Sensor Device For Interrupting Irrigation

• US 20080027586A1
• Filed: 06/20/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Redmond, David, Peterson, Gerald, Kutzarov, Jordan, Fern, David, Hern, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/14 Rainfall or precipitation gauges measuring volume in general G01F

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation.

Claims

1. A method for controlling irrigation comprising:

generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit;

transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller;

receiving the signal at the interface unit;

determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and

generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step is performed at the interface unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether irrigation should be interrupted step comprises processing the signal and determining if a relationship exists between a first threshold and the indication at the interface unit;

and

wherein the generating the interrupt command step comprises generating the interrupt command to interrupt irrigation if the relationship exists.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the signal step comprises:

receiving a request for the indication from the interface unit; and

transmitting the signal comprising at least the indication in response to the request.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an indication of a temperature at the sensor unit, wherein the transmitting the signal step further comprises transmitting said indication of temperature.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining step further comprises determining, based at least on the rate of change in temperature whether the irrigation should be interrupted.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining step further comprises determining, based at least on the current temperature whether the irrigation should be interrupted.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising processing the indication to determine whether there is a change in the temperature, wherein transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal when a change in the temperature is detected.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising processing the indication at the sensor unit, comprising:

determining at the sensor unit whether a relationship exists between at least the indication of temperature and a local threshold; and

entering a low temperature operational mode at the sensor unit when the relationship exists;

wherein the signal comprises at least a low temperature message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein entering a low temperature operational mode comprises reducing the frequency of generating the indication and transmitting the signal.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether irrigation should be interrupted step further comprises processing the signal and determining whether a second relationship exists between the indication of temperature and a second threshold;

and

wherein the generating the interrupt command step further comprises generating the interrupt command interrupting irrigation if the second relationship exists.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprises determining, based at least on a rate of rain fall whether the irrigation should be interrupted.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprises determining, based at least on the total amount of rainfall whether the irrigation should be interrupted.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the indication to determine whether there is a change in the amount of rain fall;

and

wherein transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal when the change in the amount of rain fall is detected.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the signal step comprises transmitting the signal wirelessly to the interface unit.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a request for the signal from the interface unit to the sensor unit.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the signal step comprises transmitting the signal periodically.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal further comprises an indication of a signal strength and a battery strength of the sensor unit.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting the signal over a two-way communication link;

and

wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the signal over the two-way communication link.

20. A method for controlling irrigation comprising:

receiving a signal from a sensor unit, the signal comprising at least an indication representing an amount of rain fall at the sensor unit;

determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation executed by an irrigation controller should be interrupted; and

generating an interrupt command to cause an interruption of the irrigation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining step comprises processing the signal and determining if a relationship exists between a first threshold and the indication;

and further wherein the generating the interrupt command step comprises generating the interrupt command to cause the interruption of the irrigation if the relationship exists.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the signal further comprises an indication representing a measurement of current temperature at the sensor unit.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the determining step further comprises processing the signal and determining whether a second relationship exists between the indication of temperature and a second threshold;

and wherein the generating the interrupt command further comprises generating the interrupt command to cause the interruption of the irrigation if the second relationship exists.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the signal over a two-way communication link.

25. A device for controlling irrigation comprising:

an interface unit comprising;

an input unit adapted to receive a signal from a sensor unit, the signal comprising an indication representing an amount of rain fall at the sensor unit; and

a controller coupled to the input unit adapted to process the signal to determine based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation executed by an irrigation controller should be interrupted and to generate an interrupt command to cause the interruption of the irrigation.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the sensor unit comprises:

a sensor adapted to output the indication representing the amount of rain fall; and

an output unit adapted to output the signal comprising at least the indication.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a second input unit adapted to receive the request from the interface unit and output the signal in response to the request.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to receive requests from one of or more interface units.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a temperature sensor adapted to generate a second indication representing the temperature at the sensor unit, wherein the signal further comprises the second indication.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the controller is adapted to process the indication of temperature and determine if a relationship exists between a second threshold and the second indication and to generate the interrupt signal in the event that the relationship exists, the interrupt signal adapted to cause the interruption of the irrigation.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the interface unit further comprises a selectable input to allow a user to adjust at least the second threshold level at the interface unit.

32. The process of claim 29, wherein the sensor unit is further adapted to process the second indication.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to process the indication to determine if there is a change in the temperature wherein the first output unit is adapted to output the signal when it detects the change in the temperature.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein the sensor unit is further adapted to vary a frequency of outputting the signal based on the second indication.

35. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit further comprises circuitry to generate the indication of amount of rain.

36. The device of claim 26, wherein the output unit is further adapted to output an indication of one or more of signal strength, battery life, transmittal power, and sensor operation mode.

37. The device of claim 26, wherein the first output unit is adapted to output the signal on a periodic basis.

38. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit is further adapted to process the indication.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the sensor is adapted to process the indication comprises determining if there is a change in the amount of rain fall and wherein the first output unit is adapted to output the signal when it detects the change in the amount of rain.

40. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to vary a frequency of outputting the signal based on the indication.

41. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to increase and decrease its transmit power.

42. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to output the signal to one or more interface units.

43. The device of claim 26, wherein the sensor is further adapted to generate a second indication comprising a battery strength of the sensor unit wherein the signal further comprises the second indication.

44. The device of claim 26, wherein the output unit comprises:

a first wireless transceiver adapted to wirelessly transmit the signal and further adapted to receive the request from the interface unit; and

wherein the input unit comprises;

a second wireless transceiver adapted to receive the signal and further adapted to send the request to the sensor unit.

45. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit further comprises an indicator adapted to display a signal strength of the signal received from the sensor unit.

46. The device of claim 25, wherein the controller is adapted to process the signal to determine if a predetermined relationship exists between a threshold level and the indication, and wherein the controller is further adapted to generate an interrupt signal in the event the predetermined relationship exists, the interrupt signal adapted to cause the interruption of the irrigation.

47. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit further comprises an output unit adapted to output a request to the sensor unit for the signal, and

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the interface unit is adapted to send the request to one or more sensor units.

49. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit further comprises:

a selectable input to allow a user to adjust at least the threshold level at the interface unit.

50. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit further comprises a selectable input to allow the user to change the mode of operation of the sensor unit.

51. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit is adapted to send a request to the sensor unit to adjust the transmit power of the sensor unit.

52. The device of claim 25, wherein the interface unit is adapted to receive signals from one or more sensor units.

53. A rain sensor comprising:

a moisture absorptive material adapted to move in response to rain fall;

a plunger adapted to move in response to and proportional to the movement of the moisture absorptive material;

a sensor element comprising;

a first element; and

a second element coupled to the plunger and adapted to move with the plunger relative to the first element causing a change in a variable corresponding to the amount of rain; and

a controller adapted to measure the variable and further adapted to generate a signal comprising an indication of the amount of rain fall based on the variable.

54. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the first element is fixed in a location.

55. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the indication comprises the variable.

56. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the indication comprises a value representing the amount of rain fall generated based on the variable.

57. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the first element is a resistive element, and wherein the second element is a wiper in contact with the resistive element, and wherein the variable comprises resistance.

58. The rain sensor of claim 57, wherein the resistive element is fixed in a location, and wherein the wiper is moving.

59. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the first element is a first electrode and the second element is a second electrode and wherein the variable comprises a capacitance.

60. The rain sensor of claim 59, wherein the first electrode is fixed in a location, and wherein the second electrode is moving.

61. The rain sensor of claim 59, wherein an insulating material is located between the first electrode and the second electrode.

62. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the controller further comprises a transceiver wirelessly connected to a remote device, the transceiver adapted to transmit the signal to the remote device and further adapted to receive at least a second signal from the remote device.

63. The rain sensor of claim 53, further comprising a temperature sensor wherein the signal further comprises the second indication.

64. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the moisture absorptive material comprises a plurality of hygroscopic disks.

65. The rain sensor of claim 53, wherein the sensor unit is further adapted to determine a signal strength of the signal.

66. The rain sensor of claim 65, wherein the sensor unit further comprises an indicator adapted to display the determined signal strength.

67. The rain sensor of claim 66, wherein the indicator comprises an LED adapted to display the signal strength by flashing a predetermined number of times, the number of flashes indicating the signal strength.

68. The rain sensor of claim 66, further comprising a power source adapted to supply power to the sensor unit.

69. A method for wireless installation of an irrigation control device comprising:

locating a first wireless unit at a first location;

establishing a wireless path of communication between the first wireless unit and a second wireless unit remote from the first location;

moving the second wireless unit to a plurality of possible installation locations, wherein the signal strength changes as the second wireless unit is moved;

automatically determining the signal strength as the second wireless unit is moved;

automatically displaying the signal strength at the second wireless unit as the second wireless unit is moved; and

determining which of the plurality of possible installation locations to fix the second wireless unit based on the displayed signal strength.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein automatically displaying the signal strength comprises illuminating a light at the second wireless unit to indicate the signal strength.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the determining the signal strength step comprises:

sending signals from the first wireless unit to the second wireless unit through the wireless communication path;

receiving the signals at the second wireless unit; and

determining the signal strength of the received signals at the second unit.

72. A device for controlling irrigation comprising:

a sensor unit adapted to sense an amount of rain fall;

a two-way communication link coupling the sensor unit to an interface unit; and

the interface unit adapted to receive information corresponding to the amount of rain fall via the two-way communication link from the sensor unit, the interface unit further adapted to cause an interruption of irrigation executed by an irrigation controller based at least in part on the information from the sensor unit.

73. The device of claim 72, wherein the two-way communication link is a wireless communication link.

74. The device of claim 72, wherein the sensor unit is further adapted to send information corresponding to the amount of rain fall to the interface unit via the two-way communication link.

75. The device of claim 74, wherein the information comprises an indication corresponding to measurements of rain fall.

76. The device of claim 74, wherein the information comprises an indication that a rain threshold has been exceeded.

77. The device of claim 72, wherein the interface unit is further adapted to determine whether to interrupt irrigation based at least in part on the information received from the sensor unit.

78. The device of claim 77 wherein the interface unit is further configured to provide signaling to cause the interruption of the irrigation.

79. The device of claim 72, further comprising:

a first transceiver coupled to the sensor unit; and

a second transceiver coupled to the interface unit.

80. The device of claim 72, wherein the interface unit is further adapted to send a control signal to the sensor unit via the two-way communication link.

81. The device of claim 80, wherein the control signal comprises a request for information from the sensor unit.

82. The device of claim 81 wherein the sensor unit is send a response signal to the interface unit in response to the control signal.

83. The device of claim 81, wherein the control signal comprises a request for sensor measurements.

84. The device of claim 80, wherein the control signal comprises a command to change a mode of operation of the sensor unit.

85. The device of claim 84, wherein the sensor unit is adapted to receive the signal and change its mode of operation.

86. The device of claim 72, wherein the interface unit is further coupled to the irrigation controller.

87. The device of claim 72, wherein the interface unit is coupled to a control line of the irrigation controller.

88. The device of claim 87, wherein the control line comprises a common line.

89. The device of claim 87, wherein the control line comprises an activation line.

90. The device of claim 87, wherein the interface unit comprises a switch coupled to the control line and adapted to break the control line to cause the interruption of the irrigation.

91. A method for controlling irrigation comprising:

sensing an amount of rain fall at a sensor unit;

communicating information corresponding to the amount of rain fall from the sensor unit via a two-way communication link to an interface unit; and

causing, at the interface unit, an interruption of irrigation executed by an irrigation controller based at least in part on the information from the sensor unit, the interface unit being adapted to communicate with the sensor unit via the two-way communication link.