Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methods
First Claim
1. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
- receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station,the connector coupled to the irrigation controller,the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations,wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs;
causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and
sensing, using sensor circuitry, an electrical signal applied to one or more of the station actuation output connectors of the irrigation controller, the electrical signal providing the indication that the irrigation controller has activated the irrigation station.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and sensing, using sensor circuitry, an electrical signal applied to one or more of the station actuation output connectors of the irrigation controller, the electrical signal providing the indication that the irrigation controller has activated the irrigation station.
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2. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and causing re-transmission of the wireless activation signal a plurality of times by the signal transmitter, randomizing a time interval between transmissions. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; receiving, at a signal receiver of the receiver unit, the wireless activation signal from the wireless transmitter unit; receiving, at a second controller coupled to the signal receiver, a message contained in the wireless activation signal; causing, responsive to the message, an activation circuit coupled to the second controller to output signaling; and causing, responsive to the output signaling, the actuator to actuate the actuatable device; wherein the actuatable device comprises an irrigation valve controlling the flow of water therethrough and wherein the activation circuit comprises; a capacitor configured to be charged to a first voltage and configured to be discharged to provide a pulse sufficient to actuate the actuator controlling the irrigation valve; a battery having a voltage rating at a second voltage, the second voltage less than the first voltage, the battery providing operational power to the receiver unit, the second controller and for charging the capacitor; and a capacitor charging circuit comprising; an inductor coupling the battery to the capacitor; and a switch coupled to the inductor and operated by the second controller, the switch controls the flow of current through the inductor. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; receiving, at a signal receiver of the receiver unit, the wireless activation signal from the wireless transmitter unit; receiving, at a second controller coupled to the signal receiver, a message contained in the wireless activation signal; causing, responsive to the message, an activation circuit coupled to the second controller to output signaling; and causing, responsive to the output signaling, the actuator to actuate the actuatable device; wherein the activation circuit comprises; a capacitor configured to be charged to a voltage of at least 7 volts and configured to be discharged to provide a pulse sufficient to actuate the actuator controlling the irrigation valve; a battery having a voltage rating of less than 7 volts, the battery providing operational power to the receiver, the second controller and for charging the capacitor; and a capacitor charging circuit coupling the battery to the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and putting the transmitter unit into a learning mode in order to be paired with the wireless receiver unit when the one or more user inputs are manipulated by a user.
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10. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and causing the transmitter unit to transmit a test signal to the wireless receiver unit when the one or more user inputs are manipulated by a user.
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11. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and allowing, via the one or more user inputs, a user to input a number of actuators supported by a given wireless receiver unit to be paired to the transmitter unit.
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12. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; and allowing, via the one or more user inputs, a user to input one or more of the irrigation stations to associate to the wireless receiver unit.
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13. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; wherein the user interface further comprises a display screen; and displaying with the display screen which of the irrigation stations are associated with the wireless receiver unit.
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14. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; wherein the user interface further comprises a display screen; and displaying with the display screen a low battery indicator associated with the wireless receiver unit.
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15. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; wherein the user interface further comprises a display screen; and displaying with the display screen a status of the transmitter unit.
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16. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; wherein the user interface further comprises a display screen; and displaying via the display screen that the transmitter unit has received the indication that the irrigation controller has activated the irrigation station.
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17. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit via a connector, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the connector coupled to the irrigation controller, the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating irrigation stations, wherein the transmitter unit has a user interface comprising one or more user inputs; causing, responsive to the indication, transmission of a wireless activation signal by a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device; receiving, at the first controller, an indication that the irrigation controller has deactivated the irrigation station; and causing, at the first controller, a wireless deactivation signal to be transmitted by the signal transmitter, the wireless deactivation signal configured for receipt at the wireless receiver unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for use in controlling irrigation comprising:
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receiving, at a first controller of a transmitter unit, an indication that an irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the transmitter unit including the first controller and a user interface comprising one or more user inputs, the transmitter unit having a connector configured to be coupled to the irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating stations; causing the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication, the wireless activation signal being configured to be received by a receiver unit, the receiver unit configured to be coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, the actuator configured to actuate the actuatable device, the receiver unit configured to cause the actuator to actuate the irrigation valve in response to receiving the wireless activation signal; receiving, at the first controller, an indication that the irrigation controller has deactivated the irrigation station; and causing the transmitter to transmit a wireless deactivation signal responsive to the indication that the irrigation controller has deactivated the irrigation station, the wireless deactivation signal configured to be received by the receiver unit. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification