Wireless irrigation control device and related method

A wireless irrigation control device, comprising:

• a water flow control device;
• a controller coupled to the water flow control device and including a housing, an antenna integrated into the housing and capable of receiving radio-frequency (RF) signals, a microcontroller contained within the housing and coupled to receive and process signals from the antenna, and a memory module for storing watering schedules established or modified by signals received through the antenna;
• and
• a battery power supply also contained within the housing, to supply power to the microcontroller and to the water control device;
• and wherein the controller has RF reception capability to process both short-range signals transmitted from a location near the irrigation control device and longer-range signals transmitted through a broadcast system.

A wireless irrigation control device, comprising:

• a water flow control device;
• a controller coupled to the waterflow control device and including a housing, an antenna integrated into the housing and capable of receiving radio-frequency (RF) signals, a microcontroller contained within the housing and coupled to receive and process signals from the antenna, and a memory module for storing watering schedules established or modified by signals received through the antenna;
• and
• a battery power supply also contained within the housing, to supply power to the microcontroller and to the water control device;
• and wherein the microcontroller includes means for processing received signals indicative of real-time control commands directed to the water flow control device.

A wireless irrigation control device, comprising:

• a water flow control device;
• a controller coupled to the water flow control device and including a housing, an antenna integrated into the housing and capable of receiving radio-frequency (RF) signals, a microcontroller contained within the housing and coupled to receive and process signals from the antenna, and a memory module for storing watering schedules established or modified by signals received through the antenna;
• a battery power supply also contained within the housing, to supply power to the microcontroller and to the water control device;
• and
• a visual status indicator coupled to the controller and integrated into the housing.

A method for controlling a wireless irrigation control device contained in a controller housing, the method comprising:

• receiving broadcast signals through an antenna installed in the housing;
• decoding the received broadcast signals and confirming that they apply to this particular irrigation control device;
• based on data received through the antenna from time to time, and decoded in the preceding step, storing and updating at least one watering schedule in a memory module;
• and
• based on the stored watering schedule, generating signals to control a water control device in accordance with the watering schedule.