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

• US 7,003,357 B1
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Kreikemeier, Bruce, Malsam, Craig, Schulz, Marv
• Primary Examiner(s): Starks, Jr., Wilbert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US10/187,925
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 700/19, 700/65, 700/264, 700/284, 702/188, 340/31, 340/39, 340/371
• US Class Current: 700/17
• 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 at least a display. 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, without requiring the user to be at the irrigation component controls or at a specific location in the field. Software operational of the RUI generates one or more user screens with graphic user interfaces for quickly and easily monitoring and controlling the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.

Claims

1. A remote user interface for reading the status of and controlling irrigation equipment, comprising:

a hand-held display;

a processor;

wireless telemetry means for transmitting signals and data between the remote user interface and the irrigation equipment; and

software operable on said processor for;

(a) displaying data received from the irrigation equipment as a plurality of GUIs that are configured to present said data as status information on said display;

(b) receiving a user'"'"'s commands to control the irrigation equipment, through said user'"'"'s manipulation of said GUIs; and

(c) transmitting signals to the irrigation equipment to control the irrigation equipment in accordance with said user'"'"'s commands.

2. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry means is comprised of a cellular telephone.

3. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry means is comprised of a digital telephone.

4. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry means is comprised of a spread spectrum radio.

5. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry means is comprised of a VHF/UHF radio.

6. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said software is further operative on said processor for displaying said irrigation equipment status information as a plurality of GUIs that are shaped to identify particular types of irrigation equipment.

7. The remote user interface of claim 6 wherein said plurality of GUIs are selectively displayed on a single screen on said display.

8. The remote user interface of claim 6 wherein said plurality of GUIs are selectively displayed on a plurality of individual screens.

9. The remote user interface of claim 8 wherein said plurality of individual screens are interlinked with one another to allow a user to navigate between and selectively display the same.

10. The remote user interface of claim 6 wherein said plurality of GUIs are shaped to identify operating irrigation patterns for specific irrigation equipment.

11. The remote user interface of claim 10 wherein said software is further operative on said processor to change the shape of said plurality of GUIs change in response to a change in the status of the irrigation equipment.

12. The remote user interface of claim 6 wherein said plurality of GUIs are color-coded to identify specific irrigation equipment status information.

13. The remote user interface of claim 12 wherein said software is further operative on said processor to change the color of said plurality of GUIs change in response to a change in the status of the irrigation equipment.

14. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said software is further operative on said processor to execute one or more programs comprising a plurality of user defined irrigation control commands.

15. The remote user interface of claim 1 wherein said software is further operative on said processor to monitor the operational status of said irrigation equipment and warn a user when said operational status does not fall within a previously defined operational status range.

16. A device for reading the status of and controlling irrigation equipment, comprising:

a single, hand held remote user interface, having at least;

(a) wireless telemetry means for transmitting data between the remote user interface and the irrigation equipment;

(b) means for displaying data received from the irrigation equipment as a plurality of GUIs that are shaped to identify the type of irrigation equipment and the operational characteristics of the irrigation equipment; and

(c) means for directly controlling the irrigation equipment in accordance with commands received from a user.

17. The method of remotely determining the status of and controlling irrigation equipment, comprising the steps of:

providing a single handheld RUI comprising a display and wireless telemetry means for receiving and transmitting data between the remote user interface and the irrigation equipment;

displaying graphic user interfaces on said RUI to enable a user to determine the status of the irrigation equipment; and

manipulating said graphic user interfaces to directly control the operation of the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.

18. A remote user interface for reading the status of and controlling irrigation equipment, comprising:

a hand-held display;

a processor;

wireless telemetry means for transmitting signals and data between the remote user interface and the irrigation equipment; and

software operable on said processor for;

(a) displaying data received from the irrigation equipment as a plurality of GUIs that are configured to present said data as status information on said display and shaped to identify particular types of irrigation equipment;

(b) receiving a user'"'"'s commands to control the irrigation equipment, through said user'"'"'s manipulation of said GUIs to change the appearance of said GUIs so that said GUIs portray specific operational characteristics of the irrigation equipment represented by said GUIs; and

(c) transmitting signals to the irrigation equipment to control the irrigation equipment in accordance with said users commands.