Modifying irrigation schedules of existing irrigation controllers
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:
- providing an irrigation controller preprogrammed to execute an irrigation schedule by sending output signals to a plurality of valves; and
installing an irrigation scheduler that (a) monitors a a current passing over a common wire coupling the irrigation controller to each of the plurality of valves;
(b) learns when the plurality of valves are open and closed by detecting starting and holding currents passing over the common wire to derive run times; and
(c) selectively interferes with the output signals to adjust the irrigation schedule away from the derived run times.
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Abstract
An irrigation scheduler modifies output of a preprogrammed irrigation schedule of an installed irrigation controller to at least partially improve irrigation of the corresponding landscape. Preferred embodiments accomplish this task using a microprocessor programmed to: (a) derive a first set of information from the output of an irrigation controller used to control an operation of an irrigation valve; (b) receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an environmental factor and a meteorological factor; and (c) use the first set of information and the second set of information to interfere with reception of the output by the valve.
120 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:
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providing an irrigation controller preprogrammed to execute an irrigation schedule by sending output signals to a plurality of valves; and
installing an irrigation scheduler that (a) monitors a a current passing over a common wire coupling the irrigation controller to each of the plurality of valves;
(b) learns when the plurality of valves are open and closed by detecting starting and holding currents passing over the common wire to derive run times; and
(c) selectively interferes with the output signals to adjust the irrigation schedule away from the derived run times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An irrigation scheduler that cooperates with an existing irrigation controller having an electrical circuit that electrically couples the irrigation controller and an irrigation valve, comprising:
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a microprocessor programmed to derive a first set of information from an output comprising at least one of starting and holding currents produced by the irrigation controller, the microprocessor further programmed to receive a second set of irrigation comprising at least one of an evapotranspiration value and a weather factor used in calculating evapotranspiration; and
the microprocessor further programmed to use the first set of information and the second set of information to cause an interruption of the circuit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification