Low power system for wireless monitoring of an environment and irrigation control
First Claim
1. A system for wirelessly monitoring and watering an area, comprising:
- one or more electrically powered sensors configured to be deployed in the area, each sensor comprising;
a probe configured to measure an aspect of the sensor'"'"'s environment;
a transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal containing measurements received from the probe; and
a sensor power control unit configured to repeatedly toggle componentry of the sensor between powered and unpowered states; and
one or more electrically powered valves configured to be connected to a network of irrigation conduits deployed in the area, each valve comprising;
a fluid inlet;
a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path being defined between the inlet and outlet;
an electrically actuated flow restrictor movable to selectively open or close the flow path;
a receiver configured to receive the wireless signals sent from the one or more sensors; and
a valve power control unit configured to repeatedly toggle componentry of the receiver between powered and unpowered states;
wherein at least one sensor power control unit and at least one valve power control unit are configured to produce overlaps of the powered states of their associated sensor and valve so that the valve'"'"'s receiver can receive wireless signals from the sensor'"'"'s transmitter during the overlapping powered states.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and components thereof for intelligently watering an environment. The system comprises at least one sensor for monitoring particular environmental conditions, and at least one electrically powered valve that receives wireless information signals from the sensor and controls a watering device based on the signals. Power control units repeatedly toggle the sensor and valve between powered and unpowered states to conserve energy. The power control units are configured so that the powered states of the sensor and valve overlap in time to make it possible for the valve to receive the wireless information signals from the sensor.
52 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for wirelessly monitoring and watering an area, comprising:
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one or more electrically powered sensors configured to be deployed in the area, each sensor comprising;
a probe configured to measure an aspect of the sensor'"'"'s environment;
a transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal containing measurements received from the probe; and
a sensor power control unit configured to repeatedly toggle componentry of the sensor between powered and unpowered states; and
one or more electrically powered valves configured to be connected to a network of irrigation conduits deployed in the area, each valve comprising;
a fluid inlet;
a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path being defined between the inlet and outlet;
an electrically actuated flow restrictor movable to selectively open or close the flow path;
a receiver configured to receive the wireless signals sent from the one or more sensors; and
a valve power control unit configured to repeatedly toggle componentry of the receiver between powered and unpowered states;
wherein at least one sensor power control unit and at least one valve power control unit are configured to produce overlaps of the powered states of their associated sensor and valve so that the valve'"'"'s receiver can receive wireless signals from the sensor'"'"'s transmitter during the overlapping powered states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for wirelessly monitoring and watering an area, comprising:
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providing a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition and transmit wireless signals associated with the detected condition;
providing an electrically powered valve configured to receive the signals and control flow to a watering unit in the area;
toggling componentry of the sensor between powered and unpowered states;
toggling componentry of the valve between powered and unpowered states;
causing time overlaps of the powered states of the sensor and the valve; and
sending the signals from the sensor to the valve during the time overlaps. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification