Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Mechanical control system
Reexamination Certificate
2006-11-07
2006-11-07
Picard, Leo (Department: 2125)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Mechanical control system
C137S078200, C137S078300, C700S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07133749
ABSTRACT:
A self-adjusting irrigation controller takes a pre-irrigation soil moisture reading prior to irrigation, chooses an amount of water to be dispensed corresponding to that reading from a table, and dispenses that amount of water. A predetermined length of time after the end of irrigation, the controller takes a post-irrigation soil moisture reading and compares the value of that reading to a predetermined target value. If the post-irrigation value differs substantially from the target value, the water amount corresponding to the pre-irrigation value in the table is adjusted to reduce that difference on the next scheduled irrigation cycle having that same pre-irrigation soil moisture reading. The target value is determined by watering the soil to field capacity, then computing the target value as a function of the reading of the sensor at field capacity. The controller thus converges toward an ideal runtime and follows changes in the environment. In the preferred embodiment, the soil moisture is indicated by sensor voltages, and the amount of water dispensed is governed by the runtime of the irrigation system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6145755 (2000-11-01), Feltz
patent: 6895987 (2005-05-01), Addink et al.
patent: 2001/0049563 (2001-12-01), Addink et al.
“Application of Fuzzy Logic in an Irrigation Control System” -Zhang et al, Auburn University, IEEE 1996.
“An Automated Data Acquisition System for Modeling the Characteristics of a Soil Moisture Sensor” -Posada et al, IEEE, vol. 40, No. 5. Oct. 1991.
Goldberg Allan Morris
Hawkes Larry
Hopkins Larry Kent
Zimmerman James
Inskeep IP Group, Inc.
Masinick Michael D.
Picard Leo
The Toro Company
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