Automatic detection of expansion component irrigation controller

• US 9,297,839 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2014
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SD Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: Skydrop Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Romney, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS RUSSO, RAUL J
• Application Number:
  US14/321,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20150077087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 324 7611- 7683, 700/284
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/00 Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like special apparatus or adaptations for fertilising-liquids A01C23/00; nozzles or outlets, spraying apparatus B05B
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/0092 measuring current only all subgroups of G01R19/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/165 Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25056 Automatic configuration of monitoring, control system as function of operator input, events
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25085 Several function expansion units for master, main unit, universal system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25103 Detect during start, number of modules, groups, sub groups
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25322 Stackthrough modules, modules are stacked, no need for backplane
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31422 Upload, download programs, parameters from, to station to, from server

Abstract

The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to a system and method for detecting an expansion module in an irrigation system in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Claims

1. A method for detecting an expansion module in an irrigation system comprising:

powering on an irrigation system having operable irrigation components that are in electronic communication with an irrigation controller;

wherein the irrigation controller comprises;

a control unit;

an added expansion module, wherein the expansion module adds additional functions to the irrigation controller and is configured to be disposed in a stacked configuration; and

an irrigation adaptor, wherein the adaptor is configured to actuate the operable irrigation components that operate according to instructions issued from the control unit;

wherein the irrigation controller is configured for use as a component of a computer network;

retrieving a baseline configuration from computer memory;

sensing a deviation from the baseline configuration wherein the deviation is generated by the added expansion module;

identifying at least a first added expansion module responsible for the deviation from the baseline;

retrieving component information regarding the first added expansion module from a component database;

prompting a user for setup input through a user interface wherein a user prompt comprises the component information regarding the first added expansion module retrieved from the component database; and

generating a new irrigation protocol having instructions for the added expansion module.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises:

a housing substantially enclosing a circuit board;

a control unit electronic connector providing electronic communication between the circuit board and the irrigation adaptor;

an electronic display within the housing; and

a user input;

wherein the control unit is configured to be stacked onto the irrigation adaptor, such that the control unit electronic connector of the control unit mates with a corresponding electronic connector of the irrigation adaptor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module adds additional irrigation zones.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module adds wireless communication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module adds sensor connectivity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module is configured to be disposed between the irrigation adaptor and the control unit to form an expanded controller.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises repeating the sensing deviation from a baseline for a plurality of additional expansion modules.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing the first additional expansion module comprises sensing a current draw.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the baseline configuration is a set of current draw values of a baseline configuration of previously attached operable components.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises retrieving a lookup table from memory and identifying a normal standard of operation of a plurality of additional attached operable components.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the normal standard of operation comprises current usage values.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises suggesting a group of identified added expansion modules for selection by a user through the user interface.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the added expansion module self identifies.

14. The method claim 1, wherein the method of generating the irrigation protocol comprises communication with a supporting irrigation protocol server.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is presented over a computer network as a web interface.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is prompted via a mobile device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is prompted via a display within the control unit.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module and control unit are configured to be mounted on a substantially vertical surface via the irrigation adaptor.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module is removably attached to the irrigation adaptor via mechanical fasteners.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller further comprises an annular user input configured to interact with a user and the display to receive user input thereby;

wherein the annular user input defines a circular opening that passes through the annular input and the housing; and

wherein the annular user input and the circular opening are coaxial such that annular user input rotates about an axis of the circular opening.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the annular user input comprises an illuminated portion that illuminates the circular opening.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion module comprises terminals configured to interface electrically with the irrigation system.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising lighting the annular user input wherein the annular user input comprises:

a light ring comprising a translucent material;

a dial ring having incremental openings therein for digitizing input data;

a float ring for reducing friction within the system; and

a diffuser for diffusing light from an illumination source.

24. A system for detecting an expansion module in an irrigation system comprising:

an irrigation system comprising plumbing and an irrigation controller, wherein the irrigation system comprises operable irrigation components that are in electronic communication with the irrigation controller;

an irrigation server connected to the irrigation controller over a computer network, wherein the irrigation controller receives an irrigation protocol from the irrigation server over the computer network, wherein the irrigation controller is configured for use as a component of the computer network;

wherein the irrigation controller comprises;

a control unit;

an expansion module, wherein the expansion module adds additional functions to the irrigation controller and is configured to be disposed in a stacked configuration; and

an irrigation adaptor, wherein the adaptor is configured to actuate the operable irrigation components that operate according to instructions issued from the control unit;

wherein the control unit comprises;

a housing substantially enclosing a circuit board;

a control unit electronic connector providing electronic communication between the circuit board and the irrigation adaptor;

an electronic display within the housing; and

a user input;

wherein the control unit is configured to be stacked onto the irrigation adaptor, such that the control unit electronic connector of the control unit mates with a corresponding electronic connector of the irrigation adaptor;

a baseline configuration that is stored in computer memory, wherein a deviation from the baseline configuration is sensed when the expansion module is attached to the system, wherein the deviation is generated by the expansion module.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module adds additional irrigation zones.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module adds wireless communication capability.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module adds sensor connectivity.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module is configured to be disposed between the irrigation adaptor and the control unit to form an expanded controller.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the system method further comprises sensing the deviation from the baseline configuration for a plurality of additional expansion modules.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the system senses a current draw from the expansion module.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein the baseline configuration is a set of current draw values of a baseline configuration of previously attached operable components.

32. The system of claim 24, wherein the system method further comprises a lookup table that is retrieved from memory that identifies a normal standard of operation of a plurality of additional attached operable components.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the normal standard of operation comprises current usage values.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the system further comprises a group of identified added expansion modules that is output for selection by a user through the user interface.

35. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module self identifies.

36. The system claim 24, wherein the irrigation protocol comprises communication with the irrigation server.

37. The system of claim 24, wherein the user interface is presented over a computer network as a web interface.

38. The system of claim 24, wherein the user is prompted via a mobile device.

39. The system of claim 24, wherein the user is prompted via a display within the control unit.

40. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module and control unit are configured to be mounted on a substantially vertical surface via the irrigation adaptor.

41. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module is removably attached to the irrigation adaptor via mechanical fasteners.

42. The system of claim 24, wherein the controller further comprises an annular user input configured to interact with a user and the display to receive user input thereby;

wherein the annular user input defines a circular opening that passes through the annular input and the housing; and

wherein the annular user input and the circular opening are coaxial such that annular user input rotates about an axis of the circular opening.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the annular user input comprises an illuminated portion that illuminates the circular opening.

44. The system of claim 24, wherein the expansion module comprises terminals configured to interface electrically with the irrigation system.

45. The system of claim 42, further comprising lighting the annular user input wherein the annular user input comprises:

a light ring comprising a translucent material;

a dial ring having incremental openings therein for digitizing input data;

a float ring for reducing friction within the system; and

a diffuser for diffusing light from an illumination source.