U.S. patent application number 10/195991 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for ststem for remotely deactivating sprinkler system.
Invention is credited to Kadner, Steven P., Rosley, Richard M..
Application Number | 20040013468 10/195991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30442749 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040013468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kadner, Steven P. ; et
al. |
January 22, 2004 |
Ststem for remotely deactivating sprinkler system
Abstract
The present invention provides for a system, apparatus, and
method of deactivating irrigation system with a wide broadcast
Radio Frequency signal. The irrigation system includes a control
box coupled with a receiver for receiving the wide broadcast Radio
Frequency signal. The signal is initiated in response to a drought
condition. The received signal is decoded into degrees of severity
of the drought. Under a severe drought condition, the irrigation
system is deactivated by proper authority regardless of a user's
intention. Under a drought condition that is not severe, the user
may program the control box either to deactivate the irrigation
system or to give control to a timer. In an embodiment of the
present invention, under such condition, the user may partly
deactivate the irrigation and partly give control to the timer.
Inventors: |
Kadner, Steven P.;
(Albuquerque, NM) ; Rosley, Richard M.;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARSTENS YEE & CAHOON, LLP
P O BOX 802334
DALLAS
TX
75380
|
Family ID: |
30442749 |
Appl. No.: |
10/195991 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/37 ;
405/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 25/165
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/37 ;
405/36 |
International
Class: |
E02B 013/00; E03F
001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for deactivation at least one irrigation system with a
wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal comprising: (a) at least one
irrigation system having a control box; and (b) a controller
coupled to the control box having a Radio Frequency receiver for
receiving the wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Radio Frequency
signal is initiated in response to a drought condition.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the control box further
includes a decoder for decoding a status in the Radio Frequency
signal.
4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein the status is one of a
severe drought condition, drought condition, and normal
condition.
5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein the controller
deactivates the irrigation system in response to the severe drought
condition.
6. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein the controller is
programmable to deactivate a part of the irrigation system in
response to the drought condition.
7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the controller is
programmable.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Radio Frequency
receiver receives the signal in real time.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Radio Frequency
receiver receives the signal in a predefine period of time.
10. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Radio Frequency
receiver receives an amplitude modulated signal.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Radio Frequency
receiver further includes a crystal.
12. An irrigation apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a first
irrigation control box having a first controller for controlling
water valves; and a second irrigation control box having a second
controller for controlling the water valves and a Radio Frequency
receiver, wherein first control lines from the first controller
couple to the second irrigation controller; wherein second control
lines from the second controller couple to the water valves; and
wherein the second controller preempts the first irrigation
controller.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the second
irrigation controller further comprising a decoder for decoding the
status received from the Radio Frequency receiver.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the Radio
Frequency receiver receives amplitude modulated signals.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein the status is one
of a severe drought condition, drought condition, and normal
condition.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the second
controller deactivates the water valves in response to the severe
drought condition.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the second
controller is programmable.
18. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the apparatus
further comprising a frequency tuner for receiving a unique
frequency.
19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the frequency
tuner includes a crystal.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the apparatus
further comprising a descrambler for security.
21. A method for deactivation at least one irrigation system with a
wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal comprising: installing a wide
broadcast Radio Frequency receiver in the irrigation system;
receiving the wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal, wherein the
wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal is initiated in response to a
drought condition; and decoding the wide broadcast Radio Frequency
signal for drought status.
22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the drought status
is selected from the group consisting of a severe drought
condition, a drought condition, and a normal condition.
23. The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising, in
response to a severe drought condition, deactivating the irrigation
system.
24. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the wide broadcast
Radio Frequency signal includes an amplitude modulation signal.
25. A method for deactivation at least one irrigation system with a
wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal comprising: determining a
drought status; modulating the drought status wherein the drought
status includes the wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal; and
transmitting the wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal to the
irrigation system.
26. The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the drought status is
selected from the group consisting of a severe drought condition, a
drought condition, and a normal condition.
27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the wide broadcast
Radio Frequency signal includes an amplitude modulation signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a watering sprinkler
system. More specifically, the invention relates to the control of
the sprinkler system in which the system is remotely deactivated
when watering is prohibited by the authorities.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A simple irrigation or sprinkler system is depicted in FIG.
1 with a control box 102, control valve 104, sprinkler head 108,
and water line 106 and electrical lines between the control box and
valve. The control box contains a controller. The controller, also
known as the timer, is the brain of the sprinkler system, telling
the sprinkler what day, what time and exactly how much to water.
When properly programmed, a timer automatically turns on and off
the control valve for a precise amount of time water may pass
through the valve to the sprinkler head 100. The control valve is
electrically connected to and controlled by the timer. This
dramatically conserves water.
[0005] Automatic control valves as described above are either
electric or hydraulic, but almost everyone uses electric. The
electric valve can operate on a 24 volt alternating current and is
turned on and off by the timer or "controller". The control valves
may be manually operated or they can be automatically controlled.
Manual control is simple, the valve has a handle you use to turn it
on.
[0006] Drought is a period of dryness resulting from lack of
rainfall. Drought can also occur when the demand for water in a
growing urban community outstrips the resources. When a drought is
prolonged or is estimated to last for a long period, many
communities must resort to restrict water use for drought
management. Water management is a common issue for rural and urban
communities. Water management stresses water conservation of water
usage and improving the efficiency of irrigation.
[0007] In our complex society, conservation and drought cannot be
abated merely by restricting water use without a long-term plan.
Nevertheless, communities are often left with short term water
restriction until the main water supply can be replenished. The
water restrictions are published to give notice to the users.
Recommendation of water restrictions can be: (a) adjust water rates
so excessive water users pay for the privilege of using too much
water; (b) use a properly designed automatic irrigation system that
has uniform water distribution; (c) encourage the use of an
automatic rain shut-off device on sprinkler systems; (d) consider
using drip or micro irrigation for trees and shrubs; and (e)
publicize a suggested amount of time each day to water outdoor
plants and lawns. However, some water users ignore such
recommendations even in severe drought conditions with
inappropriate use of the sprinkler system. Thus, a need exists for
a method of enforcing watering prohibitions that eliminates the
weakness of voluntary compliance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] When drought conditions become severe or dangerous, the
authorities may have to rely on extreme measure by prohibiting all
uses of the sprinkler system throughout the drought area. Since
each sprinkler system is individually controlled by it respective
user, the authorities must physically monitor the area (i.e.
neighborhoods) for prohibited uses of the sprinkler system. In such
a compelling situation, there is a need for disabling or
deactivating all sprinkler system in the area without interrupting
other water usages. The policing effort to enforce the water
restriction is lessened since the authorities do not have to
physically monitor the area since sprinkler systems in the area are
altogether disabled.
[0009] The present invention provides for a system, apparatus, and
method of deactivating irrigation system with a wide broadcast
Radio Frequency (RF) signal. The irrigation system includes a
control box coupled with a receiver for receiving the wide
broadcast RF signal. The signal is initiated in response to a
drought condition. The received signal is decoded into degrees of
severity of the drought. Under a severe drought condition, the
irrigation system is deactivated by proper authority regardless of
a user's intention. Under a drought condition that is not severe,
the user may program the control box either to deactivate the
irrigation system or to give control to a timer. In an embodiment
of the present invention, under such condition, the user may partly
deactivate the irrigation and partly give control to the timer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of an existing
simple sprinkler system in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial representation of a system for
remotely deactivation a sprinkler system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3A depicts a pictorial representation of a control box
of the sprinkler system in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3B depicts a pictorial representation of a control box
of the sprinkler system having a retro fitted receiver/controller
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a pictorial representation of a retrofitted
receiver/controller coupled an existing sprinkler system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a detailed pictorial representation of a
receiver/controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for deactivating a sprinkler
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of a system for deactivation of
sprinkler system with a wide broadcast Radio Frequency signal for a
community in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment wherein a low
strength control signal is broadcast to affect a single home.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] With reference now to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIG. 2, a pictorial representation of a system for
remotely deactivating an irrigation system is depicted. The system
200 involves a transmitter 201 and sprinkler system 202.
Transmitter 201 is a transmission tower capable of broadcasting a
radio frequency ("RF") to sprinkler system 202 within a controlled
area (i.e. city, county, water district, etc.). Common radio
transmissions includes amplitude modulation ("AM") or frequency
modulation ("FM"). One skilled in the art would appreciate that the
transmission could include any other transmissions at any
frequency. Sprinkler system 202 is an irrigation system to supply
water into an area for watering such area (i.e. lawn, garden, etc.)
Sprinkler system 202 also receives the RF signal from transmitter
201. When a severe drought condition is widely broadcasted, all
sprinkler systems 202 within the controlled area would be
deactivated.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3A, a pictorial representation of a
control box 301 of sprinkler system 202 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Control box 301
sprinkler system 202 includes timer 302 and receiver/controller
303. Timer 302 allows a user to control when to turn on/off the
sprinkler system 202. Receiver/controller 303 receives the RF
signal and decodes the drought condition signal.
Receiver/controller 303 allows remote control of sprinkler system
202 and may preempt timer's 302 control of the sprinkler system
202.
[0022] In another configuration, a pictorial representation of
control box 304 of sprinkler system 202 having a retrofitted
receiver/controller 305 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is depicted in FIG. 3B. Most existing sprinkler
system has a control box 304 for a local user to control through
timer 306. The user may prefer to retrofit the existing control box
304 by installing a separate receiver/controller 305 rather than
replacing a new control box including timer 302 and
receiver/controller 303 as described in FIG. 3A.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, a pictorial representation of
retrofitted receiver/controller 305 coupled to control box 301
within an existing sprinkler system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Timer 401
generates input signals 402 to the sprinkler system. Input signals
402 from timer 401 feed into receiver/controller 305.
Receiver/controller 305 generates output signals 403 which couple
to control valves 404-407. Because the output signals 403 of
receiver/controller 305 directly connect to control valves 404407,
receiver/controller 305 preempts the control generated by timer
401. In contrast, in the existing sprinkler system before
retrofitting by installing receiver/controller 305, input signals
402 would directly control and couple to control valves
404-407.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, a pictorial representation of
receiver/controller 501 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is depicted. Receiver/controller 501 includes
input ground signal 502, input signals 503, relays 504, output
signals 505, output ground signal 506, receiver 507, crystal 508,
timer 509, controller 510, decoder 511, charger 512, batteries 513,
charger 514 and power core 515. Input ground signal 502 is a common
ground for the Receiver/controller 501 in reference to input
signals 503. Input signals 503 are generated from a separate
controller other than controller 510 of receiver/controller 501 to
enable and disable the control valves. Controller 510 controls the
control valve through switching relays 504. When a drought
condition do not exists, controller 510 relent the control to the
generator of input signals 503 by allowing input signals 503
conduitly flow through relays 504 to the control valves; output
signals 505 are the as input signals 503. On the other hand, when a
drought condition exists, controller 510 preempts all control of
the control valves. Relays 504 are switched to open such that input
signals 503 would not flow to the control valves; output signals
505 are generated from controller 510.
[0025] Controller 510 relies on the received information from
receiver 507 to preempt control of the control valves. Receiver 507
receives wide broadcast RF signal. If the received signal is
scramble for security, receiver 507 is capable of descrambling such
signal. A wide broadcast RF signal is initiated when a drought
condition exists. Receiver 507 is tunable to receive various
frequency channel. In an embodiment of the present invention
Receiver 507 frequency depends on the frequency of crystal 508.
Crystal 508 is replaceable by proper authority. Furthermore,
receiver 507 may receive the RF signal in real time or
periodically. Timer 509 predefined the time period in which the
receiver will be active for receiving the RF signal. The time
period could be for real time, hourly, daily, etc.
[0026] Power core 515 provides for regulated electrical power to
operate receiver/controller 501 from a mainpower supply. When the
main power is lost, batteries 513 provide the backup power to
receiver/controller 501. The charger 514 charges or recharges
batteries 513 to full capacity when the main power is on.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a controller 510 for
deactivating a sprinkler system in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention is depicted. When receiver 507 receives a
signal about a drought condition (step 601), the signal is decoded
by decoder 511 into degrees of severity of the drought. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal could be
decoded into three degrees of severity of green, yellow, or red
(steps 602 and 607). The least degree of severity is analogous to a
green light which means there is not drought condition. Controller
510 receives the decoded signal. During a green signal, a user may
normally use and set the watering time of the sprinkler system
without any intervention by controller 510. The next degree of
severity is a yellow for indicating a drought condition but not
severe. At a received yellow condition (step 603), the user has an
option to program controller 510 to set a default (step 604) for
disabling the sprinkler system (step 606) as encouraged by the
authority or to leave the user's setting as is (step 605). In an
embodiment of the present invention, the user may program the
default setting for each of the control valves under a yellow
condition by controlling the switches of relays 504. The user still
retains control over the sprinkler system with default setting
program. When a drought condition occurs under a yellow condition,
the user may restrict the area or time in which the sprinkler
system will operate through programming controller 510. The highest
degree of severity is indicated by a red condition (step 608). Red
indicates that a severe drought or high wind is in effect and the
authority should disable all irrigation or sprinkler system (step
610).
[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart of a system for
deactivation of sprinkler system with a wide broadcast Radio
Frequency signal for a community. The authority monitors the water
level within the community (step 701). When the drought condition
is determined to exist (step 702), the authority may authorize the
modulating the information accordingly (step 703). The modulated
signal may then be transmitted or widely broadcasted to the
sprinkler systems within the area of the drought condition by RF
signal (step 704).
[0029] FIG. 8 depicts a system 800 having a lower power portable
transmitter 802 used to deactivate a single home's irrigation
system 804. Unlike earlier embodiments having a fixed transmitter
this system would have a portable transmitter. This would allow an
enforcement officer to drive around a neighborhood or larger area
and selectively deactivate an irrigation system.
[0030] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *