Water savings system

• US 7,711,454 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart Irrigation Solutions Incorporated (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: John Addink
• Inventors: Addink, John W
• Primary Examiner(s): Kasenge; Charles R
• Application Number:
  US11/347,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 700/283, 239/63, 239 67- 70, 702/45, 702/50, 702/55, 738/61, 738/616.9, 137/236.1, 137/386, 137/78.2
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/10 in agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation

Abstract

An irrigation controller has run-times that are modified as a function of a calculated volumetric irrigation amount and a preferred irrigation amount. The preferred irrigation amount is at least partly based on an evapotranspiration (ETo) value and the area of the irrigated site. The calculated volumetric irrigation amount is based on flow meter data and inputted irrigation run-times. Preferably the flow meter is a water meter that measures water distributed to the irrigation system and to other water using devices at the irrigated site, and the flow data is based on signature data. In addition to flow data, water pressure may be measured that corresponds with the flow data. It is anticipated that the function will involve the dividing of the preferred irrigation amount by the calculated volumetric irrigation amount to arrive at a modifying factor.

Claims

1. A controller comprising a microprocessor configured to execute software stored in a memory that uses water use signature data to distinguish irrigation water usage from at least one of indoor and non-irrigation related outdoor water usage, and modifies an irrigation run time as a function of the irrigation water usage, and wherein the controller further modifies the irrigation run time in part by dividing an irrigation amount by a calculated volumetric irrigation amount to arrive at a modifying factor and the controller uses the modifying factor to modify the irrigation run time.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor calculates the irrigation water usage based at least in part on flow meter data from a flow meter.

3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the flow meter is a dedicated irrigation flow meter.

4. The controller of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor receives water pressure data that corresponds with the flow meter data.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor calculates the irrigation water usage based at least in part on inputted irrigation run-times.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller further modifies the irrigation run time as a function of an evapotranspiration (ETo) value.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the ETo value is obtained from a local source.

8. The controller of claim 6, wherein the ETo value is obtained from a distal source.

9. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller further modifies the irrigation run time at least partly based on an area of the irrigated site.

10. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller further modifies the irrigation run time at least partly based on a percent adjust value of the irrigation amount.

11. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:

using flow pattern water use signature data to distinguish irrigation water usage from at least one of indoor and non-irrigation related outdoor usage;

using the flow pattern water use signature data to calculate a volumetric irrigation amount;

using a controller to modify irrigation run-times as a function of (a) the calculated volumetric irrigation amount and (b) a preferred irrigation amount that is at least partly based on an evapotranspiration (ETo) value; and

correcting the modified irrigation run-times based on a difference between an actual irrigation amount and the preferred irrigation amount.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the actual irrigation amount is at least partly based on water pressure data.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the difference is a negative value.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the difference is a positive value.

15. An irrigation system, comprising;

a flow meter that provides irrigation water flow information that is based at least in part on a difference in flow pattern water use signature data between an irrigation device and a non-irrigation device; and

a microprocessor programmed to modify an irrigation run time as a function of the difference, a calculated volumetric irrigation amount, and a preferred irrigation amount.