Irrigation Notes Linked to Sprinklers for Maintenance Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computerized irrigation systems face inefficiencies in managing maintenance-related tasks and communications, requiring multiple software systems for irrigation control and maintenance management, leading to increased complexity and reduced efficiency in grounds facility management.
Innovation Solution
A software-based system integrated with central irrigation controllers and mobile devices that allows users to create, assign, and manage electronic irrigation notes linked to specific sprinklers or geospatial areas, enabling efficient logging, recall, and distribution of maintenance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate software systems are used for irrigation control and maintenance management, then specific irrigation functions can be performed, but system complexity increases and management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines irrigation control software and maintenance management software into a single integrated system. The central controller executes both irrigation schedules and maintenance task assignments, while the mobile device provides unified access to both functions through a single application interface. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate software systems, reducing overall system complexity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it executes irrigation schedules, manages maintenance tasks, stores electronic notes, and communicates with mobile devices. Similarly, the mobile application serves as a universal interface for both irrigation control and maintenance management. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle diverse operations without requiring separate specialized systems.
2Productivity
If separate software systems are used for irrigation and maintenance, then specialized functions are available, but information distribution becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges irrigation control and maintenance management data into a single integrated database structure. Electronic notes and maintenance tasks are stored centrally and can be accessed by both irrigation and maintenance functions through the same interface, enabling efficient information distribution across different operational contexts without requiring separate information systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic irrigation notes are stored locally only, then access is fast, but remote access and collaboration are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a central controller as an intermediary between local mobile devices and remote storage. The central controller maintains a local cache of electronic notes for fast access while simultaneously managing synchronization with remote storage. This intermediary architecture enables both rapid local operations and reliable remote access without direct peer-to-peer synchronization delays.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more examples of the present disclosure, irrigation control software is provided for a computerized irrigation system. The irrigation control software may provide various user interfaces capable of allowing users to create, assign, organize, and save facility maintenance-related electronic notes to a remote database or central irrigation server that is accessible by mobile devices of authorized users. The electronic irrigation notes may be linked to one or more sprinklers or geospatial areas within the irrigation system, may be assigned to one or more authorized users, may include text or images descriptive or indicative of an issue or a maintenance task associated therewith, and may be archived to create maintenance log histories to help monitor issues associated with specific sprinklers or geospatial areas.