Patents by Inventor Randall A. Hern

Randall A. Hern 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: 7949433
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, Jordan S. Kutzarov, David M. Redmond
  • Publication number: 20090222141
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark M. ENSWORTH, Barbara E. BOOTH, Dean C. THORNTON, David G. FERN, Randall A. HERN, Rajiv Dabir, Malcolm N. NAPIER
  • Patent number: 7558650
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Publication number: 20090076659
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Publication number: 20080027586
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randall Hern, David Fern, Gerald Peterson, Jordan Kutzarov, David Redmond
  • Publication number: 20070179674
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Ensworth, Barbara Booth, Dean Thornton, David Fern, Randall Hern, Rajiv Dabir, Malcolm Napier
  • Publication number: 20070106426
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Ensworth, Barbara Booth, Dean Thornton, David Fern, Randall Hern, Rajiv Dabir, Malcolm Napier
  • Patent number: D622709
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier, Rajiv Dabir, Dean C. Thornton