WIRELESS MOISTURE MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A wireless device for measuring moisture content, comprising:
- a probe having moisture sensing circuitry adapted for detecting moisture content when the probe is submerged in a material, the circuitry being configured to produce a first signal that varies in magnitude with the moisture content of the material; and
a first wireless transceiver communicably coupled to the moisture sensing circuitry for wirelessly communicating a second signal that represents the moisture content of the material, the first wireless transceiver being activated by receiving the first signal from the probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless moisture monitoring device that measures the dielectric constant of a material to provide an indication of the water or moisture content of a material. The wireless moisture monitoring device can monitor the moisture level of a material constantly, periodically, or the device can be configured to provide an instantaneous indication of the moisture content of the material (e.g., soil). The moisture monitoring device can be used in conjunction with a moisture monitoring system that can be used to control a watering system (e.g., an irrigation system). A method for providing an instantaneous indication of the moisture content of a material is also disclosed.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A wireless device for measuring moisture content, comprising:
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a probe having moisture sensing circuitry adapted for detecting moisture content when the probe is submerged in a material, the circuitry being configured to produce a first signal that varies in magnitude with the moisture content of the material; and a first wireless transceiver communicably coupled to the moisture sensing circuitry for wirelessly communicating a second signal that represents the moisture content of the material, the first wireless transceiver being activated by receiving the first signal from the probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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3. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is configured to provide a readout proportional to an average of the moisture content in the active zone.
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15. A wireless moisture monitoring system comprising:
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an irrigation control module communicatively coupled to one or more valves and one or more irrigation devices via one or communication lines; one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices for detecting moisture content in a material capable of supporting plant growth when each of the one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices is at least partially submerged in the material, each of the one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices comprising; an elongate probe including; a distal end including an active zone configured for detecting moisture content of the material; and an inactive zone disposed proximal to the active zone, wherein the active zone and at least a portion of the inactive zone are inserted substantially vertically into the material; moisture sensing circuitry configured to create a signal that varies with the moisture content in the material; and a first wireless transceiver communicably coupled to the moisture sensing circuitry for communicating the signal; and a moisture control module in communication with the irrigation control module and configured to initiate activation and deactivation of the one or more irrigation devices, the moisture control module comprising circuitry for processing a wireless signal received by the moisture control module from the one or more probes, the circuitry manipulating the signal for delivery to the irrigation control module to initiate activation and deactivation of the one or more irrigation devices based upon the detected moisture content. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing for instantaneous measurement of moisture content, the method comprising:
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providing one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices, each of the one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices including an elongate probe configured to be inserted into a material so as to the monitor the moisture content of the material, moisture sensing circuitry adapted for detecting water content when the probe is at least partially submerged in a material, and a first wireless transceiver for communicating a data stream that represents the water content of the material; partially submerging the one or more probes in the material; triggering at least one of the one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices using a second wireless transceiver in communication with the first wireless transceiver, wherein triggering the at least one of the one or more wireless moisture monitoring devices causes the moisture sensing circuitry to produce a signal that is proportional to the water content of the material; converting and packaging the signal for wireless transmission to the second wireless transceiver; and transmitting the signal to the second wireless transceiver from the first transceiver so as to provide an instantaneous indication of the moisture content of the material. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification