Abstract: An irrigation controller and valves incorporating an irrigation controller, which have user allocatable identification numbers, is disclosed. The controller and valves are programmed when to operate according to their identification number, and the program is uploaded and stored in each controller or valve as the case may be, together with clock data. The controller and valves then perform time keeping and operate according to the stored program. The controller and valves are intended to be battery operated, obviating the need to install wiring to connect the valves back to a central controller. This allows simplified installation and programming, and provides improved flexibility in programming of irrigation.

Abstract: Apparatus 11 and 13 for interfacing two AC sources with two AC loads 17a 17b in the form of solenoid operated valves over a single conductor 25, with a return conductor 19 in an irrigation system is disclosed. The apparatus has an encoder circuit 11 with two inputs 21a 21b for connection to the two AC sources, and an output 23 for connection to the single conductor 25, and a decoder circuit 13 having an input 27 for connection to the conductor 25, and two outputs 29a 29b for connection to loads 17a 17b respectively. When the first input 21 a is powered, the first load 17a will be switched on, and when the second input 21b is powered, the second load 17b will be switched on. The decoder portion 13 incorporates switching circuits 43a 43b, interfaced with turn on delay timers 45a 45b respectively, to delay operating the loads at switch on, and turn-off delay timers 47a 47b to hold the loads on after switch off.

Abstract: A controller (11) in a tap timer, having a battery (19) for connected via a charge circuit (23) to selectively charge a storage capacitor C2. The storage capacitor C2 is connected to an actuator circuit (25) to selectively provide power from the storage capacitor C2 to actuate a device M1. A processor (13) controls the actuator circuit (25) according to a pre-programmed schedule or on user demand. The processor monitors various parameters including charge rate of the capacitor C2 in order to determine battery condition, to determine if the processor (13) should next actuate the device (13).

Abstract: Apparatus 11 and 13 for interfacing two AC sources with two AC loads 17a 17b in the form of solenoid operated valves over a single conductor 25, with a return conductor 19 in an irrigation system is disclosed. The apparatus has an encoder circuit 11 with two inputs 21a 21b for connection to the two AC sources, and an output 23 for connection to the single conductor 25, and a decoder circuit 13 having an input 27 for connection to the conductor 25, and two outputs 29a 29b for connection to loads 17a 17b respectively. When the first input 21 a is powered, the first load 17a will be switched on, and when the second input 21b is powered, the second load 17b will be switched on. The decoder portion 13 incorporates switching circuits 43a 43b, interfaced with turn on delay timers 45a 45b respectively, to delay operating the loads at switch on, and turn-off delay timers 47a 47b to hold the loads on after switch off.

Abstract: Apparatus 11 and 13 for interfacing two AC sources with two AC loads 17a 17b in the form of solenoid operated valves over a single conductor 25, with a return conductor 19 in an irrigation system is disclosed. The apparatus has an encoder circuit 11 with two inputs 21a 21b for connection to the two AC sources, and an output 23 for connection to the single conductor 25, and a decoder circuit 13 having an input 27 for connection to the conductor 25, and two outputs 29a 29b for connection to loads 17a 17b respectively. When the first input 21a is powered, the first load 17a will be switched on, and when the second input 21b is powered, the second load 17b will be switched on. The decoder portion 13 incorporates switching circuits 43a 43b, interfaced with turn on delay timers 45a 45b respectively, to delay operating the loads at switch on, and turn-off delay timers 47a 47b to hold the loads on after switch off.

Abstract: An interface system 11 for an irrigation controller arranged to operate a plurality of electrically operated valves 21 over at least two wires is disclosed. The system includes a valve interface unit 27 having outputs 29, each for connection to a valve, and input 33 and common 35 connectors to connect to a feed wire 23 and a return wire remotely from the irrigation controller. The system has a user programmable input 49, 51, 53, 55 interfaced within a controller 41 to set the allocation time for power to provided sequentially to the outputs 29 to power the valves.

Abstract: A duplex encoder/decoder pair 11 and 13 for interfacing two AC sources with two AC loads 17a 17b over a single conductor 25, with a return conductor 19 is disclosed. The pair has an encoder portion 11 with two inputs 21a 21b for connection to the two AC sources, and an output 23 for connection to the single conductor 25, and a decoder portion 13 having an input 27 for connection to the conductor 25, and two outputs 29a 29b for connection to loads 17a 17b respectively. When the first input 21a is powered, the first load 17a will be switched on, and when the second input 21b is powered, the second load 17b will be switched on. The decoder portion 13 incorporates switching circuits 43a 43b, interfaced with turn on delay timers 45a 45b respectively, to delay operating the loads at switch on.

Abstract: An automated brick laying system (10) for constructing a building from a plurality of bricks (16) comprises a robot (12) provided with a brick laying and adhesive applying head (18), a measuring system (13), and a controller (14) that provides control data to the robot (12) to lay the bricks (16) at predetermined locations. The measuring system (13) measures in real time the position of the head (18) and produces position data for the controller (14). The controller (14) produces control data on the basis of a comparison between the position data and a predetermined or pre-programmed position of the head (18) to lay a brick (16) at a predetermined position for the building under construction. The controller (14) can control the robot (12) to construct the building in a course by course manner where the bricks (16) are laid sequentially at their respective predetermined positions and where a complete course of bricks for the entire building is laid prior to laying of the brick for the next course.

Abstract: An automated brick laying system (10) for constructing a building from a plurality of bricks (16) comprises a robot (12) provided with a brick laying and adhesive applying head (18), a measuring system (13), and a controller (14) that provides control data to the robot (12) to lay the bricks (16) at predetermined locations. The measuring system (13) measures in real time the position of the head (18) and produces position data for the controller (14). The controller (14) produces control data on the basis of a comparison between the position data and a predetermined or pre-programmed position of the head (18) to lay a brick (16) at a predetermined position for the building under construction.