Method and apparatus for providing environmental element prediction data for a point location

• US 20060271297A1
• Filed: 05/28/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fuente Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Dblive Corporation
• Inventors: Zerlotti, Rodrigo, Repelli, Carlos
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/00 Meteorology
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09

Abstract

An apparatus for generating environmental element predictions at a point location includes a receiver for collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data. A processor generates at least one environmental element prediction for the point location.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver for collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data; and

a processor generating a prediction for at least one environmental element at a point location from the environmental element prediction data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prediction data is grid prediction data.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prediction data is scatter prediction data.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prediction data includes grid prediction data and scatter prediction data.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the environmental element prediction data includes at least one element from the set including {air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, probability of precipitation, amount of precipitation, humidity, cloud cover, visibility, radiation, wind chill, heat index, water temperature, wave height, wave direction}.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a locator for providing the point location.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locator determines the point location through satellite trilateration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiver and processor are located at the point location.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the environmental element prediction data is broadcast at least in part by satellite.

10. A method comprises:

a) receiving broadcast environmental element prediction data; and

b) generating a prediction for at least one environmental element at a point location from the broadcast environmental element prediction data.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises grid data.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises scatter data.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises grid data and scatter data.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

c) generating a control signal for controlling a controlled element in response to the prediction.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the controlled element is a fluid.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the controlled element is water.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the controlled element is electrical power.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the controlled element is temperature.

19. A control apparatus comprising:

a receiver collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data;

a processor generating a prediction for at least one environmental element at a point location, wherein the processor generates a first control signal responsive to the prediction; and

a controller for controlling a controlled element, the controller responsive at least in part to the first control signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the controller varies a controller schedule with respect to the controlled element in accordance with the first control signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the controller schedule is varied to control an amount of the controlled element in accordance with the first control signal.

22. The control apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

a least one environmental sensor providing a second control signal, wherein the controller controls the controlled element in accordance with at least one of the first and second control signals.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the controlled element is a fluid.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fluid is water.

25. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the controlled element is electrical power.

26. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the controlled element is temperature.

27. An irrigation control apparatus comprising:

a receiver collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data;

a processor generating a prediction for at least one environmental element at a point location, wherein the processor generates a first control signal responsive to the prediction; and

a controller for controlling irrigation at least in part based on the first control signal.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the controller varies an irrigation schedule responsive to the first control signal.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the controller varies an amount of irrigation responsive to the first control signal.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a locator for specifying the point location.

31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the locator determines the point location through satellite trilateration.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the environmental element prediction data is broadcast at least in part by satellite.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises grid data.

34. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises scatter data.

35. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the environmental element prediction data comprises grid data and scatter data.