Irrigation controller with embedded web server

• US 7,010,396 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Brent Ware
• Original Assignee: David Brent Ware
• Inventors: Ware, David Brent, Ware, Daniel Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US10/818,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 700/19, 700/65, 700/284, 405/36, 405/37, 239/722, 239/723, 137 781- 783, 702/188, 709/203, 709/206, 709/219
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25428 Field device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32126 Hyperlink, access to program modules and to hardware modules in www, web server, browser
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

An irrigation controller with an embedded web server activates irrigation devices in accordance with an event schedule. The event schedule maybe accessed and modified via a browser-equipped client. In certain embodiments, watering rates and schedules are adjusted in response to sensor inputs. The controller may query specialized network servers such as time servers or weather servers to update the controller clock and/or modify the event schedule. The controller may support multiple protocols such as email, FTP, UDP, HTTP and the like. The controller may be configured as a master or slave controller such that multiple slave controllers may coordinate with a master controller and modify their event schedules in accordance with the master event schedule. The result is an irrigation controller that is easily configured, locally or remotely accessible, responsive to varying weather conditions, and suitable for complex multi zone, multi-system configurations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling irrigation devices, the apparatus comprising:

a scheduling module configured to activate at least one irrigation device in accordance with an event schedule;

a non-volatile memory configured to store at least one web page, the at least one web page configured to enable a change to the event schedule;

a serving module configured to serve the at least one web page to a browser-equipped client via a network;

the scheduling module further configured to change the event schedule in response to client interaction with the at least one web page; and

wherein the scheduling module, non-volatile memory, and the serving module are integrated within a remotely programmable controller capable of controlling a plurality of irrigation devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to change the event schedule in response to a sensor value.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to log a sensor value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communications module configured to connect the remotely programmable controller to the Internet such that the remotely programmable controller is a continuously active Internet node.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the communications module is configured to communicate using a network protocol selected from the group consisting of TCP, HTTP, FTP, UDP, and POP3.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the communications module is further configured to prevent data interchange with an unauthorized client.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the communications module further comprises a transmission control program Internet protocol (TCP/IP) stack.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network is selected from the group consisting of a wireless network, an Ethernet network, and a power line network.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to query a time server.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to determine a sunset time.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to query a weather server.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to coordinate with a master controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communications module is further configured to communicate using an email message.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the browser-equipped client is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a web-enabled television, and a desktop computer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interface module configured to activate at least one high voltage relay.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the device interface module is X10 compliant.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the interface module is further configured to control at least one thermostat.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of a moisture sensor, a pressure sensor, a breaking glass sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a liquid level sensor, a voltage sensor, and a photo sensor.

19. A system for controlling irrigation devices, the system comprising:

a network configured to enable communication between a browser-enabled client and at least one programmable controller;

at least one remotely programmable controller comprising;

a non-volatile memory configured to store at least one web page,

a serving module configured to serve the at least one web page to the browser-equipped client via the network, and

a scheduling module configured to store a event schedule, activate at least one irrigation device in accordance with an event schedule, and change the event schedule in response to the client interaction with the at least one web page; and

at least one irrigation device configured to supply water to one or more watering locations.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising at least one sensor.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the programmable controller further comprises a communications module configured to connect the programmable controller to the Internet such that the programmable controller is a continuously active Internet node.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications module is further configured to prevent data interchange with an unauthorized client.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the browser-equipped client is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a web-enabled television, and a desktop computer.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to determine a sunset time.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to query a weather server.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the scheduling module is further configured to coordinate with a master controller.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein the network is selected from the group consisting of a wireless network, a telephone network, an Ethernet network, and a power line network bridge.

29. A method for controlling irrigation devices, the method comprising:

activating at least one irrigation device in accordance with a event schedule;

serving at least one web page using an embedded server configured to enable a browser-equipped client to change the event schedule;

changing the event schedule in response to a client interaction with the at least one web page; and

wherein activating at least one irrigation device, serving at least one web page, and changing the event schedule are conducted by a remotely programmable controller capable of controlling a plurality of irrigation devices.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising reading at least one sensor and changing the event schedule in response to the sensor value.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising connecting to the Internet as a continuously active Internet node.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising preventing data interchange with an unauthorized client.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising interrogating a time server.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising determining a sunset time.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising interrogating a weather server.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising coordinating with a master controller.

37. An apparatus for controlling irrigation devices, the apparatus comprising:

means for activating at least one irrigation device in accordance with a event schedule;

means for serving at least one web page using an embedded server configured to enable a browser-equipped client to change the event schedule;

means for changing the event schedule in response to a client interaction with the at least one web page; and

wherein the means for activating, serving, and changing the event schedule comprise a remotely programmable controller capable of controlling a plurality of irrigation devices.