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`Case: IPR2018-01592
`Patent No.: 9,320,122
`
`EXHIBIT 1055
`
`PRIME WIRE & CABLE, INC.
`
` Petitioner,
`
`v.
`
`CANTIGNY LIGHTING
`CONTROL, LLC.
`
` Patent owner
`
`JASCO PRODUCTS, INC.
`
` Licensee
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
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`

`

`US006507775B1
`USOO6507775B1
`(12) United States Patent
`United States Patent
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Jan. 14, 2003
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Simon et al.
`Jan. 14, 2003
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Simon etal.
`
`IRRIGATION TIMER AND CLOCK
`(54) IRRIGATION TIMER AND CLOCK
`(54)
`INITIALIZATION METHOD
`INITIALIZATION METHOD
`(75) Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, San Francisco, CA
`(75)
`Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, San Francisco, CA
`(US); Blaine M. Smith, Portland, OR
`S. Blaine M. Smith, Portland, OR
`(US)
`
`(73)
`Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc., San Francisco, CA
`(73) Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc., San Francisco, CA
`(US)
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`(*)
`Notice:
`
`5,187,797 A *
`2/1993 Nielsen et al. .......... 345/708
`5,187,797 A * 2/1993 Nielsen et al. .............. 345/708
`5,251,153 A * 10/1993 Nielsen et al. ......0... 700/284
`5,251,153 A * 10/1993 Nielsen et al. .............. 700/284
`5,293,554 A
`3/1994 Nicholson «00.0.0... 700/284
`5,293,554 A 3/1994 Nicholson ................... 700/284
`
`5,337,957 A
`8/1994. Olson v..eeceeeeeees
`... 239/63
`SE A
`vitz et al... 2.
`5,444,611 A
`8/1995 Woytowitz et al.
`.
`... 700/16
`
`oytowitz et al. .
`- - -
`2 .
`.
`.
`.
`5,602,728. A
`2/1997 Madden et al. ............... 700/16
`5,602,728 A
`2/1997 Maddenetal. ............... 700/16
`5,715,866 A
`2/1998 Granger oe 137/624.11
`5,715,866 A 2/1998 Granger ................. 137/624.11
`5,797,417 A
`8/1998 DeLattre et al.
`........... 137/78.3
`5,797.417 A
`8/1998 DeLattre et al. ........... 137/78.3
`5,921,280 A * 7/1999 Ericksen et al. ....... 137/624.11
`5,921,280 A *
`7/1999 Ericksen et al.
`....... 137/624.11
`* cited by examiner
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Leo Picard
`Primary Examiner—Leo Picard
`Assistant Examiner-Chad Rapp
`Assistant Examiner—Chad Rapp
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James F. Hann; Haynes
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—James F. Hann; Haynes
`Beffel & Wolfeld LLP
`Beffel & Wolfeld LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An irrigation timer (2) includes a controller (8) coupleable
`An irrigation timer (2) includes a controller (8) coupleable
`to a power Source (16), user inputs (12) coupled to the
`to a power source (16), user inputs (12) coupled to the
`controller, controller output terminals (18) coupleable to an
`controller, controller output terminals (18) coupleable to an
`irrigation valve actuator (20) and an internal day-of-week
`irrigation valve actuator (20) and an internal day-of-week
`and time-of-day clock. The controller may be pre
`and time-of-day clock. The controller may be pre-
`programmed with a predetermined, known initialization
`programmed with a predetermined, known initialization
`day-of-week and Start time-of-day Setting So that upon
`day-of-week and start
`time-of-day setting so that upon
`References Cited
`actuation, the clock automatically begins running at that
`References Cited
`actuation,
`the clock automatically begins running at that
`setting, such as Sunday, 6:00 PM. The user inputs may have
`setting, such as Sunday, 6:00 PM. The user inputs may have
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`a single, preset function So that no user input is a multi
`a single, preset function so that no user input is a multi-
`function input to help make programming essentially intui
`8/1979 Kendall etal.
`function input to help make programmingessentially intui-
`
`4,165,532 A *8/1979Kendalletal............. 700/284
`4,165,532 A * 8/1979 Kendall et al. ............. 700/284
`tive.
`4,760,547 A
`4,760,547 A
`7/1988 Duxbury .......
`... 700/284
`tive.
`7/1988 Duxbury .......
`w+ 700/284
`
`4,951,204 A
`4951204 A 8/1990 Mylne, III ...
`... 700/284
`8/1990 Mylne,III .....
`.. 700/284
`sesseceeeeneeeee 700/16
`5,038.268 A 8/1991 Krause et al. ................ 700/16
`5,038,268 A
`8/1991 Krauseetal.
`
`(21)
`Appl. No.: 09/440,298
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/440,298
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 17, 1999
`(22)
`Filed:
`Nov. 17, 1999
`(51) Int. Cl." .................................................. G05D 7700
`Tint, C07 ieee cece cece eeeeeeeeeeaneaeeneseeeees G05D 7/00
`(61)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 700/284; 239/69; 137/624.11
`US. Che cence 700/284; 239/69; 137/624.11
`(52)
`(58) Field of Search ............................ 700/284; 239/61,
`Field of Search ..........0...00..008 700/284; 239/61,
`(58)
`239/65, 67, 64, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 99;
`239/65, 67, 64, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 99;
`137/624.11, 78.3
`137/624.11, 78.3
`
`(56)
`(56)
`
`18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`3/4/234
`v/
`4
`36 30
`3576,
`PRESETT
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`14 GAY
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`RUN/SAVE
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`70-NDOUBLEWATER MANUAL
`76
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`5
`
`PRE-SE 6
`
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`52
`
`
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`68
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Jan. 14, 2003
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`
`FIG. 2.
`
`
`
`98
`
`
`FIG. 5B.
`96A
`
`FIG. 5A.
`FIG. 5A.
`
`
`
`N-y-
`100
`
`96B
`96B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`
`28
`
`M
`
`(E / ?y
` __ivNXvr—_T]}
`
`
`
`1 N 2
`
`
`
`37 4-34
`
`PRE-SET 6
`sc
`
`preser7
`
`PRE-SET 8
`
`SET
`CLOCK
`
`
`S) O O O O O O O NEXT
`START
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HALF WATER
`68
`HALF WATER
`68
`70 {DOUBLEWATER
`70 NDOUBLE WATER
`
`Q
`
`FIG. 4.
`FIG.4.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`i i)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`78
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`1
`IRRIGATION TIMER AND CLOCK
`IRRIGATION TIMER AND CLOCK
`INITIALIZATION METHOD
`INITIALIZATION METHOD
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`APPLICATIONS
`This is related to the following U.S. Patent Applications
`This is related to the following U.S. Patent Applications
`of the Same inventors, filed on the same day as this appli
`of the same inventors, filed on the same day as this appli-
`cation and assigned to the same assignee: “Irrigation Timer'
`cation and assigned to the sameassignee: “Irrigation Timer”
`and “Irrigation Timer with Multiplexing Watering Mode”.
`and “Irrigation Timer with Multiplexing Watering Mode”.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Irrigation timers are used to control the delivery of water
`Irrigation timers are used to control the delivery of water
`to Sprinkler heads, driplines, etc. Most irrigation timers are
`to sprinkler heads, driplines, etc. Most irrigation timers are
`set up to deliver water to sets of sprinklers in different
`set up to deliver water to sets of sprinklers in different
`watering Zones to ensure that the Sprinklers are provided
`watering zones to ensure that the sprinklers are provided
`with adequate water preSSure. This also permits the different
`with adequate water pressure. This also permits the different
`Zones to be watered for different periods of time at different
`zones to be watered for different periods of time at different
`frequencies and at different times of day. Irrigation timers
`frequencies and at different times of day. Irrigation timers
`determine when and for how long water is delivered to each
`determine when and for how long wateris delivered to each
`Set of the Sprinklers and actuate the irrigation valves in a
`set of the sprinklers and actuate the irrigation valves in a
`predetermined or Selected Sequence to accomplish this.
`predetermined or selected sequence to accomplish this.
`One of the problems with conventional household-type
`One of the problems with conventional household-type
`irrigation Systems is that they rely on a combination of
`irrigation systems is that they rely on a combination of
`Sliding or rotating Switches, push buttons and lighted dis
`sliding or rotating switches, push buttons and lighted dis-
`plays perform and verify various functions, including Setting
`plays perform andverify various functions, including setting
`the time of day, when to water, how long to water, etc. These
`the time of day, when to water, how long to water, etc. These
`conventional Systems often rely on Some type of common
`conventional systems often rely on some type of common
`readout or display and the use of multifunction buttons,
`readout or display and the use of multifunction buttons,
`Switches or other user inputs. The way conventional timers
`switches or other user inputs. The way conventional timers
`are designed, especially the use of multifunction user inputs,
`are designed, especially the use of multifunction user inputs,
`reduces the ease of use for the owner. This is especially true
`reduces the ease of use for the owner. This is especially true
`because after first being programmed, programming may not
`becauseafterfirst being programmed, programming may not
`be necessary again for six months, because programming
`be necessary again for six months; because programming
`conventional irrigation timerS is not necessarily intuitive, the
`conventional irrigation timersis not necessarily intuitive, the
`user often needs to find and then re-review the instruction
`user often needs to find and then re-review the instruction
`manual to ensure that programming is done properly.
`manual to ensure that programming is done properly.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to an irrigation timer
`The present invention is directed to an irrigation timer
`which substantially eliminates the complexity which is often
`which substantially eliminates the complexity whichis often
`involved in the use of conventional irrigation timers.
`involved in the use of conventional irrigation timers.
`A first aspect of the invention is directed to an irrigation
`A first aspect of the invention is directed to an irrigation
`timer of the type including a controller coupleable to a
`timer of the type including a controller coupleable to a
`power Source and a user input providing an input to the
`power source and a user input providing an input to the
`controller. The controller includes an output terminal cou
`controller. The controller includes an output terminal cou-
`pleable to an irrigation valve actuator and an internal day
`pleable to an irrigation valve actuator and an internal day-
`of-week and time-of-day clock. The controller is pre
`of-week and time-of-day clock. The controller is pre-
`programmed with a predetermined, known initialization
`programmed with a predetermined, known initialization
`day-of-week and Start time-of-day Setting So that upon
`day-of-week and start
`time-of-day setting so that upon
`actuation, the clock automatically begins running at the
`actuation,
`the clock automatically begins running at
`the
`predetermined, known initialization day-of-week and Start
`predetermined, known initialization day-of-week and start
`time-of-day Setting. For example, if the initialization Setting
`time-of-day setting. For example,if the initialization setting
`is Sunday, 6:00 PM, and if actuation occurs by plugging in
`is Sunday, 6:00 PM, and if actuation occurs by plugging in
`the irrigation timer, then the internal clock is automatically
`the irrigation timer, then the internal clock is automatically
`set at Sunday, 6:00 PM by plugging in the timer, preferably
`set at Sunday, 6:00 PM by pluggingin the timer, preferably
`on Sunday at about 6:00 PM. Use of a predetermined, known
`on Sundayat about 6:00 PM. Useof a predetermined, known
`initialization day-of-week and Start time-of-day Setting
`initialization day-of-week and start
`time-of-day setting
`makes the irrigation timer much easier to use than conven
`makes the irrigation timer much easier to use than conven-
`tional irrigation timers.
`tional irrigation timers.
`Another aspect of the invention is the method by which
`Another aspect of the invention is the method by which
`the clock of the irrigation timer is initialized. A predeter
`the clock of the irrigation timer is initialized. A predeter-
`mined initialization day-of-week and Start time-of-day Set
`mined initialization day-of-week and start time-of-day set-
`ting is determined and then the irrigation timer is actuated on
`ting is determined andthen theirrigation timer is actuated on
`the same day and about the same time as the predetermined
`the same day and about the same time as the predetermined
`day-of-week and time-of-day Setting. The determining Step
`day-of-week and time-of-day setting. The determining step
`
`10
`
`15
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`35
`
`40
`40
`
`45
`45
`
`50
`50
`
`55
`55
`
`60
`60
`
`65
`65
`
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`
`2
`2
`is typically carried out by obtaining the Setting from written
`is typically carried out by obtaining the setting from written
`instructional information associated with the irrigation
`instructional
`information associated with the irrigation
`timer.
`timer.
`A further aspect of the invention relates to an irrigation
`A further aspect of the invention relates to an irrigation
`timer including a controller coupleable to a power Source
`timer including a controller coupleable to a power source
`and having an output signal terminal and user input buttons
`and having an output signal terminal and user input buttons
`operably coupled to the controller by which a user can
`operably coupled to the controller by which a user can
`control watering functions of the controller. Each of the user
`control watering functions of the controller. Each of the user
`input buttons has a Single, preset function So that no user
`input buttons has a single, preset function so that no user
`input button is a multifunction button. The elimination of
`input button is a multifunction button. The elimination of
`multifunction buttons, or other user inputs, makes program
`multifunction buttons, or other user inputs, makes program-
`ming the irrigation timer much simpler and helps to make
`ming the irrigation timer much simpler and helps to make
`the programming essentially intuitive.
`the programmingessentially intuitive.
`Other features and advantages of the invention will appear
`Other features and advantages of the invention will appear
`from the following description in which the preferred
`from the following description in which the preferred
`embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with
`embodimenthas been set forth in detail in conjunction with
`the accompanying drawings.
`the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an overall view of an irrigation timer made
`FIG. 1 is an overall view of an irrigation timer made
`according to the invention;
`according to the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of the irrigation timer of
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the irrigation timer of
`FIG. 1 coupled to a power Source and a set of Solenoid
`FIG. 1 coupled to a power source and a set of solenoid
`valves which control the delivery of water to sprinklers at a
`valves which control the delivery of water to sprinklers at a
`Series of Zones,
`series of zones;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of various compo
`FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of various compo-
`nents of the irrigation timer of FIG. 1;
`nents of the irrigation timer of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main control panel illustrated
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main control panel illustrated
`in FIG. 3; and
`in FIG. 3; and
`FIGS. 5A-5C schematically illustrate how the watering
`FIGS. 5A-5C schematically illustrate how the watering
`period Setting for each watering Zone is broken up into a
`period setting for each watering zone is broken up into a
`number of fractional watering periods, where the number is
`numberof fractional watering periods, where the numberis
`3 in FIG. 5A, 2 in FIG. 5B and 3 in FIG. 5C, the watering
`3 in FIG. 5A, 2 in FIG. 5B and 3 in FIG. 5C,the watering
`periods for each Zone being identical in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
`periods for each zone being identical in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
`but the water period Setting for Zone 1 being Substantially
`but the water period setting for zone 1 being substantially
`larger than the watering period Settings for Zones 2, 3 and 4
`larger than the watering period settings for zones 2, 3 and 4
`in FIG. 5C.
`in FIG. 5C.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC
`DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC
`EMBODIMENTS
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 1 illustrates an irrigation timer 2 made according to
`FIG. 1 illustrates an irrigation timer 2 made according to
`the invention including a housing 4 having a front door 6,
`the invention including a housing 4 having a front door 6,
`shown in the closed position in FIG. 1. Referring now also
`shown in the closed position in FIG. 1. Referring now also
`to FIG. 2, the irrigation timer 2 is shown to include a
`to FIG. 2,
`the irrigation timer 2 is shown to include a
`controller 8 coupled to a main control panel 10, control
`controller 8 coupled to a main control panel 10, control
`panel 10 including user input buttons 12, as will be dis
`panel 10 including user input buttons 12, as will be dis-
`cussed in more detail below. Controller 8 is typically pow
`cussed in more detail below. Controller 8 is typically pow-
`ered through a power cable 14 connected to a conventional
`ered through a power cable 14 connected to a conventional
`AC power source 16. Irrigation timer 2 could also be
`AC power source 16.
`Irrigation timer 2 could also be
`powered in other manners, Such as through the use of
`powered in other manners, such as through the use of
`batteries, rechargeable batteries, Solar power, etc. Controller
`batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar power, etc. Controller
`8 has a number of output signal terminals 18 which are
`8 has a numberof output signal terminals 18 which are
`connected a set of Solenoid valves 20 by a set of output
`connected a set of solenoid valves 20 by a set of output
`signal lines 22. Solenoid valves 20 are used to selectively
`signal lines 22. Solenoid valves 20 are used to selectively
`connect individual watering lines 24 to a water Supply pipe
`connect individual watering lines 24 to a water supply pipe
`26. Each watering line 24 is used to deliver water one or
`26. Each watering line 24 is used to deliver water one or
`more Sprinkler heads, drip irrigation lines, or other watering
`more sprinkler heads,drip irrigation lines, or other watering
`devices, typically collectively referred to as Sprinklers. Each
`devices, typically collectively referred to as sprinklers. Each
`Set of Sprinklers is used to water a particular Zone, which
`set of sprinklers is used to water a particular zone, which
`may or may not overlap. Individually Supplying the different
`may or maynot overlap. Individually supplying the different
`Zones with irrigation water from water Supply pipe 26
`zones with irrigation water from water supply pipe 26
`provides Several advantages, including delivery of water at
`provides several advantages, including delivery of water at
`higher preSSures than if all the Sprinklers were provided with
`higher pressures than if all the sprinklers were provided with
`water at the same time, permitting different Zones to be
`water at the same time, permitting different zones to be
`Supplied with irrigation water at different times of day, for
`supplied with irrigation water at different times of day, for
`
`

`

`3
`3
`different watering durations and at different frequencies, as
`different watering durations and at different frequencies, as
`is conventional.
`is conventional.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate main control panel 10 illustrating
`FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate main control panel 10 illustrating
`a number of different types of the user input buttons 12
`a numberof different types of the user input buttons 12
`shown in FIG. 2. Each user input button has a status LED 28
`shownin FIG. 2. Each user input button has a status LED 28
`associated with the button which illuminates when the
`associated with the button which illuminates when the
`particular function of the button is active to provide the user
`particular function of the button is active to provide the user
`with an instantaneous visual indication of the programming
`with an instantaneousvisual indication of the programming
`and/or operational Status of the timer. Programming of timer
`and/or operationalstatus of the timer. Programming of timer
`2 preferably moves in a top-to-bottom manner. Each Set of
`2 preferably moves in a top-to-bottom manner. Each set of
`the input buttons is preferably color coded. A Set of eight
`the input buttons is preferably color coded. A set of eight
`different program buttons 30 include five user-programmed
`different program buttons 30 include five user-programmed
`buttons 32, indicated by the numbers 1-5, and three preset
`buttons 32, indicated by the numbers 1-5, and three preset
`program buttons 34, indicated by the numbers 6, 7 and 8.
`program buttons 34, indicated by the numbers 6, 7 and 8.
`Also included within program buttons 30 are an erase
`Also included within program buttons 30 are an erase
`program button 36 and a set clock program button 38. The
`program button 36 and a set clock program button 38. The
`use of program buttons 30, as well as the other buttons to be
`use of program buttons 30, as well as the other buttons to be
`discussed below, will be described below.
`discussed below, will be described below.
`The next set of buttons are the day select buttons 40 which
`The nextset of buttonsare the day select buttons 40 which
`include seven day-of-week buttons 42, labeled for the days
`include seven day-of-week buttons 42, labeled for the days
`Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
`Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
`Saturday. Day select buttons 40 also include skip-day but
`Saturday. Day select buttons 40 also include skip-day but-
`tons 44 with the particular identification of how often the
`tons 44 with the particular identification of how often the
`irrigation timer will be actuated for a particular program,
`irrigation timer will be actuated for a particular program,
`Such as every day, every Second day, every third day, etc.
`such as every day, every second day, every third day,etc.
`Next is a section for the program LEDs 46 with numerical
`Next is a section for the program LEDs 46 with numerical
`identifications corresponding to the numerical identifica
`identifications corresponding to the numerical
`identifica-
`tions on user-program buttons 32 and pre-Set program but
`tions on user-program buttons 32 and pre-set program but-
`tons 34. A neXt Start button 48 is used in programming timer
`tons 34. A nextstart button 48 is used in programming timer
`2 as discussed below.
`2 as discussed below.
`The next Section includes a number of Start time-of-day
`The next section includes a numberofstart time-of-day
`select buttons 50 including twelve different hour buttons 52,
`select buttons 50 including twelve different hour buttons 52,
`four different minute buttons 54 and AM and PM buttons 56,
`four different minute buttons 54 and AM and PM buttons 56,
`58. Buttons 50 are used to select the time-of-day at which a
`58. Buttons 50 are used to select the time-of-day at which a
`particular program Starts a watering cycle.
`particular program starts a watering cycle.
`The next Section includes eight different watering Zone
`The next section includes eight different watering zone
`LEDs 60 which indicate which of eight different watering
`LEDs 60 which indicate which of eight different watering
`Zones have been programmed or are in operation, as dis
`zones have been programmed or are in operation, as dis-
`cussed in more detail below. Also included is a next zone
`cussed in more detail below. Also included is a next Zone
`button 62 used in programming a number of different
`button 62 used in programming a number of different
`watering Zones as discussed below. Following the watering
`watering zones as discussed below. Following the watering
`Zone LEDs 60 are a series of 14 different watering duration
`zone LEDs 60 are a series of 14 different watering duration
`Select buttons 64, each identified with a numerical indication
`select buttons 64, each identified with a numerical indication
`of the number of, for example, minutes a particular watering
`of the numberof, for example, minutes a particular watering
`cycle will be programmed.
`cycle will be programmed.
`Finally, main control panel 10 includes program override
`Finally, main control panel 10 includes program override
`buttons 66 including a half water button 68 and a double
`buttons 66 including a half water button 68 and a double
`water button 70 which cause the particular program which is
`water button 70 which cause the particular program which is
`running or is Scheduled to run to either decrease the watering
`running or is scheduledto runto either decrease the watering
`cycle time by half or double the watering cycle time. Half
`cycle time by half or double the watering cycle time. Half
`and double water buttons 68, 70 remain activated until
`and double water buttons 68, 70 remain activated until
`deactivated by being pushed again. A run two hour button 72
`deactivated by being pushed again. Arun two hour button 72
`is used to cause timer 2 to immediately start watering each
`is used to cause timer 2 to immediately start watering each
`zone in succession for two hours each.
`Zone in Succession for two hours each.
`This two hour watering cycle Starts with Zone 1 unless
`This two hour watering cycle starts with zone 1 unless
`next Zone button 62 is pushed after start of the two hour
`next zone button 62 is pushed after start of the two hour
`cycle. If this occurs the two hour watering cycle will Start
`cycle. If this occurs the two hour watering cycle will start
`with the Selected Zone and then cycle through all Zones once.
`with the selected zone and then cycle through all zones once.
`This feature is useful for turning on water to a particular
`This feature is useful for turning on water to a particular
`Zone or a Succession of Zones, for, for example, Setting or
`zone or a succession of zones, for, for example, setting or
`adjusting Sprinkler heads.
`adjusting sprinkler heads.
`A rain Suspend button 74 is used, as the name Suggests, to
`Arain suspend button 74 is used, as the name suggests,to
`Suspend operation of irrigation timer 2 for that day when
`suspend operation of irrigation timer 2 for that day when
`watering is not needed; watering will again resume opera
`watering is not needed; watering will again resume opera-
`tion the next day. Manual off button 76 is used to turn off
`tion the next day. Manual off button 76 is used to turn off
`timer 2; status LED 28 for manual off button 76 is illumi
`timer 2; status LED 28 for manual off button 76 is illumi-
`
`10
`
`15
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`35
`
`40
`40
`
`45
`45
`
`50
`50
`
`55
`55
`
`60
`60
`
`65
`65
`
`US 6,507,775 B1
`US 6,507,775 B1
`
`4
`4
`nated when timeris in its off mode. Run/save button 78 is
`nated when timer is in its off mode. Run/save button 78 is
`used in various ways during programming, as will be
`used in various ways during programming, as will be
`discussed in more detail below. A battery low LED 80 is
`discussed in more detail below. A battery low LED 80 is
`used to indicate when an internal backup battery, used to
`used to indicate when an internal backup battery, used to
`keep power Supplied to controller 8 during a power outage,
`keep power supplied to controller 8 during a power outage,
`needs to be replaced.
`needs to be replaced.
`Returning to FIG. 3, main control panel 10 is seen to
`Returning to FIG. 3, main control panel 10 is seen to
`include a panel housing 82 and a conductive rubber keypad
`include a panel housing 82 and a conductive rubber keypad
`84, housing 82 having appropriate openings through which
`84, housing 82 having appropriate openings through which
`the various buttons 12 of keypad 84 pass through. Controller
`the various buttons 12 of keypad 84 pass through. Controller
`8, plus associated electronics, are mounted to the printed
`8, plus associated electronics, are mounted to the printed
`circuit board 86 on the side opposite the viewer in FIG. 3.
`circuit board 86 on the side opposite the viewer in FIG. 3.
`Aback cover 88 covers the component side of printed circuit
`A backcover 88 covers the componentsideof printed circuit
`board 86 and has a cable manager 90 housing terminals 18
`board 86 and has a cable manager 90 housing terminals 18
`and from which output Signal lines 22 extend. Front door 6,
`and from which output signal lines 22 extend. Front door 6,
`See also FIG. 1, has a number of front door buttons 92, 94
`see also FIG. 1, has a number of front door buttons 92, 94
`which overlie selected ones of program buttons 30 and
`which overlie selected ones of program buttons 30 and
`program override button 66, respectively. In particular, front
`program override button 66, respectively. In particular, front
`door buttons 92 are identified as three different preset
`door buttons 92 are identified as three different preset
`buttons which overlie and engage preset program buttons 34
`buttons which overlie and engage preset program buttons 34
`and permit actuation of preset program buttons 34 when
`and permit actuation of preset program buttons 34 when
`front door 6 is closed. Front buttons 94 overlie and permit
`front door 6 is closed. Front buttons 94 overlie and permit
`the user to actuate selected ones of buttons 68, 70, 72, 74 and
`the user to actuate selected ones of buttons 68, 70, 72, 74 and
`76 when front door 6 is in its closed position of FIG. 1.
`76 when front door6 is in its closed position of FIG. 1.
`Controller 8 optionally includes a sound chip 95, or other
`Controller 8 optionally includes a sound chip 95, or other
`Sources of Voice Signals, Such as a voice Synthesizer, coupled
`sources of voice signals, such as a voice synthesizer, coupled
`to a speaker 97, both shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. Voice
`to a speaker 97, both shownin dashedlines in FIG. 2. Voice
`prompts could begin when the user presses a user
`prompts could begin when the user presses a user-
`programmed button 32 by timer 2 asking, for example,
`programmed button 32 by timer 2 asking, for example,
`“What day do you want to water?” The user then presses the
`“What day do you wantto water?” The user then presses the
`desired button(s) 42, 44, such as buttons 42 for Monday,
`desired button(s) 42, 44, such as buttons 42 for Monday,
`Wednesday, Friday, after which controller 8 could enunciate
`Wednesday, Friday, after which controller 8 could enunciate
`the chosen days, Such as by Stating, “You have chosen
`the chosen days, such as by stating, “You have chosen
`Monday, Wednesday, Friday.” Next, controller 8 could ask,
`Monday, Wednesday, Friday.” Next, controller 8 could ask,
`“When do you want to start watering?” to prompt the user
`“When do you want to start watering?” to prompt the user
`to press selected ones of buttons 52, 54, 56, 58. Controller
`to press selected ones of buttons 52, 54, 56, 58. Controller
`8 could then enunciate the chosen time, such as “five thirty
`8 could then enunciate the chosen time, such as “five thirty
`AM”. Programming of timer 2 would preferably proceed
`AM”. Programming of timer 2 would preferably proceed
`with controller 8 asking questions-voice prompts-and
`with controller 8 asking questions—voice prompts—and
`then confirming Selections-voice confirmations. Voice
`then confirming selections—voice confirmations. Voice
`prompts and Voice confirmations could also be provided
`prompts