US20020060631A1 - Wireless environmental sensor system - Google Patents

Abstract

An environmental sensor system that communicates sensor data to a receiving unit using wireless means such as a radio frequency signal. The receiving unit interfaces with a controllable system, possibly affecting its operation. This arrangement allows one or more sensor and transmitter units to be remotely mounted at a distance from the receiver, without regard to installation complications that often result with a hardwired type units. In the preferred embodiment, an irrigation system is interfaced wirelessly with an environmental sensor such as a rain sensor. The rain sensor is contemplated such that in the event of sufficient rainfall, a wireless signal is transmitted to the receiver unit, which in turn interfaces with an irrigation controller resulting in the cessation of watering cycles until the sensor system provides another wireless directive to resume watering.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/103,444 filed Oct. 7, 1998.[0001]
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of Invention[0002]
• This invention relates to environmental sensors, specifically to environmental sensors that control irrigation systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a wireless environmental sensor system.[0003]
• 2. Description of Prior Art[0004]
• This invention relates primarily to the field of automatic irrigation systems like those used for landscape and agricultural watering. Most common types of irrigation systems incorporate a means of controlling the watering cycles via an automatic controller. The need to suspend a watering cycle due to the occurrence of an environmental influence is crucial in order to save natural resources, money, and to prevent unsafe conditions. Such environmental conditions include precipitation, high wind and freezing temperatures. The primary means of halting an automatic watering cycle in this situation is by an operator manually suspending the cycle at the irrigation controller. In most situations this proves to be an ineffective means of conserving resources due to the inconsistent and inefficient methods followed by the operator. In fact, quite often the operator ignores the need to suspend the watering cycle altogether, and in some cases neglects to resume the watering cycle when required, leading to both over-watered and under-watered landscaping, respectively.[0005]
• It is because of this unreliable and inconvenient manual method that current environmental sensors were developed that allow for an automatic interruption of the controller due to an environmental condition. In particular, the use of rain sensors for irrigation systems has proven to be an effective and economical method of conserving water, energy, and money. This fact can be shown by the increasing number of municipalities throughout the United States who are now requiring that rain sensors be installed on every landscape irrigation system.[0006]
• Even though reliable, the major drawback of current rain sensors is the extensive installation time and difficult method required for a proper installation. A rain sensor is usually mounted on the side of a structure near its roof in such a manner that it is exposed to the elements equally from all directions. This requires an installer to route a control wire from the sensor to the irrigation system's control box through the structure's wall, in an attic, inside a wall, etc. In some low quality installations the wires are run directly on the outside of the structure's wall, leading to an unattractive installation. Often, this installation is beyond the capabilities of the average home owner, requiring special tools and materials not normally found in the household. Due to the difficult and expensive nature of this installation process, most irrigation systems do not have a rain sensor installed at all, leading to needlessly wasted resources as noted above.[0007]
SUMMARY
• The present invention allows for a quick, easy, and cost effective installation of an environmental sensor such as a rain sensor, by utilizing wireless transmissions of environmental sensor data. The data is wirelessly received at the location of a control mechanism and is interpreted accordingly in order to affect the operation of the controller as desired.[0008]
• Specifically, this invention uses wireless technology to transmit the status of an environmental sensor, in particular a rain sensor, to a receiving unit that deactivates the watering cycle of an irrigation system as preprogrammed. The transmitter contains at least one environmental sensor such as a rain sensor, an instant precipitation sensor, a freeze sensor, a wind sensor, or the like, but it need not be integrally housed with the sensor. The receiver may be a stand-alone unit that can be retrofitted to any existing irrigation system, an integral part of a control box that is built in at the time of manufacture, or it may “plug in” as an upgrade to a pre-configured, accepting controller. The communication means between the transmitter and receiver is one that utilizes a wireless technology such as, but not limited to radio frequency, infrared, or ultrasonic. The transmitter unit would transmit a signal to the receiver based on the status of an environmental sensor and the receiver would respond accordingly as predetermined.[0009]
Objects and Advantages
• Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the wireless environmental sensor in our above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:[0010]
• (a) to provide for much easier and faster installations of environmental sensors for irrigation systems;[0011]
• (b) to provide for installations requiring minimal expertise and no special tools or materials;[0012]
• (c) to provide for additional installation locations that could otherwise not be accomplished without undue effort and expense;[0013]
• (d) to provide for “cleaner” installations without running unsightly wires;[0014]
• (e) to provide for ease in retrofit type installations, integrating with already installed irrigation systems;[0015]
• (f) to provide for installation locations that are safer for the installer to access.[0016]
• Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.[0017]
DRAWING FIGURES
• In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.[0018]
• FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a typical arrangement of the invention.[0019]
• FIG. 2A shows an elevation view of a typical installation of the invention by indicating relative component locations in respect to a typical structure installation.[0020]
• FIG. 2B shows another typical installation, exemplifying the possibility of a remote sensor location, unattached to the structure housing the irrigation control mechanism.[0021]
• FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a typical sensor and transmitter module configuration, in this instance, a rain sensor as the environmental sensor.[0022]
• FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing a wind sensor as the environmental sensor connected to the transmitter module.[0023]
• FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the combination of more than one environmental sensor connected to the transmitter module, in this instance a temperature sensor and rain sensor.[0024]
• FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing a non-integrally housed sensor and transmitter module configuration.[0025]
• FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing a configuration using more than one transmitter module and soil sensors as the environmental sensor.[0026]
• FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the use of a solar cell to power the transmitter module.[0027]
• FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the use of a piezoelectric actuator to power the transmitter module.[0028]
• FIG. 4A shows the receiver module in cross section connected to an irrigation system type controller.[0029]
• FIG. 4B shows a partial cross section cutaway view of the receiver module integrally housed with the irrigation system controller.[0030]

  Reference Numerals inDrawings

  2	environmental sensor	4	transmitter control
  6	transmitter	7	transmitter module
  8	wireless signal	10	receiver
  11	receiver module	12	receiver control
  14	controlledsystem	16	structure
  18	system controller	20	remote structure
  21	switch	22	rain sensor
  23	hygroscopic assembly	24	wind sensor
  25	Wind sensor transducer	26	windsensor cup assembly
  27	temperature sensor	30	soil sensor
  32	ground	40	solar cell
  42	piezoelectric element

DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a typical arrangement of the invention. An[0031]environmental sensor2 is connected to atransmitter control circuit4.Transmitter control circuit4 is connected to atransmitter6.Transmitter6 communicates via a wireless signal orlink8 with areceiver10.Receiver10 is connected to areceiver control circuit12 which is in turn connected to a controlledsystem14.
• FIGS. 2A and 2B show elevation views of two typical installation configurations of the invention. FIG. 2A shows a building, structure, or dwelling[0032]16 withsensor2,transmitter control circuit4, andtransmitter6 mounted onstructure16.Transmitter6 communicates withreceiver10 viawireless signal8.Receiver10 is connected viacontrol circuitry12 to thesystem controller18. FIG. 2A shows one typical installation configuration wheretransmitter components2,4, and6 are attached to the same structure asreceiver components10 and12. FIG. 2B shows another typical installation wheretransmitter components2,4 and6 are mounted on aremote structure20 that is not physically attached to structure16 which housesreceiver components10 and12 which connects tosystem controller18.
• FIGS.[0033]3A-3G show cross-sectioned, elevation views of some typical transmitter component embodiments. FIG. 3A shows arain sensor22 connected to atransmitter module7.Rain sensor22 in this embodiment is shown with ahygroscopic assembly23 impinging upon a switch oractuator21.Switch21 is wired viacontrol circuitry4 totransmitter6.
• FIG. 3B shows another embodiment, in particular replacing[0034]rain sensor22 of FIG. 3A with awind sensor24. In this embodiment,wind sensor24 comprises a windsensor cup assembly26 connected via awind sensor transducer25 totransmitter module7.
• FIG. 3C shows another embodiment with the connection of two environmental sensors, a[0035]temperature sensor27 andrain sensor22 to controlcircuitry4.
• FIG. 3D shows an embodiment where[0036]rain sensor22 andtransmitter module7 are not integrally housed.
• FIG. 3E shows an embodiment where the environmental sensor is a[0037]soil sensor30 installed in theground32. FIG. 3E also shows an embodiment where more than one environmental sensor andtransmitter module7 can be used simultaneously.
• FIG. 3F shows an embodiment where a photovoltaic type[0038]solar cell40 is connected to thetransmitter module7. Similarly, FIG. 3G shows an embodiment where a piezoelectric element is connected to thetransmitter module7.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B show typical embodiments of the receiver configuration in cross-section and cutaway type elevation views. In FIG. 4A, the[0039]receiver module11 is shown not integrally housed with thesystem controller18.Receiver10 is connected tosystem controller18 viareceiver control circuitry12. In FIG. 4B,receiver10 andreceiver control circuitry12 are integrally housed withinsystem controller18, however all connections and logic remain the same as in FIG. 4A.
Operation
• The manner of using the wireless environmental sensor is very similar to environmental sensors in current use, with one major difference in that the link between the[0040]environmental sensor2 and the controlledsystem14 is wireless in the current invention. In traditional sensors, this link is always hardwired.
• The overall operation can be described referring to FIG. 1. When an environmental condition such as rainfall is sensed at the[0041]environmental sensor2, the response ofsensor2 is interpreted bytransmitter control circuitry4.Transmitter control circuitry4 outputs desired information totransmitter6 which in turnoutputs wireless signal8 to be received atreceiver10.Received signal8, is interpreted byreceiver control circuitry12 and used to provide information to controlledsystem14. The preferred embodiment would pass the received information in a form such that it was usable byirrigation controller18 as shown in FIG. 4A to affect the watering cycles of controlledsystem14.
• Typical installations of the current invention as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B show relative component locations. This figure aids in the visualization of the typical separation between[0042]sensor2 andsystem controller18, clearly showing the advantage of utilizing awireless signal8.
• FIG. 3A shows the preferred embodiment using[0043]rain sensor8 of the hygroscopic disk variety. In this scenario, rain impinges onhygroscopic assembly23 causing it actuaterain sensor switch21. A signal from therain sensor switch21 is interpreted bytransmitter control circuitry4, which communicates the desired information totransmitter6.Transmitter6 then wirelessly relays this information in order to control a system such as an irrigation system. Referring to FIG. 4A, the preferred embodiment ofreceiver module11 andsystem controller18,wireless signal8 is then received in proximity to thesystem controller18 by thereceiver10.Receiver10 sends information toreceiver control circuitry12 which interprets and processes the information and outputs data or other form of instructions tosystem controller18. Thereby the wireless environmental sensor provides information wirelessly in order to possibly affect the functioning of the controlled system.
• FIG. 3D shows essentially the same scenario in regards to the operation of this invention as FIG. 3A, however this embodiment shows that[0044]rain sensor22 can be physically separated fromtransmitter module7 while still electrically connected. In a similar fashion, the operation of this invention is also essentially unaffected thorough the use of the additional embodiment shown in FIG. 4B wherereceiver10 andreceiver control circuitry12 are integrally housed as part ofirrigation system controller18.
• Other typical embodiments utilize different sensors, such as[0045]wind sensor24 of FIG. 3B which transfers wind speed or direction information viawind sensor transducer25 to thetransmitter control circuitry4. This information is interpreted and relayed wirelessly via thetransmitter6 as in the preferred embodiment.
• FIG. 3C shows another embodiment where two environmental sensors,[0046]rain sensor22 andtemperature sensor27, are connected into onetransmitter module7. In this instance, more than one data source is present, from which data is gathered, interpreted, and wirelessly transmitted to affect the controlled system in the desired fashion. Likewise, FIG. 3E shows that more than onetransmitter module7 can be used simultaneously, sending information back to the same receiver if need be. FIG. 3E also introduces another sensor embodiment in thatsoil sensors30 are shown providing information on the condition of the soil to thetransmitter module7.
• FIGS. 3F and 3G show two additional embodiments in regard to the power source of[0047]transmitter module7. While the preferred embodiment utilizes a portable power source such as a battery contained within thetransmitter module7, FIG. 3F shows howsolar cell40 may be connected to provide power either to directly power the unit, or to charge the installed battery. Likewise, FIG. 3G shows another embodiment wherepiezoelectric element42 is used to power or charge the unit.
• In addition, referring back to FIG. 1,[0048]receiver control circuitry12 may also perform logic processing that allows for the incorporation of an automatically resetting bypass switch which allows for the current state of theenvironmental sensor2 to be ignored in order to perform system checks or maintenance.Control circuitry4,12 may also be configured to allow for intelligent environmental condition prediction techniques to be used based on input from one or moreenvironmental sensors2. It should also be noted thatwireless signal8 can contain data other than sensor state such as battery condition or other system operational data.
• Let it be noted that the exact electronics and/or mechanics presented are not important in that many various types of configurations can accomplish the similar task and that it is the method described within that is important. In particular, it is the wireless link between an environmental sensor and control system that is unique and not the exact interconnecting means thereof.[0049]
Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope
• Thus the reader will see that the wireless environmental sensor system provides for a much easier, simpler, and more cost effective installation of a sensor for use in controlling systems when compared to existing design configurations. Using a wireless sensor system also provides for additional installation locations that could otherwise not be accomplished without undue effort and expense. Safer installations can also be accomplished in that often no ladder work at height is required to install a wireless sensor, whereas traditional designs quite often necessitate this. Installations of a wireless environmental sensor system also require no special tools unlike installations of existing designs. Installations of a wireless sensor system is aesthetically more professional with no dangling wires or holes drilled in the sides of buildings.[0050]
• While our above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, an irrigation system controller could be sold with transmitting and receiving units built-in to which a separately sold environmental sensor could be connected and still fall within the scope of this invention. Moreover, a sensor and transmitter unit could be sold as a separate device compatible with a controller that has a receiver module built-in. Further examples include using the invention to control home automation functions such as closing windows during rain, or making use of a pressure, light, or precipitation sensor, or controlling the irrigation system without using the controller such as controlling the water supply pump directly. Other applications are also possible, such as automotive, marine, or commercial building system control.[0051]
• Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.[0052]

Claims (30)

We claim:

1. A sensor system comprising:

at least one sensor designed for sensing at least one condition;

a transmitter for receiving a signal from said at least one sensor characteristic of at least said at least one condition;

a wireless link for receiving said signal from said transmitter; and,

a receiving device adapted for receiving said signal from said transmitter through said wireless link.

2. The sensor system ofclaim 1 wherein said receiving device comprises means for interfacing with an irrigation system.

3. The sensor system ofclaim 2 wherein said receiving device is further designed to affect the functions of said irrigation system.

4. The sensor system ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a precipitation sensor.

5. The sensor system ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is a member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor, and combinations thereof.

6. The sensor system ofclaim 1 wherein said transmitter includes at least one energy source and said at least one energy source is a member selected from the group consisting of electric power, battery power, solar energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion energy, wind energy, temperature dependent expansion energy, and combinations thereof.

7. The sensor system ofclaim 1 wherein said signal transmitted via said wireless link contains information selected from the group consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said sensor system operational data, and combinations thereof.

8. The sensor system ofclaim 1 further comprising a bypass mechanism that automatically, predeterminedly resets said bypass mechanism based on said at least one condition.

9. The sensor system ofclaim 1 further comprising means for predeterminedly predicting the occurrence of another of said at least one condition in response to inputs to said at least one sensor.

10. An apparatus for interfacing with at least one sensor and at least one controllable system; comprising:

a wireless link; and,

structure for interfacing said wireless link with a transmitter; wherein said structure is designed for enabling a receiver to receive a signal from said transmitter through said wireless link.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said at least one controllable system is an irrigation system.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the controllable system includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of an irrigation system, a home automation system, an automotive system, a building automation system, and a marine vessel automation system.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a precipitation sensor.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said at least one sensor is a member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor, and combinations thereof.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said transmitter includes at least one energy source and the energy source is a member selected from the group consisting of electric power, battery power, solar energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion energy, wind energy, temperature dependent expansion energy, and combinations thereof.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said signal transmitted via said wireless link contains information selected from the group consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 10 further comprising a bypass mechanism that automatically, predeterminedly resets said bypass mechanism based on data from said at least one sensor.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 10 further comprising means for predeterminedly predicting data from said at least one sensor in response to data from another said at least one sensor.

19. An apparatus for use in a system that includes a receiving device for receiving a signal; comprising:

at least one sensor designed for sensing at least one condition;

a transmitter for receiving said signal from said at least one sensor characteristic of at least said at least one condition;

a wireless link;

a means for interfacing said wireless link with said transmitter; and,

a means for enabling said receiving device to receive said signal from said transmitter through said wireless link.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said receiving device comprises means for interfacing with an irrigation system.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein said signal from said transmitter contains data used to affect said irrigation system.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a precipitation sensor.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said at least one sensor is a member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor, and combinations thereof.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said transmitter includes at least one energy source and the energy source is a member selected from the group consisting of electric power, battery power, solar energy, light energy, hygroscopic expansion energy, wind energy, temperature dependent expansion energy, and combinations thereof.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said signal transmitted via said wireless link contains information selected from the group consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.

26. An apparatus for use in a system that includes at least one sensor designed for sensing at least one condition, a transmitter interfaced to the sensor with means of sending a signal at least representative of at least one condition; comprising:

a wireless link;

a receiving device;

a means for interfacing said wireless link with said receiving device, and;

a means for enabling said transmitter to transmit said signal to said receiving device through said wireless link.

27. The apparatus ofclaim 26 wherein said receiving device interfaces with an irrigation system.

28. The apparatus ofclaim 27 wherein said signal from said transmitter contains data used to affect said irrigation system.

29. The apparatus ofclaim 26 wherein said at least one sensor is a member selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a freeze sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, a pressure sensor, a soil condition sensor, a wind sensor, and combinations thereof.

30. The apparatus ofclaim 26 wherein said signal transmitted via said wireless link contains information selected from the group consisting of monitored environmental condition data, said apparatus operational data, and combinations thereof.

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