Portable apparatus for rapid re-programming of irrigation controllers
US6088621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8175
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An irrigation control system including an irrigation controller, a portable data shuttle, and a personal computer. The user creates a watering program comprising watering schedules by using a graphical user-friendly interface of the personal computer. The watering program is then downloaded into the portable data shuttle. The portable data shuttle is coupled to an irrigation controller and a first watering schedule is downloaded from the portable data shuttle into the irrigation controller in a matter of seconds. At a later time, the data shuttle automatically downloads a second watering schedule replacing the first schedule, thereby updating the irrigation programming. For example, a new watering schedule may be automatically downloaded at preselected intervals to accommodate the changing seasons. The portable data shuttle includes voltage regulation circuits so that it can receive power from either the personal computer or the irrigation controller. The invention avoids the time consuming task of programming and re-programming an irrigation controller directly. Where numerous controllers are involved, the invention allows each to be programmed and reprogrammed in a matter of seco…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.