Remote programming and diagnostic of decoder irrigation system

• US 7,398,139 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• 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): Decady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Douglas S
• Application Number:
  US11/764,080
• Time in Patent Office: 389 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. An apparatus for remotely programming a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising:

a hand-held programmer including a transmitter and means for entering identity commands;

the transmitter having sufficient range for sending signals representing the identity commands to a receiver in a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit that is connectable to at least one valve in an irrigation system having an irrigation controller; and

the identity commands establishing a unique identity for the decoder circuit so that the decoder circuit will respond to commands from the irrigation controller carried to the decoder circuit through the multi-wire path.

2. An apparatus for remotely exchanging diagnostic information with a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising:

a hand-held programmer including a first transceiver and means for entering at least one query;

the first transceiver having sufficient range for sending signals representing the query to a second transceiver in a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit that is connectable to at least one valve in an irrigation system having an irrigation controller connected to the decoder circuit by the multi-wire path; and

the query prompting the decoder circuit to respond by transmitting diagnostic information via the second transceiver to the first transceiver for receipt by the hand-held programmer.

3. A hand-held decoder programmer for remotely programming a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising:

a micro-controller;

a plurality of push buttons connected to the micro-controller for entering an identity command;

a battery connected for powering the hand-held programmer;

a wireless transmitter circuit connected to the micro-controller;

a first antenna connected to the wireless transmitter circuit;

the wireless transmitter circuit having sufficient range for sending signals via the first antenna representing the identity command to a receiver connected to a second antenna in a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit that is connectable to at least one valve in an irrigation system having an irrigation controller; and

the identity command establishing a unique identity for the decoder circuit so that the decoder circuit will respond to ON/OFF commands from the irrigation controller carried to the decoder circuit through the multi-wire path.

4. The hand-held decoder programmer of claim 3 and further comprising a display connected to the micro-controller.

5. A bi-directional hand-held decoder programmer for remotely exchanging diagnostic information with a decoder circuit adapted for use in a decoder irrigation system, comprising:

a micro-controller;

a plurality of push buttons connected to the micro-controller for entering a query;

a battery connected for powering the hand-held programmer;

a first wireless transceiver circuit connected to the micro-controller;

a first antenna connected to the first wireless transceiver circuit;

the first transceiver circuit having sufficient range for sending signals via the first antenna representing the query to a second transceiver circuit connected to a second antenna in a decoder circuit configured to be connected to a multi-wire path that carries encoded signals and power to the decoder circuit that is connectable to at least one valve in an irrigation system having an irrigation controller connected to the decoder circuit by the multi-wire path; and

the query prompting the decoder circuit to respond by transmitting diagnostic information via the second transceiver circuit and the second antenna to the first transceiver circuit for receipt by the hand-held programmer.

6. The hand-held decoder programmer of claim 5 and further comprising a display connected to the micro-controller.

7. The decoder programmer of claim 5 wherein the query is selected from the group consisting of whether or not a solenoid is attached to the decoder circuit, whether there is a short in the connection between the valve and the multi-wire path, and whether there is an open circuit in the connection between the valve and the multi-wire path.

8. The decoder programmer of claim 5 wherein the micro-controller can receive an identity command entered via the push buttons and cause the identity command to be transmitted by the first transceiver to the second transceiver for establishing a unique identity for the decoder circuit so that the decoder circuit will respond to ON/OFF commands from the irrigation controller carried to the decoder circuit through the multi-wire path.

9. An irrigation system, comprising:

a plurality of solenoid actuated valves each connected to a decoder circuit;

an irrigation controller for generating and sending encoded ON/OFF signals and a power signal along a multi-wire path for turning the valves ON and OFF via the decoder circuits in accordance with a watering program; and

a hand-held programmer for remotely programming the decoder circuits including a wireless transmitter connected to a first antenna and means for entering identity commands, the transmitter having sufficient range for sending signals via the first antenna representing the identity commands to a receiver connected to a second antenna in the decoder circuit connected to a selected one of the valves, the identity commands establishing a unique identity for the decoder circuit of the selected valve so that the decoder circuit of the selected valve will respond to encoded ON/OFF signals from the irrigation controller carried to the decoder circuit of the selected valve through the multi-wire path.

10. An irrigation system, comprising:

a plurality of solenoid actuated valves each connected to a decoder circuit;

an irrigation controller for generating and sending encoded ON/OFF signals and a power signal along a multi-wire path for turning the valves ON and OFF via the decoder circuits in accordance with a watering program; and

a hand-held programmer for remotely exchanging diagnostic information with the decoder circuit connected to a selected valve including a first wireless transceiver connected to a first antenna and means for entering at least one query, the first transceiver having sufficient range for sending signals via the first antenna representing the query to a second transceiver connected to a second antenna in the decoder circuit of the selected valve, the query prompting the decoder circuit of the selected valve to respond by transmitting diagnostic information via the second transceiver and the second antenna to the first transceiver for receipt by the hand-held programmer.