US 10,327,397 B2 · Irrigation control systems and methods

Abstract

Some embodiments provide irrigation systems comprising: a central irrigation controller; a radio module; a control module; and a radio adaptor in communication with the control module; where the control module comprises: a processor, a first communication interface, and one or more valve drivers, where the control module is configured to implement irrigation commands in implementing at least a portion of irrigation programming such that the one or more valve drivers are each configured to control a different irrigation valve in accordance with the irrigation programming; and the radio adapter comprises: a second communication interface communicationally coupled with the first communication interface, and a wireless radio frequency transceiver configured to provide wireless communication with the radio module where the radio adapter is configured to relay information between the radio module and the control module.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

An irrigation system, the system comprising:

a computer based central irrigation controller;
a radio module in communication with the central irrigation controller;
a control module comprising:
a housing, a processor, a first communication interface,
and
one or more valve drivers coupled with the processor, where the control module is positioned separate from the central irrigation controller and the radio module, where the control module is configured to implement irrigation commands of an irrigation programming such that the one or more valve drivers are each configured to control a different irrigation valve in accordance with the irrigation programming;
and
a radio adapter that is separate from the control module and comprises:
a housing that is separate from and physically couples externally with the housing of the control module;
a second communication interface communicationally coupled with the first communication interface of the control module providing direct communication between the radio adapter and the first communication interface of the control module,
a wireless radio frequency transceiver configured to provide wireless communication with the radio module where the radio adapter is configured to relay information between the radio module and the control module,
and
wherein the radio adapter is configured to determine whether the control module communicationally coupled with the radio adapter is an earlier version of the control module with a reduced function set relative to a function set of a later version of the control module, store irrigation programming when the control module is the earlier version, and implement the irrigation programming when the control module is the earlier version, wherein the implementing the irrigation programming comprises instructing the control module to activate at least one of the one or more valve drivers.

10 more elements

A method of controlling irrigation, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, at a radio module, sensor information obtained by a first control module directly coupled with a first sensor, where the first control module comprises one or more valve drivers, and the first control module being configured to control, as dictated by irrigation programming, the one or more valve drivers to each control a different irrigation valve in accordance with the irrigation programming;
identifying, at the radio module, one or more other control modules that are associated with the first sensor, where the one or more other control modules are not directly coupled with the first sensor;
wirelessly communicating, from the radio module, control information based on the sensor information to each of the one or more other control modules such that each of the one or more other control modules adjusts irrigation based on the sensor information when implementing irrigation commands of the irrigation programming in accordance with the control information, wherein the wirelessly communicating the control information comprises wirelessly communicating the control information from the radio module to at least one radio adapter directly physically coupled with and communicationally coupled with at least one of the one or more other control modules, such that each of the radio adapters forwards the control information to the respective one of the one or more other control modules;
and
wherein the at least one radio adapter is configured to determine whether the respective one of the one or more other control modules is an earlier version with a reduced function set relative to a function set of a later version, store irrigation programming when the respective one of the one or more other control modules is the earlier version, and implement the irrigation programming when the respective one of the one or more other control modules is the earlier version, wherein the implementing the irrigation programming comprises instructing the respective one of the one or more other control modules to activate at least one of the one or more valve drivers.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description26,648 words

Summary193 words

#This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Patent Application No. EP12306370, filed in the European Patent Office on Nov. 7, 2012, entitled IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS, for Rain Bird Corporation, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to irrigation and, in particular, to a system and method for controlling irrigation.

Brief description of the drawings29 figures

#The above and other aspects, features and advantages of several embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings.

#FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of an irrigation system in accordance with some embodiments.

#FIG. 2A depicts a simplified view of a control module positioned within a valve box and coupled with a valve, according to some embodiments.

Detailed description25,822 words

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

#The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

#Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “some implementations” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment/s.

Facts

Application

14/073,619Filed 6 Nov 2013

Priority

EP 123063707 Nov 2012

Published

US 2014/0129039 A18 May 2014

Granted

25 Jun 2019

Term ends

11 Feb 2035

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 462 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

A01G 25/16
Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like: control of watering
G05B 2219/2625
Pc applications: sprinkler, irrigation, watering
Y02A 40/22
In agriculture: improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
A01G
Horticulture

Timeline

7 Nov 2012Priority claimedEP 12306370
6 Nov 2013Application filedUS 14/073,619
8 May 2014PublishedUS 2014/0129039 A1
16 Nov 2018Assigned to Rain Bird Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
16 Nov 2018Assigned to Rain Bird Europe Sncassignment of assignor's interest
16 Nov 2018Assigned to Rain Bird Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
25 Jun 2019GrantedUS 10,327,397 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
11 Feb 2035Term endsEstimated, includes 462 days of adjustment

Irrigation control systems and methods

Life of this patent

Irrigation control systems and methods

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description26,648 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description26,648 words