Irrigation controller
First Claim
1. An irrigation controller for selectively turning on and off a set of sprinkler valve stations, said irrigation controller being programmable by a user, said irrigation controller comprising:
- a. an irrigation control processor, includingi. an input port;
ii. an output port;
iii. a memory element for storing an irrigation control program and irrigation control parameters, said irrigation control program implementing a plurality of functionalities, each functionality controlling at least in part the turning on and off of the sprinkler valve stations;
iv. a processing unit for executing said irrigation control program; and
v. a bus connecting said processing unit to said memory element and to said input and output ports;
b. an input device interfaced with said input port;
c. said output port being provided for interfacing with the sprinkler valve stations for controlling the turning on and off of said sprinkler valve stations;
d. said input device cooperating with said control program to allow said intended user to upgrade said irrigation controller by entering through said input device a predetermined input representative of a predetermined code, said predetermined code being specific to said irrigation controller;
e. wherein a larger number of functionalities are enabled in said irrigation controller after said irrigation controller has been upgraded than before said irrigation controller is upgraded.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation controller for selectively turning on and off a set of sprinkler valve stations. The irrigation controller is programmable by a user. The irrigation controller includes an irrigation control processor. The irrigation control processor includes an input port, an output port, a memory element for storing an irrigation control program and irrigation control parameters, the irrigation control program implementing a plurality of functionalities that are selectively enabled, a processing unit for executing the irrigation control program, and a bus connecting said processing unit to said memory element and to said input and output ports. An input device is interfaced with the input port. The output port is provided with interface with the sprinkler valve stations for controlling the turning on and off of the sprinkler valve stations. The input device cooperates with the control program to enable at least one specific functionality from the functionalities in response to a predetermined input being received from the user through the input device.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An irrigation controller for selectively turning on and off a set of sprinkler valve stations, said irrigation controller being programmable by a user, said irrigation controller comprising:
-
a. an irrigation control processor, including i. an input port; ii. an output port; iii. a memory element for storing an irrigation control program and irrigation control parameters, said irrigation control program implementing a plurality of functionalities, each functionality controlling at least in part the turning on and off of the sprinkler valve stations; iv. a processing unit for executing said irrigation control program; and v. a bus connecting said processing unit to said memory element and to said input and output ports; b. an input device interfaced with said input port; c. said output port being provided for interfacing with the sprinkler valve stations for controlling the turning on and off of said sprinkler valve stations; d. said input device cooperating with said control program to allow said intended user to upgrade said irrigation controller by entering through said input device a predetermined input representative of a predetermined code, said predetermined code being specific to said irrigation controller; e. wherein a larger number of functionalities are enabled in said irrigation controller after said irrigation controller has been upgraded than before said irrigation controller is upgraded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for upgrading an irrigation controller by enabling a specific functionality from a plurality of functionalities in the irrigation controller, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a. receiving a user input representative of a predetermined code, said predetermined code being specific to said irrigation controller; b. comparing the user input to a predetermined input; and c. upon the user input being identical to the predetermined input, enabling the specific functionality; d. wherein a lamer number of functionalities are enabled in said irrigation controller after said irrigation controller has been upgraded than before said irrigation controller is upgraded.
-
-
22. A computer readable storage medium containing a program element for execution by a computing device for selectively turning on and off a set of sprinkler valve stations, said program element comprising:
-
a. a plurality of function modules each implementing a respective functionality that is selectively enabled; b. an input module for receiving inputs from an input device; c. an output module for Interfacing with the sprinkler valve stations for controlling the turning on and off of the sprinkler valve stations; d. a master module for enabling and disabling the functionalities implemented by said function modules, said master module being operative for upgrading the program element by enabling at least one specific functionality from the functionalities in response to a predetermined input being received by said input module, the predetermined input being representative of a predetermined code specific to at least one of;
said computer readable storage medium, said program element and the computing device;e. wherein a larger number of functionalities are enabled in said program element after said computing device has been upgraded than before computing device is upgraded.
-
Specification