Abstract: An electronic control unit for programmed watering of lawns, gardens, flower boxes and similar spaces, comprises a front panel, a display, watering program selection push-buttons for selecting the watering duration and the watering repetition frequency and at least one start push-button for starting the selected program. The control unit comprises an electronic micro controller which, in response to the operation of said selection push-buttons, controls the visualization of the duration and frequency of the selected program and, in response to a single operation of the start push-button, controls the immediate start of the selected watering program. If the start push-button is operated for a variable number of times, the micro controller programs the delayed start of the selected program.

Abstract: Electronic control units for programmed watering of lawns, gardens, flower boxes and similar spaces, comprise a front panel including a single push-button for selecting a watering program, at least one push-button for starting the selected program and a display. The control units comprise an electronic micro controller which in response to the operation of said push-button causes the visualization of the duration and the frequency of the selected program, and in response to a single operation of the start push-button causes the immediate start of the selected watering program, while the operation of the start push-button for a variable number of times programs the delayed start of the selected program.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a remote control irrigation system which comprises a centralized radio control programmer (P) adapted to generate radiofrequency programming controls and a plurality of programmable units (RF VPR) provided with a radiofrequency control module (MC) adapted to receive and execute said programming commands and to communicate its status to said centralized programmer (P). The system is further provided with at least one radiofrequency rain sensor (SP) associated with said programmable units (RF VPR) in a dedicated or universal manner.

Abstract: A system for the remote control of a plurality of control units (A11 . . . A1n . . . An1 . . . Ann) for irrigation devices is described; the system includes a data processing device (1, B1 . . . Bn) for setting data regarding the duration and frequency of the irrigation periods of the irrigation devices associated to the control units and their position in time. The data processing device (1, B1 . . . Bn) includes a database (11) with archives containing the list of the control units of the plurality and data regarding their operation.

Abstract: A communication system between a main control unit (100) for irrigation devices and at least one secondary control unit (A1 . . . An) for irrigation devices, specifically for battery powered control units, is described; each control unit (100, A1 . . . An) includes a module (10, 20) for the transmission of data to the other control unit and for the reception of data from the other control unit. The main control unit (100) and the at least one secondary control unit (A1 . . . An) include means (4) adapted to allow the power supply of said data transmission and reception modules only during the time periods (T, T1 . . . Tn) required for the exchange of data between the main control unit (100) and the at least one secondary control unit (A1 . . . An).

Abstract: A system for the remote control of a plurality of control units (A11 . . . A1n . . . An1 . . . Ann) for irrigation devices is described; the system includes a data processing device (1, B1 . . . Bn) for setting data regarding the duration and frequency of the irrigation periods of the irrigation devices associated to the control units and their position in time. The data processing device (1, B1 . . . Bn) includes a database (11) with archives containing the list of the control units of said plurality and data regarding their operation. There are control means for the control units allowing to send a command regarding the duration of the irrigation time periods and their position in time to the control units in reply to the data set in the data processing device (1, B1 . . . Bn); the control means include at least one module (C1 . . . Cn) provided with a telephone interface (15) for sending the set data to the control units of the plurality of control units (A11 . . . A1n . . . An1 . . . Ann).

Abstract: There is described a control device that allows to drive both AC solenoids and DC bistable solenoids. The control device comprises power supply terminals which may selectively be connected to an AC or DC voltage source, load terminals which may be connected to a driven solenoid, at least one triac device connected in series to said driven solenoid, means which may be controlled to switch on said triac. There are further provided selector means interposed between said power supply terminals and said load terminals to switch the control device between a first configuration suitable for the power supply of an AC solenoid and a second configuration suitable for the power supply of a DC bistable solenoid and inverter means which may be controlled to invert the voltage polarity at the load terminals with respect to that applied at the power supply terminals when the control device (1) is selected in said second configuration.

Abstract: There is described a control device that allows to drive both AC solenoids and DC bistable solenoids. The control device comprises power supply terminals which may selectively be connected to an AC or DC voltage source, load terminals which may be connected to a driven solenoid, at least one triac device connected in series to said driven solenoid, means which may be controlled to switch on said triac. There are further provided selector means interposed between said power supply terminals and said load terminals to switch the control device between a first configuration suitable for the power supply of an AC solenoid and a second configuration suitable for the power supply of a DC bistable solenoid and inverter means which may be controlled to invert the voltage polarity at the load terminals with respect to that applied at the power supply terminals when the control device (1) is selected in said second configuration.

Abstract: A centralised automation system for an irrigation system is disclosed that is associable with a local computer network of standard type with a standard network protocol of a building in a so-called “building automation” context. The automation system comprises a field control unit (4) for receiving, storing and issuing irrigation commands according to preset programs. The field control unit (4) is inserted into the building and interfaced with the local computer network (3) of the building in such a way as to communicate therewith by means of a dedicated protocol (EPRAS) based on a standard network protocol (TCP/IP). For each irrigable field sector there is provided a respective field bus (6) that acts as a transmission support with standard field protocol (ModBus) for communicating irrigation commands to a respective control unit (7) for solenoid valves (9). A respective protocol-translation bridge unit (12) enables the field bus (6) to be interfaced with the local computer network (3) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The present invention refers a decoder that can be programmed for an irrigation plant, a programming procedure for said decoder and a centralized irrigation plant comprising a plurality of said decoders. The decoder has the characteristic of comprising memorizing means and processing means, said memorizing means and processing means being directly connected to each other, in which said memorizing means can store an identity number and the operating parameters of the decoder itself.

Abstract: The present invention refers a decoder that can be programmed for an irrigation plant, a programming procedure for said decoder and a centralized irrigation plant comprising a plurality of said decoders. The decoder has the characteristic of comprising memorizing means and processing means, said memorizing means and processing means being directly connected to each other, in which said memorizing means can store an identity number and the operating parameters of the decoder itself.

Abstract: An electronic control device for a bistable solenoid valve, particularly for watering systems. The control device includes a power supply battery and a logic control unit, and provides low battery protection. A capacitor is set in parallel to the battery and a switch is operated by the logic control unit to effect, in a first operating position, charging of the capacitor and, in second and third operating positions, the application of control voltages having opposite signs from the capacitor to the solenoid valve for closing and opening the solenoid valve. The logic control unit is programmed in such a way that each request for opening of the solenoid valve brings about first the setting of the switch in the first operating position for charging the capacitor, then the switch is activated in the second operating position for closing the solenoid valve after a first preset time has elapsed following any previous closing control of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: Electronic control unit comprising an electronic circuit with a programmable processing unit and operating buttons to execute and to vary manually the programming of the processing unit and a display for the visualization of the programming stages. The programmable processing unit is organized to individuate a programming menu that is subdivided into a plurality of parts selectionable at will. Each part comprising at least one chapter. The chapter being formed of at least one setting page of at least one respective programming parameter, and in that each part of the menu is directly selectionable by pressure on at least one respective operating button.

Abstract: An electronic interface associable to an electronic control unit for an automatic watering system for remote controlled management of the watering system is described. The electron unit has a plurality of output lines suitable to control a respective plurality of electro-valve lines of the watering system. The electronic interface includes a microprocessor, a connector for connecting the electronic interface with the watering system, a first interface with at least one communication channel having a remote controlled management apparatus, a second interface with a first plurality of input lines connectable with respective output lines of the control unit to control directly the electro-valves, and a first memory associated with the microprocessor in such a way that the microprocessor can detect the changes of state of the output lines of the control unit and store the changes of state in the first memory.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for the control of automatic watering systems having plural lines comprising an electronic circuit with a programmable processing unit for the control of a plurality of different watering lines. A manually operated selector, preferably of the rotary type, is provided, that is settable in a plurality of selectionable positions, to each one of which a specific watering cycle for the lines corresponds. By acting on the selector and on a start button, it is possible to modify the programming of the processing unit in order to associate with each single line a respective watering cycle different from the ones otherwise selectable by means of the selector.

Abstract: A control unit for an irrigation system comprising a programmable electronic control unit having a plurality of output control lines for the control of actuators of the irrigation system and comprising a microprocessor for setting data that condition the operation of the control unit. The microprocessor is operable to allow a standard programming of the electronic control unit for setting data suitable for allowing the base operation of the control unit, and an advanced programming for setting further data suitable for customizing the base operation of the control unit.

Abstract: There is described a programmable electronic timer for the control of a solenoid valve, particularly for watering systems. The timer comprises a start button, a stop button and a programmable processing unit. The latter is preset to determine, as a consequence to the operation on said start button, the opening of the controlled solenoid valve and the starting of a time count and, as a consequence to the operation on said stop button, the closing of the solenoid valve and the end of said time count with memorisation of the counted time for the subsequent automatic control of the opening and closing of the solenoid valve in the next days at the same time and for the same watering length of time.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values, and a module dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to transport the module by hand. A memory is provide in the module for storing a set of the parameter values, and first and second mating connectors are provided on respective ones of a housing for the microprocessor and the module. The connectors are operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor and the memory circuit to enable the user to couple the memory means to the microprocessor in order to transfer the remotely programmed set of the parameter values to and from the microprocessor means. Microprocessor programming enables automatic watering interval adjustment, open circuit testing, and individual watering station shutdown in the event of a fault condition.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of stored parameter values, a display module operationally connected to the microprocessor means for displaying the parameter values, and a plurality of selector switches initiating the display of a selected one of a plurality of predefined groups of the parameter values. Each one of the switches corresponds to a respective one of the groups, and the display module includes both a first plurality of display elements configured to produce images of the parameter values and a second plurality of display elements configured to produce images identifying the selected group. One embodiment includes a liquid crystal display having the second plurality of display elements configured as arrowheads pointing toward panel labeling that extends to a corresponding one of the switches.