Modular and expandable irrigation controller
First Claim
1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
- a housing;
a control unit within the housing and comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs, wherein the control unit includes an interface connector port that is electrically and communicationally coupled directly to the first microcontroller;
a backplane within the housing, separate from and coupled to the control unit, the backplane comprising module interface connections configured to receive one or more expansion modules including driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller; and
a cartridge removably coupled to the interface connector port, the cartridge comprising a second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the modular irrigation controller, wherein the cartridge does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.
195 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing and comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs, wherein the control unit includes an interface connector port that is electrically and communicationally coupled directly to the first microcontroller; a backplane within the housing, separate from and coupled to the control unit, the backplane comprising module interface connections configured to receive one or more expansion modules including driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller; and a cartridge removably coupled to the interface connector port, the cartridge comprising a second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the modular irrigation controller, wherein the cartridge does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing and comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs, wherein the control unit includes an interface connector port in a recess formed on the control unit, the interface connector port is electrically, communicationably and directly coupled to the first microcontroller; a backplane within the housing, separate from and coupled to the control unit, the backplane comprising module interface connections configured to receive one or more expansion modules including driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller; and a cartridge removably coupled to the interface connector port, the cartridge comprising a second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the irrigation controller, wherein the cartridge does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification