Device that modifies irrigation schedules of existing irrigation controllers
First Claim
1. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:
- providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute an irrigation schedule by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and a plurality of irrigation valves;
an irrigation scheduler monitoring a plurality of control signals output by the irrigation controller by analyzing a current passing over a common wire connecting the irrigation controller to the plurality of irrigation valves; and
the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to execute an improved irrigation schedule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: an irrigation controller programmed to execute an irrigation schedule by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and a plurality of irrigation valves; and using an irrigation scheduler to: (a) monitor a plurality of control signals output by the irrigation controller by monitoring a current passing over a single common wire connecting the irrigation controller to the plurality of irrigation valves; and (b) selectively interrupt the circuit to execute an improved irrigation schedule. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.
82 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:
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providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute an irrigation schedule by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and a plurality of irrigation valves;
an irrigation scheduler monitoring a plurality of control signals output by the irrigation controller by analyzing a current passing over a common wire connecting the irrigation controller to the plurality of irrigation valves; and
the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to execute an improved irrigation schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An irrigation scheduler, that cooperates with an irrigation controller having an electrical circuit that extends from the controller to a plurality of irrigation valves, comprising
a microprocessor programmed to: -
derive a first set of information from a plurality of control signals output by the irrigation controller to the plurality of irrigation valves;
receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an ETo value and a weather data used in calculating the ETo value; and
use the first set of information and the second set of information to interrupt the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification