Adaptable control system for a variable number of switches
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling a variable number of zones of electrically-operated devices, each zone including at least one electrically-operated device, the control system comprising:
- a processor unit including a memory for storing a user-defined program relating to selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices, the processor unit generating command data in accordance with the user-defined program for the selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices; and
a set of switches in communication with the processor unit, each switch capable of having the at least one electrically-operated device of a corresponding one of the zones connected thereto for operation of the connected electrically-operated device upon actuation of the switch;
wherein the processor unit ascertains the total number of switches in communication therewith by sending a query signal and receiving a signal in response to the query signal indicative of the total number of switches in communication therewith and limits the variable number of zones selected and controlled by the user-defined program to the ascertained total number of switches.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adaptable controller for controlling variable numbers of switches is disclosed. Specifically the controller is useful in an irrigation system having a number of water sprinklers whose operation may be controlled by user-defined programs. The system has a processor unit, an interface unit and a number of add-on units. Switches for actuating electrically-operated devices such as sprinklers are located on the interface unit and the add-on units. The controller allows a user to enter operating parameters relating to the switches in the form of the user-defined programs. The processor is capable of ascertaining the number of switches on the interface unit and the add-on units and limiting the number of switches selected and controlled by the user-defined programs.
153 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling a variable number of zones of electrically-operated devices, each zone including at least one electrically-operated device, the control system comprising:
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a processor unit including a memory for storing a user-defined program relating to selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices, the processor unit generating command data in accordance with the user-defined program for the selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices; and a set of switches in communication with the processor unit, each switch capable of having the at least one electrically-operated device of a corresponding one of the zones connected thereto for operation of the connected electrically-operated device upon actuation of the switch; wherein the processor unit ascertains the total number of switches in communication therewith by sending a query signal and receiving a signal in response to the query signal indicative of the total number of switches in communication therewith and limits the variable number of zones selected and controlled by the user-defined program to the ascertained total number of switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A removable add-on unit for use with a control system that controls a variable number of zones of electrically-operated devices, each zone having at least one electrically-operated device connected to a corresponding switch, the control system including a processor unit generating command data in accordance with a user-defined program relating to selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices and an interface receiving the command data from the processor unit and identifying the switch connected to the electrically-operated device of the zone selected by the user-defined program, the interface sending an actuation signal to actuate the identified switch for operation of the electrically-operated device of the selected zone, the removable add-on unit comprising:
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a connector operatively connecting the removable add-on unit to the interface for two way communication with the processor unit; at least one switch capable of having the at least one electrically-operated device of an additional zone connected thereto for operation of the connected electrically-operated device upon actuation of the switch; and a program array logic device for receiving the actuation signal from the interface, identifying the switch connected to the electrically-operated device of the zone selected by the user-defined program, and translating the actuation signal to the identified switch for operation of the electrically-operated device of the selected zone,wherein the program array logic device sends an identification signal to the interface. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. An irrigation system for irrigating a variable number of zones, the irrigation system comprising:
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a plurality of electrically-operated valves for regulating the supply of water, each zone including at least one electrically-operated valve; and a control system for controlling the plurality of electrically-operated valves, the control system including; a processor unit including a memory for storing a user-defined program relating to selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated valves, the processor unit generating command data in accordance with the user-defined program for the selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated valves, and a set of switches in communication with the processor unit, each switch capable of having the at least one electrically-operated valve of a corresponding one of the zones connected thereto for operation of the connected electrically-operated valve upon actuation of the switch, wherein the processor unit ascertains the total number of switches in communication therewith by sending a query signal and receiving a signal in response to the query signal indicative of the total number of switches in communication therewith and limits the variable number of zones selected and controlled by the user-defined program to the ascertained total number of switches. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of controlling a variable number of zones of electrically-operated devices in accordance with a user-defined program relating to selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices, each zone including at least one electrically-operated device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a set of switches, each switch capable of having the at least one electrically-operated device of a corresponding one of the zones connected thereto for operation of the connected electrically-operated device upon actuation of the switch; ascertaining the total number of switches provided by sending a query signal and receiving a signal in response to the query signal indicative of the total number of switches in communication therewith; limiting the variable number of zones selected and controlled by the user-defined program to the identified total number of switches; and generating command data in accordance with the user-defined program for the selection and operation of the zones of electrically-operated devices. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification