초록 ▼

A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common r

A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectvely providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertioninto a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A hybrid irrigation controller, comprising: means for entry or selection of a watering program; means for storing the watering program; means for providing a plurality of receptacles for removably receiving a plurality of modules; at least one station module configured for insertion int

I claim: 1. A hybrid irrigation controller, comprising: means for entry or selection of a watering program; means for storing the watering program; means for providing a plurality of receptacles for removably receiving a plurality of modules; at least one station module configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line and including at least one switching device for selectively providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve; at least one encoder module configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path; and processor means for executing the stored watering program and controlling the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program. 2. The controller of claim 1 wherein the multi-wire path includes two wires. 3. The controller of claim 1 wherein each multi-wire path includes three wires. 4. The controller of claim 1 wherein each of the receptacles includes a card edge connector. 5. The controller of claim 1 wherein the station module includes a micro-controller. 6. The controller of claim 1 wherein the processor means provides at each receptacle the commands for controlling all of the modules. 7. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller further comprises a back panel in which the receptacles are located. 8. The controller of claim 7 wherein the controller further comprises a face pack removably mounted over the back panel and supporting a circuit board on which the processor means is mounted. 9. The controller of claim 8 wherein the controller further comprises a door hingedly connected to the back panel for enclosing the face pack. 10. The controller of claim 1 and further comprising a master module configured for insertion into a third one of the receptacles and including circuitry for interfacing with a pump. 11. A hybrid irrigation controller, comprising: a plurality of manually actuable controls for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory for storing the watering program; a plurality of receptacles for removably receiving a plurality of modules; at least one station module configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and connectable to a corresponding valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line and including at least one switching device for selectively providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding valve; at least one encoder module configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path; and a processor for executing the stored watering program and controlling the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program. 12. The controller of claim 11 wherein the multi-wire path includes two wires. 13. The controller of claim 11 wherein each multi-wire path includes three wires. 14. The controller of claim 11 wherein each of the receptacles includes a card edge connector. 15. The controller of claim 11 wherein the station module includes a micro-controller. 16. The controller of claim 11 wherein the processor means provides at each receptacle the commands for controlling all of the modules. 17. The controller of claim 11 wherein the controller further comprises a back panel in which the receptacles are located. 18. The controller of claim 17 wherein the controller further comprises a face pack removably mounted over the back panel and supporting a circuit board on which the processor means is mounted. 19. The controller of claim 18 wherein the controller further comprises a door hingedly connected to the back panel for enclosing the face pack. 20. The controller of claim 11 and further comprising a master module configured for insertion into a third one of the receptacles and including circuitry for interfacing with a pump. 21. A method of controlling a plurality of valves in an irrigation system, comprising the steps of: entering or selecting a watering program; selectively energizing a first plurality of valves using dedicated field valve lines and a common return line in accordance with the watering program; and selectively energizing a second plurality of valves connected to a multi-wire path utilizing encoded signals in accordance with the watering program. 22. A hybrid irrigation control system, comprising: a plurality of manually actuable controls for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory for storing the watering program; a plurality of receptacles for removably receiving a plurality of modules; a first plurality of valves; at least one station module removably inserted into a first one of the receptacles and connected to the first plurality of valves through corresponding dedicated field valve lines and a common return line and including a plurality of switching devices for supplying a first power signal that selectively energizes the first plarality of valves; a second plurality of valves; at least one encoder module removably inserted into a second one of the receptacles and connected to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing the second plurality of valves via decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path; and a processor for executing the stored watering programand controlling the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.