System and method for optimized control of moving irrigation systems
First Claim
1. A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:
- a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map;
a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map;
a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map;
a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information and said soil condition information to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria; and
transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system for optimization of irrigation system operation comprises a computer, a storage device coupled to the computer for storing data, a global positioning satellite transmission receiver coupled to the computer, a geographic information satellite transmission receiver coupled to the computer, a plurality of irrigation pivot controllers remotely coupled to the computer, and a grid power monitor coupled to the computer for providing power grid demand and usage data to the computer. The system may also include a plurality of sensors located in each of the irrigated fields which transmit soil information directly to the central computer and which supplement the information from the GIS satellite. The computer in turn generates priorities of operation for the irrigation systems based on the soil condition information and most economical load operating periods from the electrical power utility.
126 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:
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a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map; a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map; a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map; a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information and said soil condition information to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria; and transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:
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a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map; a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map; a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map; a power grid monitor coupled to said computer for tracking electrical power demand and capacity available to said irrigation systems on said map; a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information, and said soil condition information, together to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria and available power criteria; and transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for optimizing operation of a plurality of independent soil irrigation systems comprising in combination:
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a global positioning system receiver receiving satellite transmission position information for each of said irrigation systems to generate a map; a geographical information system (GIS) receiver receiving GIS satellite transmitted soil condition information for said irrigation systems on said map; a programmable computer having a data storage device for storing data coupled to said GPS and GIS receivers for mapping said soil condition information onto said map; a weather satellite receiver coupled to said computer receiving weather forecasting information for said irrigation systems; a power grid monitor coupled to said computer for tracking electrical power demand and capacity available to said irrigation systems on said map; a software program means in said computer for integrating said position information, said soil condition information, and said weather forecast information together to produce a priority schedule for operation of each of said irrigation systems in accordance with predetermined irrigation criteria and available power criteria; and transmission means coupled to said computer and to each of said irrigation systems for sending a control signal to each of said irrigation systems in accordance with said priority schedule. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of optimizing operation of a remotely controlled irrigation system in an agricultural area comprising the steps of:
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receiving a global positioning system (GPS) signal representative of a position of said irrigation system; receiving a geographic information system (GIS) satellite signal of soil conditions in said agricultural area; correlating said GIS signal with said GPS signal to generate soil condition information at said position of said irrigation system; and calculating a required period of irrigation system operation based on said and said soil conditions at the location of said irrigation system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification