Systems and methods of irrigation need assessment
AssigneeBaseline, Inc.
InventorJames Andrew Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Irrigation needs assessment systems and methods determine irrigation needs of one or more participants. The irrigation needs assessment system determines irrigation needs based on weather conditions, forecast weather conditions, plant water uptake, and ground moisture content information. Evaporation rate information is provided from one or more other participants of the irrigation needs assessment service.
Claims20
A method of irrigation control for irrigating a first irrigation site with a first irrigation system, the method comprising:
- receiving ground moisture data from an in-ground moisture sensor at a sensor site, the sensor site being located away from the first irrigation site at a second irrigation site and configured to be irrigated with a second irrigation system, the first and second irrigation systems equipped with first and second irrigation controllers, respectively, each configured to autonomously control their respective irrigation without interference in water use and operational parameters of the other;
- calculating, via a processor, a calculated rate of water loss at the sensor site based on the ground moisture data from the in-ground moisture sensor;
- determining, based on the calculated rate of water loss and a comparison of physical characteristics at the first and second irrigation sites, an estimated rate of water loss at the first irrigation site located outside of a range of measurement capability of the in-ground moisture sensor;
- and
- controlling, via the first irrigation controller, the first irrigation system at the first irrigation site based on the estimated rate of water loss.
An irrigation control system for irrigating a first irrigation site with a first irrigation system, the irrigation control system comprising:
- an in-ground moisture sensor to be deployed at a sensor site, the sensor site being located away from the first irrigation site at a second irrigation site and configured to be irrigated with a second irrigation system;
- the first and second irrigation systems equipped with first and second irrigation controllers, respectively, each configured to autonomously control their respective irrigation without interference in water use and operational parameters of the other;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- receive ground moisture data from the in-ground moisture sensor;
- calculate a calculated rate of water loss at the sensor site based on the ground moisture data from the in-ground moisture sensor;
- determine, based on the calculated rate of water loss and a comparison of physical characteristics at the first and second irrigation sites, an estimated rate of water loss at the first irrigation site located outside of a range of measurement capability of the in-ground moisture sensor;
- and
- cause the first irrigation controller to control the first irrigation system at the first irrigation site based on the estimated rate of water loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.