Wireless Irrigation Control Device and Related Method
First Claim
1. A wireless irrigation control system, comprising:
- at least one water flow control device;
a watertight housing;
a wireless receiver within the watertight housing and adapted to receive irrigation schedule related signals;
a memory within the watertight housing and adapted to store an irrigation schedule established or modified by the received irrigation schedule related signals;
a controller within the watertight housing and coupled to the memory, the controller adapted to execute the irrigation schedule to cause the water flow control device to operate according to the irrigation schedule;
a power supply within the watertight housing and adapted to supply power to at least the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide wireless irrigation control systems and related methods. In one embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a wireless irrigation control system comprising: at least one water flow control device; a watertight housing; and a wireless receiver within the watertight housing and adapted to receive irrigation schedule related signals. The system also includes a memory within the watertight housing and adapted to store an irrigation schedule established or modified by the received irrigation schedule related signals; and a controller within the watertight housing and coupled to the memory, the controller adapted to execute the irrigation schedule to cause the water flow control device to operate according to the irrigation schedule. Additionally, a power supply is within the watertight housing and adapted to supply power to at least the controller.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A wireless irrigation control system, comprising:
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at least one water flow control device; a watertight housing; a wireless receiver within the watertight housing and adapted to receive irrigation schedule related signals; a memory within the watertight housing and adapted to store an irrigation schedule established or modified by the received irrigation schedule related signals; a controller within the watertight housing and coupled to the memory, the controller adapted to execute the irrigation schedule to cause the water flow control device to operate according to the irrigation schedule; a power supply within the watertight housing and adapted to supply power to at least the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling a plurality of wireless irrigation control devices, the method comprising:
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organizing the plurality of wireless irrigation control devices into multiple groups; receiving a broadcast signal at each control device, the broadcast signal containing content selectively applicable to a single wireless irrigation control device, to more than one wireless irrigation control device, and to the wireless irrigation control devices of one or more of the multiple groups; decoding the received broadcast signal and confirming that it applies to a particular irrigation control device or a group to which the particular irrigation control device belongs; storing and updating at least one watering schedule in a memory module based on data received from time to time, and decoded in the preceding step; and generating signals based on the stored watering schedule to control a water control device in accordance with the stored watering schedule. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling a plurality of wireless irrigation control devices, the method comprising:
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organizing a plurality of wireless irrigation control devices into one or more groups, the groups organized according to similarity in irrigation schedules such that the wireless irrigation control devices of each group operate according to substantially the same schedule; receiving a broadcast signal at each control device; decoding the received broadcast signal and confirming which control devices the broadcast signals are directed to; updating at least one watering schedule at the controller based on data received from the broadcast signals; and operating a water control device in accordance with the stored watering schedule. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A wireless irrigation control device, comprising:
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a water flow control device; a controller coupled to the water flow control device and capable of responding to and storing wireless transmitted control commands; a battery power supply also contained within the housing, to supply power to the controller and to the water control device; wherein the controller processes control commands received at the water flow control device; and wherein the control commands include a command to activate a power saving schedule that shuts down portions of the controller'"'"'s operation according to the power saving schedule, thereby reducing demand on the battery power supply. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method for controlling a wireless irrigation control device, the method comprising:
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receiving broadcast signals; decoding the received broadcast signals and confirming that they apply to the particular irrigation control device; storing and updating at least one watering schedule in a memory module based on data received from time to time, and decoded in the preceding step; generating signals to control a water control device in accordance with the watering schedule; and activating a power saving schedule adapted to shut down portions of the wireless irrigation control device according to the power saving schedule in response to a signal received and decoded in the decoding step. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification