Wireless irrigation control server for monitoring and controlling a field module matrix

Abstract

The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix.

Description

PRIORITY NOTICE[0001]The present application claims priority, under 35 USC §199(e) and under 35 USC §120, to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: Application with Ser. No. 61,012,019, filed on Dec. 6, 2007, and Application with Ser. No. 60,992,673, filed on Dec. 5, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICE[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.[0003]Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and shall not be construed as descriptive o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]A system for wirelessly monitoring and controlling an irrigation field, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a server configured for: receiving data pertaining to an irrigation area from a field module matrix including one or more field modules; generating a control signal based on said data; sending said control signal to said one or more field modules adapted to receive said control signal; and controlling a plurality of irrigation components coupled to said one or more field modules based on said control signal. The system further includes a memory module accessible by said server, and a database residing on said memory module, for storing a system status generated from said data. It is an objective of the present invention to minimize the rising cost of irrigation systems by eliminating the need for wiring systems.

[0023]It is another objective of the present invention to provide a centralized control system that does not depend on the use of complex controllers to actuate irrigation devices.

[0025]It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide individual field modules that are inexpensive and require minimum maintenance, capable of receiving control signals from a remote location without the need for complex wiring systems.

Problems solved by technology

Along with the problem of dealing with the numerous variables that affect different types of water schedules, irrigation systems must also keep water conservation issues at the core of a system's performance requirements.

Perhaps the most prominent problem is the management and control of the various valves, pumps, sensors, or devices that may be implemented in particularly large irrigation systems.

This problem is naturally magnified in industrial size irrigation systems which may comprise several irrigation fields with different requirements and characteristics.

Naturally, such manual operation limits a particular irrigation scheme by requiring multiple personnel to manage and maintain each irrigation component.

A serious drawback however, is the cost of each individual unit, of which many must be utilized to cover a single irrigation field, particularly in industrial size irrigation schemes where several locations encompass a single irrigation system.

A single controller may cost thousands of dollars due to their complexity, and industrial irrigation systems often need hundreds of controllers to properly cover a single location alone.

In addition to increasing the costs of such operations, wiring an irrigation field is a complex procedure.

Thus, simply implementing such controllers may encompass a complicated endeavor that requires use of valuable resources before an irrigation system is fully operational.

Furthermore, maintenance for each unit is required to frequently update its programming upon changes that naturally occur in the field.

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