Detecting weather sensor malfunctions

• US 6,714,134 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smart Irrigation Solutions Incorporated (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Aqua Conservation Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Givargis, Tony, Addink, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US09/764,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20020092965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 342/13, 342/26, 342/357.06, 250/369, 250/252.1, 250/372, 250/250, 250/573, 250/341.7, 250/203.4, 250/216, 250/214.R, 250/203.1, 250/208.2, 340/600-607, 280/203.4, 280/203.6, 280/238, 280/573, 702/3, 349/506, 349/514
• US Class Current: 340/601
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09

Abstract

The present invention provides a warning system comprising: a weather measuring device that measures a current weather condition; and a storage device that stores historical weather data; a microprocessor that is programmed to receive the current weather data from the weather measuring device, compare the current weather data to the historical weather data, generate a warning signal if the current weather data varies from the historical weather data by at least a given amount, and send the warning signal to an individual.

Claims

1. A warning system comprising:

a weather measuring device that measures a current weather condition;

a storage device that stores historical weather data; and

a microprocessor that is programmed to receive the current weather data from the weather measuring device, compare the current weather data to the historical weather data, generate a warning signal if the current weather data varies from the historical weather data by at least a given amount indicative of a weather measuring device malfunction, and send the warning signal to an individual.

2. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the weather measuring device comprises a solar radiation sensor.

3. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the weather measuring device comprises a temperature sensor.

4. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a non-volatile memory.

5. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the storage device and microprocessor are disposed in an irrigation controller.

6. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the storage device and microprocessor are disposed in a personal computer.

7. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the weather measuring device is local to a site where the microprocessor is located.

8. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the weather measuring device is distal to a site where the microprocessor is located.

9. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is communicatively coupled to the weather measuring device.

10. The warning system of claim 9, wherein the communicative coupling comprises a wired connection.

11. The warning system of claim 9, wherein the communicative coupling comprises a wireless connection.

12. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the warning signal comprises an audible alarm.

13. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the amount comprises a percentage.

14. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the amount comprises a number.