Irrigation timer for adjusting watering time based on temperature and humidity change

• US 7,769,494 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Blaine M., Fisher, Matthew T., Simon, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/500,531
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 239 68- 70
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

A method automatically adjusts the amount of water supplied by a water timer having a user interface and a controller programmed to provide control signals for controlling water flow control devices. The time of day on a base day is chosen, and a base ambient temperature and a base ambient humidity are sensed. Base ambient temperature and humidity signals are provided to the controller. The current ambient temperature and humidity are subsequently sensed and corresponding signals are provided to the controller on at least one day following the base day at a time corresponding to the chosen time of day. Control signals are modified, thereby modifying watering amounts, according to the base and current ambient temperature and humidity signals.

Claims

1. A method for automatically adjusting the amount of water supplied by a water timer, the water timer of the type comprising a user interface, a controller coupled to the user interface and programmed to provide control signals for controlling a plurality of flow control devices, each flow control device capable of controlling the passage of water from a water source to a watering zone, the method comprising:

choosing a time of day on a base day;

sensing, at said chosen time of day on said base day, a base ambient temperature and providing a base ambient temperature signal to the controller;

sensing, at said chosen time of day on said base day, a base ambient humidity and providing a base ambient humidity signal to the controller, the humidity is expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%;

subsequently sensing a current ambient temperature and providing a current ambient temperature signal to the controller;

subsequently sensing a current ambient humidity and providing a current ambient humidity signal to the controller;

the subsequently sensing steps being carried out on at least one day following the base day at a time corresponding to said chosen time of day; and

modifying control signals, thereby modifying watering amounts, according to the base and current ambient temperature signals and the base and current ambient humidity signals, the control signals modifying step;

decreases the watering amount according to an amount equal to X times any amount the ambient humidity, expressed as a percentage, is greater than the base humidity;

increases the watering amount according to an amount equal to Y times any amount the ambient humidity, expressed as a percentage, is less than the base humidity;

decreases the watering amount according to an amount L, expressed as a percentage, times any amount the ambient temperature is less than the base temperature; and

increases the watering amount according to an amount G, expressed as a percentage, times any amount the ambient temperature is greater than the base temperature.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the choosing step is carried out by a user actuating a base-setting input of said interface at the chosen time of day on the base day.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the time corresponding to the chosen time of day to be the same time of day.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control signals modifying step is carried out with X and Y each ranging from about 1 to 4 and wherein the amounts L and G are each about 1% to 10% when the temperature is measured in Fahrenheit.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the control signals modifying step is carried out with X and Y each being about 1; and

the amounts L and G are each about 4%.

6. A method for automatically adjusting the amount of water supplied by a water timer, the water timer of the type comprising a user interface, a controller coupled to the user interface and programmed to provide control signals for controlling a plurality of flow control devices, each flow control device capable of controlling the passage of water from a water source to a watering zone, the method comprising:

choosing a time of day for a base day;

sensing, at said chosen time of day on said base day, a base ambient temperature and providing a base ambient temperature signal to the controller, the temperature being measured in Fahrenheit;

sensing, at said chosen time of day on said base day, a base ambient humidity and providing a base ambient humidity signal to the controller, the ambient humidity being expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%;

subsequently sensing a current ambient temperature and providing a current ambient temperature signal to the controller;

subsequently sensing a current ambient humidity and providing a current ambient humidity signal to the controller

the subsequently sensing steps being carried out on at least one day following the base day at said chosen time of day; and

modifying control signals, thereby modifying watering amounts, according to the base and current ambient temperature signals and the base and current ambient humidity signals, the control signals modifying step;

decreases the watering amount according to an amount equal to 1 times any amount the ambient humidity, expressed as a percentage, is greater than the base humidity;

increases the watering amount according to an amount equal to 1 times any amount the ambient humidity, expressed as a percentage, is less than the base humidity;

decreases the watering amount by 4% times any amount the ambient temperature is less than the base temperature; and

increases the watering amount by 4% times any amount the ambient temperature is greater than the base temperature.