The Toro Company

Kurt Maloney

Alberto D Benmergui

Gerald L Mock

Leonard W Doup

An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. One of the parameters of system operation is the times of day in which irrigation will start when the current day is selected to be active. The controller of this invention uses a slide potentiometer having multiple sliders which may be moved in a single slideway for setting multiple start times determined by the slider positions. In addition, a hot post terminal is provided in the controller connected to ground. This terminal can be used to determine station assignment by touching the station wires to the terminal as power is applied along a common line to the actuating devices, i.e. solenoids, of the various stations.

Irrigation controller

An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. A rain delay push button may be pressed a number of times to suspend operation of the watering schedule for a number of days equal to the number of times the button is pressed. A blinking LED will indicate the remaining days in the rain delay period to the user. In addition, the controller includes an LCD display which normally displays the current day and time, but which will temporarily display a new irrigation parameter being input into the schedule by manipulation of one of the data input means. The controller also includes a self test feature in which the watering schedule execution is suspended and the operability of various controller components is verified.

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Pomona, CA, United States of America

Kurt Maloney