Modular and expandable irrigation controller
First Claim
1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
- a housing;
a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs;
a first expansion module removably mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the first expansion module including driver circuitry for actuating irrigation valves in accordance with control signals received from the first microcontroller; and
a second expansion module removably mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the second expansion module including a second microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from the first microcontroller, the data communications relating to an irrigation program;
wherein the data communications are adapted to alter the operation of the first microcontroller.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from the a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.
178 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs; a first expansion module removably mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the first expansion module including driver circuitry for actuating irrigation valves in accordance with control signals received from the first microcontroller; and a second expansion module removably mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the second expansion module including a second microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from the first microcontroller, the data communications relating to an irrigation program; wherein the data communications are adapted to alter the operation of the first microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a main microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs; a plurality of expansion module mounting locations within the housing adapted to removably receive expansion modules, each expansion mounting location electrically coupled to the main microcontroller; and a first expansion module removably mounted to a first expansion module mounting location and electrically coupled to the main microcontroller, the first expansion module including a first microcontroller, the first microcontroller adapted to operate with the main microcontroller and provide additional functionality not present in the capabilities of the main microcontroller; wherein the first expansion module includes an input connector coupled to the first microcontroller, the first microcontroller responsive to input signals received at the input connector and adapted to transmit control signals to the main microcontroller based on the input signals, the control signals causing the main microcontroller to alter its operation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An expansion module for a modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; an electrical connector adapted to removably connect to one of a plurality of expansion module mounting locations of a modular irrigation controller; a microcontroller within the housing and coupled to the electrical connector, the microcontroller adapted to operate with a control unit of the modular irrigation controller and provide additional control functionality not present in the capabilities of the control unit; and an input connector coupled to the microcontroller, the microcontroller responsive to input signals received at the input connector and adapted to transmit control signals to a main microprocessor of the control unit based on the input signals, the control signals causing the main microprocessor to alter its operation. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. An expansion module for a modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; an electrical connector adapted to removably connect to one of a plurality of expansion module mounting locations of a modular irrigation controller; and a microcontroller within the housing and coupled to the electrical connector, the microcontroller adapted to; receive irrigation program parameters stored in a memory of a control unit of the modular irrigation controller via the electrical connector; alter the irrigation program parameters; and transmit the altered irrigation program parameters to the memory of the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A modular irrigation controller comprising:
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a housing; a control unit within the housing, the control unit including a first microcontroller for executing stored irrigation programs; a plurality of expansion module mounting locations within the housing adapted to removably receive expansion modules, each expansion mounting location electrically coupled to the first microcontroller; an expansion module removably mounted to a first expansion module mounting location and electrically coupled to the first microcontroller, the expansion module including a second microcontroller, the second microcontroller adapted to operate with the first microcontroller; wherein the first microcontroller is adapted to send data corresponding to the stored irrigation programs to the second microcontroller upon request by the second microcontroller; wherein the first microcontroller is adapted to send at least a portion of an irrigation program to the second microcontroller upon request by the second microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification