IP Library Granted Patent US 7,168,632
Granted Patent B2
US 7,168,632 · App. 11/152,037 · Granted Jan 30, 2007

Multi-zone sprinkler system with moisture sensors and configurable spray pattern

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,168,632
App. No.
11/152,037
Granted
Jan 30, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An irrigation system comprises sprinkler heads with an electrically configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water. The irrigation system can additionally comprise fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers.

Claims (6)

1. A sprinkler head comprising:

a configurable spray pattern;

wherein a computer obtains moisture data associated with the sprinkler head, said sprinkler head comprising a plurality of actuators forming a ring around the perimeter of said sprinkler head, each actuator controlling a port associated with the actuator; wherein opening the port permits water to flow through the port and wherein the computer automatically controls the actuators to open selected ports to configure the configurable spray pattern based on the moisture data.

2. The sprinkler system of claim 1 , wherein the actuators comprise solenoids.

3. The sprinkler system of claim 2 , wherein the port is open when the solenoid is in an active state.

4. The sprinkler system of claim 2 , wherein the port is open when the solenoid is in an inactive state.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 5, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044127/0735 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2014
From: NEST LABS, INC.
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 033568/0693 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT PATENT NO. 8,101,892 TO BE REMOVED PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 031658 FRAME: 0179. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 29, 2014
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033452/0413 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT ADDITION OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,101,892 TO THE LIST. ALL OTHER NUMBERS REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031658 FRAME 0093. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE U.S. PATENT NO. 8,101,892 IS TO BE REMOVED. Recorded Jul 28, 2014
From: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR LLP
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033429/0848 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2013
From: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR LLP
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031658/0093 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2013
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031658/0179 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2009
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, LLP
Reel/Frame 022460/0472 →