Patent ID: 6994271

Claim:
A method for automating application of a chemical to a target through a liquid dispenser having a dosage cycle during which liquid is dispensed therefrom, the chemical being provided by a solid chemical source, the liquid dispenser being coupled to a liquid source providing at least a portion of the liquid, the target having a target area, the method comprising: determining an amount of the chemical to be applied to the target, based on the target area; receiving a mixing liquid from the liquid source; applying the mixing liquid to the solid chemical source to create a sump mixture containing the mixing liquid and the amount of the chemical and calibrating the sump mixture to adjust a concentration of the sump mixture, wherein the calibrating step comprises automatically performing the calibration by measuring a refractive index of the sump mixture; and distributing, during at least a portion of at least one run time of a sprinkler control system, the sump mixture flowing through the liquid dispenser to an output of the sprinkler control system, wherein the sump mixture is mixed with the output of the sprinkler control system and is delivered via the sprinkler control system to the target.