The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 29, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2003
Hedna Froman, Legal Representative, Ramat Hasharon, IL;
Darren L. Redetzke, Shakopee, MN (US);
Peter D. Moeller, Saint Louis Park, MN (US);
Kenneth E. Kline, Redlands, CA (US);
Hedna Froman, legal representative, Ramat Hasharon, IL;
Darren L. Redetzke, Shakopee, MN (US);
Peter D. Moeller, Saint Louis Park, MN (US);
Kenneth E. Kline, Redlands, CA (US);
The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes an irrigation controller utilizing a 'virtual' dial. In particular, the present invention contemplates an electronic programming and controlling interface that is controlled according to actuation of a simple on/off switch (i.e., a binary switch), preferably a push button. For example, in one embodiment, an irrigation controller is provided wherein a rotary dial is replaced with a circular liquid crystal display. The LCD contains segments peripherally on its screen that are energized according to the desired function selected by the user. The segment that is 'on' at a particular time will correspond to visual indicia on the panel of the controller to inform the user which function is operable at that particular time. The user can then advance to the next segment on the LCD screen by pressing a button located elsewhere on the controller panel.