Landscape irrigation time of use scheduling
First Claim
1. A method of automatically regulating the times that irrigation is provided by a controller comprising the steps of:
- a. programming an electronic module with a schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority;
b. providing said module in series on a common electrical output line between said controller and its associated at least one valve; and
c. said module automatically disabling said valves at times when watering is not allowed by temporarily breaking said common line during such times.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A number of water related issues concern most communities. Among there are the availability of water, and the ability of the existing infrastructure to efficiently pump and deliver that water without wasting energy. The present invention addresses these issues with respect to landscape water use. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an add-on module that may be programmed with local watering restrictions including time of use (TOU), and that is connected to the output of any existing landscape irrigation controller. The module is programmed to not allow watering during certain times of day or certain days of the week as established by a local water authority or municipality. Embodiments of the invention also provide methods and apparatus for updating the local watering restrictions, and integrating the present invention into existing controllers.
146 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method of automatically regulating the times that irrigation is provided by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. programming an electronic module with a schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority; b. providing said module in series on a common electrical output line between said controller and its associated at least one valve; and c. said module automatically disabling said valves at times when watering is not allowed by temporarily breaking said common line during such times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A module for automatically regulating the output of an irrigation controller to comply with local watering schedules comprising:
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a. a power supply; b. a microprocessor programmed with a local watering schedule from a regulatory authority; and c. at least one output cutoff switch. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for automatically regulating the output of an irrigation controller to at least one valve to comply with local watering schedules comprising:
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a. a module comprising a microprocessor in communication with a cutoff switch, said microprocessor containing a plurality of schedules of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority and programming to automatically activate said cutoff switch at times when watering is not allowed according to said schedules; b. a first electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical output of said controller; c. a second electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical line leading to said at least one valve; and d. a means for selecting one of said plurality of schedules. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of saving water and energy in landscape watering comprising the steps of:
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a. programming an electronic module with local watering restrictions from a regulatory authority; b. attaching said module to an existing irrigation controller; and c. said module automatically disabling the output of said controller in compliance with said watering restrictions.
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42. A method of providing watering restrictions from a first location to at least one landscape irrigation controller at a second location comprising the steps of:
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a. connecting a module having a wireless receiver in series on a common output line of said at least one controller; b. wirelessly transmitting watering restrictions from said first location to said module; and c. regulating output of said at least one controller using said module based upon said watering restrictions.
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43. An apparatus for regulating the output of an irrigation controller to at least one valve to comply with local watering schedules comprising:
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a. a module comprising a microprocessor in communication with a cutoff switch, a receiver in communication with said microprocessor for wirelessly receiving at least one schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority, and programming in said microprocessor to activate said cutoff switch at times when watering is not allowed according to said schedule; b. a first electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical output of said controller; and c. a second electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical line leading to said at least one valve.
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44. An apparatus for regulating the output of an irrigation controller to at least one valve to comply with local watering schedules comprising:
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a. a module comprising a receiver in communication with a cutoff switch for wirelessly receiving signals for operation of said cutoff switch; b. a first electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical output of said controller; and c. a second electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical line leading to said at least one valve.
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45. A method of updating a restricted watering schedule within a module connected to, a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. engaging an updating device to an input on said module; and b. providing an updated watering schedule to said module through said device. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of implementing watering restrictions established by a regulatory authority comprising the steps of:
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a. programming a plurality of electronic modules with said watering restrictions; b. providing said modules to persons with irrigation controllers located within a geographic area where such restrictions apply; c. installing said modules in series on common electrical output lines of said controllers and at least one valve associated therewith; and d. said modules automatically disabling said valves at times when watering is not allowed according to said restrictions by temporarily breaking said common lines during such times. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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51. A method of regulating the times that irrigation water is provided through a master valve comprising the steps of:
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a. programming an electronic module with a schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority; b. providing said module in series on a common electrical-output line between a controller and said master valve; and c. said module automatically disabling said valve at times when watering is not allowed by temporarily breaking said common line during such times.
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52. A method of regulating the times that irrigation water is provided through a master valve comprising the steps of:
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a. programming an electronic module with a schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority; b. electrically connecting said module to a solenoid on said master valve; and c. said module automatically disabling said valve at times when watering is not allowed.
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53. A method of providing watering restrictions from a first location to a master valve at a second location comprising the steps of:
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a. connecting a module having a wireless receiver in series on a common output line between a controller and said master valve; b. wirelessly transmitting watering restrictions from said first location to said module; and c. regulating operation of said master valve using, said module based upon said watering restrictions.
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54. A method of providing watering restrictions from a first location to a master valve at a second location comprising the steps of:
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a. electrically connecting a module having a wireless receiver to a solenoid of said master valve; b. wirelessly transmitting watering restrictions from said first location to said module; and c. regulating operation of said master valve using said module based upon said watering restrictions.
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55. A method of regulating the times that irrigation is provided by a DC controller comprising the steps of:
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a. programming an electronic module with a schedule of allowed watering times established by a regulatory authority; b. providing said module with a cutoff switch in series on a common electrical output line between said controller and its associated at least one valve; c. providing a diode in a circuit in parallel with said cutoff switch; and d. said module automatically disabling said valves at times when watering is not allowed by temporarily breaking said common line during such times.
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Specification