IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. A method for providing irrigation management services, the method comprising:
- managing an irrigation system installed at a property;
identifying one or more characteristics of the property affecting water usage on the property;
developing an irrigation management plan using the one or more characteristics for the property, the irrigation management plan being applied by the irrigation system;
communicatively connecting a controller for the irrigation system with a central computer at a remote location;
implementing the irrigation management plan for the property from the central computer;
monitoring effectiveness of the irrigation management plan using the central computer;
adjusting the irrigation management plan from the central computer to improve the effectiveness of the irrigation management plan; and
continuously monitoring the water usage at the property using water usage data communicated to the central computer from the controller.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing irrigation management services is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of controllers, where each controller controls application of water by an irrigation system associated with the controller. A central computer that is remote from each of the controllers may be configured to implement an irrigation management plan that is individualized to each location and based, at least in part, upon one or more characteristics of the location as determined by an on-site visit. The irrigation manager may guarantee that the system will provide a return on investment within a predefined period of time. The system may also detect faults in the irrigation systems using water usage data from the controllers and diagnose the faults. A technician may be notified and dispatched to repair the faults.
45 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for providing irrigation management services, the method comprising:
-
managing an irrigation system installed at a property; identifying one or more characteristics of the property affecting water usage on the property; developing an irrigation management plan using the one or more characteristics for the property, the irrigation management plan being applied by the irrigation system; communicatively connecting a controller for the irrigation system with a central computer at a remote location; implementing the irrigation management plan for the property from the central computer; monitoring effectiveness of the irrigation management plan using the central computer; adjusting the irrigation management plan from the central computer to improve the effectiveness of the irrigation management plan; and continuously monitoring the water usage at the property using water usage data communicated to the central computer from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for providing irrigation management services, the method comprising:
-
visiting a first property having an irrigation system; developing an irrigation management plan for the first property using the one or more characteristics, the irrigation management plan being applied by the irrigation system; determining a value of irrigation management services at the first property, determining the value comprising; an irrigation manager charging a fixed amount for the irrigation management services over a predetermined period of time; and calculating an irrigation water cost savings for the predetermined period;
if the fixed amount exceeds the guaranteed maximum charge, having the irrigation manager refund or credit a difference between the fixed amount and the guaranteed maximum charge. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A system for providing irrigation management services, the system comprising:
-
a plurality of controllers, each controller controlling application of water by an irrigation system associated with the controller; a central computer that is remote from each of the plurality of controllers and that is in communication with each of the plurality of controllers; and at least one mobile device in communication with the central computer, the at least one mobile device configured to receive notifications from the central computer and to remotely control operation of each remotely monitored irrigation system. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification