Wireless Irrigation Controller Adapter for Remote Schedule Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation controllers face complexity in managing irrigation schedules for large areas with varied plant life, soil types, and slopes, making it difficult to design and implement efficient irrigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an irrigation controller, a wireless adapter, and a network adapter that allows for remote monitoring and control through a distributed network, enabling the synchronization of irrigation schedules across multiple sites, with the wireless adapter communicating status information and receiving updates from a remote server to optimize water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional program-based irrigation controllers are used to control irrigation schedules, then the basic irrigation function is achieved, but the system becomes too complex to design and implement when managing large areas with varied plant life, soil types, and slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the irrigation control into multiple independent components: local irrigation controllers at each site, a central server for coordination, and wireless communication modules. Each controller can be independently programmed and managed, allowing complex irrigation requirements to be divided into manageable segments rather than requiring a single complex centralized program.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication intermediary (adapter with transceiver) is introduced between the irrigation controller and the external environment, enabling remote monitoring and control without requiring complex physical wiring or direct user interaction with the controller interface. This intermediary simplifies user interaction while maintaining system capability.
2Ease of operation
If irrigation controllers are deployed at multiple sites without network connectivity, then each site can operate independently, but remote monitoring and real-time adjustments cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless adapter acts as an intermediary device that bridges the irrigation controller and the network infrastructure. The adapter includes a transceiver that wirelessly communicates with a base station, eliminating the need for complex wired network connections at each remote site while enabling remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the irrigation controller can autonomously execute programmed schedules and the wireless adapter automatically transmits status information and receives control commands without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration at each site.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual programming of irrigation schedules is performed for each site, then customization to local conditions is achieved, but significant time and effort are required for design and implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming irrigation schedules and parameters at the local controller before deployment. The controller is pre-configured with site-specific irrigation requirements, plant water needs, and scheduling logic, allowing immediate operation upon installation without requiring extensive on-site programming time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables copying of successful irrigation programs and configurations between sites. Once an irrigation schedule is optimized for one site, it can be copied and adapted for use at similar sites, reducing the time required for programming while maintaining precision tailored to local conditions through minor parameter adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide systems for use in controlling irrigation, comprising: an irrigation controller configured to couple with one or more valves at a site and to control activation and deactivation of the one or more valves in accordance with an irrigation schedule stored in the irrigation controller; a wireless adapter directly communicationally coupled through a direct wired connection with the irrigation controller; and a network adapter wirelessly coupled over a point-to-point wireless communication path with the wireless adapter, wherein the network adapter is configured to further couple through a direct wired connection with a local router configured to provide communication over a distributed network to a remote server; wherein the wireless adapter is configured to poll the irrigation controller to acquire and locally store status information; and the wireless adapter is configured to communicate, over the point-to-point wireless channel, the status information to the server.