Irrigation controller with indirectly powered station modules
First Claim
1. An irrigation controller, comprising:
- a processor for executing a watering program and turning a plurality of irrigation valves ON and OFF in accordance with the watering program;
at least one station module including a station module circuit connectable to at least one of the irrigation valves;
at least one receptacle that establishes a communication path between the processor and the station module circuit when the station module is inserted into the receptacle; and
a manually actuable mechanism that allows a power connection to be applied to the station module circuit after the station module has been inserted into the receptacle and the communication path has been established.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation controller includes inputs for entry or selection of a watering program and a memory capable of storing the watering program. A plurality of station modules are removably received in a plurality of corresponding receptacles. Each station module includes a station module circuit for switching a source of electrical power to open and close at least one of a plurality of valves. When the station modules are inserted into the receptacles a communication path is established between each station module circuit and the processor. The processor is capable of executing the watering program and sending commands to the station module circuits to open and close the valves in accordance with the watering program. A manually actuable mechanism allows a power signal to be applied to each station module circuit after the station modules have been inserted into their corresponding receptacles and the communication path has been established.
36 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An irrigation controller, comprising:
-
a processor for executing a watering program and turning a plurality of irrigation valves ON and OFF in accordance with the watering program; at least one station module including a station module circuit connectable to at least one of the irrigation valves; at least one receptacle that establishes a communication path between the processor and the station module circuit when the station module is inserted into the receptacle; and a manually actuable mechanism that allows a power connection to be applied to the station module circuit after the station module has been inserted into the receptacle and the communication path has been established. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A modular irrigation controller with indirectly powered station modules, comprising:
-
means for entry or selection of a watering program; memory means for storing the watering program; at least one station module including a station module circuit for switching a source of electrical power to open and close a valve; processor means connectable to the station module circuit and capable of executing the watering program and sending commands to the station module circuit to open and close the valve in accordance with the watering program; receptacle means for removably receiving the station module and establishing a communication path between the processor means and the station module circuit when the station module is inserted into the receptacle means; and means for substantially simultaneously locking the station module in the receptacle means and establishing a power connection to the station module circuit after the communication path has been established. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An irrigation controller, comprising:
-
means for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory capable of storing the watering program; a plurality of station modules, each including a station module circuit, for switching a source of electrical power to open and close a plurality of irrigation valves; a plurality of receptacles for removably receiving the station modules; a processor connectable to each station module circuit through a first set of electrical contacts when the station modules are inserted into the receptacles to thereby establish a communication path between the processor and the station module circuits, the processor being capable of executing the watering program and sending commands to the station module circuits to open and close the irrigation valves in accordance with the watering program; and a mechanism for connecting the source of electrical power to each station module circuit through a second set of electrical contacts after the communication path has been established; whereby a user may reduce the risk of damage to the electrical circuits by wiring all of the external connections before the source of electrical power is connected to the station module circuits.
-
Specification