Expandable irrigation controller
US11559013B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2625
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers include a housing and a removable plug-in device. The housing includes a control portion comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs. The housing includes an interface connector port and driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller. The removable plug-in device removably coupled to the interface connector port and comprising a second microcontroller and a wireless modem configured to communicate with a wireless network. The second microcontroller configured to send and receive data communications to and from the first microcontroller, such that the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller function together during use of the irrigation controller, wherein the removable plug-in device does not include any driver circuitry configured to actuate any irrigation valves based on any control signals received from the first microcontroller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.