Bruce M Downie

US Patent:

6452499, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Oct 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/413280

Inventors:

Thomas Henry Runge - Manasquan NJ 08736
Bruce Martin Downie - Plainsboro NJ 08536
Michael Henry Runge - Toms River NJ 08755

International Classification:

G01W 100

US Classification:

340601, 340602, 340539, 239 63, 137 782

Abstract:

An environmental sensor system that communicates sensor data to a receiving unit using wireless means such as a radio frequency signal. The receiving unit interfaces with a controllable system, possibly affecting its operation. This arrangement allows one or more sensor and transmitter units to be remotely mounted at a distance from the receiver, without regard to installation complications that often result with a hardwired type units. In the preferred embodiment, an irrigation system is interfaced wirelessly with an environmental sensor such as a rain sensor. The rain sensor is contemplated such that in the event of sufficient rainfall, a wireless signal is transmitted to the receiver unit, which in turn interfaces with an irrigation controller resulting in the cessation of watering cycles until the sensor system provides another wireless directive to resume watering.

US Patent:

D489280, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/141104

Inventors:

Thomas Henry Runge - Manasquan NJ 08736
Bruce Martin Downie - Hopewell NJ 08525

International Classification:

1004

US Classification:

D10101

US Patent:

7010394, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Oct 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/690694

Inventors:

Thomas H. Runge - Manasquan NJ, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700284, 700282, 239 69

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

US Patent:

7912588, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Apr 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/104937

Inventors:

Thomas H. Runge - Manasquan NJ, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700284, 700282, 239 69

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

US Patent:

7962245, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Aug 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/855615

Inventors:

Thomas H. Runge - Manasquan NJ, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700284, 700282, 239 69

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

US Patent:

7363113, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Dec 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314451

Inventors:

Thomas H. Runge - Manasquan NJ, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700284, 700282, 239 69

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

US Patent:

20110238230, Sep 29, 2011

Filed:

Jun 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/157253

Inventors:

Thomas H. Runge - Manasquan NJ, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

International Classification:

G05D 7/06

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

US Patent:

20150032274, Jan 29, 2015

Filed:

Oct 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/513141

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Bruce M. Downie - Hopewell NJ, US

International Classification:

A01G 25/16
G05B 19/05

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

The invention provides a regulator system for regulating the operation of an irrigation system which is responsive to user programmed information. It has a control element for issuing watering control signals to an irrigation system, having at least one of (i) a duration programming device for programming a minimum amount of time and a maximum amount of time for the suspension of watering by the irrigation system, and (ii) a user adjustable temperature programming device for programming a minimum allowed temperature for initiating a watering period by the irrigation system. It further has an irrigation system interface for connecting said control element with the irrigation system. It also has a switch for conveying the control signals from the control element to the irrigation system via the irrigation system interface, for either permitting or prohibiting watering by the irrigation system, responsive to the control signals generated by and received from the control element.

Author:

Bruce Downie

ISBN #:

9251033854