Modular irrigation controller

• US 7,613,546 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Parker, Greg, Nelson, Arnold, Garcia, Richard Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman; Sean P
• Application Number:
  US11/199,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,548 Days
• Field of Search: 700/12, 700/19, 700/20, 700/22, 700/284, 239 63- 66, 239/68, 239/69, 239/99, 340/3.1, 340/3.22
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular controller that connects to irrigation modules with varying station terminals and a standard footprint size. Additionally, the modular controller includes surge protection options, wireless communication with PDA'"'"'s and other external devices, no required position for each controller module to be connected, immediate display of station modules on the LCD display, retention of a water program if module is removed, communications module for flow monitoring, a modular transformer, rain sensor receiver within the housing, an improved 9-volt batter holder, and other aspects described in the present application.

Claims

1. An irrigation controller comprising:

a controller housing;

a microprocessor located within said controller housing for storing and executing a watering program for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations;

an auxiliary port in communication with said microprocessor and disposed in said controller housing;

a modular rain sensor receiver removably located within said controller housing, said modular rain sensor receiver comprising;

an enclosure;

a data port disposed on an external surface of said enclosure and removably coupled to said auxiliary port; and

a wireless receiver disposed within said enclosure;

a local rain sensor adapted to measure rain, including a wireless transmitter configured to communicate rain moisture data to said modular rain sensor receiver;

wherein said auxiliary port provides power to said modular rain sensor receiver;

wherein said data port communicates said rain moisture data to said microprocessor; and

wherein said microprocessor selectively interrupts said watering program from irrigation based on said rain moisture data.

2. The irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein said wireless receiver is connected to an antenna.

3. The irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary port is located within an internal compartment of said irrigation controller.

4. The irrigation controller of claim 1, further comprising software executable by said microprocessor;

said software determining when to selectively interrupt said watering program based on said rain moisture data.

5. The irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein said irrigation controller accepts irrigation station modules for connecting irrigation stations.