Proximity programmed, globally synchronized irrigation controller and system

• US 10,194,598 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2015
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
• Inventors: Bauman, Mark A., Hutchinson, Graham L., Griggs, Travis A., Neal, Meade M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Philip
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, RONGFA PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US14/882,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20160100533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion

Abstract

An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics. Methods for providing watering metrics and controlling an irrigation control system or value controller are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An irrigation control system, comprising:

an irrigation controller having

a microcontroller having a unique identifier and configured to receive and execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics, and determine current global time;

a power source;

a global time receiver, in communication with the microcontroller, configured to provide time to the microcontroller;

a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller, the transceiver configured to send messages including at least one of predefined irrigation schedules and stored watering metrics; and

a mobile computer having

a microprocessor;

a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions including at least one of predefined irrigation schedules or stored watering metrics to the irrigation controller via a communication link; and

a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules and watering metrics,

wherein the irrigation controller is in direct communication with the mobile computer to send and receive messages and instructions, and does not require a separate central server to relay information.

2. The irrigation control system of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuator configured to control a flow of water between a water source and an outlet; and

a valve driver circuit, in communication with the microcontroller, configured to drive the actuator according to at least one of the predefined irrigation schedules and water metrics.

3. The irrigation control system of claim 2, further comprising a global positioning receiver connected to the microcontroller and configured to provide geospatial information to the microcontroller.

4. The irrigation control system of claim 3, further comprising a pressure sensor connected in fluid-sensing relation to the actuator.

5. The irrigation control system of claim 3, wherein the mobile computer is configured to:

compare predefined irrigation schedules in the irrigation controller with predefined irrigation schedules stored in the mobile computer memory; and

if the predefined schedules in the irrigation controller are different than the predefined irrigation schedules stored in the mobile computer memory, transmit the predefined irrigation schedules stored in the mobile computer memory to the irrigation controller.

6. The irrigation control system of claim 5, wherein

the mobile computer is configured to send a request to the irrigation controller to transfer watering metrics including the geospatial information received by the global positioning receiver and cumulative watering time recorded for each specific geographic location;

and

the irrigation controller is configured to;

receive the request to provide watering metrics from the mobile computer;

compile the requested watering metrics; and

transmit the watering metrics to the mobile computer via the established communication link.

7. The irrigation control system of claim 6, wherein

the mobile computer is operable to associate an irrigation schedule targeted for a specific geospatial position, and

the irrigation controller is configured to execute the irrigation schedule targeted for a specific geospatial position when the geospatial information received by the global positioning receiver matches the targeted geospatial position.

8. A method for providing watering metrics in an irrigation control system having an irrigation controller and a mobile computer, comprising:

sending a request from a wireless transceiver in communication with the mobile computer to a transceiver in communication with the irrigation controller for watering metrics associated with the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having a microcontroller configured to collect, store and forward watering metrics and in communication with a global time receiver configured to provide time to the microcontroller and a global positioning receiver configured to provide geospatial information to the microcontroller;

receiving at the transceiver in communication with the irrigation controller the request for watering metrics from the wireless transceiver in communication with the mobile computer;

determining the requested watering metrics via the irrigation controller microcontroller based at least in part on the geospatial location values observed by the global positioning receiver and cumulative amount of watering time of distributing water at that specific geographic location;

transmitting the watering metrics from the transceiver in communication with the irrigation controller to the wireless transceiver in communication with the mobile computer; and

displaying on a user interface of the mobile device the watering metrics in at least one of tabular or graphic format.

9. An irrigation control system comprising:

a mobile computer comprising a first processor which executes an irrigation scheduling application and a first wireless transceiver controlled by the first processor and adapted to communicate using a first wireless protocol;

a valve controller located at a geospatial position comprising;

a second processor connected to a real-time clock and enabled to execute an irrigation schedule;

a second wireless transceiver connected to the second processor and adapted to communicate using the first wireless protocol; and

a wireless receiver connected to the second processor and enabled to acquire real-time clock data from an outside source using a second wireless protocol,

wherein the second processor is configured to periodically adjust the real-time clock to match the real-time clock data,

wherein the first processor executes the irrigation scheduling application on the mobile computer so that the irrigation schedule is synchronized with the irrigation schedule in the valve controller using the first wireless protocol when the mobile device moves from a first position located outside of a communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller to a second position that is located within the communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller.

10. The irrigation control system of claim 9, wherein the wireless receiver is a geographic position receiver configured to provide a geospatial position value reflecting the current geospatial position of the valve controller to the second processor.

11. The irrigation control system of claim 10, wherein the valve controller further comprising a valve driver circuit that is connected in commanding relation to a valve that is operable to allow a flow of water when the valve is in an open position.

12. The irrigation control system of claim 11, wherein

the valve controller further comprising a memory connected to the second processor;

and

the second processor is configured to

measure an amount of time that the valve is in an open position; and

record in the memory the amount of time and the geospatial position value.

13. The irrigation control system of claim 12, wherein the amount of time and geospatial position values collected by the valve controller are transferred to the mobile computer using the first wireless protocol when the mobile computer is proximate to the valve controller.

14. The irrigation control system of claim 13, wherein

the irrigation scheduling application further comprising an interface to associate a targeted irrigation schedule with a targeted geospatial location;

the valve controller further receives the targeted irrigation schedule including the targeted geospatial location using the first wireless protocol when the mobile computer is proximate to the valve controller; and

the second processor is operable to execute the targeted irrigation schedule when the geospatial position value is approximately equal to the targeted geospatial location.

15. The irrigation control system of claim 14, wherein

the valve controller further comprises an accelerometer connected to the second processor;

the accelerometer is configured to record local motion of the valve controller as a time-ordered acceleration hi story; and

the second processor is configured to evaluate this time-ordered acceleration history to determine when to acquire an updated geospatial position value.

16. A method of controlling an irrigation system, comprising:

obtaining a mobile computer and an application configured to run on the mobile computer, wherein the mobile computer has an integrated wireless transceiver configured to communicate using a first wireless protocol;

obtaining a plurality of valve controllers, each of the plurality of valve controllers having an integrated wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate using the first wireless protocol;

compiling, by the application running on the mobile computer, an irrigation schedule for each of the valve controllers; and

synchronizing at each valve controller the valve schedule using the first wireless protocol when the mobile computer moves from a first position located outside of a communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller to a second position that is located within the communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller.

17. The method of controlling an irrigation system of claim 16, further comprising receiving at a wireless receiver integrated with each of the plurality of valve controller real-time clock information from an outside source, wherein the valve schedule at each valve controller utilizes the received real-time clock information.

18. A method of controlling an irrigation system comprising:

providing a mobile computer and an application configured to run on the mobile computer;

providing a wireless transceiver integrated in the mobile computer and configured to communicate using a first wireless protocol;

providing a plurality of valve controllers;

providing each of the plurality of valve controllers with an integrated wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate using the first wireless protocol;

providing each of the plurality of valve controllers with a wireless receiver that is configured to receive real-time clock information from an outside source,

wherein

the application is configured to compile an irrigation schedule for each of the valve controllers, and

each of the valve controllers is configured to synchronize a valve schedule using the first wireless protocol when the mobile device moves from a first position located outside of a communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller to a second position that is located within the communication range between the mobile computer and the valve controller.

19. A method of commanding a valve controller having a real-time clock, a first wireless transceiver and a wireless receiver using an application enabled to run on a mobile computer having a second wireless transceiver, comprising:

specifying an irrigation schedule using the application;

detecting the presence of the valve controller at the second wireless transceiver;

forming a data connection between the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver;

transferring the irrigation schedule from the mobile computer to the valve controller using the data connection if the irrigation schedule in the mobile computer differs from the irrigation schedule residing in the valve controller; and

running the irrigation schedule on the valve controller based on timing provided by the real-time clock.

20. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 19, further comprising periodically receiving and decoding a clock signal from an outside source using the wireless receiver to synchronize the real-time clock.

21. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 20, further comprising:

indicating a presence of the valve controller by transmitting an advertising packet provided by the first wireless transceiver; and

wherein detecting the presence of the valve controller at the second wireless transceiver comprises sensing the presence of the valve controller by receiving the advertising packet on the second wireless transceiver.

22. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 21, further comprising abandoning the data connection after the irrigation schedule has been transferred.

23. A method of commanding a valve controller using an application enabled to run on a mobile computer comprising:

providing a real-time clock having a real-time value, a first wireless transceiver and wireless receiver within the valve controller;

providing a second wireless transceiver within the mobile computer;

specifying an irrigation schedule using the application;

periodically receiving and decoding a clock signal from an outside source using the wireless receiver to synchronize the real-time clock;

indicating a presence of the valve controller by transmitting an advertising packet provided by the first wireless transceiver;

sensing the presence of the valve controller by receiving the advertising packet on the second wireless transceiver;

forming a data connection between the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver based on information contained in the advertising packet;

transferring the irrigation schedule from the mobile computer to the valve controller using the data connection if the irrigation schedule in the mobile computer differs from the irrigation schedule residing in the valve controller;

abandoning the data connection after the irrigation schedule has been transferred; and

running the irrigation schedule on the valve controller based on timing provided by the real-time clock.

24. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 23, further comprising:

providing a valve drive circuit and an actuator, and

wherein the running irrigation schedule commands the valve drive circuit to coerce the actuator into an open state when the irrigation schedule specifies a flow of water.

25. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 24, further comprising:

providing a global position receiver operable to provide a geospatial location of the valve controller; and

compiling a history wherein the geospatial location and a real-time value is recorded when the actuator is put into the open state, and another real-time value is recorded when the actuator transitions out of the open state.

26. The method of commanding a valve controller of claim 25, further comprises transferring the history from the valve controller to the mobile computer using the data connection when it becomes available.

27. An irrigation control system, comprising:

an irrigation controller having

a microcontroller having a unique identifier and configured to receive and execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics, and determine current global time;

a power source;

a global time receiver, in communication with the microcontroller, configured to provide time to the microcontroller; and

a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller, the transceiver configured to send messages including at least one of predefined irrigation schedules and stored watering metrics; and

a mobile computer having

a microprocessor;

a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions including at least one of predefined irrigation schedules or stored watering metrics to the irrigation controller via a communication link; and

a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules and watering metrics,

wherein the mobile computer is configured to;

compare predefined irrigation schedules in the irrigation controller with predefined irrigation schedules stored in the mobile computer memory; and

if the predefined irrigation schedules in the irrigation controller are different than the predefined irrigation schedule stored in the mobile computer memory, transmit the predefined irrigation schedules stored in the mobile computer memory to the irrigation controller;

a global positioning receiver connected to the microcontroller and configured to provide geospatial information to the microcontroller;

an actuator configured to control a flow of water between a water source and an outlet; and

a valve driver circuit, in communication with the microcontroller, configured to drive the actuator according to at least one of the predefined irrigation schedules and water metrics.

28. The irrigation control system of claim 27, further comprising a pressure sensor connected in fluid-sensing relation to the actuator.

29. The irrigation control system of claim 27, wherein

the mobile computer is configured to send a request to the irrigation controller to transfer watering metrics including the geospatial information received by the global positioning receiver and cumulative watering time recorded for each specific geographic location;

and

the irrigation controller is configured to;

receive the request to provide watering metrics from the mobile computer;

compile the requested watering metrics; and

transmit the watering metrics to the mobile computer via the established communication link.

30. The irrigation control system of claim 29, wherein

the mobile computer is operable to associate an irrigation schedule targeted for a specific geospatial position, and

the irrigation controller is configured to execute the irrigation schedule targeted for a specific geospatial position when the geospatial information received by the global positioning receiver matches the targeted geospatial position.