GARDEN WATERING CONTROLLERS
First Claim
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1. A garden watering controller for operating a valve for controlling supply of water into a garden watering arrangement, the controller comprising:
- a light sensor for sensing ambient light levels, anda central unit for receiving sensed light level signals from the light sensor and for outputting control signals for operating the valve in dependence on the sensed light level signals.
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Abstract
A garden watering controller for operating a valve for controlling a supply of water into a garden watering arrangement includes a light sensor for sensing ambient light levels and a central unit for receiving sensed light level signals from the light sensor and for outputting control signals for operating the valve in dependence on the sensed light level signals. The central unit may be arranged to determine the occurrence of dawn and dusk.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A garden watering controller for operating a valve for controlling supply of water into a garden watering arrangement, the controller comprising:
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a light sensor for sensing ambient light levels, and a central unit for receiving sensed light level signals from the light sensor and for outputting control signals for operating the valve in dependence on the sensed light level signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22)
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21. A garden watering controller for operating a valve for controlling supply of water into a garden watering arrangement, the controller comprising a light sensor for sensing ambient light levels, and a central unit for receiving sensed light level signals from the light sensor and for outputting control signals for operating the valve, the central unit being arranged under the control of software to:
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a) calculate a rolling average of the light level sensed by the sensor; b) determine the occurrence of dawn when the following are satisfied; i) the rolling average is increasing; ii) the latest rolling average is no more than a predetermined amount above the preceding rolling average; and iii) the latest rolling average is above a first minimum threshold value; and c) determine the occurrence of dusk when the following are satisfied; i) the rolling average is decreasing; ii) the latest rolling average is no more than a predetermined amount below the preceding rolling average; and iii) the latest rolling average is below a first maximum threshold value; and d) output control signals for operating the valve in dependence on the determination of the occurrence of dawn and dusk.
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Specification