Patent ID: 9504213
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: A01G

Claim Text:
1. A method of controlling a sprinkler system at a geographic location, wherein the sprinkler system is capable of being programmed to deliver a desired amount of water in accordance with a predetermined fixed watering schedule comprised of watering zone start times and watering zone durations, the method comprising the steps of: programming the sprinkler system, by the user, with a repeating variable schedule that contains non-sprinkling event days and sprinkling event days, the non-sprinkling event days occurring between the sprinkling event days, and wherein a number “n” is defined as the largest number of sequential non-sprinkling event days in the schedule, and is at least 1; receiving radar-based rainfall information on a daily basis associated with the geographical location of the sprinkler system, wherein the rainfall information is historical or forecast, to determine if a rain event is capable of providing the desired amount of water; detecting whether rainfall has occurred at the geographic location, based on the rainfall information, that is capable of providing the desired amount of water, including the date of occurrence of the rainfall at the location; and responsive to detecting rainfall, automatically shifting the repeating variable schedule so that the next sprinkling event day in the schedule occurs n days from the date of occurrence of the rainfall, and where the repeating variable schedule commences thereafter, thereby ensuring that the location receives either a sprinkling event or a rainfall event at least every n days.