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US 9,538,713 B2Granted
Modular irrigation controller
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsRandall Pearson, Burnett Jones, Jack McIntosh, Brian Ries, Jeff Miller, Noel Macasias, Eric Pettet, Tong Le, Mike Jackson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller has two irrigation station module connection areas within it and can either accept two irrigation station modules at the same time or one larger module that spans both connection areas. The larger module, however, includes more irrigation station terminals than both of the smaller irrigation station modules combined. Therefore, a greater number of irrigation stations can be connected to the controller when the larger module is substituted for the two smaller modules.
Claims19
An irrigation controller comprising:
- a user interface having a plurality of interface elements for programming an irrigation schedule;
- a controller housing connected to said user interface surface;
- a module connection area located in said controller housing;
- said module connection area comprising a first module area and a second module area, each of which having an electrical connection terminal and a physical connection mechanism;
- said first module area and said second module area each configured to simultaneously accommodate an irrigation module having a first width;
- said first module area and said second module area configured to both simultaneously accommodate a single, irrigation module having a second width extending entirely across said first module area and said second module area;
- wherein two of said irrigation module having said first width have a total number of irrigation terminals less than said irrigation module having a second width.
4 more elements
An irrigation controller comprising:
- a user interface having a plurality of interface elements configured to program an irrigation schedule;
- a controller housing connected to said user interface surface;
- a module connection area located in said controller housing;
- said module connection area comprising a first module area and a second module area, each of which having an electrical connection terminal and a physical connection mechanism;
- said first module area and said second module area each configured to simultaneously accommodate a first irrigation module type having a first width;
- said first module area and said second module area configured to both simultaneously accommodate a second irrigation module type having a second width extending completely across both said first module area and said second module area.
3 more elements
An irrigation controller comprising:
- a user interface having a plurality of interface elements configured to program an irrigation schedule;
- a controller housing connected to said user interface surface;
- a module connection area located in said controller housing;
- said module connection area comprising a first module area and a second module area, each of which having an electrical connection terminal and a physical connection mechanism;
- said first module area and said second module area each configured to simultaneously accommodate a first irrigation module type having a first width;
- said first module area and said second module area configured to both simultaneously accommodate a second irrigation module type having a second width extending completely across both said first module area and said second module area;
- wherein said controller housing further comprises a first plurality of number indicia, each of which being located in said first module area and said second module area, adjacent to irrigation terminals on said first irrigation module type when connected in said first module area or said second module area;
- wherein said second irrigation module type is sized to cover said first plurality of numbered indicia when connected in said first module area and in said second module area;
- and wherein said second irrigation module type includes a second plurality of number indicia that are located adjacent to said irrigation terminals.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.