WIRELESS IRRIGATION CONTROL
First Claim
1. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
- receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station,the connector coupled to the irrigation controller,the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations,wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; and
causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. In some implementations, the receiver unit includes a capacitor charging circuit and battery to power the receiver unit and drive and control a latching solenoid.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; and causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the transmitter unit including the first controller and a user interface comprising one or more user inputs, the transmitter unit having a connector configured to be coupled to the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating stations; and causing the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication, the wireless activation signal being configured to be received by a receiver unit, the receiver unit configured to be coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, the actuator configured to actuate the actuatable device, the receiver unit configured to cause the actuator to actuate the irrigation valve in response to receiving the wireless activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for use in irrigation control comprising:
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operationally powering a controller and a wireless receiver of a battery powered receiver unit using a battery, the receiver unit configured to control operation of a latching solenoid configured to control an irrigation valve; charging a capacitor to a first voltage level using a capacitor charging circuit and the battery, wherein the battery has a voltage rating at a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level, wherein the capacitor charging circuit comprises; an inductor coupling the battery to the capacitor; and a switch coupled to the inductor and operated by the controller and which controls a flow of current through the inductor; receiving a wireless irrigation control signal at the wireless receiver; and causing, responsive to the wireless irrigation control signal, the capacitor to discharge to provide a pulse to the latching solenoid sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid to control the irrigation valve. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for use in irrigation control comprising:
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operationally powering a controller and a wireless receiver of a battery powered receiver unit using a battery, the receiver unit configured to control operation of a latching solenoid configured to control an irrigation valve; charging a capacitor to a voltage of at least 7 volts using a capacitor charging circuit and the battery, wherein the battery has a voltage rating of less than 7 volts, wherein the capacitor can provide a pulse sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid controlling the irrigation valve when discharged; receiving a wireless irrigation control signal at the wireless receiver; and causing, responsive to the wireless irrigation control signal, the capacitor to discharge to provide a pulse to the latching solenoid sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid to control the irrigation valve. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification