Abstract: A method to identify a water flow anomaly in a system having first and second water using devices to generate baseline data that preferably has water use signatures and corresponding water pressure information regarding the water using devices; comparing the baseline data with actual water usage signatures and corresponding actual water pressure information to identify a flow anomaly with the water using devices; and providing information on the flow anomaly to an individual. It is especially contemplated that baseline data are generated for multiple devices coupled to a common water supply system, with baseline data from two or more water using devices compared against future water use patterns of the same devices. Apparatus to accomplish these tasks is preferably housed in an irrigation controller, which may be advantageously coupled to a flow meter.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation management system reduces high peak water use values by utilizing a microprocessor (220) disposed in an irrigation controller (100) to receive peak water use information from a water supplier receive water use information at a consumer site and automatically derive a new irrigation schedule that is at least partly based on the information received. The new irrigation schedule, derived by the microprocessor (220), may include a modification in a default irrigation frequency, a modification in a default irrigation start time(s), a reduction in a default irrigation application duration, the use of a rolling-average in the determination of the new irrigation application duration and other changes or modifications to the default irrigation schedule that will provide for the reduction in high peak water use values.

Abstract: An irrigation controller (200) receives temperature data, and at least partly derives an estimated solar radiation value from the temperature data. A regression model stored in a memory (220) of the irrigation controller (200) operates upon a data point from the estimated solar radiation to estimate an evapotranspiration rate, which is used to affect an irrigation schedule executed by the controller (200). The regression model is preferably based upon a comparison of historical ETo values against corresponding historical environmental values, with the data advantageously spanning a time period of at least two days, and more preferably at least one month. Data from one or more environmental factors may also be used, including especially estimated solar radiation, temperature, wind speed, humidity, and soil moisture, and so forth. Values relating the environmental factor(s) may enter the controller from a local sensor (240), a distal signal source, or both.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a flow anomaly in a system having first and second water using devices, comprising: generating baseline data comprising water use signatures and corresponding water pressure information regarding the water using devices; comparing the baseline data with actual water usage signatures and corresponding actual water pressure information to identify a flow anomaly with the water using devices; and providing information on the flow anomaly to an individual. It is especially contemplated that baseline data are generated for multiple devices coupled to a common water supply system, with baseline data from two or more water using devices compared against future water use patterns of the same devices. Apparatus to accomplish these tasks is preferably housed in an irrigation controller, which may be advantageously coupled to a flow meter.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods that identify a flow anomaly to an operator or other person by: executing a first device of a plurality of water using devices; receiving flow data on a quantity of water used by the first device during a time period required to generate a first water use signature from the first device; comparing a future water use pattern against the first water use signature to identify a flow anomaly with the first device; and providing information regarding the flow anomaly to the person. Identifying anomalies can be useful in numerous ways, including discovering problems that need fixing, reducing waste, and even calculating appropriate irrigation application rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which a microprocessor, disposed in an irrigation controller, is programmed to adjust an irrigation schedule according to a condition of a plant being irrigated. The adjustment to the irrigation schedule may be to the entire irrigated site or only to a portion of the irrigated site. The irrigation schedule may be at least partly derived from ETo data and may be from current ETo data, estimated ETo data or historical ETo data. The condition may be plant establishment, plant maturity or plant health.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording node (100) at a consummer site that is used for the receiving, storing, determining and/or sending of utility commodity information. The recording node (100) is an integral part of networks (370) or can access networks (370) for the receiving and transmitting of information. The recording node (100) is part of a network process control system (300) that includes other nodes, such as a controller (200), computer (320), monitor (330), display (340) and communication node (360). The recording node (100) receives data on utility commodity flow rates, commodity pressure and environmental factors; stores the data; performs determinations on the data; and sends utility commodity information over the network (370) to consumers (380) and/or third parties (381). The utility commodity may be water, electricity and/or gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart flow anomaly detector for a liquid distribution system comprising a flow measuring device that derives a liquid flow value for both automatically operated fixtures and manually operated fixtures. A microprocessor is in communication with the flow measuring device and is programmed to use the liquid flow value and a threshold liquid flow value to determine whether a flow anomaly exists. If a flow anomaly exists, the automatically operated fixtures and/or manually operated fixtures may be shut off and there after liquid flow to the automatically operated fixtures will be controlled based on a comparison of the liquid flow value attributed to the automatically operated fixtures and the threshold liquid flow value. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the microprocessor will generate a warning to alert the user when a flow anomaly occurs in the liquid distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and at least one irrigation valve; providing an irrigation scheduler programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control the execution of irrigations on watering days. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation controller uses a regression model to estimate an evapotranspiration rate (estimated ETo), and uses the estimated ETo to affect an irrigation schedule executed by the controller. The regression model is preferably based upon a comparison of historical ETo values against corresponding historical environmental values, with the data advantageously spanning a time period of at least one month, and more preferably at least two months. Data for multiple environmental factors may also be used. The environmental factor(s) utilized may advantageously comprise one or more of temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, and soil moisture. Values relating the environmental factor(s) may enter the controller from a local sensor, a distal signal source, or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and at least one irrigation valve; providing an irrigation scheduler programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control the execution of irrigations on watering days. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.

Abstract: A microprocessor (220), disposed in an irrigation controller (200), is programmed to automatically derive an irrigation schedule based at least in part on a rolling-average of required watering amounts. The rolling-average is preferably an average of four consecutive required watering amounts but may be more or less than four. Preferably the irrigation schedule and required watering amount are at least partly derived from ETo data. The ETo data may include potential ETo data, estimated ETo data, or historical ETo data.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation management system reduces high peak water use values by utilizing a microprocessor (220) disposed in an irrigation controller (100) to receive peak water use information from a water supplier receive water use information at a consumer site and automatically derive a new irrigation schedule that is at least partly based on the information received. The new irrigation schedule, derived by the microprocessor (220), may include a modification in a default irrigation frequency, a modification in a default irrigation start time(s), a reduction in a default irrigation application duration, the use of a rolling-average in the determination of the new irrigation application duration and other changes or modifications to the default irrigation schedule that will provide for the reduction in high peak water use values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording node (100) at a consummer site that is used for the receiving, storing, determining and/or sending of utility commodity information. The recording node (100) is an integral part of networks (370) or can access networks (370) for the receiving and transmitting of information. The recording node (100) is part of a network process control system (300) that includes other nodes, such as a controller (200), computer (320), monitor (330), display (340) and communication node (360). The recording node (100) receives data on utility commodity flow rates, commodity pressure and environmental factors; stores the data; performs determinations on the data; and sends utility commodity information over the network (370) to consumers (380) and/or third parties (381). The utility commodity may be water, electricity and/or gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow meter comprising a microprocessor that calculates an applied irrigation amount for a time period for an area of an irrigated site. Additionally, the microprocessor determines a calculated watering requirement and a mathematical relationship between the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation amount. The flow meter further comprises an output device that provides information on the applied irrigation amount and the result of the mathematical relationship to at least one of an irrigation user and a third party. Preferably the calculated watering requirement is at least partly derived from ETo data. It is further contemplated that the microprocessor, disposed in the flow meter, will also detect, record and display flow anomalies. The flow anomalies may be due to power outages, flow meter malfunctions, and so forth.

Abstract: An interactive irrigation system exchanges information between an irrigation controller and a host computer, between the irrigation controller and a user, between the user and the host computer, and between the host computer and a third party. The information is preferably exchanged over an Internet communication system. The exchanged information includes the following: irrigation scheduling; quantity of water applied to the irrigated area at the user location, which is compared to ET values; warnings to users when potential problems with their irrigation systems are detected; and other irrigation information that is useful to the user or a third party.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation controller uses a regression model to estimate an evapotranspiration rate (estimated ETo), and uses the estimated ETo to affect an irrigation schedule executed by the controller. The regression model is preferably based upon a comparison of historical ETo values against corresponding historical environmental values, with the data advantageously spanning a time period of at least one month, and more preferably at least two months. Data for multiple environmental factors may also be used. The environmental factor(s) utilized may advantageously comprise one or more of temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, cloud cover and soil moisture.

Abstract: A method of controlling irrigation to an irrigated area comprises: extrapolating an irrigation schedule at least partly as a function of at least two user entered data points; and executing the irrigation schedule by an irrigation controller. The user entered data points can all be entered at the same time or over a period of time. Furthermore, two or more user entered data points may be entered for the same date. Additionally, the user entered data points may be deleted. A warning is preferably displayed to the user (a) when a user-entered data point is projected to result in an irrigated area not receiving adequate water to meet a plant's water requirement, or (b) when an irrigated area is projected to receive excessive water.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which a microprocessor, disposed in an irrigation controller, is programmed to adjust an irrigation schedule according to a condition of a plant being irrigated. The adjustment to the irrigation schedule may be to the entire irrigated site or only to a portion of the irrigated site. The irrigation schedule may be at least partly derived from ETo data and may be from current ETo data, estimated ETo data or historical ETo data. The condition may be plant establishment, plant maturity or plant health.

Abstract: An irrigation management system comprises a microprocessor that determines a mathematical relationship between a calculated watering requirement and an applied irrigation amount; and an output device that provides a result of the mathematical relationship to at least one of an irrigation user and a third party. Preferably the calculated watering requirement is at least partly derived from ETo data. Additionally, the calculated watering requirement is at least partly derived from a crop coefficient value and an irrigation efficiency value. Preferably the applied irrigation amount is derived from data obtained from a flow meter and preferably from a utility meter that was initially installed at the irrigation site. Water pressure can also be measured and communicated to the irrigation user and/or third party.