LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT WITH AUTOMATED WATER BUDGET & SEASONAL ADJUST, AND AUTOMATED IMPLEMENTATION OF WATERING RESTRICTIONS
First Claim
1. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
- a. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; and
b. automatically modifying at least one irrigation schedule of said controller using said percentage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for water conservation with landscape irrigation controllers, plug-in and add-on devices, and centralized systems. In embodiments of the invention, a water budget percentage is determined by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, and the preliminary irrigation schedule or station run times are automatically modified based upon that water budget percentage. Embodiments of the present invention also provide for automation of mandated landscape watering restrictions alone, or in various combinations with water budgeting methods and apparatus.
67 Citations
260 Claims
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1. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; and b. automatically modifying at least one irrigation schedule of said controller using said percentage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 168, 169, 170, 190, 191, 192, 213, 214, 215)
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10. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, and b. automatically modifying at least one irrigation schedule of said controller using said percentage.
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11. A method of controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, and b. automatically modifying at least one station run time of said controller using said percentage.
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12. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. automatically producing periodic water budget percentages without calculating evapotranspiration; b. accumulating said periodic water budget percentages over time; and c. automatically allowing watering to take place when said accumulated percentages reach a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 171, 172, 193, 194, 216, 217)
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21. A method for controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. automatically selecting one of said restricted schedules; and c. automatically preventing irrigation by a controller when not allowed according to said restricted schedule. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 173, 195, 196, 218, 219)
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28. A method for controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. automatically selecting one of said restricted schedules; and c. changing at least one station start time in a controller so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said selected schedule. - View Dependent Claims (174, 175, 197, 198, 220, 221)
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29. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and c. allowing irrigation by a controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but automatically preventing irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected. - View Dependent Claims (176, 177, 199, 200, 222, 223)
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30. A method of controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving at least one schedule of restricted watering times; b. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; and c. automatically preventing irrigation except when allowed according to said restricted watering schedule, and then adjusting irrigation, when allowed, according to a water budget percentage. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 178, 179, 180, 181, 201, 202, 203, 204, 224, 225, 226, 227)
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46. A method of automatically changing between restricted watering schedules and smart technology in a controller having smart technology comprising the steps of:
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a. providing said controller with at least one set of restricted watering schedules; b. providing said controller with specified calendar dates when smart technology or restricted watering schedules are to be used; and c. automatically changing from restricted watering schedules to smart technology according to said calendar specified dates. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A method of automatically changing between restricted watering schedules and smart technology in a plug-in module having smart technology comprising the steps of:
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a. plugging said module into a controller; b. providing said plug-in module with at least one set of restricted watering schedules; c. providing said plug-in module with specified calendar dates when smart technology or restricted watering schedules are to be used; and d. said plug-in module automatically causing said controller to change from restricted watering schedules to smart technology according to said calendar specified dates. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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50. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a smart controller comprising the steps of:
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a. Providing said smart controller with at least one restricted watering schedule; and b. Programming said controller with calendar dates which determine when said smart technology will be enabled and when said restricted watering schedules will be enabled. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. An irrigation controller, add-on or plug-in device comprising:
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a. A microprocessor programmed with smart technology and at least one set of restricted watering schedules; b. A calendar stored within said microprocessor with dates during which smart irrigation or watering restrictions are to be implemented; c. Said microprocessor capable of controlling irrigation and selecting between said smart technology or watering restrictions based upon said days programmed into said calendar. - View Dependent Claims (254, 255)
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54. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. receiving at least one schedule of restricted watering times; b. automatically producing periodic water budget percentages without calculating evapotranspiration; c. accumulating said periodic water budget percentages over time; and d. automatically preventing irrigation until said accumulated percentages reach a threshold, and then automatically preventing irrigation until allowed according to said at least one restricted schedule. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236)
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72. A method of affecting the irrigation schedule of remotely located irrigation controllers from a central location comprising the steps of:
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a. Providing a smart central broadcasting device with a calendar; b. Programming said central device with dates during which smart irrigation or restricted watering schedules are to be implemented; c. Providing said remotely located controllers with instructions to operate as a smart controller or with restricted irrigation according to dates specified in said calendar.
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75. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. said controller automatically selecting one of said restricted schedules; and c. said controller disabling said at least one valve to prevent irrigation at times when not allowed according to said selected schedule. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80)
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76. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. said controller automatically selecting one of said restricted schedules; and c. said controller changing at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said selected schedule.
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81. A method of automatically adjusting at least one irrigation schedule in a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration by comparing current geo-environmental data for a location with stored geo-environmental data for the location; and b. said controller automatically periodically adjusting said irrigation schedule according to said water budget percentage. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. said controller automatically selecting one of said restricted schedules; c. said controller automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; d. said controller disabling said at least one valve to prevent irrigation at times when not allowed according to said selected schedule; and e. said controller adjusting watering, when allowed, according to said percentage. - View Dependent Claims (87)
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88. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. said controller automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and c. said controller allowing irrigation by a controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but automatically preventing irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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89. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. said controller receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; b. said controller automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and c. said controller allowing irrigation by a controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but if a restricted schedule is selected, changing at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said selected schedule.
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90. A method of controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. plugging a module into an irrigation controller; b. said module automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; c. said module automatically causing said controller to adjust watering according to said water budget percentage. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108)
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109. A method for controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. plugging a module into an irrigation controller; b. said module receiving at least one restricted watering schedule; and c. said module automatically causing said controller to change at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said schedule. - View Dependent Claims (110)
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111. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. plugging a module into an irrigation controller; b. said module receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; c. said module automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and d. said module allowing irrigation by a controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but automatically preventing irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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112. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. plugging a module into an irrigation controller; b. said module receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; c. said module automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and d. said module allowing irrigation by a controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but if a restricted schedule is selected, changing at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said selected schedule.
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113. A method of automatically adjusting at least one watering schedule within an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:
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a. Plugging a module into said controller, said module comprising a microprocessor and programming; b. Establishing a communication link between at least one environmental sensor and said module; c. Said module automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration based on input from said at least one sensor in comparison to stored geo-environmental data; d. Said module communicating said water budget percentage to said controller; and e. Said controller adjusting at least one watering schedule according to said water budget percentage.
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114. A method of automatically adjusting at least one watering schedule within an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:
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a. Plugging a module into said controller, said module comprising a microprocessor and programming; b. Establishing a communication link between at least one environmental sensor and said module; c. Said module automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration based on input from said at least one sensor in comparison to stored geo-environmental data; d. Said module communicating said water budget percentage to said controller; and e. Said controller adjusting at least one station run time according to said water budget percentage.
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115. A method of controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a module on at least one output line of a controller leading to at least one valve; b. said module automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; and c. said module automatically controlling irrigation according to said water budget percentage by opening or closing said line. - View Dependent Claims (116, 117, 118, 120)
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119. A method of controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a module on an output line of a controller leading to at least one valve; b. said module automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; c. said module automatically controlling irrigation according to said water budget percentage by opening or closing said line; d. said module receiving at least one restricted watering schedule; and e. said module also automatically preventing watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.
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121. A method of controlling landscape irrigation comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a module on an output line of a controller leading to at least one valve; b. said module receiving a plurality of schedules of restricted watering times; c. said module automatically determining whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, and if so, selecting an applicable restricted schedule; and d. said module automatically allowing irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected, but automatically preventing irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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122. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor; b. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said microprocessor; c. At least one output from said controller in communication with at least one valve, wherein said microprocessor has programming to automatically select an applicable one of said restricted schedules, and programming that is capable of automatically preventing output to said valves when irrigation is not allowed according to said selected restricted schedule.
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123. An irrigation controller comprising:
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a. A microprocessor; b. At least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor; c. programming in said microprocessor to determine a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration by comparing data from said environmental at least one sensor to stored historical environmental data within said microprocessor; d. said microprocessor capable of adjusting watering schedules based upon said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (124, 125)
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126. An irrigation controller comprising:
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a. a microprocessor; b. at least one restricted watering schedule stored within said microprocessor; c. water budget determining capability that does not calculate evapotranspiration within said microprocessor; d. said microprocessor programmed with a calendar and programming to automatically convert from said restricted watering schedule to water budgeting according to said calendar. - View Dependent Claims (127, 128, 129, 256, 257)
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- 130. A system for automatically adjusting a watering schedule in an irrigation controller comprising programming in said controller to automatically determine a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, programming in said controller to automatically adjust at least one watering schedule in said controller according to such water budget percentage, and an input in said controller for receiving current environmental data.
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136. A self-contained smart irrigation apparatus capable of determining, altering, or suspending an irrigation schedule comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller mounted within one of an outdoor pedestal or an enclosure; b. At least one environmental sensor mounted to one of said pedestal or said enclosure; c. A microprocessor within said controller capable of changing an irrigation schedule by one of the group of determining, altering, or suspending said irrigation schedule, based upon data provided by said at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (137, 138, 139)
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140. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor; b. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said microprocessor; c. At least one output from said controller in communication with at least one valve; d. Said microprocessor having programming to automatically select an applicable one of said restricted schedules, and programming that is capable of changing at least one station start time in said controller so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed according to said selected restricted schedule.
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141. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said microprocessor; c. Said microprocessor having programming to i. automatically determine whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, ii. to select a restricted schedule if applicable, iii. to allow irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected.
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142. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said microprocessor; c. Said microprocessor having programming to i. automatically determine whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, ii. to select a restricted schedule if applicable, iii. to allow irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected, and iv. to automatically change at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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143. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply, a microprocessor, and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. A separate plug-in module in communication with said controller microprocessor, said plug-in module having its own microprocessor; c. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said plug-in microprocessor; and d. Programming in said plug-in microprocessor capable of selecting one of said restricted watering schedules, and causing said controller to prevent irrigation when not allowed according to said selected restricted schedule. - View Dependent Claims (144, 145, 146)
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- 147. A system for automatically adjusting a watering schedule of a controller through a plug-in device comprising programming in said plug-in device to automatically determine a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, programming in said plug-in device to automatically adjust at least one watering schedule of said controller according to such water budget percentage, and an input in said plug-in device for receiving current environmental data.
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154. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. a separate plug-in module in communication with said controller microprocessor, said plug-in module having its own microprocessor; b. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said plug-in microprocessor; d. Said plug-in microprocessor having programming to i. automatically determine whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, ii. to select a restricted schedule if applicable, iii. to allow irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected, and iv. to automatically prevent irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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155. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. a separate plug-in module in communication with said controller microprocessor, said plug-in module having its own microprocessor; c. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said plug-in microprocessor; d. Said plug-in microprocessor having programming to i. automatically determine whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, ii. to select a restricted schedule if applicable, iii. to allow irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected, and iv. to automatically change at least one station start time so that irrigation occurs at times when allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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156. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply, a microprocessor, and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. a separate add-on module comprising a microprocessor in communication with a cutoff switch, said microprocessor capable of receiving at least one schedule of restricted watering times and containing programming to automatically activate said cutoff switch at times when watering is not allowed according to said at least one restricted schedule; c. a first electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical output of said controller; and d. a second electrical line for connection between said cutoff switch and a common electrical line leading to said at least one valve. - View Dependent Claims (157, 158, 159, 160)
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- 161. A system for automatically adjusting a watering schedule of a controller through an add-on device comprising programming in said add-on device to automatically determine a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, programming in said add-on device to automatically adjust at least one watering schedule of said controller according to such water budget percentage by breaking an output line from said controller, and an input in said add-on device for receiving current environmental data.
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166. An irrigation system comprising:
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a. An irrigation controller comprising a power supply and a microprocessor and at least one output in communication with at least one valve; b. a separate add-on module provided on an output from said controller, said module comprising a microprocessor in communication with a cutoff switch, said microprocessor capable of receiving at least one schedule of restricted watering times and containing programming to automatically activate said cutoff switch at times when watering is not allowed according to said at least one restricted schedule; c. A plurality of schedules of restricted watering times received by said add-on microprocessor; d. Said add-on microprocessor having programming to i. automatically determine whether any of said restricted schedules are applicable, ii. to select a restricted schedule if applicable, iii. to allow irrigation by the controller if no restricted schedule is selected, and iv. to automatically prevent irrigation by the controller when not allowed if a restricted schedule is selected.
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167. An irrigation control device comprising a programmable module provided between an irrigation controller and at least one electronically operated valve, said module further comprising:
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a. a microprocessor and a power supply; b. at least one input for communication with a controller output; c. at least one output for communication with said at least one valve; d. at least one separate input for receiving a schedule of restricted watering times; e. at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor; and f. programming in said microprocessor to calculate a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, to disable said controller output according to said water budget percentage, and to disable said controller output at times when watering is not allowed according to said restricted schedule.
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237-238. -238. (canceled)
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239. A central broadcasting system comprising:
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a. Programming to determine a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration; b. At least one remotely located irrigation controllers having a microprocessor; c. A means for communicating a water budget percentage from said central system to said at least one controller; d. Each controller microprocessor being capable of adjusting one of station run times, irrigation schedules, watering intervals, and combinations thereof, according to said communicated water budget percentage. - View Dependent Claims (240)
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241. A method of affecting the irrigation schedule of remotely located irrigation controllers from a central location comprising the steps of:
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a. Providing a central broadcasting device with water budget determining capability that does not calculate evapotranspiration; b. Locating one or more remote irrigation controllers within communication of said central broadcasting device; c. Transmitting a determined water budget to said remote controllers; and d. Said controllers receiving said water budget percentage and adjusting their watering schedules according to said received water budget. - View Dependent Claims (242)
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243. A method of using a controller, add-on or plug-in as a smart water device and as a time of use device comprising the steps of:
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a. Programming said device with historic geo-environmental data; b. Providing said device with current sensor data; c. Automatically producing a water budget by comparing said historic data with said current sensor data without calculating evapotranspiration; d. providing said device with restricted watering schedules including seasonal changes; and e. said device irrigating based upon said restricted seasonal watering schedule or said smart water budget. - View Dependent Claims (244, 245, 246)
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247. A method of automating a water budget percentage feature of a landscape irrigation system with the steps of:
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a. providing said irrigation system with current environmental data for a location; b. providing said irrigation system with stored historic environmental data for said location; c. determining a water budget percentage by comparing said current environmental data to said stored historic environmental data. - View Dependent Claims (248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253)
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258. A method for controlling landscape irrigation by a smart controller comprising the steps of:
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a. Providing said smart controller with at least one restricted watering schedule; b. Programming said controller with calendar dates which determine when said smart technology will be enabled and when said restricted watering schedules will be enabled; and c. Automatically switching between irrigation according to said smart technology, and irrigation according to said at least one restricted watering schedule according to said calendar dates. - View Dependent Claims (259, 260)
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Specification