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  Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methodsUSPTO Application #: 20070179674Title: Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methods Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. (end of abstract) Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery - Chicago, IL, US USPTO Applicaton #: 20070179674 - Class: 700284000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Generic Control Systems Or Specific Applications, Specific Application, Apparatus Or Process, Hvac Control, Flow Control (e.g., Valve Or Pump Control), Dispensing Management (e.g., Spraying), Irrigation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070179674. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation U.S. application Ser. No. 11/458,535 filed Jul. 19, 2006, entitled WIRELESS EXTENSION TO AN IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/701,436, filed Jul. 19, 2005, entitled IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS VALVE LINK, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to irrigation systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wireless irrigation control system including a wireless valve link. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005] Irrigation systems traditionally are used in many different applications, including, for example, commercial applications, residential applications, and on golf courses. Traditionally, when the irrigation system is installed, trenches are dug for the water piping. The same trenches are used for the wiring that connects valves to an irrigation controller. Generally, the wiring is a 24 AC power line that opens a valve coupled to a water pipe when 24 volts is applied to the power line. When there is no voltage applied to the power line, the valve closes, shutting off water flow through the valve. This is a convenient solution when a water system is first being installed because the trenches need to be dug for the water pipes in order to get water to various locations. However, if water pipes have already been installed, or a new zone is being added to the watering system there may not be a need to dig trenches all the way from the controller to the new zone because the water pipes are already installed for much of the distance in between the controller and the new zone. The additional water pipes are simply tapped into the existing water pipes. Therefore, connecting the power line from the valve for the new zone to the controller can be a very burdensome task. [0006] Additionally, a number of other problems are created by installation and use of wires coupling an irrigation controller to remotely located valves. For example, when using traditional valves that are coupled to an irrigation controller through wires, there is a need to trench and place conduit or direct burial wire. Additionally, in-ground wiring is subject to induced lightning surges that can damage the irrigation controller or the valve solenoid. Induced lightning surges are prevalent in many areas, such as Florida. Further, wires deteriorate over time and can be exposed to damage during landscaping. Deteriorated or broken wires will cause the irrigation system to fail to properly control the actuation of valves. Still further, adding valves to a new or existing irrigation system requires trenching, designing around existing construction and landscaping or demolishing and replacing existing construction and landscaping. All of these can be very costly and undesirable. Finally, irrigation wires, once buried are difficult to locate. Additions or modifications require the use of special equipment to locate wires and/or wire breaks. [0007] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have irrigation system that did not require power lines from the irrigation controller to the valve. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. [0009] In one embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a wireless adapter system for use with an existing hard-wired irrigation system, the hard-wired irrigation system including sprinkler valves with associated wires and a controller that outputs at least a first set of control signals on the wires so as to activate the sprinkler valves. The adapter system comprises a wireless transmitter that is coupled to one or more control wires of the hard-wired irrigation system such that the wireless transmitter receives the first set of control signals from the sprinkler controller and the wireless transmitter, in response to receiving the first set of control signals, periodically sends a first wireless signal, so as to enable an irrigation solenoid valve. And the adapter system comprises a wireless receiver coupled to the an irrigation solenoid valve, wherein the wireless receiver, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, activates the irrigation solenoid valve and wherein the wireless receiver is adapted to de-activate the irrigation solenoid valve if the first periodic wireless signal is not detected during a pre-determined time interval to thereby reduce the likelihood of the irrigation solenoid valve over-watering. [0010] In another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a method of controlling an irrigation system, the irrigation system comprising an irrigation solenoid valve electrically coupled to a wireless receiver and an irrigation controller electrically coupled to a wireless adapter, the method comprising: transmitting a control signal from the wireless adapter, the control signal being representative of a signal received from the irrigation controller indicating that the irrigation solenoid valve should be activated; receiving the control signal at the wireless transmitter; in response to receiving the control signal, activating the irrigation solenoid valve; and de-activating the irrigation solenoid valve if the control signal is not again received during a predetermined time interval after a prior reception of the control signal, thereby reducing a likelihood of the irrigation solenoid valve over-watering. [0011] In a further embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a wireless receiver coupled to a irrigation solenoid valve, the wireless receiver comprising: means for activating the irrigation solenoid valve in response to receiving a wireless control signal indicating a desired state of the irrigation solenoid valve; and means for deactivating the irrigation solenoid valve if the wireless control signal is not again detected during a pre-determined time interval after being initially received by the activating means. [0012] In a further embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a method of retrofitting a hard-wired irrigation system for wireless communication, wherein the hard-wired irrigation system comprises an irrigation controller, that is adapted, to be electrically coupled to a irrigation solenoid valve by a physical wire, the irrigation controller being adapted to output control signals to the irrigation solenoid valve via the physical wire, the method comprising: coupling a wireless adapter to outputs of the irrigation controller so that the wireless adapter receives the control signals; coupling a wireless receiver to the control wires of the irrigation solenoid valve; inducing the wireless adapter to transmit a transformed version of the received control signals wherein, in response to receiving the transformed version of the control signal, the wireless receiver activates the irrigation solenoid for a predetermined time period. [0013] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an irrigation control system having a transmitter unit comprising: a connector adapted to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating stations; a first controller coupled to the connector and adapted to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station; and a signal transmitter coupled to the first controller, wherein responsive to the indication, the first controller is configured to cause a wireless activation signal to be transmitted by the signal transmitter, the wireless activation signal configured for receipt at a wireless receiver unit located remotely from the transmitter unit and coupled to an actuator and an actuatable device. [0014] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an irrigation control device comprising: a signal receiver adapted to receive a wireless activation signal from a remotely located wireless transmitter unit which is coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating stations, the wireless transmitter unit adapted to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and responsive to the indication, the wireless transmitter unit is adapted to cause the wireless activation signal to be wirelessly transmitted; a controller coupled to the signal receiver and adapted to receive a message contained in the wireless activation signal; and an activation circuit coupled to the controller, wherein responsive to the message, the controller is configured to cause the activation circuit to output signaling to cause an actuator to actuate an actuatable device. [0015] In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an irrigation control system comprising: a transmitter unit including a first controller, the transmitter unit having a connector adapted to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors for activating stations; the first controller configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, the first controller configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. The system further comprising a receiver unit adapted to be coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, the actuator configured to actuate the actuatable device, the receiver unit adapted to receive the wireless activation signal and in response, cause the actuator to actuate the irrigation valve. [0016] In an additional embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method of wireless irrigation control comprising the steps of: receiving, at a transmitter unit coupled to an irrigation controller having station output actuation connectors for activating stations, an indication that the irrigation controller has activated a station; and wirelessly transmitting, responsive to the receiving the indication, a wireless activation signal from the transmitter unit to a receiver unit remotely located from the transmitter unit, the wireless activation signal adapted to cause the receiver unit to cause an actuator to actuate an actuatable device. [0017] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method of wireless irrigation control comprising the steps of: wirelessly receiving, at a receiver unit, a wireless activation signal transmitted from a transmitter unit remotely located from the receiver unit and coupled to an irrigation controller having station output actuation connectors for activating stations, the transmitter unit having wirelessly transmitted the wireless activation signal based on a received indication that the irrigation controller has activated a station, the receiver unit coupled to an actuator which is coupled to an actuatable device; and causing the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. [0018] In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method of wireless irrigation control comprising the steps of: receiving, at a transmitter unit coupled to an irrigation controller having station output actuation connectors for activating stations, an indication that the irrigation controller has activated a station; wirelessly transmitting, responsive to the receiving the indication, a wireless activation signal from the transmitter unit; wirelessly receiving, at a receiver unit remotely located from the transmitter unit, the wireless activation signal, the receiver unit coupled to an actuator which is coupled to an actuatable device; and causing the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. [0019] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an irrigation controller comprising: a microcontroller adapted to generate control signals to activate irrigation at one or more irrigation stations in accordance with the one or more watering programs; and a wireless transmitter coupled to the microcontroller and adapted to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the control signals to one or more receiver units coupled to the one or more irrigation stations, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to periodically re-transmit the wireless activation signal, randomizing a time interval between transmissions. [0020] In an additional embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a molded enclosure with a conduit knockout system comprising: a wall; a first knockout formed in the wall, which when removed from the wall forms a first opening in the wall; and a second knockout formed in the wall extending from a portion of the first knockout to an edge of the wall, the second knockout forming a second opening in the wall when removed, the first opening and the second opening being contiguous. [0021] In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a mounting bracket for irrigation equipment comprising: a first face; a keying portion coupled to the first face and shaped to engage a mating portion of a wireless receiver unit adapted to cause actuation of an irrigation actuator controlling water flow; and a mounting hole formed in the first face; and wherein the keying portion is shaped to engage the mating portion at a plurality of orientations. [0022] In a further embodiment, the invention can be characterized as an actuator activation unit for irrigation equipment comprising: a housing containing circuitry adapted to output electrical signaling to cause the actuation of a solenoid of a solenoid unit, the solenoid adapted to open and close a valve controlling the flow of water therethrough; and a receptor portion formed in the housing, the receptor portion adapted to receive and mate to a portion of the solenoid unit, such that the housing mounts directly to the solenoid unit. Continue reading... Full patent description for Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methods Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wireless extension to an irrigation control system and related methods patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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