Landscape Controller with Control Panel Insertable Feature Module

• US 20130116837A1
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Malaugh, John, Woytowitz, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,678,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/10 using selector switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

A landscape controller includes a housing and a control panel in the housing. The control panel includes a display and at least one manual control that enable a user to enter and/or select a watering schedule. A memory is provided for storing an operational program for carrying out the watering schedule. A processor is connected to the memory and is capable of executing the operational program. A connecting device in the control panel operatively connects at least one feature module to the processor. The controller further includes station control circuitry controlled by the processor that enables the processor to selectively energize a plurality of valves to deliver water to sprinklers in accordance with the watering schedule.

Claims

1. A landscape controller, comprising:

a control panel for entering and/or selecting a watering schedule;

a memory having a stored operational program including a watering program for executing the watering schedule;

a plurality of switch circuits for energizing a plurality of valves;

a processor connected to the memory and configured to execute the operational program and control the switch circuits in accordance with the watering schedule;

at least one feature module including a flash memory device; and

the feature module operatively connectable to the processor through a communications path that does not include a backplane.

2. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the feature module provides an interface to an SD card to enable the processor to read and write data files to the flash memory device.

3. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to reprogram the controller with new firmware.

4. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to reprogram a watering schedule.

5. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to change a spoken display language of the controller.

6. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the feature module contains files containing images that can be shown on a display of the controller.

7. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the controller has programming that allows it to save a file containing logging information on the feature module.

8. The landscape controller of claim 2 wherein the control panel includes a device configured to enable the SD card to be removably connected to the feature module.

9. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the control panel includes a device configured to enable the feature module to be removably connected to the control panel.

10. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the control panel includes a slot for removably receiving the feature module.

11. The landscape controller of claim 1 wherein the control panel is a removable face pack.

12. The landscape controller of claim 11 and further comprising a plurality of receptacles for each receiving a removable station module including a portion of the switching circuits.

13. A landscape controller, comprising:

a control panel for entering and/or selecting a watering schedule;

a memory having a stored operational program including a watering program for executing the watering schedule;

a plurality of receptacles for each receiving a removable station module including a plurality of switch circuits for energizing a plurality of valves;

a processor connected to the memory and configured to execute the operational program and control the switch circuits in accordance with the watering schedule;

at least one feature module operatively connectable to the processor through a connecting device not associated with a station module receptacle.

14. The landscape controller of claim 13 wherein the control panel includes a device configured to enable the feature module to be removably connected to the control panel.

15. The landscape controller of claim 14 wherein the feature module includes an SD card.

16. The landscape controller of claim 13 wherein the control panel includes a slot for removably receiving the feature module.

17. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the feature module provides an interface to the SD card to enable the processor to read and write data files to a flash memory in the SD card.

18. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to reprogram the landscape controller with new firmware.

19. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to reprogram an irrigation schedule in the controller.

20. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the feature module contains a file that can be used to change a display language of the irrigation controller.

21. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the feature module contains files containing images that can be shown on a display of the irrigation controller.

22. The landscape controller of claim 15 wherein the stored operation program of the irrigation controller can save logging information on the feature module.