Automatic irrigation sprinkler system controller

In automatic irrigation sprinkler systems wherein a plurality of sprinkler stations are controlled by electrical signals from a controller, solid state controller apparatus comprising:

• (a) solid state logic and control means including means for storing irrigation information which includes data value lists of operation durations and operation start times to be associated with each of a plurality of outputs and a days by outputs/status matrix of data values defining the desired operational status of each of said plurality of outputs on each of a plurality of sequential days and having a data input and a control signal output for generating control signals identified with particular sprinkler stations as a function of said irrigation information;
• (b) data input means connected to said data input for allowing an operator to input irrigation information and override signals into said solid state logic and control means;
• and,
• (c) signal decoding and station power means having an input connected to said control signal output and a plurality of outputs to which individual sprinkler stations can be connected for receiving said sprinkler identified control signals and outputting a voltage at said output to which the sprinkler station identified with said control signal is connected, whereby the sprinkler station is turned on in response to an associated control signal from said logic and control means.

In automatic irrigation sprinkler systems wherein a plurality of sprinkler stations are controlled by electrical signals from a controller, solid state controller apparatus comprising:

• (a) solid state logic and control means including means for storing irrigation information which includes data value lists of operation durations and operation start times to be associated with each of a plurality of outputs and a days by outputs/status matrix of data values defining the desired operational status of each of said plurality of outputs on each of a plurality of sequential days and having a data input and control signal output for generating control signals identified with particular sprinkler stations as a function of said irrigation information, said solid state logic and control means further including means for performing logic comprising a first task of maintaining a current real-time clock, a second task of generating output signals as a function of coincidence between the current state of said real-time clock and said irrigation information, and a third task of interfacing with an operator to update said real-time clock and said irrigation information from data values input through a data input means, said logic and control means being further adapted to not perform said third task when in the process of performing said second and to subordinate said second task and said third task to the performance of said first task whereby data common to said first, second and third task is not polluted by multiple simultaneous accesses;
• (b) data input means connected to said data input for allowing an operator to input irrigation information and override signals into said solid state logic and control means;
• and,
• (c) signal decoding and station power means having an input connected to said control signal output and a plurality of outputs to which individual sprinkler stations can be connected for receiving said sprinkler identified control signals and outputting a voltage at said output to which the sprinkler station identified with said control signal is connected whereby the sprinkler station is turned on in response to an associated control signal from said logic and control means.