Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an irrigation system comprising a surface wave launcher located predominantly underground and controlled by an electronic control system, and a surface wave receiver located underground and operatively coupled to an irrigation sprinkler. In operation, the surface wave launcher is activated by the electronic control system to, under predetermined conditions, transmit a surface wave signal. The surface wave signal is transmitted at a relatively low operating frequency and received by the surface wave receiver to activate the irrigation sprinkler.

Abstract: A power management system rod for local area network hubs includes a network switching hub with a connection backplane with a plurality of connection slots. A power supply is provided having one or more elements providing a maximum power available for the system. Manageable modules are connected to said switching hub, each of said manageable modules having a memory providing information as to the power requirements of the module. A controller module is connected to said manageable modules via said switching hub. The controller module includes memory means for receiving data from said manageable modules as to power requirements. A microprocessor is provided for calculating power requirements of the system and for controlling the supply of power to each of said modules.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing events in a rich object-oriented environment to be monitored by functional processes within that environment. Events can be monitored by any number of functional processes, and the monitoring functional processes can take action based upon the monitored event received. Multiple object-oriented environments are provided with each environment comprising a distributed communications manager. These distributed communications managers facilitate the monitoring of events by the functional processes. An overall communications manager is also provided to monitor the entire system.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting appropriate running functional processes within an object-oriented environment, based upon specified criteria. The selection is made based upon criteria required by the running functional processes and the nature and requirements of the requesting functional process. The present invention allows for these characteristics of the functional processes to be contained in the operation request, so that it is not necessary to obtain them from a common depository.