System and method for an improved sprinkler control system
First Claim
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1. A method of setting an irrigation schedule comprising:
- receiving, by a processor, a request to set an irrigation schedule for a first sprinkler controller in communication with sprinklers at a first location, the request comprising first landscape characteristics of a first sprinkler zone associated with the first sprinkler controller;
receiving, by the processor, second landscape characteristics for a second sprinkler zone associated with a second sprinkler controller, the second sprinkler controller located at a second location;
comparing, by the processor, the first landscape characteristics with the second landscape characteristics to determine one or more matching landscape characteristics and one or more different landscape characteristics;
accessing, by the processor, a second irrigation schedule for the second sprinkler zone;
utilizing, by the processor, the second irrigation schedule for the second sprinkler zone and the matching characteristics to generate a baseline irrigation schedule for the first sprinkler zone; and
adjusting by the processor, the baseline irrigation schedule to generate an adjusted first zone irrigation schedule based on the different landscape characteristics; and
transmitting, by the processor, the adjusted first zone irrigation schedule to the first sprinkler controller, wherein the adjusted first zone irrigation schedule selectively activates sprinklers at the first location to deliver water to vegetation in the first zone.
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Abstract
Disclosed embodiments can provide a system and method for controlling irrigation schedules for a sprinkler system including automatically updating irrigation schedules based on qualitative and quantitative feedback and meteorological data as well as matching optimal or near-optimal irrigation schedules to other sprinkler zones based on characteristics of the landscape and sprinkler system as well as other characteristics.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of setting an irrigation schedule comprising:
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receiving, by a processor, a request to set an irrigation schedule for a first sprinkler controller in communication with sprinklers at a first location, the request comprising first landscape characteristics of a first sprinkler zone associated with the first sprinkler controller; receiving, by the processor, second landscape characteristics for a second sprinkler zone associated with a second sprinkler controller, the second sprinkler controller located at a second location; comparing, by the processor, the first landscape characteristics with the second landscape characteristics to determine one or more matching landscape characteristics and one or more different landscape characteristics; accessing, by the processor, a second irrigation schedule for the second sprinkler zone; utilizing, by the processor, the second irrigation schedule for the second sprinkler zone and the matching characteristics to generate a baseline irrigation schedule for the first sprinkler zone; and adjusting by the processor, the baseline irrigation schedule to generate an adjusted first zone irrigation schedule based on the different landscape characteristics; and transmitting, by the processor, the adjusted first zone irrigation schedule to the first sprinkler controller, wherein the adjusted first zone irrigation schedule selectively activates sprinklers at the first location to deliver water to vegetation in the first zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sprinkler system comprising:
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a sprinkler controller in communication with a plurality of sprinkler valves to control the plurality of sprinkler valves to deliver water flow to a plurality of irrigation zones in a location; and a central controller in communication with the sprinkler controller, the central controller configured to generate an irrigation schedule based on one or more landscape characteristics of the plurality of irrigation zones;
whereinthe central controller receives a first qualitative value corresponding to a vegetation status of vegetation in the location watered by the sprinkler valves according to the irrigation schedule for a first period of time in a first irrigation zone; the central controller receives a first qualitative value corresponding to a vegetation status of vegetation in the location watered by the sprinkler valves according to the irrigation schedule for a first period of time in a second irrigation zone; the central controller compares the first qualitative value to first historical weather data for the location over the first period of time to determine adjustments to the irrigation schedule for the second irrigation zone; the central controller compares the first qualitative value corresponding to the first irrigation zone with the first qualitative value of the second irrigation zone; responsive to determining that the first qualitative value of the second irrigation zone indicates that the landscape health of the second irrigation zone is better than the landscape health of the first irrigation zone, generate an adjusted irrigation schedule for the first irrigation zone; the central controller transmits the adjusted irrigation schedule to the sprinkler controller; and the sprinkler controller activates the plurality of sprinkler valves of the first irrigation zone according to the adjusted irrigation schedule. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A central controller for generating irrigation schedules for a first sprinkler controller, the central controller comprising:
a processor configured to; receive landscape characteristics of a first sprinkler zone associated with the first sprinkler controller; generate an irrigation schedule for the first sprinkler controller based, at least in part, on the landscape characteristics; receive first qualitative information indicative of landscape health of vegetation in the first sprinkler zone; receive second qualitative information indicative of landscape health of vegetation in the second sprinkler zone; and compare the first qualitative information with the second qualitative information; responsive to determining that the second qualitative information indicates that the landscape health of the second sprinkler zone is better than the landscape health of the sprinkler zone, generate a modified irrigation schedule for the first sprinkler controller; transmit the modified irrigation schedule to the first sprinkler controller, wherein the modified irrigation schedule selectively activate one or more sprinklers at the first location in communication with the first sprinkler controller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
Specification