Flexible irrigation controller

• US 4,852,051 A
• Filed: 08/25/1988
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Mylne, John M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/237,658
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 364/143-146, 364/420, 364/510, 307/41, 307/141, 307/141.4, 340/309.4, 340/309.5, 340/309.15, 361/191, 239/69, 239/70, 137/624.11-624.14, 137/624.8-624.20, 371/14, 371/60, 365/127, 365/130, 365/168, 365/193
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/07 where the programme is defined in the fixed connection of electrical elements, e.g. potentiometers, counters, transistors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/106 for selecting a programme, variable or parameter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86461 Variable cycle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a simplified solid state controller for flexible use in controlling many individual watering stations that make up an automatic irrigation system. The operator input panel provides switches the operator can use to initiate a number of parameterization logic sequences for the controller system. Through the input panel, the operator can cause the stored information data to be displayed and to be selectively advanced to a new desired value on a step-by-step basis. When the newly displayed value equals the value desired by the operator, the operator signals the logic of the controller through the input panel and the current, stored value is updated to the displayed value. Once entered, the signals are stored in memory and acted upon automatically at the times specified to activate various individual irrigation valves at the times, and on the days, and for the duration, so stored.

Claims

1. An irrigation controller for individually and automatically controlling water flow to a plurality of individual watering stations in accordance with a programmable and modifiable watering schedule over a pre-programmed period of days, said watering schedule including information indicative of desired watering days, start times, and stations to be activated, comprising:

a. memory means for storing the watering schedule, said memory means being organized to store the watering schedule in a matrix having a first, second and third dimension, each of said dimensions consisting of a plurality of memory cells;

(1) each memory cell in said first dimension being assigned to one particular day during the preprogrammed period of days for storing that portion of the watering schedule information indicative of whether any watering station should be activated on that day;

(2) each memory cell in said second dimension for storing that portion of the watering schedule information indicative of a scheduled starting time for watering on that particular day; and

,

(3) each memory cell in said third dimension for storing that portion of the watering schedule information indicative of whether a particular watering station should be watered at a particular start time on a particular day;

b. input means connected to said memory means for inputting the watering schedule into the three organized dimensions of said memory means such that information indicative of watering days is stored in said first dimensions, of start times in said second dimension and of stations to be activated in said third dimension;

c. real time clock means for determining and maintaining a record of the time and day;

d. logic means connected to said real time clock means and said memory means for causing the information contained within each memory cell in said first dimension to be read only on the day to which said memory cell is assigned, and for causing the information contained within said second and third dimensions to be read only on the days when the information read from first dimension indicates that watering should take place; and

e. output means connected to said logic means for causing water to flow to each individual watering station when dictated by the information read by said logic means by the information stored within said three-dimensional