Abstract: An applicator and method of use is disclosed for applying coatings and paints to various surfaces. As shown, the sprayer may have an undercarriage frame that supports three-wheels. All three wheels may run parallel with the first wheels and second wheels attached to the sprayer frame via an undercarriage with the third wheel positioned behind and between both the first and second wheels on a separate arm or frame. The width of the sprayer booms may be adjusted. The undercarriage may be folded entirely or only a portion therein. The arm of the third wheel may be folded or telescope, as required by a particular application. A handle, which may be adjustable, may be positioned between the sprayer frame and the undercarriage. Use of the applicator according to the method discussed herein reduces operator fall exposure and increases application efficiency.

Abstract: An automatic plant watering device includes a thermoelectric module with a cold face that can be energized to drop its temperature below 32 degrees F. A condensation member is thermally connected to the cold face and has a wall exposed to ambient air for water vapor to condense on and freeze when the module is energized. A water collection chamber positioned below the exposed wall is configured to hold collected melt water from the exposed wall until a collected melt water temperature has risen above 32° F. A moisture sensor is used to initiate a chilling cycle controlled by a controller to energize the thermoelectric module for a period of time in excess of an hour to cause a build-up of frost on the exposed wall and thereafter to deenergize the thermoelectric module to permit the temperature of the exposed wall to rise above 32 degrees F.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a payload delivery device. The payload delivery device is configured for delivering an explosive component. The payload delivery device comprises a first module having an interior cavity for containing an explosive component. The payload delivery device further comprises at least one attachment module connected to the central module via a connection means. The at least one attachment module having an interior cavity for containing an additional component.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

Abstract: An aerial drone for repairing holes or punctures in a membrane on a roof, characterized in that the aerial drone comprises at least one camera for recording a section of the membrane, an applicator adapted to apply material onto the section of the membrane, wherein the applicator is controllable wirelessly from a different altitude and/or the ground.

Abstract: A system for an agricultural sprayer includes a boom assembly operably coupled with a chassis. A steering system is operably coupled with the chassis and includes a steering sensor. The system also includes one or more imaging devices and one or more nozzle assemblies. A computing system is operably coupled with the one or more imaging devices and the one or more nozzle assemblies. The computing system is configured to receive data related to a first imaged portion of an agricultural field from the one or more imaging devices; identify a target within the first imaged portion of the agricultural field; receive data related to an inputted steering command from the steering system; and determine a target offset of the target relative to the sprayer path and a boom offset of the assembly relative to the sprayer path.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems for use in controlling irrigation, comprising: an irrigation controller configured to couple with one or more valves at a site and to control activation and deactivation of the one or more valves in accordance with an irrigation schedule stored in the irrigation controller; a wireless adapter directly communicationally coupled through a direct wired connection with the irrigation controller; and a network adapter wirelessly coupled over a point-to-point wireless communication path with the wireless adapter, wherein the network adapter is configured to further couple through a direct wired connection with a local router configured to provide communication over a distributed network to a remote server; wherein the wireless adapter is configured to poll the irrigation controller to acquire and locally store status information; and the wireless adapter is configured to communicate, over the point-to-point wireless channel, the status information to the server.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a solution in which a quick and comfortable operation can be achieved while providing the improved intuitiveness. In the solution, a scroll assembly for use with a pointing device is provided. The scroll assembly comprises: a first scroll member for controlling a first movement of an object on a user interface; and at least one second scroll member for controlling a second movement of the object on the user interface, the second scroll member being adapted to, in response to an operation applied substantially in the first direction, rotate and provide a haptic feedback in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a wellhead, secondary cart or fluid supply line outlet. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, a crop applicator system traverses a field portion at a first speed in a first direction and then traverses the field portion at a second, lower speed in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device is described that includes, in a single fixed-form structure, both an image capture component configured to acquire an optical image of a field of view and a light plane generator configured to generate a planar light plane emitted from the pre-calibrated spray plane image acquisition device. A carrier frame structure includes rigid components for permanently maintaining the image capture component and the light plane generator in respective positions defining a permanent spatial relationship between the field of view of the image capture component and the light plane generated by the light plane generator.

Abstract: A water flow management system (1) is disclosed including a valve (22), the valve (22) being adapted to communicate with at least one water flow detector (24) and a set of water usage products (40), wherein the water flow detector (24) is for detecting water flow to the set of water usage products (40). The valve includes a processor (205) that is arranged to determine: an operational status of the set of water usage products (40), a water flow status of the water flow detector (24), and whether, on the basis of the operational status and the water flow status, the water flow to the set of water usage products (40) requires alteration. The processor (205) is adapted to operate the valve (40) to effect the required alteration.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems of controlling irrigation. Some of these systems comprise: a connector of a controller interface (CI) coupled with an irrigation controller, wherein the connector is configured to receive a valve activation signal activated by the irrigation controller; a user interface of the CI; a processor of the CI configured to obtain valve transceiver (VT) programming with VT programming being received from inputs through the user interface, determine a station identifier, and identify as defined in the VT programming a remote valve associated with the station identifier and controlled by a remote VT; and a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit a wireless activation signal configured to be wirelessly received by the VT controlling the valve associated by the VT programming with the station identifier such that the VT is configured to control an actuator to actuate the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of coal mine electric locomotives, and particularly discloses an autonomous positioning method for an underground coal mine anti-explosion storage battery rail electric locomotive, which comprises the following steps: constructing an underground coal mine dynamic map, scanning the surrounding environment by a laser radar at the frequency of more than 10 HZ, and transmitting data to a vehicle-mounted controller; performing dynamic map construction by the vehicle-mounted controller according to point cloud distribution map; underground electric locomotive is accurately positioned by adopting a static accurate positioning mode, a dynamic accurate positioning mode and a multi-track lateral positioning mode; through fusion of multiple dynamic positioning modes, laser radar positioning is adopted, inertial positioning and passive identification card RF ID positioning are fused, and the positioning precision of the system is greatly improved; three positioning modes are organically

Abstract: A system for remotely measuring the characteristics of water passing through a plumbing control device (PCD) includes a sensor configured to measure characteristics of the water to obtain measured data. The sensor is also linked to a microcontroller of the PCD. An antenna board is linked, and configured to transmit power, to both the microcontroller and the sensor. The antenna board is configured to receive power transmitted from a mobile device and, in turn, transmit power to the microcontroller and the sensor. When power is not being transmitted from the antenna board, the microcontroller and the sensor may be powered off.

Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a dispense point using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. In response to detecting the trigger, the device determines a delay time between commanding the tool to dispense the product and the product actually being dispensed, and determines a release point based on operating parameters of the tractor, the release point being a point at which the tractor is predicted to be an amount of time away from the dispense point equal to the delay time. The device determines that the tractor has reached the release point, and commands the tool to dispense the product, where the product reaches the dispense point based on the delay time.

Abstract: A watering schedule control system (200) includes a power source (106), a power status sensor (108) to generate a signal indicative of remaining power with the power source (106), and a controller (204) communicably coupled to the power source (106), and the power status sensor (108). The controller (204) has access to a watering schedule. The controller (204) is configured to receive the signal from the power status sensor (108) and modify the watering schedule based on the received signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for controlling irrigation comprises an irrigation control unit comprising: an input configured to receive a user entered number of watering passes for a rotary sprinkler configured to repetitively rotate about an arc and irrigate an area of an irrigation site, wherein each rotation about the arc comprises a watering pass; a memory to store the number of watering passes and arc rotation data for the rotary sprinkler corresponding to a time duration for the rotary sprinkler to make the watering pass about the arc; and a control circuit configured to: receive the number of watering passes; receive the arc rotation data; determine a run time that will result in irrigation by the rotary sprinkler about the arc for the user entered number of passes; and store the run time.

Abstract: An irrigation control panel, an irrigation system, and a method of monitoring operations of the irrigation system are provided. The irrigation control panel comprises a display and a processing element. The display comprises an electrophoretic portion. The processing element is configured to determine an operating condition of the irrigation system, and display an indication representative of the operating condition on the electrophoretic portion so that the indication representative of the operating condition displayed on the electrophoretic portion persists after disconnecting power.

Abstract: A power transformer assembly is described that includes a light positioned and configured to illuminate a terminal block that is at least partially composed of transparent or translucent materials. Illuminating the terminal block provides additional light in this area to facilitate making or removing wire connections.

Abstract: An irrigation management system is disclosed and positionable in-line with an irrigation pipe for monitoring and controlling a flow of fluid therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the system provides an inlet pipe and an opposing outlet pipe in serial fluid communication with the irrigation pipe. At least one fluid control valve is in serial fluid communication between the inlet pipe and outlet pipe for selectively controlling the flow of fluid therebetween. The fluid control valve provides a main valve and a hydraulic actuator for selectively moving the main valve between open and closed positions. The hydraulic actuator is also in serial fluid communication between a pair of actuator valves for moving the hydraulic actuator between open and closed positions. The system also provides at least one sample collection tank configured for temporarily storing a volume of fluid diverted from the irrigation pipe in order to be tested.

Abstract: A water control device includes a valve pipe section with an inlet, an outlet and a lower diaphragm valve housing with an internally disposed fluid aperture. An upper diaphragm valve housing includes an extension with an adjustment screw opening for a flow adjustment screw. A diaphragm valve assembly seals and unseals to the fluid aperture by an electric motor driven mechanical actuation fluid pressure diverter assembly. The flow adjustment screw includes a tamper proof surface that can be engaged by a flow adjustment tool. A base structure and cover protect sensitive components and are removable via a cover nut that also has a tamper proof surface. A flow turbine assembly is also removably disposed within the valve pipe section. The entire water control device can be removed and replaced through the use of pipe stub fittings using connecting nuts to engage the inlet and outlet of the valve pipe section.

Abstract: A liquid fuel rocket engine according to one example includes a combustor, a liquid fuel repository connected to the combustor via a fuel line and a first valve, an oxidizer repository connected to the combustor via an oxidizer line and a second valve, a valve controller configured to output a valve control current to the first valve, the valve controller storing instructions for determining at least one actual minimum impulse bit of a valve based on a current profile and a voltage profile of a single operation of the first valve, and to adjust valve controls to account for the at least one actual minimum impulse bit.

Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.

Abstract: Described herein is an irrigation controller having a rotating user interface where the front side of the user interface can be rotated 180 degrees so that it faces the inside of the controller housing. This functionality allows the user to install or modify the irrigation wiring while also programming the irrigation settings and/or schedule.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer system is provided herein that can include a boom assembly having a frame and a boom arm operably coupled with the frame at one end portion thereof. Outer and inner nozzle assemblies can each be supported by the boom arm. The inner nozzle assembly is inboard of the outer nozzle assembly. A sensor can be operably coupled with the boom assembly and configured to capture data associated with the boom arm. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the sensor. The computing system can be configured to calculate a boom arm movement from a default axis based on the data from the sensor and regulate the outer and inner nozzle assemblies at differing flow rates when the movement exceeds a predefined range.

Abstract: A method for applying a spray to a field using an agricultural spraying device. The method includes: monitoring a field section of the field having plants, using an optical and/or infrared detection unit; identifying at least one row of plants in the monitored field section using a processing unit; using the processing unit, defining a plant region including the at least one identified row of plants in a specified evaluation portion of the monitored field section, using the at least one identified row of plants and a weed region different from the plant region; ascertaining a plant value of the weed region in the specified evaluation portion of the monitored field section using the processing unit; and applying the spray to the weed region of the specified evaluation portion as a function of the ascertained plant value, using spray nozzles of the agricultural spraying device.

Abstract: An automatic valve actuation system includes an actuation device, one or more arms operatively coupled to and extending from the actuation device, and a stem adapter attached to a distal end of the one or more arms to operatively couple the one or more arms to a valve stem of a manually-operable valve. Operation of the actuation device rotates the one or more arms and correspondingly rotates the valve stem to open or close the manually-operable valve.

Abstract: An entire fluid supply line or an entire fluid controller constituted by a plurality of fluid control devices is precisely monitored. A fluid controller G accumulating and having a plurality of fluid control devices A. The fluid control devices A include an operation information acquisition mechanism acquiring an operation information in the fluid control devices, an identification information storage 71 storing a self-identification information, and a communication processing unit 72 transmitting the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition mechanism to an external terminal with the self-identification information stored in the identification information storage 71 at different timings for each of the fluid control devices A.

Abstract: A decision-making method for variable rate irrigation management includes the following steps: S1: sampling a soil from a root zone of a crop in an area controlled by an irrigation sprinkler, and measuring compositions of separates of the sampled soil; S2: managing and dividing the area controlled by the irrigation sprinkler according to an AWC of the soil in the root zone of the crop; S3: constructing an optimized soil moisture sensor network; S4: placing ground-fixed canopy temperature sensors; S5: constructing an optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network centered on the center pivot; and S6: performing a variable rate irrigation by using the optimized soil moisture sensor network, the fixed canopy temperature sensors, the optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network and an automatic weather station. The method optimizes the placement and quantity of the soil moisture sensor network and the canopy temperature sensor network to improve the measurement accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing identification of crop conditions and execution of remedial actions in near real-time. An agricultural vehicle may include a crop analysis system having a computing device and an imaging array for capturing a set of images of a crop. The computing device analyzes images acquired by the imaging array to determine whether a crop experiences a particular condition. The computing device, when a condition is identified, can signal an agriculture machine to perform a remedial action.

Abstract: An irrigation water amount measurement apparatus 10 includes: a sensor data obtaining unit 11 that obtains sensor data for specifying soil moisture contents of sections of an agricultural field, from moisture sensors installed in the respective sections; an irrigation water amount measurement unit 12 that measures a supply amount of irrigation water supplied from a drip irrigation system during a period from start to end of irrigation in the entire agricultural field; an irrigation time specifying unit 13 that specifies a period of time during which irrigation water was supplied to the section based on a change state of a soil moisture content of the section; and a calculation processing unit 14 that calculates a supply amount of irrigation water supplied to the section, based on a period of time specified for the section, a period from start to end of irrigation, and a measured supply amount.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes a purge tank and first and second nozzles. Furthermore, the system includes a first valve fluidly configured to selectively permit air to flow to the first nozzle and a second valve fluidly configured to selectively permit the air to flow to the second nozzle. A computing system is configured to receive an input indicative of initiation of a purging operation and, upon receipt of the input, control an operation of a main valve to allow the air to flow through a main fluid conduit. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to monitor the air pressure associated with the purge tank and control the operation of the first and second valves during the purging operation based on the monitored air pressure.

Abstract: The self-sanitizing door knob system is configured for use with a door. The door further comprises a door knob. The door knob is a manually operated mechanism that latches the door in a closed position. The door knob is a rotating structure that releases the latch to allow the door to rotate to an open position. The self-sanitizing door knob system is incorporated into the door knob. The self-sanitizing door knob system comprises a housing, a spray structure, and a control circuit. The housing contains the spray structure and the control circuit. The spray structure disinfects the door knob by discharging a spray disinfecting solution onto the door knob. The control circuit controls the operation of the spray structure.

Abstract: A watering system (100) includes a watering robot (102). The watering robot (102) further includes an irrigation controller (110) configured to operate within a region (114). A connector portion (106) is coupled to the body (104), and is adapted to couple with the one or more water supplying units (116) to receive water therefrom. The watering system (100) is characterized in that a sensor (130) of the watering robot (102) detects the one more water supplying units (116) to selectively integrates therewith. An actuator (140) of the watering robot (102) at least partially lifts up the watering robot (102) with respect to a ground surface (120) of the region (114). The watering robot (102) automatically couples with the one or more water supplying units (116) through the connector portion (106), and the actuator (140) at least partially lifts up the watering robot (102) with respect to the ground surface (120).

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling and coordinating applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to fields while avoiding interferences between vehicles and other equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a fertilizer applicator, a pesticide applicator, and a processing system. The processing system schedules and coordinates applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water and prevents interferences between the machines primarily with data received from an irrigation schedule implemented by the irrigation system and data received from the fertilizer and pesticide applicators.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container, a holder, and a signal processing module. The container includes a body configured to store a liquid and a conductive strip coupled to an outer surface of the body. The holder is configured to receive the container. The holder includes an electrical contact configured to contact the conductive strip when the container is received in the holder. The signal processing module is in electrical communication with the electrical contact. The signal processing module is configured to receive signals from the electrical contact to determine a level of liquid within the container body based on the signals when the container is received in the holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an irrigation system that includes a nozzle and a product source that supports a product for mixing with water from a water source to which the irrigation system is operably coupled. The monitoring system includes: a sensor configured to generate a first electrical signal indicative of a travel speed and/or a travel direction of the irrigation system; a fluid pressure sensor configured to generate a second electrical signal indicative of a flow rate, a processor, a memory, and a variable speed pump or a valve. The memory includes instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the monitoring system to: receive the first and second generated electrical signals, determine an applied rate of the irrigation fluid over a predetermined irrigation area based on the first and second electrical signals, and adjust the flow rate of the irrigation fluid through the at least one nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illumination power, management and control can include lighting fixtures, lighting controllers, databases, and gateways. The lighting controllers can power the lighting fixtures, control the lighting fixtures, and store fixture state data and controller state data. The lighting controllers can be connected to building mains power (e.g., 240 VAC) and provide DC power to the lighting fixtures. The lighting controllers can read state data from and control the fixtures via a digital interface. The Database server can store user profiles, site profiles, fixture property data, and controller property data. The gateway can read and modify the state data stored by the lighting controllers, and can query the database server for the property data. The gateway can also provide a user interface through which users, based on authorization, can read and write the state data (e.g., fixture on/off) and the property data.

Abstract: A device detects a trigger to dispense a product at a using a tool operably coupled to a tractor. The device determines whether the tractor is in an automated mode, the automated mode enabling autonomous speed and direction navigation of the tractor. Responsive to determining that the tractor is not in the automated mode, the device determines whether the tool is in a ready state, and responsive to determining that the tool is in the ready state, commands the tool to dispense the product, wherein the tool is not commanded to dispense the product until the tool is in the ready state. Responsive to determining that the tractor is in the automated mode, the device commands the tool to dispense the product without determining whether the tool is in the ready state.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection system for detecting matter and distinguishing specific matter from other matter. The detection system comprises at least one light source arranged to emit one or more light beams having a known wavelength or wavelength range. Further, the detection system comprises at least one optical element configured to direct the one or more light beams onto a plurality of locations within an area of interest including the matter. The detection system also comprises a detector for detecting intensities of the one or more light beams reflected at the plurality of locations within the area of interest including the matter. In addition, the detection system comprises an outcome determination system. The system is arranged to obtain information indicative of at least a portion of a shape of at least some of the matter based on detected light intensities of the one or more light beams reflected at the plurality of locations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for controlling irrigation comprises an irrigation control unit comprising: an input configured to receive a user entered number of watering passes for a rotary sprinkler configured to repetitively rotate about an arc and irrigate an area of an irrigation site, wherein each rotation about the arc comprises a watering pass; a memory to store the number of watering passes and arc rotation data for the rotary sprinkler corresponding to a time duration for the rotary sprinkler to make the watering pass about the arc; and a control circuit configured to: receive the number of watering passes; receive the arc rotation data; determine a run time that will result in irrigation by the rotary sprinkler about the arc for the user entered number of passes; and store the run time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing spreading of particulate material over a surface by a spreader. One step of the method includes receiving a selection of a type of the spreader. An additional step includes receiving a selection of a type of the particulate material to be spread by the spreader. An additional step includes obtaining data indicative of a travel speed of the spreader, with the data being received from a sensor associated with the spreader. An additional step includes determining an operational attribute of the spreader. The determination is based on (i) the type of the spreader, (ii) the type of the particulate material, and (ii) the travel speed of the spreader. A further step includes presenting the operational attribute.

Abstract: A product metering system for accurately dispensing one or more products. The product metering system generally includes a vehicle wash product supply fluidly connected to an electronic control valve and a control unit in communication with the electronic control valve. The electronic control valve operates at an open/close ratio that dispenses the product supply at a desired flow rate.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance system for an irrigation system includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of abnormal operation within the irrigation system, the sensors electrically coupled to a drive system, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the predictive maintenance system to receive the generated signal, determine abnormal operation of the drive system based on the generated signal, and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the drive system based on the determined abnormal operation.

Abstract: A system for applying fluid to an agricultural field includes a fluid source, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the fluid source, and a plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of electrically actuated valves are divided into a plurality of groups. The system also includes a plurality of section control valves. Each section control valve is connected in fluid communication between the fluid source and a corresponding one of the groups of electrically actuated valves. Each section control valve is positionable to adjust a flow coefficient of the section control valve. The system further includes a controller configured to control the position of each section control valve to provide a predetermined flow coefficient for each section control valve based on a predetermined fluid pressure for the corresponding group of electrically actuated valves.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a plurality of flow controllers includes determining a water budget for the plurality of flow controllers based on utility information and a water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers; determining, by a processing element, a run time water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers during a watering run time of the flow devices; modifying, by the processing element, watering schedules for the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers when the water amount used deviates from the water budget; and transmitting, by the processing element, the modified watering schedules to the plurality of flow controllers to vary the operation of the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers.

Abstract: An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.