Abstract:
An irrigation system comprises sprinkler heads with an electrically configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water. The irrigation system can additionally comprise fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/152,037, filed Jun. 14, 2005, titled “MULTI-ZONE SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH MOISTURE SENSORS AND CONFIGURABLE SPRAY PATTERN,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to landscape sprinkler systems and more particularly to landscape sprinkling systems and methods having a computer configured spray pattern.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the past, it has been a well-known practice to provide automatic watering devices, such as sprinklers, in order to supply plants with a proper amount of moisture so that the plants will flourish. Homeowners and commercial establishments, such as golf courses, recreational parks, and farms, use automatic watering systems.  
         [0006]     A conventional system employs a timer controller, which operates a solenoid valve incorporated into a water system so that when the time as arbitrarily set by the user arrives, power is supplied via the solenoid to the water supply valve so that water is then supplied to a system of sprinklers or other irrigation devices. However, the sprinkler system supplies water even though the ground or plant medium is saturated such as after a heavy rain or the like.  
         [0007]     For example, an area or zone requiring irrigation may contain thin sandy soil with low water holding capacity from which water drains easily. Another zone may contain a deeper sand, clay and silt mixture, which drains slowly and holds water for a longer period. If the irrigator applies water uniformly at a rate equal to the average required over the area, the user is faced with the dilemma of having too little water in one zone and too much in the other. In practice, the user typically irrigates the entire area at the rate required for the most deficient soil, which wastes water in the zones, which do not require additional water. As the cost of water increases, this creates an unnecessary expense for the user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one embodiment, an irrigation system includes sprinkler heads with an electrically-configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the irrigation system additionally includes fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, a rotating sprinkler head includes at least one solenoid, having a first state and a second state. The amount of water the sprinkler sprinkles is dependent on the rate of rotation of the sprinkler as it travels through an arc. In one embodiment, the arc is a circle. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head rotates relatively slowly when the solenoid is in the first state, and rotates relatively quickly when the solenoid is in the second state. When the sprinkler head rotates more slowly, the ground surrounding the sprinkler in the arc of slow rotation receives more water than the ground surrounding the sprinkler head in the arc of fast rotation. In one embodiment, the first state is an active state and the second state is an inactive state. In another embodiment, the first state is the inactive state and the second state is the active state.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, a stationary sprinkler head includes at least one solenoid having a first state and a second state and a water outlet port associated at least one solenoid. When the solenoid is in the first state, water outlet port is open, allowing the flow of water. When the solenoid is in the second state, the water outlet port closes, inhibiting the flow of water. In one embodiment, the first state is an active state and the second state is an inactive state. In another embodiment, the first state is the inactive state and the second state is the active state.  
         [0012]     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure in which the element first appears.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a multi-zone sprinkler system.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a multi-zone sprinkler system.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an adjustable-pattern sprinkler head with associated moisture sensors.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a rotating sprinkler with controllable rotation rates.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a rotating sprinkler with an actuator to control rotation speed.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a non-rotating sprinkler head with an adjustable spray pattern. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a golf course as one exemplary application for one embodiment of a multi-zone sprinkler system  100 . Other exemplary applications include, but are not limited to, recreational parks, home lawns, theme parks, cemeteries, farms, nurseries, and any other setting that provides water to vegetation through an automatic watering system.  FIG. 1  illustrates a plurality of sprinklers  102 , each having an electronically configurable spray pattern  104 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the multi-zone sprinkler system  100 . The sprinkler system  100  includes the sprinklers  102 , moisture sensors  200 , water supply valves  202 , a water supply  204 , and a central control system  206 .  
         [0022]     In a typical arrangement, a series of water supply valves  202  each connect to the water supply  204 . Each water supply valve  202  connects to a series of sprinklers  102 , each sprinkler  102  having the configurable spray pattern  104 . When a switch or solenoid in the water supply valve  202  activates, the water from the water supply  204  flows through the water supply valve  202 . Depending on the spray pattern  104  of the sprinkler  102 , the sprinkler  102  waters some, all, or none of the area surrounding the sprinkler  102 . In one embodiment, the sprinkler system  100  is arranged in watering zones.  
         [0023]     In one embodiment, the water supply can include fertilizer, weed control solution, or any other soluble compound the user desires to apply to the area associated with the sprinkler system  100 .  
         [0024]     In other arrangements, the multi-zone sprinkler system  100  includes at least one water control valve  202 , and at least one sprinkler  102  having a configurable spray pattern  104 .  
         [0025]     The moisture sensors  200  are buried in the soil to sense the moisture in the soil. In one embodiment, the moisture sensors  200  form a circular or semi-circular arrangement around each sprinkler  102 . The moisture sensors  200  transmit data indicating the moisture content of the soil to the central control system  206 . In one embodiment, the moisture sensors  200  transmit data to the central control system via a radio frequency (RF) link, or other wireless transmission system.  
         [0026]     In another embodiment, the moisture sensors  200  electrically connect to the sprinklers  102  and the sprinklers  102  communicate with the central control system  206  via the wireless transmission system. The moisture sensors  200  collect the moisture data and transmit the moisture data through the electrical connection to the sprinklers  102 . The sprinklers  102  transmit the moisture data via the wireless transmission system, such as the RF link, to the central control system  206 .  
         [0027]     In another embodiment, the moisture sensors  200  electrically connect to the sprinklers  102  and the sprinklers  102  electrically connect to the central control system  206 . The moisture sensors  200  collect the moisture data and transmit the moisture data through the electrical connection to the sprinklers  102 . The sprinklers  102  transmit the moisture data through the electrical connection to the central control system  206 .  
         [0028]     In another embodiment, the multi-zone sprinkler system  100  further includes a zone controller  210 . The moisture sensors  200  located in the zone controlled by the zone controller  210  transmit the moisture data to the zone controller  210 . The zone controller  210  transmits the moisture data to the central control system  206 .  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, the moisture sensors  102  transmit the moisture data via a wireless transmission system, such as, for example, the RF link, to the zone controller  210 . In another embodiment, the moisture sensors  200  electrically connect to the zone controller  210 . Each moisture sensor  200  can be individually wired to the zone controller  210 , or groups of moisture sensors  200  can be wired in a consecutive pattern, i.e., daisy chained, and the last moisture sensor  200  in the chain electrically connects to the zone controller  210 . The moisture sensors  200  transmit the moisture data to the zone controller  210  through the electrical connection.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, the zone controller  210  communicates with the central control system via the wireless transmission system, such as, for example, the RF link, and transmits the moisture data via the wireless transmission system to the central control system  206 . In another embodiment, the zone controller  210  electrically connects to the central control system  206 , and transmits the moisture data to the central control system  206  through the electrical connection.  
         [0031]     Based on the moisture data, the central control system  206  decides how much water to put down in each zone. The central control system  206  activates the water control valves  202 , which permits water from the water supply  204  to flow through the water control valves  202 . Further, based on the moisture data, the central control system  206  configures the electrically configurable spray pattern  104  of the sprinklers  102 .  
         [0032]     The central control system  206  includes one or more computers. The computers include, by way of example, processors, program logic, or other substrate configurations representing data and instructions, which operate as described herein. In other embodiments, the processors can include controller circuitry, processor circuitry, processors, general-purpose single-chip or multi-chip microprocessors, digital signal processors, embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers and the like.  
         [0033]     The central control system  206  includes information relating to the locations of the sprinklers  200 , the area watered or the maximum spray pattern of each sprinkler  200 , watering zones controlled by each zone controller  210 , and the like.  
         [0034]     The central control system  206  processes the moisture data to determine which areas require moisture. The central control system  206  transmits instructions to configure the spray pattern  104  of the sprinklers  102 , such that the areas requiring moisture are watered, and the areas not requiring moisture are not watered.  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, the central control system  206  transmits instructions to the zone controller  210  through the wireless transmission system or the electrical connection, as described above. The zone controller  210  then transmits the instructions to the sprinkler  200  through the wireless transmission system or the electrical connection, as described above.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment, the central control system  206  transmits instructions directly to the sprinkler  102  through the wireless transmission system or the electrical connection, as described above.  
         [0037]     In another embodiment, the multi-zone sprinkler system  100  further includes fire sensors  208 . The fire sensors  208  are, for example, smoke detectors, infrared detectors, ultraviolet (UV) detectors, infrared cameras, temperature sensors, or the like. The fire sensors  208  transmit fire data to the central control system  206  directly or through the zone controller  210  through the wireless transmission system or an electrical connection, as described above. Based on the fire data, the central control system  206  transmits instructions to configure the spray pattern  104  of the sprinklers  102 , as described above, such that the areas requiring moisture are watered.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a sprinkler system  300 . The sprinkler system  300  includes the sprinkler  102  having the configurable spray pattern  104 , and the moisture sensors  200 . The sprinkler  102  includes a sprinkler head  302 , which includes at least one computer  304 .  
         [0039]     The computer  304  includes, by way of example, processors, program logic, or other substrate configurations representing data and instructions, which operate as described herein. In other embodiments, the processors can include controller circuitry, processor circuitry, processors, general-purpose single-chip or multi-chip microprocessors, digital signal processors, embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers and the like.  
         [0040]     The sprinkler head  302  receives water when the water control valve  202  activates. The computer  304  receives control data and power from a central location, such as the central control system  206 . In another embodiment, the computer  304  receives only power from the central location.  
         [0041]     At least one moisture sensor  200  is associated with and electrically connects to the sprinkler head  302 . In one embodiment, a plurality of moisture sensors  200  forms a circular pattern around the sprinkler head  300 .  
         [0042]     The moisture sensors  200  transmit the moisture data to the computer  304 . In one embodiment, the computer  304  transmits the moisture data to the central control system  206  and receives instructions to configure the spray pattern  104  from the central control system  206 . In another embodiment, the computer  304  receives the moisture data, processes the moisture data to determine the correct spray pattern  104 , and configures the spray pattern  104  based on the moisture data.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates the spray patterns  104  partially overlapping. In another embodiment, the spray patterns  104  do not overlap. In a further embodiment, the spray patterns  104  overlap, such that the area of the sprinkler system  300  is watered by at least one sprinkler  102 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a rotating sprinkler  400 . The rotating sprinkler  400  rotates in a 360E arc, or portions of the 360E arc, when water flows through the sprinkler  400 . The rate of rotation through various portions of the arc determines the quantity of water applied to the area surrounding the sprinkler  400 . As the sprinkler slowly rotates, the sprinkler  400  applies more water. When the sprinkler  400  rotates quickly, less water is applied.  
         [0045]     The sprinkler  400  includes a sprinkler head  402 . The sprinkler head  402  includes an actuator  404 , positional information  406 , and a data interface  408 . The positional information  406  received through the data interface  408  controls the activation of the actuator  404 . The actuator  404  controls the rate of rotation of the sprinkler head  402 . Typically, the sprinkler  400  would be used in a golf course or other industrial application with rotating sprinklers.  
         [0046]     In one embodiment, when the actuator  404  is open or active, the sprinkler head  402  rotates quickly. In another embodiment, when the actuator  404  is closed or inactive, the sprinkler head  402  rotates slowly.  
         [0047]     The water supply  204 , through the activated water supply valve  202 , supplies water to the sprinkler  400 . The moisture sensor  200  sends moisture data  410  to the central control system  206  directly or through the sprinkler  400  via the wireless transmission system or electrical connections, or a combination of the wireless transmission system or the electrical connections.  
         [0048]     Based on the moisture data  410 , the central control system  206  sends positional information  406  through the data interface  408  to the sprinkler  400  via the wireless transmission system or electrical connections, or a combination of the wireless transmission system or the electrical connections. Using the positional information, the sprinkler  400  opens or closes the actuator  404  to control the speed at which the sprinkler head  402  rotates.  
         [0049]     In another embodiment, the sprinkler  400 , using the computer  302 , determines the positional information  406  based on the moisture data  410 . Using the positional information from the computer  302 , the sprinkler  400  opens or closes the actuator  404  to control the rate of rotation of the sprinkler head  402 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the sprinkler  400  comprising the actuator  404 . The actuator  404  can be, for example, a solenoid, a stepper motor, a switch, a relay, a valve, or the like.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a non-rotating sprinkler  600 . The sprinkler  600  includes a sprinkler head  602 . The sprinkler head  602  includes at least one solenoid  604  having an active state and an inactive state. Each solenoid  604  controls a port  606  associated with the solenoid  604 . In one embodiment, the solenoids  604  and their associated ports  606  form a ring around the perimeter of the sprinkler head  602 . For example, eight solenoids could be used to control eight zones of a circular patterns around the sprinkler  600 . Typically, the sprinkler  600  would be used in a residential application or other application with non-rotating sprinklers.  
         [0052]     The water supply  204  through the activated water supply valve  202  supplies water to the sprinkler  600 . When the port  606  is open, water flows through the port  606 .  
         [0053]     In one embodiment, when the solenoid  604  is active, the port  606  is open. In another embodiment, when the solenoid  604  is active, the port  606  is closed. In another embodiment, when the solenoid  604  is inactive, the port  606  is closed. In a yet further embodiment, when the solenoid  604  is inactive, the port  606  is open.  
         [0054]     Based on the moisture data  410 , the central control system  206  sends state information to the sprinkler  600  to control the state of the solenoids  604 . The solenoids  604  open the ports  606  as determined by the state information. The sprinkler  600  waters the area associated with the open ports  606 .  
         [0055]     In another embodiment, the sprinkler  600 , using the computer  302 , controls the state of the solenoids  604  based on the moisture data  410 . The sprinkler  600  activates the solenoids  604  to open the ports  606 , which waters the areas associated with the open ports  606 .  
         [0056]     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.