Satellite Irrigation Controller

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a satellite irrigation controller that allows a user to insert a input/output card into any position in any sequence and be recognized as an input card or an output card. When the correct card type is determined, the card is service according to its specified functionality. In another embodiment, the satellite irrigation controller includes firmware which allows a user to program a range of stations at one time. In yet another embodiment, the satellite irrigation controller provides three user input programs that reduce the amount of input data needed to program the irrigation cycle of an irrigation station.

1 . A satellite irrigation controller comprising:
 a controller housing;   a circuit board disposed on said controller housing, said circuit board having a CPU and a memory, said CPU configured to execute an irrigation program, a first communication protocol, and a second communication protocol;   a user interface coupled to said circuit board and further configured to modify irrigation data associated with said irrigation program;   a first I/O port operatively coupled to said circuit board, said first I/O port configured to interchangeably receive an input card and an output card; and   wherein said input card communicates with said first communication protocol and said output card communicates with said second communication protocol.   
   
   
       2 . The satellite irrigation controller of  claim 1 , wherein said input card is a sensor card. 
   
   
       3 . The satellite irrigation controller of  claim 1 , wherein said output card is an irrigation station control card. 
   
   
       4 . The satellite irrigation controller of  claim 1 , wherein said first I/O port is configured to interchangeably receive an input card and an output card with a ribbon cable. 
   
   
       5 . The satellite irrigation controller of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication protocol is an I 2 C protocol. 
   
   
       6 . The satellite irrigation controller of  claim 1 , wherein said second communication protocol is a shift register protocol. 
   
   
       7 . A method of detecting an I/O card of a satellite controller comprising:
 providing a satellite controller comprising a circuit board having a CPU and a memory;   creating a communicative connection between an I/O card and said CPU;   transmitting at least one of a first protocol and a second protocol from said CPU to said I/O card; and,   determining a type of said I/O card based on a response from the transmitting of at least one of said first protocol and second protocol.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein transmitting a first protocol includes transmitting an I 2 C protocol and wherein transmitting a second protocol includes transmitting a shift register protocol. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining that said I/O card type is an input card in response to the transmitting of said I 2 C protocol. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining that said I/O card type is an output card in response to the transmitting of said shift register protocol. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising executing an irrigation program by said CPU. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 adding at least one additional I/O card to communicate with said CPU;   transmitting at least one of said first protocol and said second protocol from said CPU to said at least one additional I/O card; and,   determining a type of said additional I/O card based on a response from the transmitting of at least one of said first protocol and second protocol.   
   
   
       13 . An irrigation controller comprising:
 a circuit board having a CPU and a memory;   an irrigation program stored in said memory and executable by said CPU;   a user interface coupled to said circuit board for inputting at least one irrigation parameter into said irrigation program;   a routine included in said irrigation program which isolates all irrigation stations having a common value for said at least one irrigation parameter into a range of irrigation stations associated with said irrigation program; and,   said irrigation program enabling said user to treat said range as a single irrigation station during future adjustments by said user to said irrigation program.   
   
   
       14 . An irrigation controller according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one irrigation parameter is the run time of said irrigation station. 
   
   
       15 . An irrigation controller according to  claim 13 , wherein said user interface includes a display and wherein said range is displayed on said display. 
   
   
       16 . An irrigation controller according to  claim 13 , wherein said routine divides said range into multiple ranges upon determining a change in said at least one irrigation parameter of at least one irrigation station in said range. 
   
   
       17 . An irrigation controller according to  claim 13 , wherein said routine assigns said range with a unique identifier. 
   
   
       18 - 35 . (canceled)