Patents by Inventor Eric Schafer

Eric Schafer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060084420
    Abstract: A controller (301), for example on a field interface of a resource management system (300), determines a location of a mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c) and controls an environment thereof. The controller (301) receives, via a first transceiver (307), a communication including information representative of the mobile object; receives a command via a second transceiver (317) and controls the environment outside of the mobile object responsive to the command and/or the communication. A controller, for example on the mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c), detects a location of the mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c) via device (305a, 305b, 305c). The controller collects information about the mobile object including location; transmits, to a controller via its transceiver, a communication including the information; receives a command via its transceiver; and controls operation of the mobile object responsive to the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Eric Schafer
  • Publication number: 20060025875
    Abstract: A remote download of microprocessor code for an irrigation controller is provided. A microprocessor, on an irrigation controller, is executing program code (in volatile memory) and receives a remote download of updated program code, which it stores into non-volatile random access memory, e.g., flash memory. The microprocessor is configured to receive the updated program code, via a communication port, and to store the updated program code into the non-volatile flash memory. Optionally, the updated program code is received at multiple controllers via a global transmission on a communication bus. The microprocessor receives a communication causing it to re-start. In response to the re-start communication, the microprocessor fetches the updated program code stored in the non-volatile flash memory into the program memory RAM to replace the original program code, and begins execution of the updated program code in the program memory RAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Eric Schafer
  • Patent number: 6898467
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a distributed control network for irrigation management. The system incorporates several irrigation controllers wherein each of the controllers can transmit, receive and respond to commands initiated by any device or satellite controller on the network, a communication bus that is connected to the controllers, a central computer that is connected to the bus, several sensing devices that are connected to each controller, and several sprinkler valves that are connected to each controller. The controllers can be operated in local mode via a user interface and in a remote mode via a wireless connection. The controllers are capable of monitoring and acknowledging the commands that are transmitted on the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Smith, Eric Schafer
  • Patent number: 6600971
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a distributed control network for irrigation management. The system incorporates several irrigation controllers wherein each of the controllers can transmit, receive and respond to commands initiated by any device or satellite controller on the network, a communication bus that is connected to the controllers, a central computer that is connected to the bus, several sensing devices that are connected to each controller, and several sprinkler valves that are connected to each controller. The controllers can be operated in local mode via a user interface and in a remote mode via a wireless connection. The controllers are capable of monitoring and acknowledging the commands that are transmitted on the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Smith, Eric Schafer