Unisen, Inc.

Other

Aqua Conserve, Inc.

Aqua Conservation Systems, Inc.

Kirk A Buhler

John W Addink

Tony Givargis

James W Pittaway

Steven K Shu

Stephen K Shu

Sylvan Addink

James W Pittoway

David R Quam

Dennis Copen Huish

Robert Fentis

Tony Varga

The present invention provides systems and methods in which a microprocessor () is programmed to calculate an accumulated watering need for an irrigation zone of station ()and control irrigation to the zone or station () using an automatically varied cycle amount that falls between a user controllable maximum threshold and a user controllable minimum threshold. The cycle amount is preferably at least partly derived from ETo data. The minimum threshold may vary during a period of 12 consecutive months, may vary as a function of time of year, as a function of crop maturity or as a function of any other suitable factor where it would be advantageous to set a minimum threshold. The cycle amount may equal the accumulated ETo value(s) or may equal the maximum threshold value. Furthermore, the microprocessor () may be programmed to control the irrigation to the zone or station () using an automatically varied day schedule.

Automatic irrigation frequency adjustment for deep watering

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.

Device that modifies irrigation schedules of existing irrigation controllers

An irrigation scheduler modifies output of a preprogrammed irrigation schedule of an installed irrigation controller to at least partially improve irrigation of the corresponding landscape. Preferred embodiments accomplish this task using a microprocessor programmed to: (a) derive a first set of information from the output of an irrigation controller used to control an operation of an irrigation valve; (b) receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an environmental factor and a meteorological factor; and (c) use the first set of information and the second set of information to interfere with reception of the output by the valve.

Modifying irrigation schedules of existing irrigation controllers

An irrigation controller provides a current to operate an irrigation valve assembly and superimposes a data stream on the current. The current may be either alternating current or direct current. Preferably the current is transmitted over a two-wire link. The irrigation valve assembly includes a decoder, a solenoid and an irrigation valve. It is contemplated that the decoder will communicate bi-directionally with the irrigation controller. The data stream will be an encoded control signal that is sent at a rate greater than 1 byte per second. Additionally, the encoded control signal may be sent at a rate greater than or less than the rate of the current.

Two tire irrigation valve controller

A valve has a flow restrictor positioned outside of a lumen of a tube, which transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The valve further contains a closing mechanism that automatically positions the flow restrictor to the closed configuration when a pressure in a fluid within the lumen is below a low threshold pressure, and an opening mechanism that automatically positions the first flow restrictor to the open configuration when the pressure in the fluid within the lumen is above a high threshold pressure that is higher than the low threshold pressure. The flow restrictor is preferably positioned outside the tube, although it may be positioned inside the wall of the tube, or even within the lumen of the tube. There may also be a second, downstream flow restrictor. The opening and closing mechanisms advantageously comprise a magnet or solenoid. The tube may comprise a catheter, and especially a urinary catheter. In such instances the valve stays shut long enough to provide sufficient pressure to expand the bladder, then stays open long enough to substantially drain the bladder. The process may be entirely automatic, and not dependent upon any external power source.

High hysteresis valve

Sports related self-contained impact detection and display device that allows the bat, racquet, club, or ball to determine the intensity of the impact and provide an estimate on the speed, force, direction or distance that would result from the impact. The device is self-contained and allows the device to be mounted within or on the bat, racquet, club or ball. In addition to estimation of speed, force, direction or distance the device can collect multiple impacts and provide minimum, maximum, average, sum and totals of the impacts. The user interface can also provide a graphical representation of the resulting trajectory or flight of the object being impacted.

Athletic ball impact measurement and display device

An exercise machine is described which is entirely self-contained without any source of outside power. A rechargeable battery is used to maintain the exercise system operative for a time-out period. At all other times the machine is powered by the user. The machine is compact, light, rigid and sized to fit through a standard doorway. The entire exercise machine is provided with a wrap-around handrail into which a display input/output unit has been integrally provided. The exercise machine or stepper utilizes a dynamically controllable load or alternator which is controlled by a computer circuit to maintain the power input into the exercise machine or to maintain metabolically energy consumption rate within a user of the exercise machine at a predetermined, approximately constant level, regardless of the speed of stepping or the actual or effective weight of the user. The alternator is dynamically controlled by pulse width modulating its field coils. The power output by the generator is sensed by monitoring the alternator's output current and voltage. Additional load control is achieved by dissipating part of the alternator current in a dissipative load when the alternator voltage reaches a predetermined maximum set point.

Power controlled exercising machine and method for controlling the same

Spikeless water collector for irrigation system

Curved water collector for irrigation system

An irrigation controller that is capable of making daily adjustment of irrigation duration based upon historical, environmental, and or received information. The irrigation controller can automatically skip days and make changes to account for daily and seasonal environmental changes. Such automatic determination is advantageous to minimize the need of the operator intervention to make seasonal change as well as providing irrigation savings, and ensures deep irrigation. The simplified user interface and control allows for a change made at any time of the year to effect the remainder of the year to provide the best balance of minimal or no user interface, irrigation conservation.

Irrigation accumulation controller

Rain collector

This invention provides a system which allows users to personally create his or her own individual exercise program using any existing type of exercise machine, such as treadmills, bicycles, stair-climbers, weight lifting and the like. The invention provides a point-based incentive program to encourage the user to stay with an exercise program. Each user is supplied a personal data 'key' on which is stored the individual's fitness program and on which is stored the person's progress in reaching or maintaining his or her fitness goal. The system provides a continuing incentive to the user to continue his or her exercise program by awarding points for: (i) time the user is on the machine; (ii) time the person indicates their heart rate is at a level that will allow the person to achieve their fitness goal; and/or (iii) time the person's measured heart rate is at a level that will allow the person to achieve his fitness goal. Each users key is personal and transportable so that users who travel can use their personal data key at any facility world-wide that has the data collectors installed.

Tracking system for promoting health fitness

Cardiopulmonary interval training between a user high target heart rate and a user low target heart rate is obtained with an exercise apparatus by increasing the load of the exercise apparatus at a first predetermined rate until either the maximum machine load is obtained or the high target heart rate. When this event occurs, the load can then be maintained at a fixed level for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the load is decreased until the low target heart rate is obtained, or the user-set exercise duration expired. The heart rate of the user is monitored during the exercise. In the event that measurement of a valid heart signal is lost at any time, any increase or decrease of the load of the exercise apparatus is terminated until a valid heart rate signal is reacquired. In the case when an exercise apparatus is a treadmill, the load can be varied by increasing or decreasing both the speed adjustment and the elevation adjustment of the treadmill. In the preferred embodiment, the speed is first adjusted until a user-set maximum speed is obtained and thereafter the elevation is adjusted in order to obtain the load variations toward or from the high and low target heart rates. The exercise may be repeated between the low and high target heart rates to provide cardiopulmonary interval training.

Growing community of inventors

Corona, CA, United States of America

Kirk A Buhler