Abstract: A simple battery powered programmable remote switch or valve controller is provided that may be sealed inside an environmentally protective enclosure after receiving initial programming. One or more magnetically operable switches electrically connected to said controller are provided inside the enclosure and are capable of being triggered by a magnet on the outside of the enclosure when the magnet is brought into conductive proximity. As a result, initiating programmed operations, performing maintenance functions, changing settings, or interrogating the controller may all be accomplished using a simple magnet without opening the controller enclosure.

Abstract: An inexpensive battery-powered switch or irrigation valve controller designed to conserve the life of both the low voltage battery source which operates the processing circuitry of the controller, as well as the high voltage battery source which operates the external switches or irrigation valve solenoids. The high voltage battery source is conserved by maintaining the primary switch-activating capacitor in a discharged state and delaying the charging of this capacitor until just before it is to be discharged. The high voltage battery source is also conserved by isolating it from the primary capacitor immediately prior to discharge, thereby avoiding a draw of energy from the high voltage battery source itself during discharge. The low voltage battery source is conserved through the action of the microprocessor that remains dormant except for periodic sampling. The controller also includes reliable DC circuits for operating remote switches or valve solenoids at distances of up to several miles.

Abstract: A battery powered radio programmable remote switch controller and a separate hand held programming unit (programmer) designed to conserve the life of the life of the controller batteries using a combination of low voltage circuitry in the controller and a magnetic switch in the controller that is triggered by the programmer. When brought into proximity with the controller, a magnet in the programmer activates a magnetic switch in the controller which energizes a radio receiver in the controller to receive programming transmitted by the programmer. After downloading the program, removal of the programmer from the proximity of the controller deactivates the magnetic switch turning off the radio receiver, thereby saving over 99% of the power otherwise required to continuously monitor for a radio signal.

Abstract: An inexpensive battery-powered switch or irrigation valve controller designed to conserve the life of both the low voltage battery source which operates the processing circuitry of the controller, as well as the high voltage battery source which operates the external switches or irrigation valve solenoids. The high voltage battery source is conserved by maintaining the primary switch-activating capacitor in a discharged state and delaying the charging of this capacitor until just before it is to be discharged. The high voltage battery source is also conserved by isolating it from the primary capacitor immediately prior to discharge, thereby avoiding a draw of energy from the high voltage battery source itself during discharge. The low voltage battery source is conserved through the action of the microprocessor that remains dormant except for periodic sampling. The controller also includes reliable DC circuits for operating remote switches or valve solenoids at distances of up to several miles.

Abstract: A battery powered radio programmable remote switch controller and a separate hand held programming unit (programmer) designed to conserve the life of the life of the controller batteries using a combination of low voltage circuitry in the controller and a magnetic switch in the controller that is triggered by the programmer. When brought into proximity with the controller, a magnet in the programmer activates a magnetic switch in the controller which energizes a radio receiver in the controller to receive programming transmitted by the programmer. After downloading the program, removal of the programmer from the proximity of the controller deactivates the magnetic switch turning off the radio receiver, thereby saving over 99% of the power otherwise required to continuously monitor for a radio signal.

Abstract: A battery powered irrigation valve controller designed to conserve the life of both the low voltage battery source which operates the microprocessor circuitry as well as the high voltage battery source which operates the external valve solenoids. Energy leakage from the high voltage battery source is prevented by maintaining the primary capacitor in a discharged state and delaying the charging of this capacitor until just before it is to be discharged to the valve solenoid. Unnecessary depletion of the high voltage battery source is also accomplished by isolating this source from the primary capacitor immediately prior to discharge, thereby avoiding a draw of energy from the high voltage battery source itself during discharge. The low voltage battery source which powers the computer circuitry is conserved through the action of the microprocessor which does not run in a continuous current consuming mode, but which remains dormant except for periodic sampling.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a subsystem, such as an appliance, through independent cycles of operation, the system having, in the preferred embodiment, a magnetically encoded card for receiving and storing information identifying an operator; a relay operably connected to the subsystem for initiating operation of the subsystem through a cycle of operation; a card reader for reading the magnetically encoded card to identify the operator; a control board operable individually to determine, according to predetermined criteria, if an operator is entitled to a cycle of operation of the subsystem; and a communications network interconnecting the card reader, control board and relay whereby, upon presentation reading of the magnetically encoded card by the card reader to determine the operator, the control board determines if the operator is entitled to a cycle of operation and, if so determined, the relay is operated to initiate a cycle of operation of the subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for filtering particulate matter from dielectric fluids, and for maintaining and monitoring of the purity of said fluids. The invention operates by imparting an electrostatic charge, via a pair of convoluted perforated oppositely charged electrodes, to the particulate contaminates contained in the fluid. The positive electrodes and negative electrodes are each unitary and in combination with a filter media form a unitary cartridge which is removable and replaceable within the apparatus. A microcontroller may be provided to monitor, analyze and report certain parameters of the fluid to be filtered.