Irrigation field module matrix configured for wireless communication with a central control server

• US 7,883,027 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Pipe And Fitting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Daniel Joseph Fekete
• Inventors: Fekete, Daniel Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): DeCady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): GAMI, TEJAL
• Application Number:
  US12/109,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20090145974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 700/19, 239/11
• US Class Current: 239/11
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

The invention is an irrigation field module matrix configured for wireless communication with a central control server. The central control server contains a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system. This system utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location'"'"'s field module matrix.

Claims

1. A field module matrix for enabling a server to control irrigation components, comprising:

a plurality of field modules, wherein one or more field modules comprises;

a circuitry configured for;

sending data pertaining to an irrigation area to a server, receiving a control signal from said server, controlling one or more irrigation components based on said control signal;

dynamically reconfiguring disrupted signal paths between the plurality of field modules; and

determining a route of a signal in the matrix, the determination based on whether to save time or to conserve power;

a device interface for coupling said irrigation components to said circuitry;

a power interface to supply power to said circuitry; and

a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to said plurality of field modules for routing said data from said one or more field modules to said server and routing said control signal from said server to said one or more field modules, wherein said wireless network adapter translates between a protocol in use by said plurality of field modules and said server.

2. The field module matrix of claim 1, further comprising a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to said plurality of field modules for routing said data from said one or more field modules to said server and routing said control signal from said server to said one or more field modules, wherein said wireless network adapter translates between a protocol in use by said plurality of field modules and said server.

3. The field module matrix of claim 2, wherein said control signal further comprises an irrigation schedule generated by said server from said data.

4. The field module matrix of claim 3, wherein said server further comprises a user interface adapted to provide a user remote access to said server for remotely monitoring said plurality of field modules.

5. The field module matrix of claim 3, wherein said data pertaining to said irrigation area comprises a system status.

6. The field module matrix of claim 3, wherein said circuitry of said one or more field modules further comprises a management device for receiving, transmitting, and recording said irrigation schedule.

7. The field module matrix of claim 6, wherein said one or more field modules is adapted for single-hop and multi-hop communication.

8. The field module matrix of claim 7, wherein said irrigation components further comprise valves and pumps.

9. The field module matrix of claim 6, wherein said one or more field modules further comprise of sensors coupled to said circuitry.

11. The field module matrix of claim 1, wherein the signal paths are disrupted by an object temporarily placed within the plurality of field modules.

12. The field module matrix of claim 1, wherein the signal paths are disrupted by adding one or more field modules to the plurality of field modules.

13. The field module matrix of claim 1, wherein the signal paths are disrupted by removing one or more field modules in the plurality of field modules.

14. The field matrix module of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured for determining a route of a signal in the matrix module, the determination based on whether to save time or to conserve power.

15. The field matrix module of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured for generating a report on the plurality of field modules, the report transmitted to the server via a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to the plurality of field modules.

16. The field matrix module of claim 15, wherein the report identifies additions or removals of one or more field modules.

17. The field matrix module of claim 1, wherein the data is continually being reported to the server via a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to the plurality of field modules.

10. A field module matrix for enabling a server to control irrigation components, comprising:

a plurality of field modules, wherein one or more field modules is adapted for single-hop and multi-hop communication, said one or more field modules further comprising;

a circuitry including a management device for receiving, transmitting, and recording a control signal, said circuitry configured for;

sending data pertaining to an irrigation area to a server, wherein said server further comprises a user interface adapted to provide a user remote access to said server for remotely monitoring said plurality of field modules, receiving said control signal from said server, wherein said control signal includes an irrigation schedule generated by said server from said data, controlling one or more irrigation components based on said control signal, and determining a route of a signal in the matrix, the determination based on whether to save time or to conserve power;

a device interface for coupling said irrigation components to said circuitry;

a power interface to supply power to said circuitry; and

a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to said plurality of field modules for routing said data from said one or more field modules to said server and routing said control signal from said server to said one or more field modules, wherein said wireless network adapter translates between a protocol in use by said plurality of field modules and said server.

18. A field module matrix for enabling a server to control irrigation components, comprising:

a plurality of field modules, wherein one or more field modules comprises;

a circuitry configured for;

sending data pertaining to an irrigation area to a server;

receiving a control signal from the server;

controlling one or more irrigation components based on said control signal, and;

determining a route of a signal in the matrix, the determination based on whether to save time or to conserve power;

a device interface for coupling said irrigation components to said circuitry;

a power interface to supply power to said circuitry; and

a wireless network adapter wirelessly coupled to said plurality of field modules for routing said data from said one or more field modules to said server and routing said control signal from said server to said one or more field modules, wherein said wireless network adapter translates between a protocol in use by said plurality of field modules and said server.