Patents by Inventor Ken R. Venegas

Ken R. Venegas 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).

  • Patent number: 8265797
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In some embodiments, authentication procedures are provided for one or both of a modular irrigation controller and an expansion module to determine if they are authorized to operate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Ken R. Venegas, Roger S. Neitzel, Susan E. Basch, Andrew M. Nguyen, James R. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20100145531
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In some embodiments, authentication procedures are provided for one or both of a modular irrigation controller and an expansion module to determine if they are authorized to operate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, James R. Musselman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Ken R. Venegas, Roger S. Neitzel, Susan E. Basch
  • Patent number: 7640079
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, James R. Musselman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Ken R. Venegas, Roger S. Neitzel, Robert Jenkins, Susan E. Basch, Kenneth D. Vail
  • Patent number: 7257465
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a base unit with a removable and programmable control panel and backplane circuitry for communicating with a plurality of removable modules capable of performing a variety of irrigation and non-irrigation functions. A base module having irrigation station drivers is mated with the backplane circuitry and communicates with the base unit to carry out basic irrigation functions. A plurality of expansion modules and one or more smart modules, each having its own logic circuit, can be mated with the backplane circuitry to communicate with the base unit and carry out additional irrigation and non-irrigation functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Sergio Perez, Jose Macias, Bill Merkt, Fernando Vazquez, Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas
  • Patent number: 7109415
    Abstract: Molded enclosures including integrally formed knockouts are described herein. In one implementation, a molded enclosure a wall having a wall thickness and a first knockout integrally formed in the wall. At least a portion of a periphery of the first knockout is defined by at least one attachment tab formed at a portion of the periphery of the first knockout and at least one space is formed at the periphery of the first knockout separating a portion of the wall from a portion of the first knockout, the at least one attachment tab joining the first knockout to the wall. Upon removal of the first knockout from the wall, a first opening is defined in the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas
  • Patent number: D512966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Steve B. Cook, Sergio R. Perez, Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas
  • Patent number: D517020
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Steven B. Cook, Sergio R. Perez, Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas
  • Patent number: D546772
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Ken R. Venegas, Robert Jenkins, Roger S. Neitzel, Steven B. Cook
  • Patent number: D492264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Sergio R. Perez, Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas