Irrigation controller
First Claim
1. An irrigation controller, comprising:
- microprocessor means for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values;
a module dimensioned and arranged to enable to user to transport the module by hand;
said module including module memory means for storing a set of the parameter values;
connector means, including mating first and second connectors operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor means and the module memory means, for enabling the user to removably couple the module memory means to the microprocessor means in order to enable transfer of the set of the parameter values between the microprocessor means and the module memory means;
means for transferring the set of parameter values from the module memory means to the microprocessor means; and
means for transferring information from the microprocessor means to the module memory means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values, and a module dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to transport the module by hand. A memory is provide in the module for storing a set of the parameter values, and first and second mating connectors are provided on respective ones of a housing for the microprocessor and the module. The connectors are operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor and the memory circuit to enable the user to couple the memory means to the microprocessor in order to transfer the remotely programmed set of the parameter values to and from the microprocessor means. Microprocessor programming enables automatic watering interval adjustment, open circuit testing, and individual watering station shutdown in the event of a fault condition.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An irrigation controller, comprising:
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microprocessor means for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values; a module dimensioned and arranged to enable to user to transport the module by hand; said module including module memory means for storing a set of the parameter values; connector means, including mating first and second connectors operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor means and the module memory means, for enabling the user to removably couple the module memory means to the microprocessor means in order to enable transfer of the set of the parameter values between the microprocessor means and the module memory means; means for transferring the set of parameter values from the module memory means to the microprocessor means; and means for transferring information from the microprocessor means to the module memory means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
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6. An irrigation controller, comprising:
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a housing; microprocessor means mounted on the housing for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values; a module dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to transport the module by hand; said module including module memory means for storing a set of the parameter values; connector means, including mating first and second connectors mounted on respective ones of the housing and the module and operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor means and the module memory means, for enabling the user to removably couple the module memory means to the microprocessor means in order to enable transfer of the set of the parameter values between the microprocessor means and the module memory means; means for transferring the set of parameter values from the module memory means to the microprocessor means; and means for transferring information from the microprocessor means to the module memory means. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. An irrigation controller, comprising:
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microprocessor means for activating each one of a plurality of watering stations under program control so that each one of the watering stations is activated for an assigned period of time indicated by a respective one of a plurality of stored parameter values; and first input means for coupling a first input signal to the microprocessor means while a first one of the watering stations is activated to indicate when the first watering station has been activated a desired length of time; the microprocessor means including means for adjusting the period of time that each one of the watering stations is activated according to the ratio of the desired length of time to the assigned period of time for the first watering station. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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11. An irrigation controller, comprising:
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microprocessor means for activating a plurality of watering stations under program control so that each of the watering stations is activated for an assigned period of time indicated by a respective one of a plurality of stored parameter values; first input means for coupling a first input signal to the microprocessor means while a first of the watering stations is activated to indicate when the first watering station has been activated a desired length of time; and the microprocessor means including means responsive to said desired length of time for the first watering station for adjusting the period of time that a second of the watering stations is activated. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. An irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of electrically operated watering stations comprising:
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microprocessor means for activating the electrically operated watering stations under program control; the microprocessor including open circuit testing means for determining whether an open electrical circuit condition exists in association with one of the watering stations; and said open circuit testing means checking said watering stations in sequence to determine if said open electrical circuit condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of programming an irrigation controller of the type which includes a microprocessor, for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values;
- said method comprising;
programming a portable module with a set of the parameter values at a first location; transporting the programmed module from the first location to the irrigation controller; coupling the module to the irrigation controller to allow transfer of the set of the parameter values from the module to the microprocessor of the irrigation controller; transferring the set of parameter values from the module to the microprocessor of the irrigation controller; and transferring information from the microprocessor to the module.
- said method comprising;
Specification