Signature Control Systems, Inc.

Other

The Toro Company

Brian John Smith

Eric Schafer

David Hunts

Dan Lohde

Donnie Russell Fisher

Noorlah N Beidokhti

John Pargas

Kevin Michael Franks

Jeff L Tipton

An irrigation apparatus is provided, comprising: a pressure vessel configured to hold water under pressure, and configured to expand and contract based on the pressure of the held water; a selectable throttle configured to receive water at a first pressure, configured to provide the water to the pressure vessel at the first pressure when the selectable throttle is at a first setting, and configured to provide the water to the pressure vessel at a second pressure that is smaller than the first pressure when the selectable throttle is at a second setting; a control circuit configured to control whether the selectable throttle is at the first setting or at the second setting; and a piezoelectric element attached to the pressure vessel and configured to generate electricity when the pressure vessel expands or contracts.

Self-powered irrigation apparatus

A sprinkler for producing a fixed spray pattern includes an inner flow conduit having a nozzle at an outlet. A filter screen is held in place beneath the nozzle. The filter screen engages a push rod of a valve of a flow stop mechanism. The push rod spaces a valve member away from a valve seat to permit water flow through the inner flow conduit when the filter screen and nozzle are in place. If the nozzle is removed or if the inner conduit is severed, the filter screen can be removed, which causes the valve member to close under the force of water pressure and to shut off flow through the inner flow conduit. The valve is located upstream of parts that are vulnerable to damage.

Sprinkler device with flow shut off valve

An ophthalmic solution is provided. The ophthalmic solution includes an ultraviolet-A absorber and an ultraviolet-B absorber. The ophthalmic solution has a viscosity of between about 1 and 100 cps. The ophthalmic solution can be used to absorb ultraviolet radiation in the eye.

Ophthalmic solution for absorbing ultraviolet radiation and method for absorbing ultraviolet radiation

A method provides information about stations in an irrigation system which are simultaneously active. An irrigation flow curve image is displayed which summarizes flow information for an irrigation system. The method interacts with a user to receive an indication from a user interface pointing device of a position within a flow curve area of the irrigation flow curve image on the display. The method retrieves detail information for stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at a time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device. Detail information is displayed isolating the stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device, wherein the detail information further individually indicates irrigation activity for stations which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device.

Method and system for providing isolated detail information about stations which are simultaneously active in an irrigation system

An intelligent sensor includes an irrigation related data sensor for sensing irrigation related data and a network processor coupled to the irrigation related data sensor for receiving the irrigation data. The intelligent sensor also includes an interface coupled to the network processor for coupling the intelligent sensor to a communication bus of a peer-to-peer distributed network. The intelligent sensor also includes a memory including instructions for configuring the processor to generate a broadcast message including the irrigation related data. The interface transmits the broadcast message to a destination node coupled to the peer-to-peer distributed network via the communication bus. The destination node can be satellite field irrigation controllers or a control device.

Intelligent sensor for irrigation management

A vehicle tracking device (), method and/or system are provided. The device () includes a location interface (), for receiving a location signal indicating a current location when operably connected to a GPS antenna; a sensor interface (), for receiving sensor signals from sensors in the vehicle indicating a sensed status of the vehicle, when electrically or electronically connected to the sensors; and a processor (). The processor () is configured to facilitate receiving, from the location interface, indications of a current location; determining, responsive to the location signal, a determined current location of the vehicle (); receiving, from the sensor interface, a sensed status of the vehicle (); recording a pre-defined event condition, when the pre-defined event condition occurs () responsive to the sensed status, in a vehicle history; and recording the determined current location in the vehicle history ().

Method, system and device for monitoring vehicle usage

A remote download of microprocessor code for an irrigation controller is provided. A microprocessor, on an irrigation controller, is executing program code (in volatile memory) and receives a remote download of updated program code, which it stores into non-volatile random access memory, e.g., flash memory. The microprocessor is configured to receive the updated program code, via a communication port, and to store the updated program code into the non-volatile flash memory. Optionally, the updated program code is received at multiple controllers via a global transmission on a communication bus. The microprocessor receives a communication causing it to re-start. In response to the re-start communication, the microprocessor fetches the updated program code stored in the non-volatile flash memory into the program memory RAM to replace the original program code, and begins execution of the updated program code in the program memory RAM. A device is also provided for directing the download of program code to irrigation controllers. Options provide for global download of entirely new program code, global and/or individual download of particular pages of updated program code, and global downloads to controllers grouped by communication speed.

Method and system for remote update of microprocessor code for irrigation controllers

A controller (), for example on a field interface of a resource management system (), determines a location of a mobile object () and controls an environment thereof. The controller () receives, via a first transceiver (), a communication including information representative of the mobile object; receives a command via a second transceiver () and controls the environment outside of the mobile object responsive to the command and/or the communication. A controller, for example on the mobile object (), detects a location of the mobile object () via device (). The controller collects information about the mobile object including location; transmits, to a controller via its transceiver, a communication including the information; receives a command via its transceiver; and controls operation of the mobile object responsive to the command.

Method and integrated system for networked control of an environment of a mobile object

A system and method for operating a distributed control network for irrigation management. The system incorporates several irrigation controllers wherein each of the controllers can transmit, receive and respond to commands initiated by any device or satellite controller on the network, a communication bus that is connected to the controllers, a central computer that is connected to the bus, several sensing devices that are connected to each controller, and several sprinkler valves that are connected to each controller. The controllers can be operated in local mode via a user interface and in a remote mode via a wireless connection. The controllers are capable of monitoring and acknowledging the commands that are transmitted on the bus.

Distributed control network for irrigation management

An enclosure for housing electronic controls and devices that provides exceptional access to all sides of the enclosure and is both secure and aesthetically pleasing. The enclosure has a frame, semi-cylindrical doors, a top assembly, and a mounting base. Each of the doors has a door retaining member on its inner lower surfaces which engages and is supported by a receiving member mounted to a lower portion of the frame. The doors may be pivoted open and closed about the retaining and receiving members or may be completely removed from the base by simply lifting the doors off of the frame. Removal of the doors allows unobstructed access to the interior of the enclosure. The top assembly mounts on top of the frame and moves between a closed position and an open position. The top assembly includes a rim which overlaps and engages the top surfaces of the doors to securely retain the doors in the closed position. An opening and closing system mounted on the frame supports the top assembly in the open position. The enclosure is further provided with a lock to secure the top and doors in the closed position and prevent tampering by unauthorized persons.

Growing community of inventors

Aliso Viejo, CA, United States of America

Brian John Smith