초록 ▼

An irrigation control system including an irrigation controller, a portable data shuttle, and a personal computer. The user creates a watering program comprising watering schedules by using a graphical user-friendly interface of the personal computer. The watering program is then downloaded into the

An irrigation control system including an irrigation controller, a portable data shuttle, and a personal computer. The user creates a watering program comprising watering schedules by using a graphical user-friendly interface of the personal computer. The watering program is then downloaded into the portable data shuttle. The portable data shuttle is coupled to an irrigation controller and a first watering schedule is downloaded from the portable data shuttle into the irrigation controller in a matter of seconds. At a later time, the data shuttle automatically downloads a second watering schedule replacing the first schedule, thereby updating the irrigation programming. For example, a new watering schedule may be automatically downloaded at preselected intervals to accommodate the changing seasons. The portable data shuttle includes voltage regulation circuits so that it can receive power from either the personal computer or the irrigation controller. The invention avoids the time consuming task of programming and re-programming an irrigation controller directly. Where numerous controllers are involved, the invention allows each to be programmed and reprogrammed in a matter of seconds instead of the usual ten to fifteen minutes per controller.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An irrigation control system comprising:irrigation controller means for storing and executing a program including watering schedules, the controller means having an input port for receiving a watering schedule;processor means for generating a program including watering schedules, s

[ We claim:] [1.] An irrigation control system comprising:irrigation controller means for storing and executing a program including watering schedules, the controller means having an input port for receiving a watering schedule;processor means for generating a program including watering schedules, said processor means including manual input means for entering commands and data to generate the watering program and an output port for downloading the watering program; andportable data transfer means removably connectable to either the output port of the processor means or to the input port of the irrigation controller means for storing watering schedules downloaded from the processor unit for automatically re-programming the irrigation controller means,the portable data transfer means including a power input unit for receiving power from either the output port of the processor means or the input port of the irrigation controller means.