Device that modifies irrigation schedules of existing irrigation controllers

• US 6,895,987 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart Irrigation Solutions Incorporated (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Aqua Conserve Incorporated
• Inventors: Buhler, Kirk, Addink, John W., Addink, Sylvan
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/417,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.3, 137/80, 239/63, 239/64, 239/69, 700/284
• US Class Current: 137/78.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1987 With additional diverse control

Abstract

The present invention provides an irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and at least one irrigation valve; providing an irrigation scheduler programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control the execution of irrigations on watering days. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.

Claims

1. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:

providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and an irrigation valve;

providing an irrigation scheduler, distinct from the irrigation controller, that is programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and

the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control execution of irrigations on watering days.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the irrigations on watering days are at least partially determined by a microprocessor that is external to the irrigation controller.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the microprocessor using at least one of an ETo value and a weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the watering days.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the weather data is at least one of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind.

5. An irrigation scheduler that cooperates with a separate irrigation controller having an electrical circuit that extends from the controller to an irrigation valve, the irrigation scheduler programmed to:

receive at least one of an ETo value and a weather data used in calculating the ETo value; and

interrupt the electrical circuit as a function of at least one of the ETo value and the weather data.

6. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, wherein the irrigation scheduler is not an integral part of the irrigation controller.

7. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, further comprising a switching circuit that interrupts the electrical circuit.

8. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, wherein the weather data is at least one of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind.

9. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, wherein the ETo value comprises a current ETo value.

10. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, wherein the ETo value comprises an estimated ETo value.

11. The irrigation scheduler of claim 5, wherein the ETo value comprises an historical ETo value.

12. An irrigation scheduler that cooperates with a distinct irrigation controller having an electrical circuit that extends from the controller to an irrigation valve, the irrigation scheduler programmed to:

receive at least one of an ETo value and a weather data used in calculating the ETo value;

use at least one of the ETo value and the weather data to interrupt the electrical circuit to control execution of irrigations on watering days; and

receive inputs that interrupt the electrical circuit to prevent execution of the irrigations by the irrigation controller.