Remote Irrigation Maintenance Using Real-Time Field Data Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of irrigation systems often requires on-site technicians, leading to scheduling delays and inefficiencies in troubleshooting due to limited remote communication and information availability for complex technical issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for relaying real-time operational data from irrigation systems to remote technicians via mobile devices and cloud networks, enabling dynamic communication and remote troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an on-site technician is deployed to troubleshoot the irrigation system, then the system can receive immediate on-site attention, but scheduling delays and travel time are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the on-site technician's diagnostic capabilities by transmitting real-time operational data, audio, and video streams to a remote technician. This allows the remote technician to view the irrigation system's operations and troubleshooting processes as if physically present, eliminating the need for on-site deployment while maintaining diagnostic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication system as an intermediary between the on-site irrigation system and the remote technician. This intermediary transmits operational data, audio, and video streams, enabling real-time remote assistance without requiring physical presence, thus resolving the contradiction between on-site capability and time loss
2Loss of time
If a remote technician assists via phone call, then travel time is eliminated, but information availability is limited and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits real-time operational data, audio recordings, and video streams from the on-site environment to the remote technician, creating a comprehensive information copy of the technical issue. This allows the remote technician to access complete technical information without physical presence, eliminating both travel time and information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds multiple information dimensions (operational data, audio, video) to the remote communication channel. Instead of limited verbal communication, the system transmits multi-dimensional data streams that provide comprehensive technical information, resolving the information availability limitation while maintaining remote assistance
3Ease of repair
If an on-site technician is scheduled for maintenance, then immediate troubleshooting is possible, but crop quality may deteriorate during system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary remote diagnosis and troubleshooting before deploying an on-site technician. By transmitting operational data and enabling remote system control, the system allows the remote technician to identify and resolve issues beforehand, minimizing system downtime and preventing crop quality deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system acts as an intermediary that enables immediate remote troubleshooting without requiring on-site technician deployment. This resolves the contradiction by providing immediate repair capability through remote access, eliminating the need to wait for on-site technician arrival while maintaining crop irrigation quality
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of relaying data of an irrigation system comprises establishing, via a mobile device communication element, a connection with a component associated with the irrigation system; requesting, via the mobile device communication element, current operational data representing real-time measurements associated with operations of the irrigation system; receiving, via the mobile device communication element, signals representative of a first data stream comprising the current operational data of the irrigation system; and transmitting, via the mobile device communication element, a second data stream comprising at least a portion of the first data stream to a remote computing device.