Irrigation Controller Wireless Bridge for Remote Status Polling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing irrigation controllers face challenges in managing complex irrigation systems due to increased area size, varying plant types, and differences in slope and soil type, making it difficult to design and implement efficient irrigation schedules.

Innovation Solution

The system comprises an irrigation controller, a wireless adapter, and a network adapter that enable remote monitoring and control of irrigation systems. The wireless adapter communicates with the irrigation controller and a network adapter, which connects to a remote server over a distributed network, allowing for centralized management and scheduling of irrigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional program-based irrigation controllers are used to control irrigation delivery, then the basic irrigation scheduling function is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to design and implement when the area increases or plant types and soil conditions vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex irrigation areasVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the irrigation controller and the user. The server handles complex scheduling calculations, weather data integration, and system configuration, while the local controller only needs to execute simple commands. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by offloading complexity from the local device while maintaining adaptability to complex irrigation areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into multiple components: local irrigation controllers, remote servers, weather services, and mobile applications. Each component handles specific functions independently. The server manages complex scheduling and adaptability, while local controllers handle execution. This segmentation allows the system to be adaptable to complex areas without increasing the programming complexity of individual controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the irrigation area increases or plant types and soil conditions vary, then the system needs to handle more complex scenarios, but the programming and implementation become more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of varying plant types and soil conditionsVSAvoidease of design and implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the irrigation controller automatically receives weather data, soil moisture information, and plant type parameters from the remote server. The server automatically generates optimized schedules based on varying conditions without requiring manual programming by the user. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while handling complex scenarios with varying plant types and soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor actual soil moisture, weather conditions, and plant responses in real-time. This data is transmitted to the remote server, which adjusts scheduling parameters automatically. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt to varying plant types and soil conditions dynamically without complicating the user interface or implementation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If remote monitoring and control capabilities are added to irrigation controllers, then centralized management is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote monitoring and controlVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote server acts as an intermediary that handles all complex communication, data processing, and control logic for remote monitoring and management. The local irrigation controller only needs basic network connectivity and simple protocol implementation. This mediator approach enables centralized automation while keeping the local device structure simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250127103A1Irrigation controller with wireless access to networked remote service

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 RAIN BIRD CORP

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.