Portable apparatus for rapid re-programming of irrigation controllers
First Claim
1. An irrigation control system comprising:
- irrigation controller means for storing and executing a program including watering schedules, the controller means having an input port for receiving a watering schedule;
processor means for generating a program including watering schedules, said processor means including manual input means for entering commands and data to generate the watering program and an output port for downloading the watering program; and
portable data transfer means removably connectable to either the output port of the processor means or to the input port of the irrigation controller means for storing watering schedules downloaded from the processor unit for automatically re-programming the irrigation controller means,the portable data transfer means including a power input unit for receiving power from either the output port of the processor means or the input port of the irrigation controller means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation control system including an irrigation controller, a portable data shuttle, and a personal computer. The user creates a watering program comprising watering schedules by using a graphical user-friendly interface of the personal computer. The watering program is then downloaded into the portable data shuttle. The portable data shuttle is coupled to an irrigation controller and a first watering schedule is downloaded from the portable data shuttle into the irrigation controller in a matter of seconds. At a later time, the data shuttle automatically downloads a second watering schedule replacing the first schedule, thereby updating the irrigation programming. For example, a new watering schedule may be automatically downloaded at preselected intervals to accommodate the changing seasons. The portable data shuttle includes voltage regulation circuits so that it can receive power from either the personal computer or the irrigation controller. The invention avoids the time consuming task of programming and re-programming an irrigation controller directly. Where numerous controllers are involved, the invention allows each to be programmed and reprogrammed in a matter of seconds instead of the usual ten to fifteen minutes per controller.
184 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An irrigation control system comprising:
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irrigation controller means for storing and executing a program including watering schedules, the controller means having an input port for receiving a watering schedule; processor means for generating a program including watering schedules, said processor means including manual input means for entering commands and data to generate the watering program and an output port for downloading the watering program; and portable data transfer means removably connectable to either the output port of the processor means or to the input port of the irrigation controller means for storing watering schedules downloaded from the processor unit for automatically re-programming the irrigation controller means, the portable data transfer means including a power input unit for receiving power from either the output port of the processor means or the input port of the irrigation controller means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A portable irrigation program transfer unit comprising:
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I/O unit for removably coupling to either an irrigation program processor or to an irrigation controller; means for storing a program comprising watering schedules received from the irrigation program processor through the I/O unit; means for controlling the input of each watering schedule received from the irrigation program processor; means for tracking a date and a time; means for controlling the output of each watering schedule to the irrigation program processor based upon a preselected date and a time; and a small hand-held plastic housing containing the I/O unit, storing means and controlling means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of programming an irrigation controller, comprising:
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generating with a graphical user interface a watering program containing watering schedules in a processor; connecting the processor to a portable watering program storage device; transferring the watering program from the processor to the portable watering program storage device and storing the program therein; connecting the portable watering program storage device to an irrigation controller; selectively receiving electrical power in the portable watering program storage device from the processor and the irrigation controller; transferring a first watering schedule contained in the watering program from the portable watering program storage device to program the irrigation controller; and transferring a second watering schedule contained in the watering program from the portable watering program storage device to reprogram the irrigation controller at a preselected date and time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of programming an irrigation controller, comprising:
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generating a watering program containing watering schedules in a processor; connecting the processor to a portable watering program storage device; transferring the watering program from the processor to the portable watering program storage device and storing the program therein; connecting the portable watering program storage device to an irrigation controller; selectively receiving electrical power in the portable watering program storage device from the processor and the irrigation controller; transferring a first watering schedule contained in the watering program from the portable watering program storage device to program the irrigation controller; and transferring a second watering schedule contained in the watering program from the portable watering program storage device to reprogram the irrigation controller at a preselected date and time. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification