External water shutoff

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus having an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to a structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure, an auto-drain valve, and means for controlling the electrically operable valve, wherein the means for controlling is external to the structure, further wherein the means for controlling the electrically operable valve is communicatively connected to the electrically operable valve external to the structure.

1 . A valve manipulation apparatus to control water flow to an irrigation system, the valve manipulation apparatus comprising:
 an electric motor capable of engaging and manipulating a valve;   a power receptacle to receive power to operate the valve manipulation apparatus;   a communication interface to send and receive data;   a processor;   a memory;   a valve ID stored in the memory; and   software stored in the memory and operable on the processor to cause the valve manipulation apparatus to:
 receive and respond to a request for a the valve ID over the communication interface; 
 receive a command to manipulate the valve by operating the electric motor, the command received over the communication interface; and 
 operate the electric motor according to the received command. 
   
   
   
       2 . The valve manipulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor and the memory are a CMOS flash microcontroller with built in readable/writeable EEPROM data storage. 
   
   
       3 . The valve manipulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the software stored in the memory is further operable on the processor to cause the valve manipulation apparatus to:
 retrieve the valve ID from the memory, wherein the valve ID when retrieved from the memory for the first time is a default ID indicating the valve is newly installed;   communicate the valve ID over the communication interface;   receive an ID over the communication interface; and   store the received ID as the valve ID.   
   
   
       4 . A valve manipulation controller comprising:
 a communication interface to send and receive data;   a processor;   a memory;   a valve ID stored in the memory; and   software stored in the memory and operable on the processor to cause the valve manipulation controller to:
 receive an authentication ID and a command to manipulate a valve motor coupleable the valve manipulation controller, the authentication ID and command received over the communication interface; and 
 send a signal to the valve motor coupleable to the valve manipulation controller to operate the valve motor according to the received command. 
   
   
   
       5 . The valve manipulation controller of  claim 4 , wherein the communication interface is a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (“UART”). 
   
   
       6 . The valve manipulation controller of  claim 4 , wherein the communication interface includes a wireless communication device. 
   
   
       7 . A remotely operable valve controller comprising:
 a communication interface to send and receive data;   a processor;   a memory;   a controller ID stored in the controller; and   software stored in the memory and operable on the processor to cause the controller to:
 request and receive a valve ID over the communication interface; 
 compare the received valve ID to the controller ID; and 
 if the valve ID and the Controller ID match, send a signal with an encoded command over the communication interface to manipulate a valve motor. 
   
   
   
       8 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7 , wherein the controller ID is set and stored in the controller via a dip switch set. 
   
   
       9 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a battery space to hold a battery;   a first power receptacle coupleable to a battery in the battery space;   a second power receptacle to couple to a valve power receptacle to provide power from a battery in the battery space to a remotely operable valve; and   wherein the communication interface includes a connection point to connect via a wired communication connection to the remotely operable valve.   
   
   
       10 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and the processor are included in a single EPROM microprocessor. 
   
   
       11 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an input mechanism, wherein the receipt of input directs the controller to send a command over the communication interface to manipulate the valve motor.   
   
   
       12 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an output mechanism to display a status of a remote valve;   wherein the software is further operable on the processor to:
 receive valve status signals from the remote valve; and 
   cause the output mechanism to display a representation of the remote valve status.   
   
   
       13 . The valve manipulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is a network interface. 
   
   
       14 . The valve manipulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the command to manipulate the valve includes receiving a command to enforce a water restriction. 
   
   
       15 . The valve manipulation apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the command to enforce the water restriction originates from an entity charged with enforcing watering restrictions. 
   
   
       16 . The valve manipulation controller of  claim 4 , wherein the command to manipulate the valve motor is received to enforce a watering restriction. 
   
   
       17 . The remotely operable valve controller of  claim 7 , wherein the communication interface is capable of sending and receiving data over the Internet.