Systems and methods for optimizing the efficiency of a watering system through use of a computer network

• US 7,146,254 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2002
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Howard, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US10/190,179
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 239/69
• US Class Current: 700/284
• 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

Abstract

An interface unit is disclosed for facilitating the optimization of a watering system. The interface unit includes a first interface configured to receive optimization data over a network. A second interface is also included, the second interface being configured for electronic communications with a watering system controller that controls operation of a watering system according to watering instructions stored in the watering system controller. The interface unit also includes a processor, the processor being in electronic communication with the first interface and the second interface. Memory is also included. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor, and is programmed with instructions for using the optimization data to modify the watering instructions.

Claims

1. An interface unit for communicating with a watering system controller, comprising:

a first interface configured to receive optimization data over the Internet;

a second interface configured for electronic communications with a watering system controller that controls operation of a watering system according to watering instructions stored in the watering system controller;

a processor in electronic communication with the first interface and the second interface such that the interface unit functions as an interface between the Internet and the watering system controller; and

memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory being programmed to receive optimization data over the Internet and the memory being programmed with modification instructions for using the optimization data to modify the watering instructions.

2. The interface unit of claim 1, wherein the memory is also programmed with transmitting instructions for transmitting modified watering instructions over the Internet to a computation unit.

3. The interface unit of claim 2, wherein the watering instructions comprise a watering schedule which specifies a length of operation of the watering system.

4. The interface unit of claim 3, wherein the optimization data comprises a scaling factor which specifies how the watering schedule is adjusted.

5. The interface unit of claim 4, wherein the optimization data is calculated based on weather information obtained from a weather database.

6. The interface unit of claim 5, wherein the weather information comprises evapotranspiration data.

7. The interface unit of claim 6, wherein the scaling factor is calculated based on a comparison of an anticipated precipitation value for the watering system and current evapotranspiration data for a geographic region in which the watering system is located.

8. The interface unit of claim 6, wherein the scaling factor is calculated based on a comparison of previous evapotranspiration data and current evapotranspiration data for a geographic region in which the watering system is located.

9. The interface unit of claim 1, wherein the watering system is selected from the group consisting of a sprinkler system and a drip irrigation system.