Smart irrigation system with low environmental impact

Abstract

A system for the automatic irrigation of plants, gardens, vegetable gardens or the like, comprising: at least one irrigation control unit (20), at least one sensor (30) and at least one mobile device (10) which includes a resident software program (APR) comprising instructions for monitoring and programming the at least one irrigation control unit (20) and the at least one sensor (30). The at least one mobile device (10), at least one irrigation control unit (20) and at least one sensor (30) comprise BLE type transceiver means. One of the at least one irrigation control unit (20) and the at least one sensor (30) being connected or which can be connected to power mains or being suitable to be powered electrically or being battery powered, the other of the at least one irrigation control unit (20) and the at least one sensor (30) being of the off-grid and batteryless type and comprising energy harvesting means for generating electricity from renewable sources. The at least one mobile device (10) is programmed to always take a central role, the other of the irrigation control unit (20) and the at least one sensor (30) being programmed to always take a peripheral role.

Description

[0001] SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITH LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of irrigation systems, and it particularly relates to low environmental impact irrigation system which can be controlled through mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or the like.

[0005] Definitions

[0006] In the present document, the expression "irrigation control unit" or its derivatives is used to indicate an electronic device, also known as irrigation programmer or timer, which can be connected to an irrigation line for controlling the water flow therein.

[0007] In the present document, the expression "tap irrigation control unit" or its derivatives is used to indicate an irrigation control unit, also referred to as irrigation programmer, which can be directly connected to a water supply tap.

[0008] In the present document, the expression "well irrigation control unit" or its derivatives is used to indicate an irrigation control unit, also referred to as irrigation programmer, which can be placed in a watertight well and which can be connected to one or more water supply lines.

[0009] In the present document, the expression "irrigation line" or its derivatives is used to indicate at least one hose or a duct adapted to transport the water from the tap to the point to be irrigated by interposing at least one irrigation control unit. Fittings, nozzles, sprinklers, end plugs or similar accessories can be connected to the at least one hose or duct in a per se known manner .

[0010] In the present document, the expression "off-grid" or its derivatives referring to an element is used to indicate that the element in question is not physically connected to an electrical appliance with cables, wires, pipes or the like.

[0011] In the present document, the expression "battery" or its derivatives is used to indicate a device which converts the chemical energy into electricity with an oxygen reduction reaction.

[0012] In the present document, the expression "mobile device" or its derivative is used to indicate a device for processing or accessing data (also via the Internet) without wiredconnection restrictions. Examples of "mobile devices” are smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or the like.

[0013] In the present document, the expression "BLE” or "Bluetooth® Low Energy" or its derivatives is used to indicate a communication protocol from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) which operates in the ISM at 2.4 Ghz band.

[0014] In the present document, the expression "central role" or the derivatives thereof which includes BLE transceiver means is used to indicate a device which scans other BLE devices with peripheral role to connect thereto and exchange information therewith. A device with a central device role, after connection, is called master.

[0015] In the present document, the expression "peripheral role" or its derivatives of a device which includes BLE transceiver means is used to indicate a device which is scanned by another BLE device with a central role for exchanging information therewith. A device with a peripheral device role, after connection, is called slave.

[0016] In the present document, the expression "energy harvesting” or its derivatives is used to indicate a process due to which the energy, coming from renewable sources which are often not constant over time and in particular with very low intensity (like solar, thermal, wind or kinetic one) is captured, saved and converted into electricity that can be used directly.

[0017] State of the Art

[0018] There are known irrigation systems which include an irrigation line which can be connected with water supply means, one or more irrigation control units for controlling the flow of the water in the line, for example tap or well control units, and one or more sensors of various types, for example rain, temperature, pressure or flow rate sensors.

[0019] The irrigation line comprises one or more valves on which there act the one or more irrigation control units and means for distributing the water on the area to be irrigated, for example or openings in the irrigation line for drip irrigation.

[0020] In a per se known manner, in order to perform their function to the utmost, there should be a direct or indirect operative connection between the one or more irrigation control units and the one or more sensors, so that, for example, a rain sensor commands an irrigation control unit to stop the latter in the event of rain.To date, such connections are of the physical type, that is by means of an electrical wire, or wireless with radio frequency, for example as disclosed in the European patent application EP2522215 on behalf of the Applicant in question. Furthermore, such patent application discloses that the one or more irrigation control units and / or the one or more sensors can be controlled and programmed by a remote device still with radio frequency, for example a radio control.

[0021] Although the systems described above carry out their purpose excellently, today there arises the need to reduce the environmental impact thereof, in particular with regard to energy consumption from fossil fuel, and generally make them smarter, so that they can be commanded and controlled by using mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches or the like.

[0022] In this regard, the European patent application EP2946656 and the international application WO2024 / 175438 there are known irrigation control units of the off-grid batteryless type which can be solar-powered. In particular, the international application WO2024 / 175438 discloses that the off-grid irrigation control unit can be controlled by a software programme (APP) which can be installed on a mobile device, such as a smartphone, by means of a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) protocol.

[0023] Such prior art irrigation control unit has the drawback lying in the fact that the repeated connection with the smartphone requires a high energy consumption, and this could rapidly lead to the control unit switching off in the event of scarce light or extended periods of bad weather.

[0024] Summary of the invention

[0025] An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing an irrigation system that is highly functional and cost-effective.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a low environmental impact irrigation system.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a smart irrigation system, that is which can be monitored and programmed through a mobile device of the smartphone, tablet, smartwatch type or the like.

[0028] These and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by anirrigation system and by an irrigation control unit and / or by a sensor as described, illustrated and / or claimed herein.

[0029] In particular, in a first aspect, there may be provided for an irrigation system according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, as well as a device of the actuator means type for at least one valve and / or sensor according to one or more of claims 10.

[0030] In a further aspect, irrespective of the above, there may be provided for an irrigation system according to one or more of claims 11 to 20.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an irrigation system 1 which can be monitored and programmed by a mobile device 10 locally;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of second embodiment of an irrigation system 1 which can be monitored and programmed by a mobile device 10 locally or remotely;

[0035] FIG.3 is a schematic view of an irrigation line L.

[0036] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0037] With reference to the figures mentioned above, herein described is a low environmental impact irrigation system 1, which can be monitored and programmed by means of a mobile device 10, such as for example a smartphone, tablet, a smartwatch or a similar device.

[0038] Although hereinafter reference will be made to an individual mobile device 10, it is clear that the irrigation system 1 may include any number of mobile devices without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0039] The irrigation system 1 may provide for one or more sensors 30 arranged along an irrigation line L or however operatively connected therewith.

[0040] In a per se known manner, the irrigation line L may be connected with water supply means A, for example a tap, and it may include one or more pipes 41, one or more valves 42 and means 43 for distributing the water on the area to be irrigated, for example irrigators of the sprinkler or dripping wing type for drip irrigation.The system 1 may also comprise actuator means 20 operatively connected with the one or more valves 42 to selectively act thereon so as to control the water flow through the irrigation line L.

[0041] Suitably, the actuator means may be integrated in one or more irrigation control units, which may be of any type, for example tap or well control units, and they may include at least one of the one or more valves 42 or however act thereon.

[0042] Although hereinafter reference will be made to an irrigation control unit 20, it is clear that the system may include simple actuator means, for example Bluetooth® actuators, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0043] The one or more sensors 30 may be of any type, and they may be adapted to detect one or more physical quantities. For example, the one or more sensors 30 may be rain, temperature, pressure or flow rate sensors.

[0044] Furthermore, the one or more sensors 30 may be positioned along the irrigation line L or in the environment surrounding it to detect the one or more physical quantities mentioned above.

[0045] The physical quantity to be detected changes depending on the type of sensor.

[0046] For example, in the event of the sensor 30 configured as a rain sensor, it may include a container for the rain and an internal float which activates the sensor when it reaches a height equal to 5 mm of rain. In particular, the rain sensor may be configured as the Rain Sensor marketed by Claber®.

[0047] On the other hand, in the case of sensor 30 configured as a temperature or pressure sensor, the physical quantity may be at least one threshold temperature or at least one threshold pressure, which is activated once such threshold is reached.

[0048] On the other hand, in the case of sensor 30 configured as a flow rate sensor, the physical quantity may be the water flow rate which flows through the flow rate sensor within a predetermined time (that is the water flow). In this case, the sensor may be screwed upon specific measurement request of the control unit 20 of the user through the mobile device 10 or periodically automatically to measure the flow rate value within a predetermined threshold time, meaning that the system has leakage were the irrigation not to be active at that time.In order to minimise the environmental impact of the irrigation system 1, at least one device of the one or more irrigation control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 is of the off-grid and batteryless type and it comprises energy harvesting means for generating electricity from renewable sources.

[0049] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the irrigation system 1 may include one or more irrigation control units provided as disclosed by the international patent application WO2024 / 175438, on behalf of the applicant of this patent, to which reference shall be made for consultation.

[0050] In such prior art irrigation control unit, of the off-grid and batteryless type, the energy harvesting means include a photovoltaic panel and a supercapacitor for accumulating the electricity generated by the same.

[0051] However, it is clear that the irrigation system 1 may comprise any type of irrigation control unit and / or sensor of the off-grid and batteryless type irrespective of the number and with any type of energy harvesting means without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0052] In order to perform its function, the mobile device 10 may include a preferably resident software programme APP comprising instructions which - once the software programme APP has been run by the CPU of the mobile device 10 - allow a user to monitor and programme the one or more irrigation control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30.

[0053] All the devices mentioned above, and that is the mobile device 10, the one or more irrigation control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30, may be provided with BLE (Blutetooth® Low Energy) type transceiver means, for example a BLE radio, so as to communicate to with each other and define a system of devices interconnected through the respective BLE radios.

[0054] As known, such type of communications requires a certain amount of energy, which in the case of the devices of the off-grid and batteryless type is necessarily limited. As a result, the irrigation system 1 may be suitably configured to allow the communication between the various devices while minimising energy consumption of those of the off-grid and batteryless type.

[0055] To this end, the latter in the irrigation system 1 will never have a permanent centralrole, given that, as known, a device with central role absorbs much more energy than one with peripheral role.

[0056] Therefore, within the irrigation system 1, the one or more devices of the off-grid and batteryless type will take a peripheral role, permanently or for most of their standard operation. Therefore, if necessary, in the latter case, they may temporarily take a central role, for a limited period of time.

[0057] In a first embodiment of the irrigation system 1, at least one or more of the one or more irrigation control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 may be of the off-grid and batteryless type, while the rest of the devices may be connected or suitable to be connected to power mains or suitable to be powered electrically or battery powered.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows an example of such embodiment with an irrigation control unit 20 of the off-grid and batteryless type and a sensor 30 connected to power mains or battery powered.

[0059] In this case, the instructions of the software programme APP of the mobile device 10 may include a suitable routine suitable to make the mobile device 10 always take a central role, while the irrigation control unit 20 may include a suitable microprocessor, not shown in the figures given that it is per se known, programmed to make it permanently take a peripheral role.

[0060] Both during the standard activity of the system 1 and during its initial configuration, the sensor 30 may include a suitable microprocessor, not shown in the figures given that it is per se known, programmed to make it normally remain in a working state, in which it may take a peripheral role, and to selectively switch to a temporary data exchange state, in which it may take a central role, upon the occurrence of a predetermined or settable condition linked to the physical quantity to be detected.

[0061] In the light of the above, the sensor 30 may communicate to the irrigation control unit 20 the occurrence of the condition mentioned above, minimising the energy consumption of both devices.

[0062] For example, should the sensor 30 be the rain sensor mentioned above, once the rain reaches the height of 5 mm regarding which such condition mentioned above may be communicated to the irrigation control unit 20.

[0063] In a further example, should the sensor 30 be the pressure or temperature sensormentioned above, the condition to be communicated to the irrigation control unit 20 may be the achievement of the temperature or of the threshold pressure.

[0064] Upon communicating the condition mentioned above, the sensor 30 may return to the working state, taking a new peripheral role.

[0065] The duration of the data exchange state may be very short, so as to minimise the energy absorbed. Suitably, the data exchange state may last a maximum timeout period of 30 seconds, preferably a maximum of 20 seconds.

[0066] When it is in the data exchange state, the sensor 30 may be programmed to start a scanning operation and connect to the irrigation control unit 20 to communicate to the latter at least one datum regarding the occurrence of the condition mentioned above.

[0067] Alternatively, knowing the identifier of the irrigation control unit 20, the sensor 30 may start a connection without scanning, so as to minimise energy consumption. Also in this case, there may be provided for a limited timeout period, so that should the sensor 30 not find any device with which to connect the connection, it closes automatically.

[0068] The switching from the working state to the data exchange state may be carried out automatically, for example by means of a suitable programming of the microprocessor of the sensor 30, or it may be set through the mobile device 10 and the software programme APP, for example for a control on the water flow rate of the system.

[0069] Both the irrigation control unit 20 and the sensor 30 when it is in the working state may be programmed to send at predetermined time intervals through respective BLE transceiver means one or more advertisement data packets to the mobile device 10.

[0070] Although hereinafter reference will be made to an individual advertisement datum, it is clear that the advertisement data packets may vary without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0071] The advertisement data packet may include one or more data respectively of the active irrigation / inactive irrigation type for the irrigation control unit 20 and regarding the physical quantity detected or an operating status connected thereto - for example rain / dry - for the sensor 30.

[0072] The resident software program APP of the mobile device 10 may comprise a first routine adapted to command the mobile device 10 to start at predetermined time intervalsa scanning operation, so as to receive the advertisement data packet of the irrigation control unit 20 and of the sensor 30 and therefore the datum mentioned above, and display it on the screen of the mobile device 10.

[0073] In this manner, a user may monitor the sensor 30 and the irrigation control unit 20 minimising the energy consumption of both, and especially of the latter.

[0074] Furthermore, the instructions of the resident software program APP of the mobile device 10, may comprise a routine adapted to command the mobile device 10 to start a scan upon request of a user and connect to the irrigation control unit 20 or to the sensor 30 and a routine adapted to program the latter upon connection to the mobile device 10.

[0075] Similarly to the description disclosed above, the initial configuration step of the system may allow the sensor 30 to control the irrigation control unit 20, associating it therewith.

[0076] To this end, through the relative mobile device 10 and the relative software programme APP the user may command the sensor 30 to temporarily switch to the data exchange state and scan to find the control unit 20, which it will recognise thanks to an appropriate unique code associated therewith.

[0077] Therefore, the sensor 30 stores the presence of the of the irrigation control unit 20 and switches back to the working state, modifying its advertisement which will indicate the successful recognition thereof. This will indicate to the software programme APP that the mobile device 10 may be connected to the sensor 30 and to the irrigation control unit 20 for the programming.

[0078] In a further embodiment of the system 1, shown in FIG. 2, besides the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 there may be provided for at least one local control device 40 thereof, which may also include BLE type transceiver means.

[0079] In such embodiment, both the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 may be of the off-grid and batteryless type and they may comprise energy harvesting means for generating electricity from renewable sources. This will minimise the environmental impact of the system 1.

[0080] Furthermore, the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 may be programmed to permanently take a peripheral role.On the other hand, the local control device 40 may be connected or suitable to be connected to power mains or be suitable to be powered electrically or battery powered. Furthermore, the local control device 40 may include a microprocessor or an equivalent unit programmed to permanently take a central role.

[0081] In the light of the above, the monitoring and the programming of the one or more control units 20 and of the one or more sensors 30 may be carried out using the local control device 40, so as to minimise the energy consumption thereof.

[0082] In such embodiment, the local control device 40 may directly command the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30, for example by means of a suitable programming of the microprocessor or with a special push-button panel which can be used by the user, or indirectly, using the mobile device 10 on which there is installed the software programme APP.

[0083] In any case, the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30, may be programmed to send at predetermined time intervals, for example every 1 - 2 seconds, the advertisement data packet described above, to the local control device 40.

[0084] Furthermore, the microprocessor of the latter may be programmed to start upon request of the user or automatically at predetermined time intervals a scan to receive the advertisement data packet and to store it.

[0085] Furthermore, the programming of the local control device 40, may provide for controlling the data received to verify whether they meet or fail to meet an irrigation state exchange condition, and this condition may be programmed in a predetermined manner or it can be programmed by the user.

[0086] If they do, the programming of the local control device 40 may start a scanning and a connection with the one or more irrigation control units 20 and command the one or more valves 42 to open or close, depending on the physical quantity detected by the one or more sensors 30, as shown above.

[0087] Should the system 1 in such embodiment include the mobile device 10 besides the local control device 40, the mobile device 10 may take a peripheral role.

[0088] Therefore, the monitoring of the state of the one or more control units 20 and of the one or more sensors 30 may be carried out using a monitoring routine of the softwareprogramme APP which upon request of the user modifies its advertisement adding a monitoring request which will be recognised by the local control device 40, with the latter which is programmed so that upon receiving such request it starts a scanning and a connection with the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 to read the data of such devices and then communicate them to the mobile device 10.

[0089] Something similar may occur for the programming of the one or more control units 20 and of the one or more sensors 30.

[0090] Suitably, the local control device 40 may further comprise means for connecting to an internet network, for example a WIFI module 50 which can be connected to an access point 51 for connecting to an internet network 52.

[0091] Possibly, also the mobile device 10 may include means for connecting to the WIFI module 50, so as to enable local connection thereto.

[0092] Therefore, the mobile device 10 may monitor and programme, as described above, the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 through the internet network 52 and the local control device 40 provided with WIFI module 50.

[0093] The data exchanged through the internet network 52 may be stored in a local or remote server 60 so as to be picked up by a customer support or user management service 61.

[0094] The step for configuring the system may be carried out as described above, with the local control device 40 which, automatically or upon request of the mobile device 10, may start a scanning operation and connect with the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 to read and memorise the unique codes associated therewith.

[0095] The local control device 40 will therefore memorise such codes. This will indicate to the software programme APP that the mobile device 10 may request the local control device 40 to connect to the one or more control units 20 and to the one or more sensors 30 for the programming or monitoring.

[0096] In the light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-established objects.

[0097] In particular, in the light of the above, the system 1 will be smart, so that it can be monitored and programmed through a mobile device of the smartphone, tablet, smartwatchtype or the like locally and / or remotely, with a low environmental impact.

[0098] The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0099] For example, in the case of the local control device 40 which includes means for connecting to an internet network 52, the various functions thereof could be carried out by an application software programme on a remote server managed by a computer. In this case, the local control device 40 would solely act as the interface of the one or more control units 20 and the one or more sensors 30 and the application software program on the server.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for the automatic irrigation of plants, gardens, vegetable gardens or the like by means of an irrigation line (L) connected or which can be connected to water supply means (A), comprising:- at least one valve (42) positioned or which can be positioned along the irrigation line (L);- actuator means (20) which includes said at least one valve (42) or which is operatively connected with the latter to act selectively thereon in order to control the flow of water through the irrigation line (L);- at least one sensor (30) for the detection of at least one predetermined physical quantity which can be positioned or is positioned along the irrigation line (L) or in the environment surrounding it;- at least one mobile device (10) which includes a resident software program (APP) comprising instructions for monitoring and programming said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30);wherein said at least one mobile device (10), actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) comprise BLE type transceiver means, for communicating with each other, the one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) being connected or which can be connected to power mains or being suitable to be powered electrically or being battery powered, the other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) being of the off-grid and batteryless type and comprising energy harvesting means for the generation of electrical energy from renewable sources;wherein:- said at least one mobile device (10) is programmed to always take a central role;- said other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) is programmed to always take a peripheral role;- said one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) is programmed to normally remain in a working state and to selectively switch to a temporary data exchange state upon the occurrence of a predeterminedor settable condition linked to said at least one physical quantity; wherein said one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) is further programmed to take a peripheral role in said working state and a central role in said temporary data exchange state, so as to communicate to said other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) the occurrence of said condition, minimising the energy consumption thereof.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) is programmed to return to said working state once there had been communicated to said other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) the occurrence of said predetermined condition.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said temporary data exchange state lasts a maximum timeout period of 30 seconds, preferably a maximum of 20 seconds.

4. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) and said one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) when in said working state are programmed to send at predetermined time intervals by means of the respective BLE transceiver means at least one advertisement data packet to said at least one mobile device (10), said at least one advertisement data packet including at least one datum respectively of the active irrigation / inactive irrigation type for said actuator means (20) and of the detected physical quantity type or an operating state connected thereto for said at least one sensor (30), the instructions of said resident software program (APP) comprising a first routine adapted to command to said at least one mobile device (10) to start at predetermined time intervals a scan to receive said at least one datum and to display it on the screen so as to allow a user to monitor said actuator means (20) and said at least one sensor (30).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions of said resident software program (APP) comprise a second routine adapted to command to said at least one mobile device (10) to start a scan upon request of a user and connect to said actuator means (20) or to at least one sensor (30), the instructions of said resident software program (APP) further comprising a third routine adapted to program said actuator means (20) or said at least one sensor (30) once the latter is connected to said at least onemobile device (10).

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) in said data exchange state is programmed to start a scan and connect to said other of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) to communicate to the latter at least one datum regarding the occurrence of said predetermined condition.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sensor (30):- is of the rain sensor type which includes a container for the latter, said at least one physical quantity being at least one predetermined height of rainfall in said container, said condition being the reaching of said at least one predetermined height by the rain;- is of the temperature or pressure sensor type, said at least one physical quantity being at least one threshold temperature or at least one threshold pressure, said condition being the reaching of said at least one threshold temperature or at least one threshold pressure;- is of the flow rate sensor type, said at least one physical quantity being the flow rate of water which flows through said flow sensor in a predetermined time, said condition being the reaching of a flow rate value in said predetermined threshold time or the detected flow rate value in a predetermined time following a measurement request by the user through said at least one mobile device (10).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one mobile device (10) is of the smartphone, tablet, smartwatches type or like type.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one electronic irrigation control unit which includes said actuator means (20).

10. A first device of the actuator means type (20) for at least one valve (42) or sensor (30) which can be used with a respective second device of the sensor (30) or actuator means (20) type for at least one valve (42) in an irrigation system according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and the second devices comprising BLE type transceiver means forcommunicating with each other, the first device being of the off-grid and batteryless type and comprising energy harvesting means for the generation of electrical energy from renewable sources, the second device being suitable to be connected to power mains or being electrically battery-powered, the first device being programmed to always take a peripheral role, the second device being programmed to normally remain in a working state and to selectively switch to a temporary data exchange state upon the occurrence of a predetermined or settable condition linked to at least one physical quantity detectable by said sensor (30), the second device being further programmed to take a peripheral role in said working state and a centrale role in said temporary data exchange state so as to communicate to said first device the occurrence of said condition, thus minimising its energy consumption.

11. A system for the automatic irrigation of plants, gardens, vegetable gardens or the like by means of an irrigation line (L) connected or which can be connected to water supply means (A), comprising:- at least one valve (42) positioned or which can be positioned along the irrigation line (L);- actuator means (20) which include said at least one valve (42) or which are operatively connected with the latter to act selectively thereon in order to control the flow of water through the irrigation line (L);- at least one sensor (30) for the detection of at least one predetermined physical quantity which can be positioned or is positioned along the irrigation line (L) or in the environment surrounding it;- at least one local control device (40) of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30);wherein said actuator means (20), at least one sensor (30) and at least one local control device (40) comprise BLE type transceiver means;wherein said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) are of the off-grid and batteryless type and comprise energy harvesting means for generating electricity from renewable sources, said at least one local control device (40) being connected or which can be connected to power mains or being suitable to be powered electrically or being batterypowered;wherein:- said at least one local control device (40) is programmed or can be programmed to always take a central role;- said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) being programmed to always take a peripheral role;so that the monitoring and programming of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) occurs through said at least one local control device (40), so as to minimise the energy consumption of said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30).

12. System according to claim 11, wherein said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) are programmed to send at predetermined time intervals at least one advertisement data packet to said at least one local control device (40), said at least one advertisement data packet including at least one datum respectively of the active irrigation / inactive irrigation type for said actuator means (20) and of the detected physical quantity type or an operating status connected thereto for said at least one sensor (30), said at least one local control device (40) being programmed or which can be programmed to start upon request of a user or at predetermined time intervals a scan to receive said at least one datum and to memorise it.

13. System according to claim 12, wherein said at least one local control device (40) is programmed or can be programmed to verify whether the at least one datum received by said at least one sensor (30) meets or fails to meet an irrigation state change condition that is programmed or can be programmed, for:- connecting with said actuator means (20); and- commanding said actuator means (20) to open or close said at least one valve (42).

14. System according to claim 11, 12 or 13, further comprising at least one mobile device (10) which includes BLE type transceiver means and a resident software program (APP) comprising instructions for monitoring and programming said actuator means (20) and at least one sensor (30) by means of said local control device (40), said instructions of said resident software program (APP)being adapted to command said at least one mobile device(10) to always take a peripheral role.

15. System according to claims 12 and 14 or 12, 13 and 14, wherein said instructions comprise a first system monitoring routine adapted to command upon request of a user to said at least one mobile device (10) to modify the advertisement thereof by entering a monitoring request, said at least one local control device (40) being programmed or being suitable to be programmed so that upon receiving such request, it starts a connection with said at least one mobile device (10) to send at least one datum thereto.

16. System according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said instructions comprise a second system programming routine adapted to command upon request of a user said at least one mobile device (10) to change the advertisement thereof by entering a request to program said actuator means (20) and / or at least one sensor (30), said at least one local control device (40) being programmed or suitable to be programmed so that upon receiving such request, it sends a connection with said at least one mobile device (10) and with said actuator means (20) and / or at least one sensor (30) to receive from said at least one mobile device (10) at least one programming command and send it to said actuator means (20) and / or to said at least one sensor (30).

17. System according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said at least one local control device (40) further comprises means (50) for connecting to an internet connection (52), said at least one mobile device (10) interacting with said at least one local control device (40) by means of said internet network (52).

18. System according to the preceding claim, further comprising a local or remote server (60) for storing data exchanged by means of said internet network (52).

19. System according to any one of claims 11 to 18, further comprising at least one irrigation electronic control unit which includes said actuator means (20).

20. System according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein said at least one sensor (30):- is of the rain sensor type which includes a container for the latter, said at least one physical quantity being at least one predetermined height of rainfall in said container, said condition being the reaching of said at least one predetermined height by the rain;- is of the temperature or pressure sensor type, said at least one physical quantity being at least one threshold temperature or at least one threshold pressure, said condition being the reaching of said at least one threshold temperature or at least one threshold pressure;- is of the flow rate sensor type, said at least one physical quantity being the flow rate of water which flows through said flow sensor in a predetermined time, said condition being the reaching of a flow rate value in said predetermined threshold time or the detected flow rate value in a predetermined time following a measurement request by the user through said at least one mobile device (40).

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