Method and means for reading the status of and controlling irrigation components

• US 20020107586A1
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Kreikemeier, Bruce, Malsam, Craig, Schulz, Marv, Haget, Hector
• Granted Patent: US 6,853,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/65
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23178 Display status of currently selected controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25187 Transmission of signals, medium, ultrasonic, radio
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

A method and means is disclosed for remotely reading the status of and controlling irrigation components and ancillary equipment. A handheld remote user interface (RUI) is provided which includes a display and a keypad. The RUI has the ability to communicate with and control the irrigation components using built-in wireless telemetry technology. The RUI allows the user to read the status of and control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment from any location in the field, without requiring the user to be at the irrigation component controls or at a specific location in the field.

Claims

1. In combination with irrigation components and ancillary equipment therefore for irrigating a field, comprising:

a wireless RUI comprising a handheld display and keypad for;

(a) reading the status of irrigation components and ancillary equipment; and

(b) controlling the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wireless RUI has the capability of reading the status of the irrigation components and ancillary equipment and controlling the same from any location in the field.

3. In combination with irrigation components for irrigating a field, comprising:

a wireless RUI comprising a handheld display and keypad having the capability of;

(a) reading the status of the irrigation components; and

(b) controlling the operation of the irrigation components.

4. The method whereby a person may remotely determine the status of irrigation components and ancillary equipment and for controlling the operation thereof, comprising the steps of:

providing a handheld wireless RUI;

utilizing said RUI to read the status of the irrigation components ancillary equipment; and

utilizing said RUI to control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.