Patents by Inventor Peter M. F. Tam

Peter M. F. Tam 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).

  • Publication number: 20130253714
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket. when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20120089259
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20110137473
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20100198418
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20080140262
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Patent number: 6996457
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M. F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20040254685
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Patent number: 6772050
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M. F. Tam
  • Publication number: 20020183898
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M.F. Tam
  • Patent number: 6459959
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M. F. Tam
  • Patent number: 5956248
    Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Peter M. F. Tam