Method and system for remote update of microprocessor code for irrigation controllers

• US 7,269,829 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Brian J., Schafer, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US10/902,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20060025875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 710/10, 711/100, 713 1- 2, 713/100, 700/284, 717/168, 709220-222
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23304 Download program from host
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

A remote download of microprocessor code for an irrigation controller is provided. A microprocessor, on an irrigation controller, is executing program code (in volatile memory) and receives a remote download of updated program code, which it stores into non-volatile random access memory, e.g., flash memory. The microprocessor is configured to receive the updated program code, via a communication port, and to store the updated program code into the non-volatile flash memory. Optionally, the updated program code is received at multiple controllers via a global transmission on a communication bus. The microprocessor receives a communication causing it to re-start. In response to the re-start communication, the microprocessor fetches the updated program code stored in the non-volatile flash memory into the program memory RAM to replace the original program code, and begins execution of the updated program code in the program memory RAM. A device is also provided for directing the download of program code to irrigation controllers. Options provide for global download of entirely new program code, global and/or individual download of particular pages of updated program code, and global downloads to controllers grouped by communication speed.

Claims

1. A device for receiving a remote download of microprocessor program code into an operating controller, comprising:

(A) non-volatile random access memory, configured to store program code;

(B) a microprocessor, in communication with the non-volatile random access memory, including program memory random access memory executing a first program code; and

(C) a physical communication port in communication with the microprocessor;

(D) wherein the microprocessor is configured to facilitate first receiving second program code, via the communication port, and storing the second program code into the non-volatile random access memory;

after the first receiving, second receiving a message, via the communication port, to initiate the second program code and causing a re-start of the microprocessor; and

, responsive to the re-start, fetching the second program code stored in the non-volatile random access memory into the program memory random access memory to replace the first program code, and beginning execution of the second program code in the program memory random access memory.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to facilitate transmitting, responsive to a query, an acknowledgement via the communication port tat the second program code was received.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second program code is received in connection with a globally addressed communication.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to facilitate saving register information and operating data from the microprocessor into the non-volatile random access memory, and to restore the register information and operating data to the microprocessor from the non-volatile random access memory after re-start.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one irrigation control output.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is farther configured to facilitate communication, via the communication port, over a network.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to communicate, via the communication port, to at least one of a connection to a computer, and a connection to at least one other controller.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to facilitate auditing whether the microprocessor successfully received the second program code.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions being executed by a computer, the instructions including a computer-implemented method for downloading microprocessor code into one or more controllers, where the controllers include a microprocessor running an application that supports the download process, the instructions for implementing the steps of:

(A) determining whether at least one controller is to receive an updated program code;

(B) first transmitting the updated program cock to the at least one controller;

(C) second transmitting an instruction causing the at least one controller to initiate the updated program code; and

(D) determining a respective communication speed for each of a plurality of controllers including the at least one controller,

wherein at least the first transmitting step and receiving step are performed for respective controllers having a same communication speed,

wherein the updated program code includes instructions for receiving program code and storing program code into non-volatile random access memory of a controller.

10. The medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions for implementing the step of receiving a response from the at least one controller acknowledging receipt of the updated program code.

11. The medium of claim 9, wherein the updated program code of the first transmitting is globally addressed to a plurality of controllers including the at least one controller.

12. The medium of claim 9, further comprising auditing the at least one controller for missing portions of the updated program code, and transmitting missing portions of the updated program code to respective ones of the controllers.

13. The medium of claim 9, wherein the computer executing the instructions is a controller.

14. A system facilitating remote download of microprocessor code into a network of controllers, comprising:

(A) a plurality of controllers, the controllers having (i) non-volatile random access memory, configured to store program code;

(ii) a microprocessor, in communication with the non-volatile random access memory, including program random access memory executing a first program code; and

(iii) a physical communication port in communication with the microprocessor;

(iv) wherein the microprocessor is configured to facilitate receiving second program code, via the communication port, and storing the second program code into the non-volatile random access memory;

receiving a message, via the communication port, to initiate the second program code and causing a re-start of the microprocessor; and

, responsive to the re-start, fetching the second program code stored in the non-volatile random access memory into the program random access memory to replace the first program code, and beginning execution of the second program code in the program random access memory;

wherein the microprocessor is further configured to communicate, via the communication port, to at least one of a connection to a computer and a connection to at least one other controller; and

(B) a computer program device, in communication with the plurality of controllers, configured to facilitate;

(i) determining whether at least one controller of the plurality of controllers is to receive the second program code;

(ii) transmitting the second program code to the at least one controller; and

(iii) transmitting the message causing the at least one controller to initiate the second program code.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second program code is transmitted globally to the plurality of controllers.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one controller of the plurality of controllers includes an irrigation control output.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program device is one of the plurality of controllers.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of controllers are in communication on a peer-to-peer network.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program device is further configured to facilitate receiving a response from the at least one controller acknowledge receipt of the second program code.