Patents by Inventor Bill Merkt
Bill Merkt 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).
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Patent number: 11559013Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers include a housing and a removable plug-in device. The housing includes a control portion comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs. The housing includes an interface connector port and driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller. The removable plug-in device removably coupled to the interface connector port and comprising a second microcontroller and a wireless modem configured to communicate with a wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt
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Publication number: 20210321583Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers include a housing and a removable plug-in device. The housing includes a control portion comprising a first microcontroller configured to execute stored irrigation programs. The housing includes an interface connector port and driver circuitry configured to actuate irrigation valves based on control signals received from the first microcontroller. The removable plug-in device removably coupled to the interface connector port and comprising a second microcontroller and a wireless modem configured to communicate with a wireless network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt
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Patent number: 11071263Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt
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Publication number: 20200170204Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to irrigation controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt
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Patent number: 10582673Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt
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Publication number: 20180228098Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Publication number: 20160135390Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Publication number: 20140249684Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Publication number: 20110270449Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATIONInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Patent number: 7996115Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Publication number: 20080319585Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford
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Patent number: 7444207Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from the a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey J. Nickerson, Russel D. Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam A. Dunford, Andrew M. Nguyen, Susan E. Basch, Sergio R. Perez Araujo
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Patent number: 7257465Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Sergio Perez, Jose Macias, Bill Merkt, Fernando Vazquez, Roger S. Neitzel, Ken R. Venegas
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Publication number: 20050273205Abstract: 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 one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from the a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Harvey Nickerson, Russel Leatherman, Jose Macias Galarza, Bill Merkt, Adam Dunford, Andrew Nguyen, Susan Basch, Sergio Perez Araujo
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Publication number: 20050038529Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2003Publication date: February 17, 2005Inventors: Sergio Perez, Jose Macias, Bill Merkt, Fernando Vazquez, Roger Neitzel, Ken Venegas