Patents by Inventor Randall Hern
Randall 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: 11957083Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Publication number: 20240085588Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Patent number: 11822048Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Patent number: 11540458Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation system and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation system includes a plurality of valves; a plurality of solenoids; a plurality of circuits, at least one circuit in a circuit housing attached at least partially to a dedicated solenoid housing of a respective one of the plurality of solenoids; a plurality of wireless transceivers, at least one wireless transceiver in the circuit housing attached at least partially to the dedicated solenoid housing of the respective one of the plurality of solenoids and configured to wirelessly communicate via a communication network; and the communication network comprising the plurality of wireless transceivers for communication with the plurality of solenoids.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
-
Publication number: 20220260751Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Publication number: 20220240464Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Patent number: 11346981Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Patent number: 11297786Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Publication number: 20210092918Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation system and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation system includes a plurality of valves; a plurality of solenoids; a plurality of circuits, at least one circuit in a circuit housing attached at least partially to a dedicated solenoid housing of a respective one of the plurality of solenoids; a plurality of wireless transceivers, at least one wireless transceiver in the circuit housing attached at least partially to the dedicated solenoid housing of the respective one of the plurality of solenoids and configured to wirelessly communicate via a communication network; and the communication network comprising the plurality of wireless transceivers for communication with the plurality of solenoids.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
-
Publication number: 20210051868Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Patent number: 10863682Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
-
Publication number: 20200386910Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Patent number: 10849287Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Patent number: 10732320Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Publication number: 20190278004Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Patent number: 10345487Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Randall A. Hern, David G. Fern, Gerald E. Peterson, David M. Redmond
-
Publication number: 20190141920Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Publication number: 20190116743Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
-
Patent number: 10206342Abstract: Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: David M. Redmond, Michael J. Tennyson, Randall A. Hern, Gerald E. Peterson, David G. Fern
-
Patent number: 10194599Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier