thought

that could be as simple as a deviceid datestamped ascii string. since we are running local only ... the reciever could evaluate and send the needed notications ...

u can still have phone app ... but now it recieves/connects to my server instead of yours !

no more IoT security issues ! since the dataloggers are not on the net them selfs

see no need internet for collecting, just for notifications now .. and you would save some big money, not having to support servers or lease them !

I get that does not collect data from your growers, but if selling data isen't on your agenda anyway ... why should that matter ?

Actually ofc your could offer server hosting for those not wanting to run their own reciever, but the option to run your own should be available imo...

Cheers

The local receiver could be implemented in so many ways

an similar box in design as the nano , but without sensors and room for a SD maybe, or just internal nands . aka something akind to a rasberry pi or even cheaper

any OS is possible, heck the reciever could be a android app itself ... :smoking: running on a old phone plugged into the wall

My knowledge about Data Acquistion comes from selling and implementing NI and MCC products years back

These are actually programmed over the internet, so we can push updates to devices that are already out in the field. As far as security issues go - the platform we selected is designed and built with security in mind. We'd like to open up the API to allow people set things up for their own servers, but that would take a lot of work. Right now we're just trying to get this launched to a big group of growers first!

 

[wwwillie]

Indeed, there are so many possibilities. I still like the "cloud" thing for this though. I can see some type of API that hooks into the local data. IOW, we have the ability to get a copy of the data locally as well as having it on the servers. Best of both I think.

 

[Slowmo]

Indeed, there are so many possibilities. I still like the "cloud" thing for this though. I can see some type of API that hooks into the local data. IOW, we have the ability to get a copy of the data locally as well as having it on the servers. Best of both I think.

the cloud is the underground non legal growers worst nightmare, atleast from my view ....

Remember what the "cloud" really means : cloud is someone else's computer, that's it ! u have no control over who has access to data, and im not singeling out the pulse guys here in any way !!

my thought are more general in way of how to structure a private datacollection device... i feel much better having only to deal with securing own network and vpn-dial in ...

but the cloud should be a easy add-on not a core part of product ... imho

I have mad probs for @okPeet and @getpulse.co for building a device from the ground up ... having done it my self i know the kindda hard work and dedication that goes into that !!

and even talking about an API gives me hopes for the future

 

[wwwillie]

I am intimately aware of the cloud. I do this for a living, IT that is.

The appeal of this device I think is just that. It is easy, easy, easy. Set it up, bang you’re getting data in a usable format. You gave props to the Pulse crew due to your experience building a similar device. That leads me to believe you have the chops to do what you are requesting but I have to assume that many folks do not, hard as it is to believe.
A device that does not need that type of connection would certainly be cool and a worthwhile addition to the product line but I still think this iteration is a great product.