IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS CONTROL
First Claim
1. An irrigation system controller, comprising:
- a processor;
a computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor;
a wireless receiver operable for receiving a wireless signal from an environmental sensor;
a set of line outputs suitable for providing operational power to respective valve actuators; and
processor executable instructions in the storage medium, including;
an irrigation control module including instructions for;
interpreting user inputs to define an irrigation schedule; and
selectively asserting the set of line outputs based on the irrigation schedule; and
an environmental module including instructions for;
analyzing environmental data encoded in the wireless signal to determine whether irrigation criteria are satisfied; and
selectively asserting the set of line outputs based on results of said analyzing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disclosed method of weather forecasting with respect to a set of irrigation criteria includes enabling an irrigation system controller operating on a user defined schedule to wirelessly receive soil condition information from an environmental sensor, evaluate the soil condition information for satisfaction of an irrigation criterion, and activate an irrigation valve associated with the environmental sensor when the irrigation criterion is satisfied. The soil condition information may indicate a chemical composition or moisture content of the soil. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a warning message based on the soil condition. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to send the warning message to a lawn care service. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a report of the soil condition. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a report indicative of water consumption per irrigation valve.
121 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An irrigation system controller, comprising:
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a processor; a computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor; a wireless receiver operable for receiving a wireless signal from an environmental sensor; a set of line outputs suitable for providing operational power to respective valve actuators; and processor executable instructions in the storage medium, including; an irrigation control module including instructions for; interpreting user inputs to define an irrigation schedule; and selectively asserting the set of line outputs based on the irrigation schedule; and an environmental module including instructions for; analyzing environmental data encoded in the wireless signal to determine whether irrigation criteria are satisfied; and selectively asserting the set of line outputs based on results of said analyzing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An irrigation control process, comprising:
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extracting environmental information from a wireless signal responsive to receiving the wireless signal from an environmental sensor, wherein the environmental information is indicative of a condition of soil in proximity to the environmental sensor; evaluating the environmental information with respect to irrigation criteria; and selectively asserting a set of line outputs based on the evaluating when any of the irrigation criteria is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A processor readable storage medium including processor executable instructions for controlling an irrigation system, the instructions comprising instructions to:
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interpret environmental information extracted from a wireless environmental sensor signal wherein the environmental information is indicative of environmental conditions in proximity to an environmental sensor; interpret weather forecast information received from a weather forecasting source; evaluate the environmental information and the weather forecast information to determine whether any of a set of irrigation criteria is satisfied; and assert a line output associated with the environmental sensor when an irrigation criterion is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of automating an irrigation system, comprising enabling an irrigation system controller operating on a user defined schedule to:
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wirelessly receive soil condition information from an environmental sensor; evaluate the soil condition information for satisfaction of an irrigation criterion; and activate an irrigation valve associated with the environmental sensor when the irrigation criterion is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A sprinkler for use in an irrigation system, comprising:
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a sprinkler head in communication with a fluid conduit; and an environmental sensor positioned wherein the environmental sensor is embedded in soil when the sprinkler is installed and wherein the environmental sensor is operable to; monitor parameters selected from the group consisting of; a chemical composition of the soil; a moisture content of the soil; a precipitation status; a volume of water dispensed by the sprinkler; and a low battery condition of the environmental sensor; and wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of at least some of the monitored parameters.
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Specification