Capacitance-based moisture sensor and controller
First Claim
1. A moisture sensor device comprising:
- a probe forming a capacitor and adapted to be positioned within soil;
a controller coupled to the probe, the controller comprising;
a variable frequency oscillator, the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator varies as a function of a capacitance of the probe, the capacitance varies as a function of a moisture content of the soil;
a reference oscillator; and
a circuit for comparing the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator to a frequency of the reference oscillator; and
a switch coupled to the circuit and adapted to be coupled to a power output line of an irrigation controller and a power actuation line coupled to a valve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Moisture sensor devices and methods associated with operation of the moisture sensor devices are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes a moisture sensor device comprising a probe forming a capacitor and adapted to be positioned within soil; a controller coupled to the probe, the controller comprising a variable frequency oscillator, the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator varies as a function of a capacitance of a capacitor, the capacitance varies as a function of a moisture content of the soil; a reference oscillator; and a circuit for comparing the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator to a frequency of the reference oscillator; and a switch coupled to the circuit and adapted to be coupled to a power output line of an irrigation controller and a power actuation line coupled to a valve.
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Citations
78 Claims
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1. A moisture sensor device comprising:
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a probe forming a capacitor and adapted to be positioned within soil;
a controller coupled to the probe, the controller comprising;
a variable frequency oscillator, the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator varies as a function of a capacitance of the probe, the capacitance varies as a function of a moisture content of the soil;
a reference oscillator; and
a circuit for comparing the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator to a frequency of the reference oscillator; and
a switch coupled to the circuit and adapted to be coupled to a power output line of an irrigation controller and a power actuation line coupled to a valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An irrigation system comprising:
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an irrigation controller adapted to execute water schedules and output power signals to active and deactivate valves;
a moisture sensor electrically coupled to the controller comprising;
a probe forming a capacitor and adapted to be positioned within soil;
a controller coupled to the probe, the controller comprising;
a variable frequency oscillator, the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator varies as a function of a capacitance of a capacitor, the capacitance varies as a function of a moisture content of the soil;
a reference oscillator; and
a circuit for comparing the frequency of the variable frequency oscillator to a frequency of the reference oscillator; and
a switch coupled to the circuit and adapted to be coupled to a power output line of the irrigation controller and a power actuation line; and
a valve electrically coupled to the power actuation line. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An integrated moisture sensor and controller device adapted to be placed in soil comprising:
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a housing;
a controller circuit within the housing for controlling actuation of a valve; and
a sensor circuit within the housing and coupled to the controller circuit, the sensor circuit adapted to provide the controller circuit a signal corresponding to a moisture level of the soil. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of calibrating a moisture sensor comprising:
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positioning the moisture sensor into a medium;
applying power to the moisture sensor; and
storing a value in a memory of the moisture sensor, the value corresponding to a current moisture level of the medium. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A moisture sensor device comprising:
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a probe forming a capacitor and adapted to be positioned within soil;
a controller coupled to the probe, the controller comprising;
a threshold circuit adapted to determine a moisture content of the soil, the capacitance of the probe varying as a function of the moisture content of the soil; and
a communication circuit adapted to receive communications from an electronic device over a power output line of an irrigation controller, the communications including a command to adjust a setting of the moisture sensor; and
a switch coupled to the circuit and adapted to be coupled to the power output line of an irrigation controller and a power actuation line coupled to a valve. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An electronic device comprising:
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a switch coupled to a power line of moisture sensor and adapted to interrupt power to the moisture sensor; and
a controller coupled to the switch and adapted to control the power interruptions of the switch, wherein the power interruptions include communications to the moisture sensor, the communications including a command to adjust a setting of the moisture sensor. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. An integrated moisture sensor and controller comprising:
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a housing adapted to be positioned in soil;
a sensor contained within the housing, the sensor adapted to measure a moisture level in the soil; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and contained within the housing, the controller adapted to store a savings value corresponding to an amount of water savings. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method of controlling a valve comprising:
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comparing a frequency of a variable frequency oscillator that varies as a function of a capacitance of a probe positioned in soil to a frequency of a reference oscillator, wherein the capacitance of the probe varies as a function of a moisture content of the soil;
determining if the moisture content of the soil exceeds a threshold level; and
controlling a switch that is coupled to a valve solenoid through a power actuation line.
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61. A self calibrating moisture sensor device comprising:
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a probe adapted to be positioned in soil;
a controller circuit coupled to the probe and adapted to take a moisture sensor reading upon receiving power; and
a memory coupled to the controller circuit and adapted to store a value in a memory of the moisture sensor, the value corresponding to a current moisture level of the medium. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A method of communicating with an electronic device comprising:
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receiving communications from the electronic device over a power output line of an irrigation controller at a moisture sensor; and
adjusting a setting of the moisture sensor in response to the received communications. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A moisture sensor unit for use in soil comprising:
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a housing adapted to be inserted into the soil;
a probe formed within the housing, the probe adapted to be responsive to a moisture level in the soil; and
a first spike extending from the housing and adapted to maintain the housing in a desired orientation within the soil. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78)
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Specification