Remotely controlled irrigation timer with fault detection

• US 20040030456A1
• Filed: 08/10/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward S. Pattiani, James E. Barlow
• Original Assignee: Edward S. Pattiani, James E. Barlow
• Inventors: Barlow, James E., Pattiani, Edward S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,782,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

Method and apparatus for analyzing current microclimate weather data and generating watering schedules according to present need. This method and apparatus further transmits these watering schedules to receivers within individual irrigation timers to adjust water application and saver water. Microclimate weather data is applied to each irrigation timer according to actual local watering need. Water supply flow and starting times are adjusted to distribute delivery loads on water pumping stations. Whereas each individual irrigation timer starts and stops independently in accord with the latest received schedules, immediate control is always available to the transmitting authority.

Claims

1. ) A method of remote and individual control of a plurality of irrigation timers to tailor water application schedules according to local area microclimates, the method comprising the steps of;

a) collecting to a central location, microclimate weather data from a neighborhood weather station network over a wide area;

b) applying one or more algorithms to the collected micro climate weather date to calculate current watering schedules unique to each micro climate as a function of preset criteria, and

c) broadcasting the current water application schedules via UHF pager facilities of a local UHF pager company to each of the plurality of irrigation timers.

2. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining neighborhood microclimate weather data from local areas equipped with appropriate commercially operated systems;

b) transfer by internet neighborhood microclimate weather data to a central processing location for calculating watering schedules;

c) transferring by internet newly calculated watering schedules to the local UHF pager company for broadcast, and

d) receiving the broadcast new watering schedules at each of the plurality of irrigation timers.

3. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

a) instructing each of the plurality of irrigation timers to set current watering schedules;

b) updating the real time clock with each new broadcast to the correct time and date, and

c) tailoring individual watering schedules for each of the plurality of irrigation timers via manual entry of offset values to either increase or decrease watering times from those broadcast from the central control agency.

d) Immediate messaging to individual controllers, groups of controllers or all controllers simultaneously as needed.

4. ) The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

a) extending manual control input to include temporary shut off for mowing, servicing or recreational use of an irrigated area, and

b) allowing manual control to split the suggested watering schedules into multiple start times with shorter application durations for new seedings or steep slopes so as not to wash away seeds or soil.

5. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

a) instructing each of the plurality of irrigation timers to set current watering schedules;

b) measuring water supply flow rate with a sensor on the water main and coupling the sensor to each irrigation timer;

c) updating the real time clock with each new broadcast to the correct time and date, and

d) tailoring individual watering schedules for each of the plurality of irrigation timers via entry of offset values to either increase or decrease watering times from those broadcast from the central control agency in accord with sensed water supply flow rate.

6. ) An irrigation timer control apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, decoding specific instructions addressed thereto and responding as instructed, the apparatus comprising:

a) a radio frequency receiver tuned to a specific broadcast transmitter to receive, amplify and demodulate encoded watering schedules;

b) a decryptor connected to the radio frequency receiver to unscramble encrypted watering schedules transmitted for security;

c) a micro controller coupled to the decryptor preprogrammed with instructions to control reception, decryption, storage, manual data entry, display operation and fault detection;

d) a real time clock coupled to the micro controller to track both time and date;

e) non-volatile memory connected to the micro controller to store received watering schedules, timing offsets, and fault condition data;

f) a manual input control coupled to the micro controller to personalize watering schedules and permit pauses for landscape maintenance, mowing or recreational use;

g) a display connected to the micro controller to indicate time, date, station timing offset, and fault conditions;

h) an irrigation valve control power supply connected to individually operate remote valve stations per received watering schedules;

i) energy storage connected to backup the real time clock and the contents of the memory, and

j) staggering the actual start time at 16 different 20 second intervals according to the last 4 bits of the unique serial number of each irrigation timer.

7. ) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the radio frequency receiver tuned to a specific broadcast transmitter is capable of receiving from the group of at least commercial broadcaster of television, radio, pager, satellite with power and area coverage able to transmit current watering schedules.

8. ) An irrigation control apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, decoding specific instructions addressed thereto and responding as instructed, the apparatus comprising:

a) a flow sensor on the main water supply and coupled to the irrigation control;

b) the flow sensor including fault detection of broken of missing sprinkler heads;

c) a remote fault indicator to both visually and audibly warn of a fault condition, and

d) a micro controller in the irrigation control to calculate and implement real time watering schedule changes responsive to as flow rate changes due to water supply pressure variations.

9. ) The method of claim 8 further comprising;

a) a power line communication link from the irrigation control to the remote fault indicator, and

b) a modem access for service personnel to secure programming features via the power line communication link.