Modular and Expandable Irrigation Controller
First Claim
1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
- a housing;
a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs;
a plurality of expansion module mounting locations within the housing adapted to removably receive expansion modules, each expansion mounting location electrically coupled to the first microcontroller;
an expansion module removably mounted to a first expansion module mounting location and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the expansion module including a second microcontroller, the second microcontroller adapted to operate with the first microcontroller;
wherein the first microcontroller is adapted;
to transmit an authentication request to the expansion module;
receive a response to the authentication request from the expansion module; and
determine, based on the response, if the expansion module is authorized to operate with the first microcontroller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In some embodiments, authentication procedures are provided for one or both of a modular irrigation controller and an expansion module to determine if they are authorized to operate together.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs; a plurality of expansion module mounting locations within the housing adapted to removably receive expansion modules, each expansion mounting location electrically coupled to the first microcontroller; an expansion module removably mounted to a first expansion module mounting location and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the expansion module including a second microcontroller, the second microcontroller adapted to operate with the first microcontroller; wherein the first microcontroller is adapted; to transmit an authentication request to the expansion module; receive a response to the authentication request from the expansion module; and determine, based on the response, if the expansion module is authorized to operate with the first microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An expansion module for a modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; an electrical connector adapted to removably connect to one of a plurality of expansion module mounting locations of a modular irrigation controller, each expansion module mounting location electrically coupled to a control unit that executes stored irrigation programs; and a microcontroller within the housing and coupled to the electrical connector, the microcontroller adapted to operate with the control unit; wherein the microcontroller is adapted; to transmit an authentication request to the control unit; receive a response to the authentication request from the control unit; and determine, based on the response, if the control unit is authorized to operate with the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for use with a modular irrigation controller comprising:
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removably mounting an expansion module to one of a plurality of expansion mounting locations within a housing, each expansion mounting location electrically coupled to a first microcontroller of a control unit within the housing, the first microcontroller adapted to execute stored irrigation programs, the expansion module including a second microcontroller, the second microcontroller adapted to operate with the first microcontroller; transmitting an authentication request from the first microcontroller to the expansion module; receiving, by the first microcontroller, a response to the authentication request from the expansion module; and determining, based on the response, if the expansion module is authorized to operate with the first microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for use with a modular irrigation controller comprising:
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removably connecting an electrical connector of an expansion module having a housing to one of a plurality of expansion module mounting locations of the modular irrigation controller, each expansion module mounting location electrically coupled to a control unit that is adapted to execute stored irrigation programs; transmitting, by a microcontroller of the expansion module, an authentication request to the control unit, wherein the microcontroller adapted to operate with the control unit; receiving, by the microcontroller of the expansion module, a response to the authentication request from the control unit; and determining, based on the response, if the control unit is authorized to operate with the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification