Zone Irrigation Scheduling Using Water Authority Usage Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sprinkler systems lack flexibility and accuracy in irrigation scheduling, often leading to over-watering or under-watering due to reliance on manual settings, weather forecasts, and sensor data, which can be unreliable and require expensive equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a central controller to generate and adjust irrigation schedules based on specific characteristics of each sprinkler zone, including geographical, turf, and soil types, using qualitative and quantitative feedback to optimize water usage and adapt to changing landscape conditions without the need for specialized knowledge or physical access to the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated sprinkler systems use sensors to track weather conditions, then irrigation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a central controller that receives and processes weather data from external sources (weather services, water authorities) rather than requiring physical sensors at each sprinkler location. This virtual copying of weather monitoring functionality reduces hardware complexity while maintaining irrigation efficiency through centralized data processing and schedule adjustment.
2Loss of energy
If sprinkler systems use evapotranspiration data to adjust schedules, then water usage optimization is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a central controller as an intermediary that receives evapotranspiration data from external sources (water authorities, weather services) and processes this information to automatically adjust irrigation schedules. This eliminates the need for complex local ET sensing equipment while achieving water usage optimization through centralized intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system virtually copies the evapotranspiration monitoring function by receiving ET data from external authoritative sources rather than implementing physical ET sensors. This allows water usage optimization through ET-based scheduling without the complexity and cost of deploying specialized sensing hardware at each zone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If irrigation schedules are adjusted based on weather forecasts, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where irrigation schedules are continuously adjusted based on received weather data and evapotranspiration information from external sources. The central controller processes this feedback data to automatically modify zone schedules, improving adaptability while relying on authoritative external data sources to maintain measurement precision without requiring local sensing infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments can provide a system and method for controlling irrigation schedules for a sprinkler system for at least one irrigation zone. The embodiments include automatically updating irrigation schedules based at least in part on watering restriction data from a water authority, such as a water utility authority, and water usage data for a property including the at least one irrigation zone.