U.S. patent application number 09/413280 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for wireless environmental sensor system.
Invention is credited to DOWNIE, BRUCE MARTIN, RUNGE, MICHAEL HENRY, RUNGE, THOMAS HENRY.
Application Number | 20020060631 09/413280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26800469 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020060631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RUNGE, THOMAS HENRY ; et
al. |
May 23, 2002 |
WIRELESS ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR SYSTEM
Abstract
An environmental sensor system that communicates sensor data to
a receiving unit using wireless means such as a radio frequency
signal. The receiving unit interfaces with a controllable system,
possibly affecting its operation. This arrangement allows one or
more sensor and transmitter units to be remotely mounted at a
distance from the receiver, without regard to installation
complications that often result with a hardwired type units. In the
preferred embodiment, an irrigation system is interfaced wirelessly
with an environmental sensor such as a rain sensor. The rain sensor
is contemplated such that in the event of sufficient rainfall, a
wireless signal is transmitted to the receiver unit, which in turn
interfaces with an irrigation controller resulting in the cessation
of watering cycles until the sensor system provides another
wireless directive to resume watering.
Inventors: |
RUNGE, THOMAS HENRY;
(MANASQUAN, NJ) ; DOWNIE, BRUCE MARTIN;
(PLAINSBORO, NJ) ; RUNGE, MICHAEL HENRY; (TOMS
RIVER, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard S. Roberts
Roberts & Mercanti, LLP
P.O. Box 484
Princeton
NJ
08542-0484
US
|
Family ID: |
26800469 |
Appl. No.: |
09/413280 |
Filed: |
October 6, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60103444 |
Oct 7, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/602 ;
340/539.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/1866 20150401;
G01W 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/602 ;
340/539 |
International
Class: |
G01W 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A sensor system comprising: at least one sensor designed for
sensing at least one condition; a transmitter for receiving a
signal from said at least one sensor characteristic of at least
said at least one condition; a wireless link for receiving said
signal from said transmitter; and, a receiving device adapted for
receiving said signal from said transmitter through said wireless
link.
2. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein said receiving device
comprises means for interfacing with an irrigation system.
3. The sensor system of claim 2 wherein said receiving device is
further designed to affect the functions of said irrigation
system.
4. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor
comprises a precipitation sensor.
5. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is
a member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a
freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor,
and combinations thereof.
6. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter includes
at least one energy source and said at least one energy source is a
member selected from the group consisting of electric power,
battery power, solar energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion
energy, wind energy, temperature dependent expansion energy, and
combinations thereof.
7. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein said signal transmitted via
said wireless link contains information selected from the group
consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said sensor
system operational data, and combinations thereof.
8. The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising a bypass
mechanism that automatically, predeterminedly resets said bypass
mechanism based on said at least one condition.
9. The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising means for
predeterminedly predicting the occurrence of another of said at
least one condition in response to inputs to said at least one
sensor.
10. An apparatus for interfacing with at least one sensor and at
least one controllable system; comprising: a wireless link; and,
structure for interfacing said wireless link with a transmitter;
wherein said structure is designed for enabling a receiver to
receive a signal from said transmitter through said wireless
link.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said at least one
controllable system is an irrigation system.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controllable system
includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of
an irrigation system, a home automation system, an automotive
system, a building automation system, and a marine vessel
automation system.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said at least one sensor
comprises a precipitation sensor.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said at least one sensor is a
member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a
freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor,
and combinations thereof.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said transmitter includes at
least one energy source and the energy source is a member selected
from the group consisting of electric power, battery power, solar
energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion energy, wind energy,
temperature dependent expansion energy, and combinations
thereof.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said signal transmitted via
said wireless link contains information selected from the group
consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said
apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a bypass mechanism
that automatically, predeterminedly resets said bypass mechanism
based on data from said at least one sensor.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for
predeterminedly predicting data from said at least one sensor in
response to data from another said at least one sensor.
19. An apparatus for use in a system that includes a receiving
device for receiving a signal; comprising: at least one sensor
designed for sensing at least one condition; a transmitter for
receiving said signal from said at least one sensor characteristic
of at least said at least one condition; a wireless link; a means
for interfacing said wireless link with said transmitter; and, a
means for enabling said receiving device to receive said signal
from said transmitter through said wireless link.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said receiving device
comprises means for interfacing with an irrigation system.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said signal from said
transmitter contains data used to affect said irrigation
system.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said at least one sensor
comprises a precipitation sensor.
23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said at least one sensor is a
member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a
freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor,
and combinations thereof.
24. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said transmitter includes at
least one energy source and the energy source is a member selected
from the group consisting of electric power, battery power, solar
energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion energy, wind energy,
temperature dependent expansion energy, and combinations
thereof.
25. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said signal transmitted via
said wireless link contains information selected from the group
consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said
apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.
26. An apparatus for use in a system that includes at least one
sensor designed for sensing at least one condition, a transmitter
interfaced to the sensor with means of sending a signal at least
representative of at least one condition; comprising: a wireless
link; a receiving device; a means for interfacing said wireless
link with said receiving device, and; a means for enabling said
transmitter to transmit said signal to said receiving device
through said wireless link.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said receiving device
interfaces with an irrigation system.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said signal from said
transmitter contains data used to affect said irrigation
system.
29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said at least one sensor is a
member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a
freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light
sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor,
and combinations thereof.
30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said signal transmitted via
said wireless link contains information selected from the group
consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said
apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/103,444 filed Oct. 7, 1998.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to environmental sensors,
specifically to environmental sensors that control irrigation
systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to the
use of a wireless environmental sensor system.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] This invention relates primarily to the field of automatic
irrigation systems like those used for landscape and agricultural
watering. Most common types of irrigation systems incorporate a
means of controlling the watering cycles via an automatic
controller. The need to suspend a watering cycle due to the
occurrence of an environmental influence is crucial in order to
save natural resources, money, and to prevent unsafe conditions.
Such environmental conditions include precipitation, high wind and
freezing temperatures. The primary means of halting an automatic
watering cycle in this situation is by an operator manually
suspending the cycle at the irrigation controller. In most
situations this proves to be an ineffective means of conserving
resources due to the inconsistent and inefficient methods followed
by the operator. In fact, quite often the operator ignores the need
to suspend the watering cycle altogether, and in some cases
neglects to resume the watering cycle when required, leading to
both over-watered and under-watered landscaping, respectively.
[0006] It is because of this unreliable and inconvenient manual
method that current environmental sensors were developed that allow
for an automatic interruption of the controller due to an
environmental condition. In particular, the use of rain sensors for
irrigation systems has proven to be an effective and economical
method of conserving water, energy, and money. This fact can be
shown by the increasing number of municipalities throughout the
United States who are now requiring that rain sensors be installed
on every landscape irrigation system.
[0007] Even though reliable, the major drawback of current rain
sensors is the extensive installation time and difficult method
required for a proper installation. A rain sensor is usually
mounted on the side of a structure near its roof in such a manner
that it is exposed to the elements equally from all directions.
This requires an installer to route a control wire from the sensor
to the irrigation system's control box through the structure's
wall, in an attic, inside a wall, etc. In some low quality
installations the wires are run directly on the outside of the
structure's wall, leading to an unattractive installation. Often,
this installation is beyond the capabilities of the average home
owner, requiring special tools and materials not normally found in
the household. Due to the difficult and expensive nature of this
installation process, most irrigation systems do not have a rain
sensor installed at all, leading to needlessly wasted resources as
noted above.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention allows for a quick, easy, and cost
effective installation of an environmental sensor such as a rain
sensor, by utilizing wireless transmissions of environmental sensor
data. The data is wirelessly received at the location of a control
mechanism and is interpreted accordingly in order to affect the
operation of the controller as desired.
[0009] Specifically, this invention uses wireless technology to
transmit the status of an environmental sensor, in particular a
rain sensor, to a receiving unit that deactivates the watering
cycle of an irrigation system as preprogrammed. The transmitter
contains at least one environmental sensor such as a rain sensor,
an instant precipitation sensor, a freeze sensor, a wind sensor, or
the like, but it need not be integrally housed with the sensor. The
receiver may be a stand-alone unit that can be retrofitted to any
existing irrigation system, an integral part of a control box that
is built in at the time of manufacture, or it may "plug in" as an
upgrade to a pre-configured, accepting controller. The
communication means between the transmitter and receiver is one
that utilizes a wireless technology such as, but not limited to
radio frequency, infrared, or ultrasonic. The transmitter unit
would transmit a signal to the receiver based on the status of an
environmental sensor and the receiver would respond accordingly as
predetermined.
Objects and Advantages
[0010] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the
wireless environmental sensor in our above patent, several objects
and advantages of the present invention are:
[0011] (a) to provide for much easier and faster installations of
environmental sensors for irrigation systems;
[0012] (b) to provide for installations requiring minimal expertise
and no special tools or materials;
[0013] (c) to provide for additional installation locations that
could otherwise not be accomplished without undue effort and
expense;
[0014] (d) to provide for "cleaner" installations without running
unsightly wires;
[0015] (e) to provide for ease in retrofit type installations,
integrating with already installed irrigation systems;
[0016] (f) to provide for installation locations that are safer for
the installer to access.
[0017] Further objects and advantages of our invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same
number but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a typical arrangement of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2A shows an elevation view of a typical installation of
the invention by indicating relative component locations in respect
to a typical structure installation.
[0021] FIG. 2B shows another typical installation, exemplifying the
possibility of a remote sensor location, unattached to the
structure housing the irrigation control mechanism.
[0022] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the preferred
embodiment of the invention, showing a typical sensor and
transmitter module configuration, in this instance, a rain sensor
as the environmental sensor.
[0023] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing a wind sensor as the environmental sensor
connected to the transmitter module.
[0024] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing the combination of more than one environmental
sensor connected to the transmitter module, in this instance a
temperature sensor and rain sensor.
[0025] FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing a non-integrally housed sensor and transmitter
module configuration.
[0026] FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing a configuration using more than one transmitter
module and soil sensors as the environmental sensor.
[0027] FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing the use of a solar cell to power the transmitter
module.
[0028] FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing the use of a piezoelectric actuator to power the
transmitter module.
[0029] FIG. 4A shows the receiver module in cross section connected
to an irrigation system type controller.
[0030] FIG. 4B shows a partial cross section cutaway view of the
receiver module integrally housed with the irrigation system
controller.
1 Reference Numerals in Drawings 2 environmental sensor 4
transmitter control 6 transmitter 7 transmitter module 8 wireless
signal 10 receiver 11 receiver module 12 receiver control 14
controlled system 16 structure 18 system controller 20 remote
structure 21 switch 22 rain sensor 23 hygroscopic assembly 24 wind
sensor 25 Wind sensor transducer 26 wind sensor cup assembly 27
temperature sensor 30 soil sensor 32 ground 40 solar cell 42
piezoelectric element
DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a typical arrangement of the
invention. An environmental sensor 2 is connected to a transmitter
control circuit 4. Transmitter control circuit 4 is connected to a
transmitter 6. Transmitter 6 communicates via a wireless signal or
link 8 with a receiver 10. Receiver 10 is connected to a receiver
control circuit 12 which is in turn connected to a controlled
system 14.
[0032] FIGS. 2A and 2B show elevation views of two typical
installation configurations of the invention. FIG. 2A shows a
building, structure, or dwelling 16 with sensor 2, transmitter
control circuit 4, and transmitter 6 mounted on structure 16.
Transmitter 6 communicates with receiver 10 via wireless signal 8.
Receiver 10 is connected via control circuitry 12 to the system
controller 18. FIG. 2A shows one typical installation configuration
where transmitter components 2, 4, and 6 are attached to the same
structure as receiver components 10 and 12. FIG. 2B shows another
typical installation where transmitter components 2, 4 and 6 are
mounted on a remote structure 20 that is not physically attached to
structure 16 which houses receiver components 10 and 12 which
connects to system controller 18.
[0033] FIGS. 3A-3G show cross-sectioned, elevation views of some
typical transmitter component embodiments. FIG. 3A shows a rain
sensor 22 connected to a transmitter module 7. Rain sensor 22 in
this embodiment is shown with a hygroscopic assembly 23 impinging
upon a switch or actuator 21. Switch 21 is wired via control
circuitry 4 to transmitter 6.
[0034] FIG. 3B shows another embodiment, in particular replacing
rain sensor 22 of FIG. 3A with a wind sensor 24. In this
embodiment, wind sensor 24 comprises a wind sensor cup assembly 26
connected via a wind sensor transducer 25 to transmitter module
7.
[0035] FIG. 3C shows another embodiment with the connection of two
environmental sensors, a temperature sensor 27 and rain sensor 22
to control circuitry 4.
[0036] FIG. 3D shows an embodiment where rain sensor 22 and
transmitter module 7 are not integrally housed.
[0037] FIG. 3E shows an embodiment where the environmental sensor
is a soil sensor 30 installed in the ground 32. FIG. 3E also shows
an embodiment where more than one environmental sensor and
transmitter module 7 can be used simultaneously.
[0038] FIG. 3F shows an embodiment where a photovoltaic type solar
cell 40 is connected to the transmitter module 7. Similarly, FIG.
3G shows an embodiment where a piezoelectric element is connected
to the transmitter module 7.
[0039] FIGS. 4A and 4B show typical embodiments of the receiver
configuration in cross-section and cutaway type elevation views. In
FIG. 4A, the receiver module 11 is shown not integrally housed with
the system controller 18. Receiver 10 is connected to system
controller 18 via receiver control circuitry 12. In FIG. 4B,
receiver 10 and receiver control circuitry 12 are integrally housed
within system controller 18, however all connections and logic
remain the same as in FIG. 4A.
Operation
[0040] The manner of using the wireless environmental sensor is
very similar to environmental sensors in current use, with one
major difference in that the link between the environmental sensor
2 and the controlled system 14 is wireless in the current
invention. In traditional sensors, this link is always
hardwired.
[0041] The overall operation can be described referring to FIG. 1.
When an environmental condition such as rainfall is sensed at the
environmental sensor 2, the response of sensor 2 is interpreted by
transmitter control circuitry 4. Transmitter control circuitry 4
outputs desired information to transmitter 6 which in turn outputs
wireless signal 8 to be received at receiver 10. Received signal 8,
is interpreted by receiver control circuitry 12 and used to provide
information to controlled system 14. The preferred embodiment would
pass the received information in a form such that it was usable by
irrigation controller 18 as shown in FIG. 4A to affect the watering
cycles of controlled system 14.
[0042] Typical installations of the current invention as shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B show relative component locations. This figure aids
in the visualization of the typical separation between sensor 2 and
system controller 18, clearly showing the advantage of utilizing a
wireless signal 8.
[0043] FIG. 3A shows the preferred embodiment using rain sensor 8
of the hygroscopic disk variety. In this scenario, rain impinges on
hygroscopic assembly 23 causing it actuate rain sensor switch 21. A
signal from the rain sensor switch 21 is interpreted by transmitter
control circuitry 4, which communicates the desired information to
transmitter 6. Transmitter 6 then wirelessly relays this
information in order to control a system such as an irrigation
system. Referring to FIG. 4A, the preferred embodiment of receiver
module 11 and system controller 18, wireless signal 8 is then
received in proximity to the system controller 18 by the receiver
10. Receiver 10 sends information to receiver control circuitry 12
which interprets and processes the information and outputs data or
other form of instructions to system controller 18. Thereby the
wireless environmental sensor provides information wirelessly in
order to possibly affect the functioning of the controlled
system.
[0044] FIG. 3D shows essentially the same scenario in regards to
the operation of this invention as FIG. 3A, however this embodiment
shows that rain sensor 22 can be physically separated from
transmitter module 7 while still electrically connected. In a
similar fashion, the operation of this invention is also
essentially unaffected thorough the use of the additional
embodiment shown in FIG. 4B where receiver 10 and receiver control
circuitry 12 are integrally housed as part of irrigation system
controller 18.
[0045] Other typical embodiments utilize different sensors, such as
wind sensor 24 of FIG. 3B which transfers wind speed or direction
information via wind sensor transducer 25 to the transmitter
control circuitry 4. This information is interpreted and relayed
wirelessly via the transmitter 6 as in the preferred
embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 3C shows another embodiment where two environmental
sensors, rain sensor 22 and temperature sensor 27, are connected
into one transmitter module 7. In this instance, more than one data
source is present, from which data is gathered, interpreted, and
wirelessly transmitted to affect the controlled system in the
desired fashion. Likewise, FIG. 3E shows that more than one
transmitter module 7 can be used simultaneously, sending
information back to the same receiver if need be. FIG. 3E also
introduces another sensor embodiment in that soil sensors 30 are
shown providing information on the condition of the soil to the
transmitter module 7.
[0047] FIGS. 3F and 3G show two additional embodiments in regard to
the power source of transmitter module 7. While the preferred
embodiment utilizes a portable power source such as a battery
contained within the transmitter module 7, FIG. 3F shows how solar
cell 40 may be connected to provide power either to directly power
the unit, or to charge the installed battery. Likewise, FIG. 3G
shows another embodiment where piezoelectric element 42 is used to
power or charge the unit.
[0048] In addition, referring back to FIG. 1, receiver control
circuitry 12 may also perform logic processing that allows for the
incorporation of an automatically resetting bypass switch which
allows for the current state of the environmental sensor 2 to be
ignored in order to perform system checks or maintenance. Control
circuitry 4, 12 may also be configured to allow for intelligent
environmental condition prediction techniques to be used based on
input from one or more environmental sensors 2. It should also be
noted that wireless signal 8 can contain data other than sensor
state such as battery condition or other system operational
data.
[0049] Let it be noted that the exact electronics and/or mechanics
presented are not important in that many various types of
configurations can accomplish the similar task and that it is the
method described within that is important. In particular, it is the
wireless link between an environmental sensor and control system
that is unique and not the exact interconnecting means thereof.
Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope
[0050] Thus the reader will see that the wireless environmental
sensor system provides for a much easier, simpler, and more cost
effective installation of a sensor for use in controlling systems
when compared to existing design configurations. Using a wireless
sensor system also provides for additional installation locations
that could otherwise not be accomplished without undue effort and
expense. Safer installations can also be accomplished in that often
no ladder work at height is required to install a wireless sensor,
whereas traditional designs quite often necessitate this.
Installations of a wireless environmental sensor system also
require no special tools unlike installations of existing designs.
Installations of a wireless sensor system is aesthetically more
professional with no dangling wires or holes drilled in the sides
of buildings.
[0051] While our above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred
embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For
example, an irrigation system controller could be sold with
transmitting and receiving units built-in to which a separately
sold environmental sensor could be connected and still fall within
the scope of this invention. Moreover, a sensor and transmitter
unit could be sold as a separate device compatible with a
controller that has a receiver module built-in. Further examples
include using the invention to control home automation functions
such as closing windows during rain, or making use of a pressure,
light, or precipitation sensor, or controlling the irrigation
system without using the controller such as controlling the water
supply pump directly. Other applications are also possible, such as
automotive, marine, or commercial building system control.
[0052] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
* * * * *