IP Library Granted Patent US 7,658,336
Granted Patent B2
US 7,658,336 · App. 12/051,375 · Granted Feb 9, 2010

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

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,658,336
App. No.
12/051,375
Granted
Feb 9, 2010
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 (8)

1. A sprinkler system comprising:

a rotating sprinkler head having a configurable spray pattern, wherein said sprinkler head is configured to rotate through an arc;

a first moisture sensor provided in a zone watered by said sprinkler head, said first moisture sensor associated with a first portion of the arc and configured to collect first moisture data;

a second moisture sensor provided in the zone, said second moisture sensor associated with a second portion of the arc and configured to collect second moisture data; and

a controller configured to obtain the moisture data and configure the spray pattern of the sprinkler head based on the moisture data, wherein the controller is configured to configure the spray pattern at least in part by controlling the rate of rotation of said sprinkler head, wherein the controller is configured to control a rate of rotation of the sprinkler head based at least in part on said first and second moisture data.

2. The sprinkler system of claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler head further comprises an actuator, wherein the spray pattern is controlled by controlling the actuator.

3. The sprinkler system of claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler head further comprises an actuator, wherein the state of the actuator determines rate of rotation of the sprinkler head.

4. The sprinkler system of claim 3 , wherein the controller determines the state of the actuator.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044101/0610 →
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 →