Remote programming and diagnostic of decoder irrigation system

• US 7,248,945 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Woytowitz, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard; Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Douglas S.
• Application Number:
  US11/435,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 700/16, 700/17, 700/19, 700/90, 700/283, 700/284, 239/63, 239/68, 239/69, 239/70, 137/78.3
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectively providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

Claims

1. A method of remotely programming a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising the steps of:

providing a hand-held programmer with a transmitter connected to a first antenna;

placing the hand-held programmer within a range of a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit which has a receiver connected to a second antenna, and is connected to at least one valve;

entering identity commands via the hand-held programmer and sending them via the transmitter and the first antenna to the second antenna; and

receiving the identity commands via the receiver in the decoder circuit and establishing a unique identity for the decoder circuit so that it will respond to commands from an irrigation controller connected to the decoder circuit.

2. A method of remotely exchanging diagnostic information with a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising the steps of:

providing a hand-held programmer with a first transceiver connected to a first antenna;

placing the hand-held programmer within a range of a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit which has a second transceiver connected to a second antenna, and is connected to at least one valve;

using the hand-held programmer to transmit at least one query to the decoder circuit via the first transceiver;

receiving the query via the second transceiver in the decoder circuit and transmitting diagnostic information from the decoder circuit via the second transceiver; and

receiving the diagnostic information with the first transceiver in the hand-held programmer.