# US 2013/0153673 A1 · Remotely sensing and adapting irrigation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153673 A1 - Document ID: US20130153673A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/720,733 - Filed: 2012-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Younis Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Saed G. Younis; Ali S. Younis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153673A1 ## CPC - A01G 25/165: {Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations} - A01G 25/16: Control of watering - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) ## Abstract An irrigation system continuously monitors status of lawns or plants under its care and directs water to where it is needed when it is needed to maintain lawn or plant health. The system can significantly reduce water usage, unnecessary seepage, and runoff. A water nozzle with a pan and tilt capability can direct water where it is needed. An image sensor can continually take and analyze images of the lawns or plants to determine watering needs. The image sensor can also monitor where the water is landing while the irrigation system is delivering water to the lawns or plants. This information can be used to adjust the water delivery aim to ensure that the intended spots are accurately irrigated. A laminar flow nozzle with minimal flow dispersion can improve water deliver accuracy and detection of where the water lands. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An irrigation system, comprising: an image sensor configured to capture images of an irrigation area, the irrigation area being an area to be cared for by the irrigation system; a steerable water delivery system configured to direct streams of water to the irrigation area; and a controller unit coupled to the image sensor and the steerable water delivery system and configured to receive images from the image sensor, determine locations to water in the irrigation area, and direct the steerable water delivery system to deliver water to the determined locations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprises: a video imager; a lens system configured to direct light to the video imager; and a light filtering unit comprising a plurality of selectable light filters configured to filter the light spectra that are captured by the image sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the steerable water delivery system comprises: a water nozzle configured to deliver a stream of water; a water valve configured to control flow to the water nozzle; and a turret configured to control at least one angle of the stream of water from the water nozzle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The irrigation system of claim 3, wherein the stream of water is laminar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The irrigation system of claim 3, wherein the steerable water delivery system further comprises a light source configured to illuminate the stream of water from the water nozzle, and wherein the controller unit is further configured to detect landing points of the stream of water by detecting the illuminated stream of water using images from the image sensor, and to control the steerable water delivery system based at least in part on the detected landing points. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The irrigation system of claim 3, wherein the steerable water delivery system further comprises a meter configured to measure the flow of water from the steerable water delivery system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is further configured to receive images from the image sensor while the steerable water delivery system is directing streams of water to the irrigation area, and control positioning of the steerable water delivery system using detected landing points of the streams of water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is configured to determine the locations in the irrigation area that need watering based at least in part on the images from the image sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the controller unit is further coupled to a cloud server and is further configured to supply image data from the image sensor to the cloud server and receive information from the cloud server for use in determining the locations to water. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is disposed on an aerial platform. ### Claim 11 A method for operating an irrigation system, the method comprising: determining whether the current time is appropriate for watering; acquiring one or more images of an irrigation area, the irrigation area being an area to be cared for by the irrigation system; determining locations in the irrigation area that need watering based at least in part on the acquired images; determining whether to water the locations determined to need watering; and watering the determined locations, when it is determined to water the locations determined to need watering. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the current time is appropriate for watering is based at least in part on weather information. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein acquiring one or more images of an irrigation area comprises acquiring the images at a plurality spectra. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the images is an infrared image, and wherein determining locations in the irrigation area that need watering comprises using thermal inertia processing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to water the locations determined to need watering comprises detecting a stressed condition by determining whether one of the locations determined to need watering has been watered repeatedly and still needs watering, and when a stressed condition is detected, signaling a user that the stressed condition was detected. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein watering the determined locations comprises directing a steerable water delivery system to deliver water to the determined locations. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein watering the determined locations further comprises: acquiring one or more images of the irrigation area while the steerable water delivery system is delivering water to the determined locations; detecting landing points of the delivered water; and controlling positioning of the steerable water delivery system using the detected landing points. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining locations in the irrigation area that need watering based at least in part on the acquired images comprises enhancing the acquired images using information about the current position of the sun relative to the irrigation area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein determining locations in the irrigation area that need watering comprises analyzing a microwave signal to detect moisture. ### Claim 20 A method for use in setting up an irrigation system, the method comprising: acquiring one or more images of an irrigation area using an image sensor, the irrigation area being an area to be cared for by the irrigation system; determining the extent of the irrigation area based at least in part on the acquired images; estimating the location of a steerable water delivery system relative to the irrigation area; directing the steerable water delivery system to deliver water to plurality of points in the irrigation area; determining locations of the plurality of points using images of the irrigation area; determining calibration information for the steerable water delivery system using the determined locations of the plurality of points; and saving the calibration information and the extent of the irrigation area for use in operating the irrigation system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: determining the current date and time; and determining the location of the irrigation area. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising marking boundaries of the irrigation area with a contrasting color relative to colors of the irrigation area, and wherein determining the extent of the irrigation area comprises detecting the contrasting color in the images of the irrigation area.