Interactive irrigation control system

An irrigation control system comprising:

• digital output means for transmitting control signals to a plurality of irrigation valves;
• digital input means for receiving control signals from a plurality of sensing devices;
• schedule storage means, for storing a plurality of schedules of instructions for control of the irrigation valves;
• clock means for timing operations relating to the irrigation valves;
• and
• schedule service means for interpreting the schedule instructions and accordingly communicating with said digital output and input means, to control operation of the valves in accordance with the schedule instructions and conditioned upon the status of selected input conditions, as also specified in the instructions;
• operator input and output means;
• and
• operator input/output service means, for interpreting operator instructions and deriving therefrom schedules for storage in said schedule storage means, and for initiating operator output messages, said operator input/output service means being operable simultaneously with, and without disruption of said schedule service means, to provide operator communication without disturbing execution of the schedules of instructions.

A method for controlling a plurality of switchable irrigation valves, comprising the steps of:

• controlling the valves by generating digital valve control signals in accordance with the execution of a plurality of independent and repeatable schedules of instructions;
• and
• modifying selected schedules of instructions through an operator control panel, concurrently with said controlling step, and without disrupting execution of the schedules of instructions, said modifying step including
• receiving operator inputs relating to schedule modifications and additions,
• interpreting the operator inputs resulting from said receiving step and deriving therefrom new or modified schedules for storage in the storage module,
• outputting messages to the operator in response to the operator inputs and to the stored schedules, and
• modifying the operating mode and parameters of a schedule in response to said receiving step, wherein said steps of receiving and interpreting operator inputs, and said steps of outputting and modifying are all performed essentially simultaneously with said step of controlling the valves.

A method for controlling a plurality of switchable irrigation valves, comprising the steps of:

• storing a plurality of schedules of instructions relating to the control of the valves in a storage module;
• interpreting the stored schedules of instructions and generating therefrom digital data corresponding to desired conditions of the valves;
• outputting the digital data to control the conditions of the valves;
• inputting signals indicative of sensed field conditions;
• conditioning further execution of said interpreting step upon the detection of selected sensed input conditions, as specified in the schedule instructions;
• receiving operator inputs relating to schedule modifications and additions;
• interpreting the operator inputs resulting from said receiving step and deriving therefrom new or modified schedules for storage in the storage module;
• outputting messages to the operator in response to the operator inputs and to the stored schedules;
• and
• modifying the operating mode and parameters of a schedule in response to said receiving step, wherein said steps of receiving and interpreting operator inputs, and said steps of outputting and modifying are all performed essentially simultaneously with said steps of interpreting stored signals, outputting digital data, and inputting signals.

An interactive irrigation control system comprising:

• control means having
• a digital output buffer for storing output data signals to be transmitted to a plurality of valves,
• a digital input buffer for storing input data signals indicative of sensed field conditions,
• schedule storage means for storing at least one schedule of instructions for control of the valves,
• a clock for timing operation of the valves,
• schedule service means for interpreting each schedule on a periodic basis and generating output signals for storage in said digital output buffer in accordance with the schedule instructions and the input signals in said digital input buffer,
• digital input and output servicing means for repeatedly outputting the contents of said output buffer and for inputting data into said input buffer,
• operator input and output means to allow an operator to create, delete and modify schedules during operation of said schedule service means and said digital input and output servicing means, and
• operator input/output processing means for processing operator commands, generating operator output responses thereto and manipulating schedules in accordance with the operator commands;
• and
• two-wire encoding means coupled to said control means and including
• a plurality of encoder submodules, and
• encoder submodule selection means responsive to data address signals received from said control means to select an appropriate encoder submodule for activation,
• wherein each encoder submodule includes means for encoding addresses and on/off signals into an alternating-current power signal for transmission along a pair of wires to a plurality of addressable decoders, and means for receiving and decoding feedback signals from the decoders, for input by said controller.

An interactive irrigation control system comprising:

• digital control means for controlling a plurality of irrigation valves in accordance with a plurality of independent and repeatable schedules of instructions;
• and
• means for creating or modifying schedules of instructions concurrently with, and without disrupting, operation of said digital control means;
• and wherein said digital control means includes
• output buffer means, for holding a digital image of the conditions of the irrigation valves,
• means for renewing the contents of said output buffer means repeatedly at relatively short time intervals, and
• means for continually outputting the contents of said output buffer means, to maintain the valves in the desired conditions at all times.

A method for controlling a plurality of switchable irrigation valves, comprising the steps of:

• controlling the valves by generating digital valve control signals in accordance with the execution of a plurality of independent and repeatable schedules of instructions;
• and
• modifying selected schedules of instructions through an operator control panel, concurrently with said controlling step, and without disrupting execution of the schedules of instructions;
• and wherein said controlling step includes
• storing in an output buffer a digital output image of the intended conditions of the valves,
• renewing the contents of the output buffer repeatedly at relatively short time intervals, and
• continually outputting the contents of the output buffer to ensure that the valves are switched to and remain in their intended positions.