Methods and systems for use in controlling irrigation

• US 8,989,908 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Marsters, Jonathan I., Callison, Douglas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHECHTMAN, SEAN P
• Application Number:
  US14/098,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20140094977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0617 specially adapted for fluid materials
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence

Abstract

Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

Claims

1. A method of controlling irrigation, the method comprising:

communicating an assumption broadcast from a controller to one or more irrigation controllers of an irrigation system, wherein the assumption broadcast defines one or more assumed states of operation of one or more control elements each coupled to a respective one of the controller or a respective one of the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, wherein the irrigation system is configured to implement one or more irrigation scheduling instructions, wherein the one or more control elements are shared with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system that are not coupled to the one or more control elements;

identifying, from a reply to the assumption broadcast, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element of the one or more control elements, wherein the first control element is associated with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers;

updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and

communicating a subsequent notification from the controller to the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, wherein the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the irrigation system comprises a central control irrigation system comprising a sub-system of the central control irrigation system, wherein the sub-system comprises the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers, and wherein the central control irrigation system includes a computer based central controller configured to communicate the irrigation scheduling instructions through the sub-system.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving sharing configuration data from the central controller, wherein the sharing configuration data identifies which one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers of the sub-system share which of the one or more control elements.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more control elements comprises a master valve, wherein the assumption broadcast comprises an assumed state of the master valve designating that the master valve is in one of an open state and a closed state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the assumption broadcast comprises a plurality of predefined locations within the assumption broadcast, wherein a different one of the plurality of predefined locations corresponds to a different one of the one or more irrigation controllers such that each predefined location defines a state of one of the one or more control elements corresponding to the one of the one or more irrigation controllers associated with the predefined location within the assumption broadcast.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more control elements comprises a sensor, wherein the assumption broadcast comprises information corresponding to sensor information provided by the sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sensor information identifies whether the one or more of the irrigation controllers sharing the sensor are to interrupt an irrigation scheduling instruction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more irrigation controllers couples with one or more irrigation valves and is configured to activate at least one of one or more irrigation valves in implementing a first irrigation scheduling instruction of the irrigation scheduling instructions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying step and the updating step are performed by the controller.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the one or more irrigation controllers do not directly communicate with one another.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating the assumption broadcast comprises communicating a single assumption broadcast from the controller to each of the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the single assumption broadcast informs each of the one or more irrigation controllers of an operating state of the one or more control elements.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the reply to the assumption broadcast only when at least one of the one or more assumed states of operation of the one or more control elements is inconsistent with an irrigation scheduling instruction being implemented by a corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the reply from a first irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers only when the state corresponding to the first control element shared with at least the first irrigation controller is inconsistent with a state expected by the first of the irrigation controller.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying one or more indicators corresponding to sensor information from one or more sensors, with each of the one or more sensors being coupled to at least one of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the sensor information is shared with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers that are not coupled to the one or more sensors;

communicating a sensor assumption broadcast to each of the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the sensor assumption broadcast comprises the one or more indicators corresponding to the sensor information and the sensor assumption broadcast informs each of the one or more irrigation controllers of the sensor information from the one or more sensors shared with at least a corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating the subsequent notification comprises communicating a subsequent assumption broadcast comprising the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more control elements comprise one or more of a master valve, a switch, an override switch, a pump, a sensor, a valve, solenoid, weather sensor, and a flow sensor.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the assumption broadcast at a first irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system;

determining whether a first assumed state of the one or more assumed states of operation defined in the assumption broadcast and associated with at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller, is inconsistent with an irrigation scheduling instruction configured to be implemented by the first irrigation controller; and

communicating, from the first irrigation controller, the reply to the assumption broadcast when the first assumed state associated with the at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller is inconsistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction.

18. An irrigation system comprising:

a controller;

one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the one or more irrigation controllers are in communication with the controller and wherein each of the one or more irrigation controllers controls one or more irrigation devices in implementing a respective irrigation scheduling instruction received via the controller and stored at each of the one or more irrigation controllers; and

one or more control elements, wherein each of the one or more control elements are coupled to a respective one of the controller and one of the one or more irrigation controllers, and wherein the one or more control elements are shared with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers;

wherein the controller is configured to;

communicate an assumption broadcast to each of the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the assumption broadcast defines one or more assumed states of operation of the one or more control elements;

identify, from a reply to the assumption broadcast, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element of the one or more control elements, wherein the first control element is associated with at least a first irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers; and

update state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and

communicate a subsequent notification to the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

19. The irrigation system of claim 18, wherein the one or more control elements comprise a first master valve, wherein the first master valve is controlled by a corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers, such that the corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers is configured to alter a state of the master valve in response to the assumption broadcast when a state corresponding to the master valve defined in the assumption broadcast is different than an actual state of the master valve as controlled by the one of the one or more irrigation controllers.

20. The irrigation system of claim 19, wherein a second irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers shares the first master valve controlled by the one of the one or more irrigation controllers such that water is made available to at least one of the one or more irrigation devices controlled by the second irrigation controller when the first master valve is open, and wherein the second irrigation controller is configured to communicate the reply to the assumption broadcast when the state corresponding to the master valve as defined in the assumption broadcast identifies the master valve as closed and an irrigation scheduling instruction being implemented at the second irrigation controller specifies that irrigation is to be active.

21. The irrigation system of claim 20, wherein the second irrigation controller is further configured to communicate the reply to the assumption broadcast only when the assumed state of the first master valve is inconsistent with a state expected by the second irrigation controller.

22. The irrigation system of claim 19, wherein the one or more control elements comprise a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is communicationally coupled with a corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers, such that the corresponding one of the one or more irrigation controllers is configured to obtain sensor information from the first sensor, and to communicate a reply to the assumption broadcast when information corresponding to the first sensor defined in the assumption broadcast is different than the obtained sensor information corresponding to the first sensor.

23. The irrigation system of claim 18, wherein the one or more control elements comprise a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is communicationally coupled with a first irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers, such that the first irrigation controller is configured to obtain sensor information from the first sensor, and to communicate a reply to the assumption broadcast when information corresponding to the first sensor defined in the assumption broadcast is different than the obtained sensor information of the first sensor.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein a second irrigation controller of the one or more irrigation controllers is configured, in response to receiving the subsequent notification, to detect a change in the state of the first sensor and to take a predefined action defined relative to the state of the first sensor.

25. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a computer-based central irrigation controller configured to communicate sharing configuration data to the controller, wherein the sharing configuration data is configured to identify which one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers share which of the one or more control elements.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured, when communicating the subsequent notification, to communicate a subsequent assumption broadcast comprising the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller comprises a server satellite irrigation controller configured to control at least one of the one or more irrigation devices while implementing a respective irrigation scheduling instruction.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the one or more irrigation controllers are client satellite irrigation controllers in communication with the server irrigation controller, wherein each of the one or more of client satellite irrigation controllers controls the one or more irrigation devices in implementing the respective irrigation scheduling instruction received via the server satellite irrigation controller and stored at each of the one or more client satellite irrigation controllers.

29. A method of controlling irrigation, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first irrigation controller, an assumption broadcast communicated from a controller to each of one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the assumption broadcast comprises one or more state identifiers identifying one or more assumed states of one or more control elements cooperated with at least one of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers, wherein the one or more control elements are shared with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers;

determining whether a first of the one or more state identifiers, designated within the assumption broadcast and associated with at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller, is inconsistent with an irrigation scheduling instruction configured to be implemented by the first irrigation controller; and

communicating a reply to the assumption broadcast when the first of the one or more state identifiers associated with the at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller is inconsistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first irrigation controller and the controller are part of a sub-system of a central control irrigation system, wherein the central control irrigation system includes a computer based central controller configured to communicate irrigation scheduling instructions to the controller, wherein the irrigation scheduling instructions comprises the irrigation scheduling instruction configured to be implemented by the first irrigation controller.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the reply comprising an identification of the first of the one or more state identifiers that is inconsistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the communicating the reply to the assumption broadcast comprises:

identifying a time off period corresponding to a timing of the assumption broadcast; and

initiating the communicating the reply to the assumption broadcast in accordance with the time off period.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

communicating, from the first irrigation controller to a first shared control element shared with the first irrigation controller, an instruction to change states in response to determining that the state of the first control element is not consistent with a state designated in the assumption broadcast.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

pausing activation of irrigation configured to be implemented by the first irrigation controller in accordance with the irrigation scheduling instruction being implemented by the first irrigation controller in response to determining that the first of the one or more state identifiers of the at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller is inconsistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction;

receiving a subsequent notification identifying a change of state of the first state identifier associated with the at least one of the one or more control element shared with the first irrigation controller wherein the change of state is consistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction; and

unpausing the activation of irrigation in response to receiving the subsequent notification identifying the change of state.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

compensating for a delay between identifying that the irrigation scheduling instruction configured to be implemented by the first irrigation controller is to be implemented and receiving a confirmation that a state of the at least one of the one or more control elements shared with the first irrigation controller is consistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the controller comprises a server satellite irrigation controller configured to control one or more irrigation devices in delivering water to one or more areas to be irrigated in accordance with irrigation scheduling instructions implemented by the server satellite controller;

and

wherein the receiving, at the first irrigation controller, the assumption broadcast comprises receiving the assumption broadcast from the server satellite irrigation controller.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the one or more irrigation controllers are client satellite irrigation controllers in communication with the server irrigation controller, wherein each of the one or more of client satellite irrigation controllers controls one or more irrigation devices in implementing one or more respective irrigation scheduling instructions received via the server satellite irrigation controller and stored at each of the one or more client satellite irrigation controllers.

38. An irrigation controller, comprising:

a processor;

one or more irrigation station outputs controlled by the processor in accordance with the one or more irrigation instructions, wherein each of the one or more irrigation station outputs is configured to couple with one or more irrigation valves to deliver control signals to the one or more irrigation valves;

wherein the processor is configured to;

receive an assumption broadcast communicated from a separate controller, wherein the assumption broadcast comprises one or more state identifiers identifying one or more assumed states of one or more control elements cooperated with at least one of the irrigation controller, the separate controller and one or more other irrigation controllers of an irrigation system, wherein the irrigation system is configured to implement an irrigation schedule, wherein the one or more control elements are shared with at least two or more of the irrigation controller, the separate controller and the one or more other irrigation controllers;

determine whether a first of the one or more state identifiers, designated within the assumption broadcast and associated with a first control element shared by the irrigation controller, is inconsistent with at least one of the one or more irrigation scheduling instructions configured to be implemented by the irrigation controller; and

cause a reply to the assumption broadcast to be communicated when the first of the one or more state identifiers associated with the first control element shared by the irrigation controller is inconsistent with the irrigation scheduling instruction.

39. A controller comprising:

a processor configured to;

communicate an assumption broadcast to one or more irrigation controllers of an irrigation system, wherein the assumption broadcast defines one or more assumed states of operation of one or more control elements each communicationally coupled with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, wherein the irrigation system is configured to implement one or more irrigation scheduling instructions, wherein at least one of the one or more control elements is shared with two or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system that are not coupled to the one or more control elements;

identify, from a reply to the assumption broadcast, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element of the one or more control elements, wherein the first control element is associated with one or more of the controller and the one or more irrigation controllers;

update state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and

communicate a subsequent notification from the controller to the one or more irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, wherein the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

40. The controller of claim 39, further comprising:

one or more irrigation station outputs coupled with the controller, wherein each of the one or more irrigation station outputs is configured to couple with one or more irrigation valves to deliver control signals to the one or more irrigation valves to control the opening and closing of the one or more irrigation valves.