IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An irrigation controller comprising:
- an electrical input connection configured to electrically communicate with a control unit of an irrigation system;
an electrical output connection configured to electrically communicate with one or more valves of the irrigation system; and
a control module comprising one or more processors and configured to;
monitor instructions received at the electrical input from the control unit, the instructions comprising commands for opening or closing the one or more valves;
receive data transmitted over a communications network from an external communications system; and
prevent, allow or modify the commands for opening or closing the one or more valve to be transmitted from the electrical output connection to the one or more valves based at least in part on the received data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation control system is disclosed. The irrigation control system can include an irrigation controller configured to intercept commands sent from a control unit of an irrigation system to one or more valves of the irrigation system. The irrigation control system can also include a master control valve configured to be disposed on a water supply line upstream of the one or more valves. A communications system comprising one or more processors can be configured to receive data from the master control valve over a communications network, the data related to a flow of water through the water supply line. The communications system can be configured to transmit information to the irrigation controller, the information comprising at least one of: current weather conditions, local water control restrictions, local moisture content, location of the irrigation system, user-defined limits, and flow rate of water through the irrigation system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An irrigation controller comprising:
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an electrical input connection configured to electrically communicate with a control unit of an irrigation system; an electrical output connection configured to electrically communicate with one or more valves of the irrigation system; and a control module comprising one or more processors and configured to; monitor instructions received at the electrical input from the control unit, the instructions comprising commands for opening or closing the one or more valves; receive data transmitted over a communications network from an external communications system; and prevent, allow or modify the commands for opening or closing the one or more valve to be transmitted from the electrical output connection to the one or more valves based at least in part on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A master control valve comprising:
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a valve body configured to be disposed on a water supply line upstream of one or more valves of an irrigation system, the valve body configured to control a flow of water through the water supply line; a sensor configured to transduce information regarding the flow of water and to generate a signal based on the transduced information; and a control module comprising one or more processors and configured to; receive the signal from the sensor; process the received signal to determine at least one of an amount of water flowing through the water supply line to the one or more valves and a time period during which water flows through the water supply line to the one or more valves; and transmit the processed signal over a communications network to an external communications system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An irrigation control system comprising:
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an irrigation controller configured to intercept commands sent from a control unit of an irrigation system to one or more valves of the irrigation system, the irrigation controller configured to prevent, allow, or modify the intercepted commands to be transmitted to the one or more valves; a master control valve configured to be disposed on a water supply line upstream of the one or more valves, the master control valve configured to determine at least one of an amount of water flowing through the water supply line to the one or more valves and a time period during which water flows through the water supply line to the one or more valves; and a communications system comprising one or more processors and configured to; receive data from the master control valve over a communications network, the data related to a flow of water through the water supply line; and transmit information to the irrigation controller, the information comprising at least one of;
current weather conditions, local water control restrictions, local moisture content, location of the irrigation system, user-defined limits, and flow rate of water through the irrigation system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An irrigation control system comprising:
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an irrigation control unit configured to be programmed by a user to control the operation of an irrigation system; one or more valves in electrical communication with the irrigation control unit, the one or more valves controlling the flow of water to one or more irrigation lines in response to a control signal sent from the irrigation control unit; an irrigation controller disposed between and in electrical communication with the irrigation control unit and the one or more valves, the irrigation controller configured to intercept commands sent from the control unit to the one or more valves, the irrigation controller configured to receive data over a communications network from an external communications system and configured to interrupt the control signal based at least in part on the received data. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification