# US 9,775,307 B2 · Methods and systems for improved irrigation sensor and control communication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,307 B2 - Document ID: US9775307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/383,409 - Filed: 2014-02-11 - Published: 2015-11-19 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-11 - Assignees: Creative Sensor Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Creative Sensor Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Norman Bartlett; Charles Woringer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775307B2 ## CPC - A01G 25/16: Control of watering - A01G 25/167: {Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors} - G01R 31/2829: {Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems (testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844)} - G05B 2219/2625: Sprinkler, irrigation, watering - Y10T 137/0441: Repairing, securing, replacing, or servicing pipe joint, valve, or tank - Y10T 137/1866: For controlling soil irrigation - Y10T 137/189: Soil moisture sensing - Y10T 137/598: With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means - 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) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Disclosed embodiments of the invention include methods and systems for upgrading an existing irrigation system to increase its sensing and control capability without requiring extensive rewiring. A controller module is installed between an irrigation controller and a zone valve and physically proximate to the irrigation controller without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve. A field module is installed between the controller module and the zone valve without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve. The controller module and field module are the communicatively coupled primarily using the existing wiring. The controller module may encode commands transmitted to the field module and/or decode encoded data transmitted from the field module. The field module may encode data transmitted to the controller module and/or decode encoded commands transmitted from the controller module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of upgrading an existing irrigation system, with existing wiring installed between an irrigation controller and a zone valve, to increase its sensing and control capability without disturbing most of the existing wiring, the method comprising: installing a controller module between an irrigation controller and a zone valve and physically proximate to the irrigation controller without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve, such that the controller module is electrically coupled to the irrigation controller; installing a field module between the controller module and the zone valve without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve, such that the field module is electrically coupled to the zone valve; installing at least one sensor such that the at least one sensor is communicatively coupled to the field module; installing at least one master valve such that the master valve is communicatively coupled to the field module; and communicatively coupling the controller module and the field module primarily using the existing wiring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising encoding and transmitting, with the field module, sensor data to the controller module primarily using the existing wiring, thereby expanding the communication capacity of the existing wiring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising decoding, with the controller module, sensor data from the field module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising encoding and transmitting, with the controller module, control data to the field module primarily using the existing wiring, thereby expanding the communication capacity of the existing wiring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising decoding, with the field module, control data from the controller module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising transmitting, with the field module, decoded control data to the zone valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 further comprising transmitting, with the field module, decoded control data to the master valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising installing a plurality of sensors such that the plurality of sensors are communicatively coupled to the field module. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating whether the upgraded irrigation system is operational. ### Claim 10 A method of testing existing wiring of an existing irrigation system in preparation for an upgrade to increase the sensing and control capability of the existing irrigation system without disturbing most of the existing wiring installed between an irrigation controller and a zone valve, the method comprising: installing a controller module between an irrigation controller and a zone valve and physically proximate to the irrigation controller without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve; installing a field module between the controller module and the zone valve without disturbing most of the existing wiring between the irrigation controller and the zone valve; testing the state of the existing wiring by transmitting a command with the controller module to the field module primarily using the existing wiring; and indicating, with the field module, if the field module has received the command from the controller module. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of indicating further comprises transmitting a reply with the field module to the controller module if the field module has received the command from the controller module, the method further comprising indicating, with the controller module, if the controller module has received the reply from the field module.