Apparatus for retrofitting automatic irrigation systems for animal and human deterrent control

• US 7,750,805 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curtis Stephen Leggett
• Original Assignee: Curtis Stephen Leggett
• Inventors: Beattie, Badi Dapilos, Leggett, Curtis Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/954,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20080136630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/527, 340/565, 340/825.69, 340/284, 700/284
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/02 with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid

Abstract

An apparatus for retrofitting automatic irrigation systems for animal and human deterrent control comprises at least one motion detector for placement within a bordered zone monitored for trespassers. The motion detector is adapted to detect a body entering said bordered zone and generate a trespasser signal having a unique ID. A programmable control receiver module receives the signal and activates a solenoid control valve to spray the trespasser with water.

Claims

1. Apparatus for retrofitting automatic irrigation systems for animal and human deterrent control, wherein said automatic irrigation system comprises at least one sprinkler, at least one solenoid valve in operative communication with said at least one sprinkler and at least one low voltage AC powered programmable sprinkler control timer having a pre-programmed watering schedule in operative communication with said at least one solenoid valve, wherein said apparatus comprises:

a. At least one motion detector for placement within a bordered zone monitored for trespassers, said at least one motion detector adapted to detect a body entering said bordered zone and generate an RF trespasser signal, the at least one motion detector further adapted to transmit said RF trespasser signal with a unique ID adapted for distinguishing the trespasser signal from other control signals to;

b. a programmable control receiver module adapted to receive the RF trespasser signal with said unique ID, wherein said programmable control receiver module is in controlling communication with said at least one solenoid control valve;

so that,

c. when the RF trespasser signal is received by the programmable control receive module an open valve signal is transmitted to the at least one solenoid valve for a predetermined amount of time thereby spraying said body with water and deterring its movement into the bordered zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the programmable control receiver module further comprises an operating indicator to provide a user with data relative to the operation of the programmable control receiver module and motion detector modules.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein in said operating indicator is an LED adapted to display said data by way of blinking the LED at predetermined frequencies.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the operating indicator is an LCD screen adapted to display operating data in a readable format.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the programmable control receiver module is programmed by said user to function on a time-based schedule.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one motion detector includes a daylight sensor permitting the at least one motion detector to detect the trespassing body in day and night lighting conditions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least one motion detector is powered by a DC power source.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said DC power source is a DC battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said DC battery is re-chargeable by at least one photovoltaic cell.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the DC power source comprises at least one super capacitor re-chargeable by at least one photovoltaic cell.

11. A method of retrofitting an automatic irrigation system into a human and animal deterrent system, said automatic irrigation system comprising at least one sprinkler, at least one solenoid zone valve in operative communication with said at least one sprinkler, at least one low voltage AC powered programmable automatic sprinkler control timer having a pre-programmed watering schedule in operative communication with said at least one solenoid control valve, said method comprising the steps of:

a. Providing a retrofit kit comprising;

i. At least one motion detector for placement within a bordered zone, said at least one motion detector adapted to detect a body entering said bordered zone and generate a trespasser signal, the at least one motion detector further adapted to transmit said trespasser signal with a unique ID to;

ii. a programmable control receiver module adapted to receive the trespasser signal with said unique ID, wherein said programmable control receiver module is in controlling communication with said at least one solenoid control valve;

so that,

iii. when the trespasser signal is received by the programmable control receive module an open valve signal is transmitted to the at least one solenoid valve for a predetermined amount of time thereby spraying said body with water and deterring its movement into the bordered zone;

b. placing the at least one motion detector within said bordered zone;

c. placing the programmable control receiver module in controlling communication with the at least one solenoid valve;

d. programming the programmable control receiver module to pre-empt said pre-programmed watering schedule upon detection of the trespasser signal; and

,

e. programming the programmable control receiver module to operate on a pre-determined time-based schedule.

12. A retrofit kit for retrofitting an automatic irrigation system into a human and animal deterrent system, said automatic irrigation system comprising at least one sprinkler, at least one solenoid zone valve in operative communication with said at least one sprinkler, at least one low voltage AC powered programmable automatic sprinkler control timer having a pre-programmed watering schedule in operative communication with said at least one solenoid control valve, said retrofit kit comprising:

a. At least one motion detector for placement within a bordered zone, said at least one motion detector adapted to detect a body entering said bordered zone and generate a RF trespasser signal, the at least one motion detector further adapted to transmit said RF trespasser signal having an unique ID to;

b. a programmable control receiver module adapted to receive the RF trespasser signal with said unique ID, wherein said programmable control receiver module is in controlling communication with said at least one solenoid control valve;

so that,

c. when the RF trespasser signal is received by the programmable control receive module an open valve signal is transmitted to the at least one solenoid valve for a predetermined amount of time thereby spraying said body with water and deterring its movement into the bordered zone;

d. wherein the programmable control receiver module further comprises an operating indicator to provide a user with data relative to the operation of the programmable control receiver module and motion detector modules;

e. wherein in said operating indicator is an LED adapted to display said data by way of blinking the LED at predetermined frequencies;

f. wherein the operating indicator is an LCD screen adapted to display operating data in a readable format; and

,

g. wherein the programmable control receiver module is programmed by said user to function on a time-based schedule.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least one motion detector is DC powered and includes a daylight sensor permitting the at least one motion detector to detect the trespassing body in day and night lighting conditions.