Method and means for reading the status of and controlling irrigation components

• US 6,853,883 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Haget, Hector, Kreikemeier, Bruce, Malsam, Craig, Schulz, Marv
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US09/778,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/65, 700/83, 700/284, 700/264, 700/19, 702/188, 340/3.1, 340/3.9, 340/3.71, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23178 Display status of currently selected controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

A method and means is disclosed for remotely reading the status of and controlling irrigation components and ancillary equipment. A handheld remote user interface (RUI) is provided which includes a display and a keypad. The RUI has the ability to communicate with and control the irrigation components using built-in wireless telemetry technology. The RUI allows the user to read the status of and control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment from any location in the field, without requiring the user to be at the irrigation component controls or at a specific location in the field.

Claims

1. In combination with mechanized irrigation components and ancillary equipment therefore for irrigating a field, comprising:

a single wireless RUI comprising a handheld display and keypad for;

(a) reading the status of irrigation components and ancillary equipment; and

(b) directly transmitting telemetry to said irrigation components and ancillary equipment to control said irrigation components and ancillary equipment; and

(c) displaying said status of said irrigation components and ancillary equipment.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wireless RUI has the capability of reading the status of the irrigation components and ancillary equipment and controlling the same from any location in the field.

3. In combination with mechanized irrigation components for irrigating a field, comprising:

a single wireless RUI comprising a handheld display and keypad having the capability of;

(a) reading the status of the irrigation components;

(b) directly transmitting telemetry to said irrigation components to control the operation of the irrigation components; and

(c) displaying said status of the irrigation components.

4. The method whereby a person may remotely determine the status of mechanized irrigation components and ancillary equipment and for controlling the operation thereof, comprising the steps of:

providing a single handheld wireless RUI;

utilizing said RUI to read the status of the irrigation components and ancillary equipment; and

utilizing said RUI to directly transmit telemetry to said irrigation components and ancillary equipment to control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.