Abstract: Therefore, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and system for determining individual resource needs for each plant in a plurality of plants. Current conditions are identified using a sensor system. A plurality of per plant prescriptions are calculated for the plurality of plants using the individual resource needs and the current conditions. A resource is obtained from a selected resource source in a number of resource sources. The resource is stored in a mobile utility vehicle and applied from the mobile utility vehicle to each plant in the plurality of plants according to the plurality of per plant prescriptions.

Abstract: A moisture sensing watering system comprising a central pivot, a water conveyance system, a plurality of wheels, a first at least one moisture sensor coupled with a first wheel, a second at least one moisture sensor coupled with a second wheel, a moisture information converter, and a moisture content provider. The first moisture sensor pierces the ground during each rotation of the first wheel and performs a first moisture sensing as a part of the piercing of the ground. The second moisture sensor pierces the ground during each rotation of the second wheel and performs a second moisture sensing as a part of the second moisture sensor piercing the ground. The moisture information converter receives the moisture sensing information and converts the moisture sensing information into a signal. The moisture content provider provides the signal in a user accessible format.

Abstract: A control system for a low-volume irrigation system includes a plurality of valve controllers for opening and closing valves; an irrigation system controller for controlling the valve controllers in accordance with an irrigation plan; and a graphical user interface for allowing a user to interact with the irrigation controller and to create the irrigation plan. The graphical user interface displays an irrigation zone list, an irrigation set list, and an irrigation plan field. The user interface has drag and drop functionality that permits an irrigation zone listing from the irrigation zone list to be dragged and dropped into any of the irrigation set listings in the irrigation set list and that permits an irrigation zone listing or an irrigation set listing to be dragged and dropped into the irrigation plan to create irrigation steps within the irrigation plan.

Abstract: An automatic water sprinkler regulator is provided to control sprinkler coverage and times for water cycles. The regulator comprises control interface, series of control buttons, water inlet part, water outlet part, control processor. An improvement made in the present invention focuses on rendering a control interface with multiple approaches to control times for water cycles to make for a controller interface that can be set for irrigating by way of a series of control buttons.

Abstract: A flush valve for a waste water system comprises a valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a main valve element adapted for movement to allow fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet based on a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The valve also includes a vent system comprising a control chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet of the valve and a vent outlet in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the valve, and a solenoid for venting fluid venting fluid from the control chamber to the fluid outlet. A pressure sensor, such as an electronic pressure transducer, senses the fluid pressure of fluid within the vent system. When a predetermined pressure threshold is reached or exceeded, the solenoid can be energized to release fluid from the control chamber.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for reducing a vibration of a drill string in a borehole. A sensor of the drill string obtains one or more measurements of a parameter of the vibration. A processor determines at least one force for controlling the measured vibration from the measured parameter. At least one actuator applies the determined at least one force against the borehole wall to control the vibration of the drill string.

Abstract: An intelligent gardening system and method for monitoring and analyzing a moisture level in individual gardening pots and/or containers is provided. A system comprises a moisture measuring sensor integrated into a pot/container. A gardener can read moisture-related data using a mobile device, a computer, or a tablet, or directly from built-in display. The gardener can send the moisture level-related data along with other data (such as, a type of a plant, a soil type, size of a pot, a plant size, location, current weather, an air temperature, etc.) to a central server connected to a central gardening database or to a cloud service and receive gardening recommendations. The gardening recommendations can include other recommendations pertaining to a particular plant and gardening conditions.

Abstract: The water-deficit stress of plants or crops is managed using plant temperatures to maximize product quality. The temperature of the target plant is repeatedly measured over a period of interest, and after each measurement, the plant temperature is compared with a predetermined plant setpoint temperature associated with a desired water-deficit stress level, above which temperature the plant is deemed to be in an undesired metabolic state. If the measured plant temperature is greater than the setpoint temperature, and humidity is not restrictive to plant cooling, then irrigation can be triggered to retain the plant within the desired stressed level, as determined by the temperature of the plant. By this method, irrigation can be withheld to increase plant temperature or applied to reduce plant temperature. The temperature of the plant is thus continuously increased and decreased relative to a desired temperature value that is indicative of a desired water-deficit stress.

Abstract: A method is provided for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis, where the method includes contacting the organism with a composition including an effective amount of an oxygen antagonist. Also provided is an apparatus for modulating transpiration in an organism that is capable of photosynthesis.

Abstract: A system and method to use remote sensing to estimate crop water use that is forecasted and is updated as weather and new satellite data become available. From these data the system and method uses a water accounting algorithm to prescribe irrigation differentially for regions of a field or for the entire field as an average. Irrigation prescription is delivered remotely through Internet technology.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to automatically determine plant water requirements and adjust irrigation. In one implementation, a method comprises: receiving, from a user via a user interface of an irrigation control unit and at a time after an initial commercial sale, a region identifier corresponding to a region of the irrigation controller; identifying a set of historical values from a plurality of sets of historical values pre-stored in a memory of the irrigation control unit; receiving a current value of at least one other environmental variable from at least one sensor; receiving at least one historical value from the identified set of historical values from the memory; determining the plant water requirements using the at least one historical value and the current value; outputting an adjustment control message to the irrigation controller; and adjusting execution of the irrigation schedule, the irrigation schedule defined for a peak irrigation period.

Abstract: The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix.

Abstract: Methods and systems control an irrigation system that includes an irrigation controller, a valve actuator, and at least one irrigation sensor connected by a communication circuit. A sensor charging pulse having a temporal duration less than a solenoid actuation time threshold for a solenoid is provided over the communication circuit. The sensor charging pulse charges a charge storage device in at least one irrigation sensor. A series of addressing pulses is also generated over the communication circuit, which indicate a device identifier of at least one irrigation sensor. The series of addressing pulses activate at least one irrigation sensor having the device identifier indicated by the series of addressing pulses such that the activated irrigation sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of an irrigation condition to the irrigation controller via the communication network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and means to control an irrigation system and an apparatus for chemical input. A chemical injection apparatus interfaces with the irrigation system in an automated way to control the application of fertilizers, nutrients, pesticides, plant growth regulators and modifying agents, water conditioners, soil conditioners and additives, and water. More particularly this invention teaches a method and device for remotely operating a continuously-calibrating chemical dispensing device of a chemigation unit, and the equipment associated with data acquisition, control and injection equipment.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes at least one environmental sensor, such as a solar radiation sensor that is installed on an irrigation site, and a soil moisture sensor that is also installed on the irrigation site. Programming allows an estimated ET value to be calculated based at least in part on the output signal of the environmental sensor. A pre-programmed watering schedule is automatically modified based on the estimated ET value to thereby conserve water while maintaining the health of plants on the irrigation site. The system automatically inhibits irrigation when an output signal of the soil moisture sensor indicates an amount of moisture in the soil is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for wireless irrigation control with a remote application. According to one embodiment, the system includes a processor and a plurality of interactive zone switches for connection to at least one irrigation device, each zone switch further structured and arranged to detect a state of the at least one irrigation device. A non-volatile memory is coupled to the processor and provided with processor executable instructions to direct operation of each interactive zone switch. There is at least one remote application to establish a schedule within the non-volatile memory for operation for each interactive zone switch and to receive the schedule from the non-volatile memory in response to a users desire to review or modify the schedule. A wireless network component is coupled to the processor and the non-volatile memory and is in communication with the at least one remote application to schedule operation of at least one interactive zone switch and the at least one irrigation device.

Abstract: A wastewater reuse system has a wastewater treatment system connected to a dwelling for receiving wastewater therefrom. The wastewater treatment system has a pump tank with an outlet that can be connected to a central wastewater collection system and/or a reuse recipient of treated wastewater, such as an irrigation system. A monitoring system for tracking the water used and/or reused by a dwelling. The monitoring system using a dialer system to transmit operating data to a server which is configured to determine the amount of water used and/or reused by a dwelling.

Abstract: A plant profile water management system includes a water controller delivering water to a plant, a processor coupled to the water controller, and a mobile computing device coupled to the processor by a radio link. The mobile computing device communicates a plant type profile to the processor. The processor executes the rules according to said plant type profile to control the timing and quantity of water flow output to the plants.

Abstract: A grow system is disclosed herein. The grow system can include a grow device that can include a light system including a plurality of light sources, a light position controller, and a processor. The processor can receive information relating to a plant to be grown by the grow system and can, based on that information, identify an operation program that specifies lighting and positioning of the illumination system. Using the operation program, the processor can generate one or several control signals to control the operation of the light system and the light position system.

Abstract: An integrated irrigation valve control device has a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil. A housing covers at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.

Abstract: A valve body for an irrigation system is disclosed. The valve body is formed as a unitary moulding and comprises a manifold arrangement integrally formed in the valve body and includes an inlet and at least one outlet. The manifold arrangement includes a valve receiving region located between the inlet and each outlet where each valve receiving region is operable to receive a valve to selectively control the flow of liquid between the inlet and each respective outlet of the manifold arrangement.

Abstract: An interface system 11 for an irrigation controller arranged to operate a plurality of electrically operated valves 21 over at least two wires is disclosed. The system includes a valve interface unit 27 having outputs 29, each for connection to a valve, and input 33 and common 35 connectors to connect to a feed wire 23 and a return wire remotely from the irrigation controller. The system has a user programmable input 49, 51, 53, 55 interfaced within a controller 41 to set the allocation time for power to provided sequentially to the outputs 29 to power the valves.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus and a process for adequately irrigating soil, wherein the apparatus has an irrigation unit for irrigating soil and a mobile microwave measurement unit for determining the water content of the soil along a measurement path. A control unit is used to irrigate the soil along the measurement path depending on the measured water content. The apparatus preferably also has a water tank and leaves an area of soil to be irrigated autonomously.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols that are in compliance with municipal restrictions. The disclosure also extends particularly to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation that optimizes irrigation protocols using forecast data.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing service worker access to a networked irrigation system.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols that are in compliance with municipal restrictions. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation that is responsive to forecast data.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems devices, and computer program products for providing status notifications to a user identifying the current status of the irrigation system.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to a system and method for the detection of faults or deviations from a baseline configuration in an irrigation system during operation in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to a system and method for detecting added operable irrigation components at system startup in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system operates the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers and the central pivot while preventing power usage of the system from exceeding a maximum power threshold. The control system determines in which sequence to operate the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers while operating no more than a selected number of the motors simultaneously.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to a stacked controller comprising a control unit and irrigation adaptor in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to a stacked controller comprising a control unit and irrigation adaptor in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for reporting on water usage in irrigation systems that provide automated irrigation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a soil moisture sensor for interrupting an irrigation schedule of an irrigation controller. The moisture sensor comprises a relatively flat body with two lower electrodes and two lower anchoring barbs. A receiver receives moisture readings from the sensor and compares moisture data to a predetermined moisture interrupt value or limit, over which irrigation is interrupted.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to a controller using methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.

Abstract: A landscape controller includes a housing and a control panel in the housing. The control panel includes a display and at least one manual control that enables a user to enter and/or select a watering schedule. A memory is provided for storing an operational program for carrying out the watering schedule. A processor is connected to the memory and is capable of executing the operational program. A connecting device in the control panel operatively connects at least one feature module to the processor. The controller further includes station control circuitry controlled by the processor that enables the processor to selectively energize a plurality of valves to deliver water to sprinklers in accordance with the watering schedule.

Abstract: A center-pivot irrigation system having a plurality of towers interconnected by a plurality of spans actuatable about a center pivot, a plurality of solid-state sensors each mounted in fixed alignment with one of the spans or towers, and a control system communicably coupled with the solid-state sensors. The solid-state sensors may send acceleration, angular acceleration, angular rotation, heading, and/or angle measurements to the control system, which may use these measurements to calculate alignment of the spans relative to each other and/or the center pivot and to calculate locations of the spans or towers using a known location of the center pivot. The solid-state sensors may be solid-state gyroscopes, solid-state accelerometers, digital compass, and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems devices, and computer program products for providing status notifications to a user identifying the current status of the irrigation system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for downloading and installing software updates upon an irrigation control unit (ICU). Some of the disclosed embodiments include error checking and integrity verification procedures which help ensure that the new software is properly installed. In some embodiments the update is coordinated in conjunction with the ICU's regular contact with a control server.

Abstract: The present system identifies leaks in irrigation systems by monitoring the overall flow at an irrigation system valve. The system may monitor typical flow rates and may send a signal to shut off an irrigation system valve if an unexpected or excessive flow rate is detected. The present technology can be used in traditional sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and other irrigation systems.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimized decision-making in water supply networks and/or water supply operations. The system includes at least one central data processing device and a control system having at least one integration device. The system also includes at least one functional unit for identifying and/or processing status information affecting the respective network or operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling irrigation faults in leaching piles, comprising: a thermographic vision system and a visible spectrum vision system which capture images on areas of the leaching piles; an orientation system which selectively directs the capture lens of the thermographic vision and visible spectrum systems; a meteorological system which measures meteorological variables close to the leaching pile; a processing system which interacts with the thermographic vision and visible spectrum systems and with the meteorological system, processing information and, from the captured images, identifying the levels of moisture in pre-determined areas; and a user interface which displays the information processed by the processing system and allows the user to control variables of the thermographic vision and visible spectrum systems and of the orientation system.

Abstract: Crop-specific automated irrigation include environmental medium and management of nutrients. Operation of an irrigation apparatus can be regulated according to specific water demand of a crop. The water demand can be assessed by evaluating water content conditions of the environmental medium comprising the crop, medium characteristics, and/or nutrient delivery and transport characteristics at the medium. Regulation of operation of the irrigation apparatus can comprise control of one or more of water supply to the apparatus, positioning and/or movement of the irrigation apparatus, or configuration of sensing devices for collection of information suitable for such regulation.

Abstract: A method and decoder-based irrigation controller, and method and programming chart, are provided. In some embodiments, a decoder-based irrigation controller comprises a microcontroller; and a first connector coupled to the microcontroller and configured to couple to a reader, wherein the reader comprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readable pattern, wherein the first connector is further configured to couple an input from the reader to the microcontroller; and wherein the microcontroller is configured to interpret the input from the reader and perform an action at the decoder-based irrigation controller according to the input.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for water conservation with landscape irrigation controllers, plug-in and add-on devices, and centralized systems. In embodiments of the invention, a water budget percentage is determined by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, and the preliminary irrigation schedule or station run times are automatically modified based upon that water budget percentage. Embodiments of the present invention also provide for automation of mandated landscape watering restrictions alone, or in various combinations with water budgeting methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A smart irrigation system for an irrigation controller associated with an irrigation site is described herein. The smart irrigation system comprises a central control system having a user interface and a smart scheduler. The central control system is configured to derive and send an irrigation schedule for the irrigation. The smart scheduler comprises a data receiver, a processor, and a signal interface. The data receiver is configured to receive the irrigation schedule. The processor is configured to convert the irrigation schedule to a series of control signals that the irrigation controller recognizes. The signal interface is configured to connect to the irrigation controller and to send the series of control signals to the irrigation controller. The system uses weather data and irrigation site-specific information to automatically apply the optimal irrigation schedule. User are able to remotely control the irrigation via networks such as Internet.

Abstract: A control system for a low-volume irrigation system includes a plurality of valve controllers for opening and closing valves; an irrigation system controller for controlling the valve controllers in accordance with an irrigation plan; and a graphical user interface for allowing a user to interact with the irrigation controller and to create the irrigation plan. The graphical user interface displays an irrigation zone list, an irrigation set list, and an irrigation plan field. The user interface has drag and drop functionality that permits an irrigation zone listing from the irrigation zone list to be dragged and dropped into any of the irrigation set listings in the irrigation set list and that permits an irrigation zone listing or an irrigation set listing to be dragged and dropped into the irrigation plan to create irrigation steps within the irrigation plan.

Abstract: The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to a stacked controller comprising a control unit and irrigation adaptor in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.