Sensor device for interrupting irrigation

A regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system, responsive to user programmed information, comprising:

• a receiver portion for interrupting an irrigation schedule of an irrigation controller;
• a programmable logic controller disposed within said receiver portion;
• a wireless transceiver within said receiver portion for receiving temperature and rainfall data directly from a local wireless sensor unit and further relaying that data to said programmable logic controller;
• an irrigation controller interface for connecting said receiver portion with the irrigation controller;
• a user interface on an outer portion of said receiver and coupled to said programmable logic controller for modifying and displaying a user rainfall threshold for interrupting said irrigation controller and a temperature threshold for interrupting said irrigation controller.

A system for regulating an irrigation system comprising:

• a sensor assembly configured for operation at a remote location, comprising:
• a first sensor measuring an accumulation of precipitation;
• a second sensor measuring temperature;
• a wireless transmitter configured for wirelessly transmitting data;
• and
• a sensor assembly control circuit in communication with said first sensor, said second sensor and said wireless transmitter;
• a control module configured for operation local to said irrigation controller, comprising:
• a receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said wireless transmitter of said sensor assembly;
• a module control circuit in communication with said receiver;
• and
• a user interface in communication with said module control circuitry;
• wherein said control module is connected to said irrigation system to selectively interrupt an irrigation schedule based on sensing of a threshold environmental parameter by at least one of said first and second sensor;
• and,
• wherein a setting of said threshold environmental parameter is selectively adjustable on said user interface of said control module.

A system for regulating an irrigation system comprising:

• a control element configured for operation at a remote location, comprising:
• hygroscopic material positioned to contact environmental precipitation;
• a signal generator generating a signal correlating to expansion of said hygroscopic material as caused by contact of said environmental precipitation with said hygroscopic material;
• a temperature sensor;
• a wireless transmitter;
• and
• a control circuit in communication with said signal generator, said temperature sensor and said wireless transmitter;
• said control circuit configured to broadcast environmental precipitation data and temperature data via said wireless transmitter;
• an irrigation system interface configured for operation local to said irrigation controller, comprising:
• a receiver in wireless communication with said wireless transmitter of said control element;
• an interface control circuit in communication with said receiver;
• and
• a user interface in communication with said interface control circuit;
• wherein said irrigation system interface is connectable to said irrigation system to selectively interrupt an irrigation schedule based on sensing of at least one of said environmental precipitation and said temperature and a comparing same to at least one user-adjustable threshold value.

A system for interrupting a function of an irrigation system comprising:

• a control device configured for operation at a remote location, comprising:
• a housing;
• hygroscopic material disposed in said housing and exposed to environmental precipitation;
• a signal generating element associated with said hygroscopic material generating an output corresponding to expansion of said hygroscopic material;
• a temperature sensor;
• a wireless transmitter;
• and
• a control circuit in communication with said signal generating element, said temperature sensor and said wireless transmitter;
• said control circuit arranged to communicate precipitation data and temperature data via said wireless transmitter;
• an irrigation system interface configured for operation local to said irrigation controller, comprising:
• a receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with said wireless transmitter of said control device;
• an irrigation control circuit in communication with said receiver;
• and
• a user interface in communication with said irrigation control circuit;
• said irrigation control circuit having a routine generating an irrigation system interrupt signal based upon a comparison of at least one of said precipitation data and said temperature data with a predetermined environmental parameter, said predetermined environmental parameter being adjustable on said user interface.

A system for interrupting the operation of an irrigation system, responsive to user programmed information, comprising:

• a receiver portion capable of interrupting watering control signals from an irrigation controller;
• a wireless transceiver located within said receiver portion for receiving temperature and rainfall data transmitted directly from a local wireless sensor unit;
• an irrigation controller system interface externally exposed on said receiver portion for connecting said receiver portion with said irrigation controller;
• a switch selectively operable to cause the interrupting of the watering control signals from the irrigation controller via the irrigation controller system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation controller, and;
• a user interface disposed on said receiver portion for modifying and displaying a user adjustable rainfall threshold for interrupting said irrigation controller and a user adjustable temperature threshold for interrupting said irrigation controller.