Patent ID: 9144204
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: A01G,G05B

Abstract:
1. An interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, the interface unit comprising: a housing; a controller within the housing, where the controller is configured in part to determine whether an interruption of one or more watering schedules executed by the irrigation controller, which is separate from the interface unit, should occur and to output signaling to instruct the interruption, the interruption based at least on a sensed rainfall accumulation amount and a user set rainfall threshold parameter; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to the signaling from the controller; and a user interface integrated with the housing and comprising: a plurality of user input devices coupled to the controller and configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon a user's engagement therewith, the plurality of user input devices configured to allow the user to set and adjust at least the user set rainfall threshold parameter; and a user display comprising a display screen and coupled to the controller and configured to display one or more pictorial representations; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey to the user the sensed rainfall accumulation amount, the user set rainfall threshold parameter and whether irrigation is being interrupted; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display the plurality of pictorial representations such that when two or more of the plurality of pictorial representations are displayed together in combination convey to the user: a normal mode when the interface unit is in the normal mode wherein irrigation occurs, an interrupt mode when the interface unit is in the interrupt mode wherein irrigation is interrupted, and a bypass mode when the interface unit is in the bypass mode wherein the interrupt mode is overridden.