MOISTURE MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A device for measuring moisture content in a material, the device comprising:
- a probe having circuitry adapted for detecting moisture content of a material when the probe is inserted substantially vertically into the material, the circuitry being configured to produce a signal that corresponds to the moisture content of the material;
a button configured to actuate a driver, the driver being adapted to receive the signal from the probe and generate a current in response to being actuated by the button, the current having a magnitude that is proportional to the magnitude of the voltage; and
one or more display devices actuated by receiving the current from the driver in order to provide a readout therefrom that is proportional to the magnitude of the current and that represents the moisture content of the material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture monitoring device that measures the dielectric constant of a material to provide an indication of the moisture content of a material. The moisture monitoring device can provide an instantaneous indication of the moisture content of a material (e.g., soil). The moisture monitoring device can include a number of interchangeable decorative to allow a user to customize the appearance of the device. 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
25 Claims
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1. A device for measuring moisture content in a material, the device comprising:
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a probe having circuitry adapted for detecting moisture content of a material when the probe is inserted substantially vertically into the material, the circuitry being configured to produce a signal that corresponds to the moisture content of the material; a button configured to actuate a driver, the driver being adapted to receive the signal from the probe and generate a current in response to being actuated by the button, the current having a magnitude that is proportional to the magnitude of the voltage; and one or more display devices actuated by receiving the current from the driver in order to provide a readout therefrom that is proportional to the magnitude of the current and that represents the moisture content of the material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A 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 more communication lines; one or more probes for detecting moisture content in a material when each of the one or more probes is inserted substantially vertically into and at least partially submerged in the material, each of the one or more probes including; moisture sensing circuitry being configured to produce a first signal that varies in magnitude with the moisture content of the material; a transceiver communicably coupled to the moisture sensing circuitry, the transceiver being configured for receiving the first signal and transmitting a second signal; and a moisture control module in communication with the irrigation control module and the one or more probes, the moisture control module including processing circuitry configured for receiving the second signal from the first transceiver and manipulating the second 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 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for measuring moisture content, comprising:
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providing one or more probes for detecting moisture content in a material, each of the one or more probes including; moisture sensing circuitry being configured to produce a signal that varies in magnitude with the moisture content of the material; and a switch coupled to the moisture sensing circuitry and an driver, the driver being adapted to receive the signal from the moisture sensing circuitry, generate current therefrom that is proportional to the magnitude of the signal, and transmit the current to one or more display devices; vertically inserting and partially submerging the one or more probes in the material; and triggering the switch to activate the driver so as to receive the signal from the moisture sensing circuitry; converting the signal to a current having a magnitude that is proportional to the signal; and transmitting the current to the one or more display devices for activating the one or more display devices, wherein activating the one or more display devices provides an instantaneous indication of the moisture content of the material. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification