Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols that are in compliance with municipal restrictions. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

An irrigation management system which allows for modulation of the watering gradient along crop rows. The system may include dual drip lines which allow for selection of gradients based upon the time each of the dual lines is active. The system may utilize pressure sensitive valves which select drip lines based upon the inlet feed water pressure. The system may include drip emitters which modify flow rates based upon inlet feed water pressure.

In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a flow controller controlling various devices in a flow system is disclosed. The method includes receiving by a processing element historical data corresponding to flow characteristics for one or more flow devices controlled by the flow controller; evaluating by the processing element one or more current run settings based on the historical data; modifying by the processing element the one or more current run settings based on the historical data; and transmitting by the processing element the modified run settings to the flow controller to vary the operation of the one or more flow devices.

A remotely controlled hydrant system which may be quickly and efficiently connected to or disconnected from a hydrant to allow remote control of the hydrant by a remote controller such as a mobile phone. The remotely controlled hydrant system generally includes a frame which may be removably connected to a hydrant, such as a frost-free hydrant commonly used in agriculture. A pair of mount supports are removably secured against the shaft of the hydrant, such as via first and second connectors. An actuator is connected between the frame and the hydrant such that movement of the actuator in a first direction activates the hydrant and movement of the actuator in a second direction deactivates the hydrant. A control unit is adapted to receive activation or deactivation signals from a remote controller and direct operation of the actuator.

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for providing an irrigation scheduling module including a graphical user interface for providing irrigation scheduling data for a given field location. According to a preferred embodiment, the irrigation scheduling module is configured to calculate and display an irrigation recommendation for a given set of forecast data. According to a further preferred embodiment, the irrigation recommendation includes a representative shape in the form of a circle which changes from a full circle to a crescent-shaped percentage of the full circle based on the field moisture status.

A system and method for water irrigation system are provided. The water irrigation system includes a set of pressure modulators for generating a set of modulated pressure signals that include an actuating pressure signal and a de-actuating pressure signal. The water irrigation system includes a set of irrigating elements. Each of the irrigating elements includes a water emitter connected to a pressure sensing circuit. The pressure sensing circuit is for actuating the water emitter responsive to the actuating signal and de-actuating the water emitter responsive to the de-actuating signal. The water irrigation system further includes tubing for carrying water for irrigation and the modulated pressure signals to the irrigating element.

An apparatus comprising an irrigation sprinkler body cover with an integrated battery-powered decoder is disclosed. A method of retrofitting existing irrigation systems to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the present apparatus is also disclosed. Concerning the present method, an irrigation controller provides message data to a gateway regarding the control of irrigation valves. The gateway contains configurable encoder software that encodes and then wirelessly transmits the message data, for example via long-range radio hardware at 902-928 MHz frequency. The encoded data is received by a present apparatus to which the message is addressed. The apparatus decodes the message data and subsequently provides a power signal via wire to one or more proximally-located DC latching solenoid valves to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.

Some embodiments provide systems for use in controlling irrigation, comprising: an irrigation controller configured to couple with one or more valves at a site and to control activation and deactivation of the one or more valves in accordance with an irrigation schedule stored in the irrigation controller; a wireless adapter directly communicationally coupled through a direct wired connection with the irrigation controller; and a network adapter wirelessly coupled over a point-to-point wireless communication path with the wireless adapter, wherein the network adapter is configured to further couple through a direct wired connection with a local router configured to provide communication over a distributed network to a remote server; wherein the wireless adapter is configured to poll the irrigation controller to acquire and locally store status information; and the wireless adapter is configured to communicate, over the point-to-point wireless channel, the status information to the server.

In some embodiments, provide an irrigation sensor system, comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and at least one wall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; and a tipping bucket positioned to receive water falling from the lower aperture while the tipping bucket is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the tipping bucket is not aligned with an axis extending through the lower aperture of the funnel.