Irrigation tracking and control system

• US 7,567,858 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AgSense LLC (Valmont Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bryan R. Dunlap
• Inventors: Dunlap, Bryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Application Number:
  US11/335,256
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 705/1, 239/6, 239/69, 702/3
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/092 movable around a pivot centre
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion

Abstract

An irrigation tracking and control system includes a control module attached an irrigation system, with a GPS receiver in the module for tracking movement of the distal end of the irrigation system. A microprocessor in the module processes position information and status information regarding the irrigation system and transmits the same via a cellular telephone network to a web server hosting a website. The information is downloaded to the website, and predetermined consumers may access the information on the website.

Claims

1. A tracking and control system for an irrigation system, the irrigation system of a type having a water distribution pipe supported on a plurality of movable towers located along the pipe from a proximal end to a distal end of the pipe, the tracking and control system including:

a control module attached to the irrigation system and operable to track movement of the distal end of the irrigation system and control operation of the irrigation system;

said control module including;

a hollow housing having a CPU therein;

said CPU including;

a microprocessor;

a GPS receiver connected to the microprocessor; and

a cellular modem transceiver connected to the microprocessor;

a GPS antenna mounted on the irrigation system outside of the housing and connected to the GPS receiver; and

a cellular telephone antenna mounted on the irrigation system outside of the housing and connected to the cellular transceiver;

a web server hosting a website and connected to a worldwide computer network, said website connected to the control module via cellular telephone data transmissions; and

at least one user computer connected to the website via the worldwide computer network, said user computer programmed to access information downloaded to the website from the control module and display location information regarding the irrigation system upon which the control module is attached;

said CPU microprocessor being programmed to;

periodically activate the GPS receiver and receive location information therefrom;

process location information and convert location information from the GPS receiver into a data packet for transmission over a cellular telephone network; and

operate said cellular modem transceiver to transmit a data packet over the worldwide computer network to the website;

said website computer being programmed to download received data packets to the website; and

said user computer being programmed to display data packets accessed at the website;

said user computer further being programmed to selectively send a signal to the website to shut down a selected irrigation system;

said website computer further being programmed to process a shutdown signal from a user computer and transmit a shutdown command over the cellular network to the cellular transceiver in the control module; and

said microprocessor further being programmed to receive shutdown commands from the cellular modem transceiver and send a signal to shut down the irrigation system.

2. A tracking and control system for an irrigation system, the irrigation system of a type having a water distribution pipe supported on a plurality of movable towers located along the pipe from a proximal end to a distal end of the pipe, the tracking and control system including:

a control module attached to the irrigation system and operable to track movement of the distal end of the irrigation system and control operation of the irrigation system;

said control module including;

a hollow housing having a CPU therein;

said CPU including;

a microprocessor;

a GPS receiver connected to the microprocessor; and

a cellular modem transceiver connected to the microprocessor;

a GPS antenna mounted on the irrigation system outside of the housing and connected to the GPS receiver; and

a cellular telephone antenna mounted on the irrigation system outside of the housing and connected to the cellular transceiver;

a web server hosting a website and connected to a worldwide computer network, said website connected to the control module via cellular telephone data transmissions; and

at least one user computer connected to the website via the worldwide computer network, said user computer programmed to access information downloaded to the website from the control module and display location information regarding the irrigation system upon which the control module is attached;

a sensor mounted on the irrigation system operable to send a signal upon the shutdown of the irrigation system, said sensor connected to said microprocessor, and wherein said microprocessor programmed to;

process a shutdown signal from the sensor and convert the signal to an alarm signal for transmission over the cellular telephone network; and

operate said cellular modem transceiver to transmit an alarm signal over the worldwide computer network to the website;

said website computer further being programmed to download received alarm signals to the website and send an alarm message to a predetermined user upon the downloading of the alarm signal.

3. The tracking and control system of claim 2, wherein the website computer is further programmed to send an e-mail to a predetermined user upon receipt of a downloaded alarm signal.

4. The tracking and control system of claim 2, wherein the website computer is further programmed to send a text message to a predetermined user cell phone upon receipt of a downloaded alarm signal.