FR3035563A1 - WATERING AUTONOMOUS-TELEGERE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a watering system, generally water, comprising sensors disposed on or in the ground, including moisture probes; watering means; one or more communicating programmable controllers, a communicating programmable controller comprising water management rules remotely modifiable via one or more communication networks; said system being characterized in that the watering means are controlled by at least one communicating PLC, said communicating PLC being associated with at least one sensor. Developments describe the use of capacitive humidity probes or level detectors, the use of meteorological data, the use of a 169 Mhz network, sometimes bidirectionally, the configuration possibly carried out at a distance from thresholds. triggering of watering and monitoring of leaks or clogging of the means of distribution. Process and software aspects, including interfaces, are described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to methods and systems for watering, for example on soils, said methods and systems being in particular controlled remotely and / or being regulated according to different types of servo.

State of the art The suppliers of automatic irrigation systems have developed automated irrigation solutions based on a generally centralized control and comprising means of communication (wired connection, short-range radio relay for long distances, sometimes on GSM mobile phone network). These solutions generally have limitations, among which generally high overall costs, generally uncertain control of water consumption (these solutions may be based on water demand modeling which may prove to be inaccurate), the need for monitoring recurrent human and various energy issues for example relating to radio transmission devices.

For example, the patent literature includes WO2012126523 which discloses an irrigation control system which comprises a control unit which controls a plurality of irrigation channels, a sensor interface connected to the control unit, a plurality of corresponding sensor connectors. to each of the irrigation channels installed on the sensor interface, and one or more sensors connected to the sensor connectors. This approach has limitations, particularly in terms of communication.

There is a need for advantageous watering methods and systems for balancing autonomy and remote management, power management of control apparatus and other criteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a watering system, generally water, comprising sensors disposed on or in the ground, including humidity probes; watering means; one or more communicating programmable logic controllers, a communicating programmable controller comprising water management rules remotely modifiable via one or more communication networks; said system being characterized in that the watering means are controlled by at least one communicating programmable controller, said communicating programmable controller being associated with at least one sensor. Developments describe the use of capacitive humidity probes or level detectors, the use of meteorological data, the use of a 169 Mhz network, sometimes bidirectionally, the configuration possibly carried out at a distance from thresholds. Triggering watering and monitoring leakage or clogging of the means of distribution. Process and software aspects, including interfaces, are described. According to one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a watering system at least partially automated, energy efficient, communicating, controlled by the soil moisture and / or weather forecast (also according to other criteria 3035563 optional), which is particularly capable of cutting the water supply in case of water leakage. In one embodiment, the watering system according to the invention combines an automatic watering controlled by the soil moisture, with a remote meter that generates alerts in case of over or under water consumption (leakage). or capping) and an inhibition of watering in case of overconsumption.

In an embodiment which remains optional, the invention may also take into account meteorological forecasts (as well as evapotranspiration data) for blocking watering in the event of expected rain.

Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to optimize the operating costs of the irrigation system. Advantageously, certain embodiments of the invention make it possible to satisfactorily manage the technical problem of the fate of the watering in the event of leakage and / or clogging of the watering lines. The invention generally allows better control of water consumption. Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to optimize the energy autonomy of the radio transmission systems. Advantageously, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an "autonomous" automatic watering system, in the sense that the need for human intervention can be reduced or even eliminated.

Advantageously, a "decentralized" watering system is proposed.

Advantageously, the invention applies to the optimization of green space irrigation systems having characteristics of soil, sunshine, exposure to wind, vegetation type, sufficiently homogeneous to be enslaved. at a point of measurement. In one embodiment, each programmable controller according to the invention can drive up to four sectors each receiving a specifically determined watering dose.

Primarily, the invention is advantageously applicable to the management of watering green spaces. However, communicating PLCs according to the invention, as well as management and control schemes (coupling with sensors and / or water meters and / or meteorological data) can be adapted and advantageously used. in close or even different agricultural or industrial contexts. Examples of application are described below. Advantageously, the invention applies to technical fields similar to that of watering green spaces. The methods and systems of the invention can indeed be applied to various water resource management environments. For example, a selection of features of the invention will advantageously apply to the watering of planters, potted plants, green roofs and more generally to the watering of any kind of planted structure placed inside or outside buildings. For example, for the management of vegetated structures on buildings, the invention avoids excess watering that present risks of water damage and / or nuisance.

Advantageously, the invention also applies to the management of reservoir pavements, the management of rainwater tanks (e.g., drainable if necessary). According to one embodiment, the sensor according to the invention is a level probe (for example of reservoir or water table). The invention thus aims to use the captured stream of rainwater in an optimal way: the monitoring of the water level in reserve makes it possible to put in perspective the real water needs observed on the ground and / or according to the meteorological conditions and / or water distribution capacity (input / output status) Advantageously, the invention applies to the management of tank roofs, allowing the monitoring of water levels (eg emptying clogging alerts) and by allowing preventive emptying in the event of a thunderstorm forecast, while taking into account the meteorology and / or the state of the distribution network.

Advantageously, the invention also applies to the management of drinking water networks, for example by allowing automatic purges enslaved, for example, to the residence time in the network (eg purge controlled by a meter and / or a flowmeter). ), and / or network modeling and / or water quality measurements. These recorded purges will help increase network efficiencies where appropriate. According to one embodiment of such a system, it is possible to determine the residence time of the water in the pipes and / or the chlorine measurement of the stored water (eg by means of sensors measuring the concentration of the chlorine ) and purges can be triggered (eg every 24 hours) to replenish the water and provide non-chlorinated water (or reduced chlorine content).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Various aspects and advantages of the invention will appear in support of the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, but not limited to, with reference to the figures below: FIG. an exemplary embodiment of the sprinkler system according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the watering system according to the invention. Figure 3 illustrates an example of taking meteorological data into account.

FIG. 4 illustrates various exemplary embodiments of the invention in sensor management, including humidity probes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION There is disclosed a watering system comprising sensors disposed on or in the ground; watering means; one or more communicating programmable controllers, a communicating programmable controller comprising watering management rules remotely modifiable by one or more communication networks; said system being characterized by the watering means are controlled by at least one communicating PLC, said communicating PLC being associated with at least one sensor.

In one embodiment, the communicating PLC receives input from measurements made by a sensor. In one embodiment, several sensors interact with the programmable logic controller. In one embodiment, a sensor 5 interacts with a plurality of programmable controllers. The fluid dispensed by the sprinkler system according to the invention is generally water. In some embodiments, other types of fluids may be dispensed (including water enriched with one or more fertilizers or additives). The communicating programmable logic controller according to the invention is generally autonomous, i.e. its management rules are predefined. However, the management rules are configurable remotely, including humidity thresholds triggering watering in profiles that are also configurable. One or more networks can be used (for example a 169 Mhz network or a GSM / 169 Mhz combination). The communicating PLC is associated with one or more sensors. The sensors can be placed on the ground, partially buried or even aerial (for example placed on certain plants). The water distribution means 20 may for example comprise solenoid valves controlling or allowing the distribution of water and / or irrigation channels, etc. Water distribution profiles (evolution over time) are configurable. A local control of the "cell" {PLC + sensor} thus defined allows automatic operation.

In one development, at least one sensor is a capacitive moisture sensor. A capacitive humidity sensor is a moisture sensor that measures the water content of the soil.

In a development, at least one or more sensors is selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a level detector, a gas detector, a water meter and / or a conductivity meter.

The use of moisture sensors is a first technical approach but it is not the only one. A combination of sensors or sensors or measuring instruments can be advantageously used, so as to optimize watering. The sensors used by the invention may comprise one or more humidity sensors, level detectors, gas detectors, water meters, conductivity meters, but also cameras, sensors for physico-chemical parameters (eg chlorine), thermometers, Anemometers, barometers, etc. A conductivity sensor makes it possible, for example, to capture a set of physicochemical parameters quickly and economically. Advantageously, such a conductivity sensor provides intermediate results upstream which can be very useful for the regulation of downstream watering. For example, a chlorine measuring instrument can effectively manage drinking water networks. Some detectors and sensors corroborate initial measurements and thus serve to reinforce the decision-making or decision-making system (e.g. camera confirming the state of dryness of the leaves).

In a development, the system further comprises at least one communicating apparatus adapted to receive meteorological type data relating to the location of the sprinkler system. In one embodiment, each communicating programmable controller 30 is geolocated: the meteorological data relating to the location of the programmable logic controller can be received by the network. Weather information may be useful (eg avoid automatic or scheduled watering when it is raining and / or raining effectively).

In a development, at least one communication network is of the 169 Mhz type. The 169 MHz network, which can be unidirectional (eg trace back data from humidity probes), is a proprietary network that offers a favorable compromise between bandwidth capacity, financial constraints and energy saving for data transmissions. . In a development, the 169 MHz network is bidirectional.

The 169 MHz network, which may be unidirectional (e.g., retrieve information from the humidity probes) may also be bidirectional (i.e. control of programmable controllers).

In a development, the watering trigger threshold is remotely configurable. One or more water management thresholds can be predefined but also configurable (controllable) remotely.

In a development, at least one communicating PLC is adapted to receive information associated with the physical state of the inputs and / or outputs of the watering means.

The dispensing means can be instrumented in different ways, for example directly (e.g., wear, temperature, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., on consumption or under consumption, ie leaking or capping). In one development, the physical status information of the inlets and / or outlets of the watering means indicates under-consumption or over-consumption of the watered fluid relative to a predefined reference consumption. The reference consumption level is notably configurable at a distance. Statistical monitoring can be used (static or dynamic perspective, eg averages, standard deviation, etc.) In a development, at least one programmable controller is adapted to stop or suspend or decrease the fluid spraying by controlling the means of control. watering in case of over-consumption of fluid and / or to resume said watering in case of under-consumption and / or to issue an alert. In a development, the system further comprises a central server 20 remotely searchable by one or more client stations, said central server being adapted to receive and process data from one or more communicating programmable controllers. A client station may be for example a mobile phone or a computer or a connected watch. In a development, at least one communicating PLC is adapted to send these data to the central server as a function of the humidity measurement performed by a sensor.

In order to make the watering system as autonomous as possible and / or to save energy, a communicating programmable controller attempts to minimize the number of network communications. In some embodiments, only one sending of data is allowed per day. If necessary, the humidity profile may or may not trigger the sending of data to the centralized management server. The invention is especially designed to have a bi-directional operation organized so as to save the batteries. The transmitter may only activate itself to transmit its data and indicate to the central server that it is ready to receive data back. As soon as he receives the data, he goes back to sleep. This exchange can be programmed at a fixed time (for example at 16h to avoid false measurements related to condensation). The activation of the receiver can be conditioned to the humidity profile: if the soil is wet, the programmable controller does not need to water and therefore no need to know the meteorological data. According to another example, if the tank is empty, there is no need to know the weather to possibly empty the tank during a storm.

There is disclosed a method of watering water on a surface comprising the steps of receiving moisture data and / or water consumption data and / or meteorological data; determining a fluid distribution according to remotely modifiable management rules and said received data.

The humidity data is, for example, received from one or more humidity sensors placed on or in the ground. The water consumption data are for example derived from one or more water meters associated with the watering means. The meteorological data relates to the location of the watering means. The management rules operate on these data received from sensors and / or meteorological type data and / or meter data. In one development, the method further comprises the step of modifying one or more management rules.

In a development, the method further comprises the step of modifying one or more step triggering thresholds and / or stopping the watering, said thresholds being associated with the management rules.

There is disclosed a computer program product, said computer program comprising code instructions for performing the steps of the method, when said program is run on a computer.

Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the sprinkler system according to the invention. The device comprises various interacting elements making it possible to implement one or more steps of the method according to the invention.

In one embodiment, the watering system comprises an energy-autonomous programmable controller 110 which integrates a communication module 111. In an alternative embodiment, the communication module 111 transmits and receives at the radio frequency 169 25 MHz ( the advantages associated with using this type of network will be described below). In an alternative embodiment, the communication module 111 is of the GSM type. In another variant embodiment, the communication module 111 is able to interact with any other type of network (for example Sigfox LoRa ....). The irrigation system 30 also comprises one or more solenoid valves 120 controlled or controlled by the automaton 110. The solenoid valves interact with one or more sprinklers 121 for guiding the water or more generally the liquid (for example enriched with water). nutrients) to or in the soil. Sprinklers 121 may be rotating, drip, diffusion or percolation systems, etc. The irrigation system 5 further comprises one or more sensors (or sensors) 130. In one embodiment, at least one sensor may be a humidity sensor. For example, a humidity probe may be a capacitive probe. In other embodiments, at least one sensor can measure other physico-chemical properties of the soil. (e.g. nutrient content, acidity, temperature, etc.). The sprinkler system also comprises a water meter 140 (or more generally one or more devices for measuring the flow of the liquid). In one embodiment, the water meter is provided with a pulse counter.

According to various embodiments, the communicating automaton is capable of performing one or more of the steps of: interpreting the signals emitted by the humidity probe 130, remotely interrogating a weather forecast server 150 if the measured humidity justify watering, control a program for opening and closing solenoid valves 120 if the humidity warrants watering and the weather does not provide rainfall and / or interpret the water consumption data provided by the counter 140, block future watering in case of exceeding a maximum programmed water volume, send alarms in case of leakage or clogging (eg overconsumption or underconsumption), transmit to a central server 160 all the information of humidity, volumes consumed and the state of the probes, etc. Figure 2 illustrates that different control schemes may be implemented in the watering system according to the invention.

14 303 5 5 6 3 Data from sensors 211, counter 212 and possibly meteorological data 213 are received or collected or measured or interpreted by a set of irrigation management rules 220. One or more graphic interfaces 240 allow (eg operators) access to the consolidated data and / or to control values (such as thresholds for example) and / or one or more rules among the water management rules 220.

A sensor or sensor is an apparatus for transforming a physical quantity into a signal, most often electrical, which can then be subject to automated processing or display. Different sensors can be used and are described below.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to control the watering to soil moisture and / or to stop watering in case of leakage and / or not to water in the event of rain or rain forecasting. Management rules 220 may include regular expressions including Boolean conditions but may also include logical rules expressed in fuzzy logic or in various other techniques. These rules can "encode" business rules or - at least partially - the gardener's know-how.

Advantageously, the management rules can be written in fuzzy logic, which is generally close to the natural language. Optionally, in a particular embodiment, the voice commands received from an operator are transcribed by voice recognition then transcribed in natural language and then one or more fuzzy logic rules are derived from it which are formally manipulated by the central server for example . For example, a gardener may express the desire to "skew" the watering during the weekend in one way or another; therefore a voice instruction will be reflected in the management system in a simple way. More generally, the management rules can be sophisticated (multi-objective optimization, supervised or unsupervised learning, machine learning, etc.). In one embodiment, the rules are predefined (that is to say, configured a priori, for example to the installation of the irrigation system). They then define the entire operation of the installation. For example, precise meteorological rules 213 and / or measurements made in the ground 211 and / or flow measurement returns 212 made at the water meters will allow fine management of the watering. These rules include the use of a plurality of trigger thresholds, examples are provided hereinafter.

The measurements from the humidity probes condition the watering sequences according to predefined thresholds (possibly configurable). If the soil moisture is sufficient, that is, greater than a predefined trigger point, the waterings are blocked or inhibited. In particular, if rains are expected within 24 hours, watering is also blocked. The monitoring of water meters via remote readings allows for the detection or determination of the probability of water leakage and / or plugged nozzles or pipes.

FIG. 2 therefore illustrates that various servo-control schemes are possible between (i) the supply of water (more generally liquid), for example via the counter 140, (ii) the measurements made at the surface or at the near surface. from the ground for example via the sensor 130, (iii) meteorological data as actually measured or predicted or simulated or accessed according to statistical data from historical data recording, for example via a meteorological data server 150; (iv) automatic, or semi-automatic or manual instructions (i.e. provided by one or more human operators) provided for example via a server 160.

Different regulations are allowed by the invention, according to different degrees of autonomy. These degrees can take all the intermediate forms between a total autonomy of the irrigation system and a fully tele-managed system. In an embodiment described as "autonomous", the regulation is carried out in a "closed" loop, that is to say in a totally automated manner. In such a mode, the intelligent irrigation system includes appropriate local servocontrols and requires no human intervention. In an embodiment described as remote management, the regulation of the sprinkler system is done in an "open" loop, that is to say in interaction with a human operator which will confirm or invalidate the decision system implemented for the irrigation system according to the invention. For example, the decision system associated with the watering system may issue proposals to a human operator and receive authorizations (or modified instructions from the latter). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sprinkler system is associated with an intermediate level of regulation between full autonomy and full remote management: the irrigation system comprises local servocontrol performed autonomously while a 17 3035563 high level (ie global) supervision remains accessible to remote management. In one embodiment of the invention, only interventions will remain necessary to repair or put back into service parts of the system that can not be repaired automatically (for example in case of clogged lines or leaks). Intermediate degrees of automation are permitted by the invention (some particular step combinations may be conducted automatically while others will require confirmation or authorization or human authentication). For example, since meteorological data are associated with a lower level of reliability or certainty than water leakage indications as indicated by the meters, it may be advantageous to collect the operator's instructions for this parameter for watering forecasts (a visual inspection shows a state of drought of vegetation that would have escaped the ground measurement system). In certain situations, for example, based on the operator's own requirements but having repercussions on technical characteristics, it is advantageous to have "autonomous" watering cells that can be addressed, ie started or stopped at will or at the request. An operator thus provides overall supervision, generally simpler or at least based on key water management criteria, while behind-the-scenes and automatic feedback loops are established and implemented. calibrated by default the rest of the time. This mode of regulation (generally autonomous mode but remote control which remains possible) does not exclude other control schemes, which remain perfectly possible according to the invention. For example, the evolution of 30 networks and sensor technologies will democratize what is technically possible today but temporarily expensive: 18 3035563 full real-time remote management of all the parameters associated with extensive instrumentation of a public surface to manage. The different modes of implementation of the invention and in particular the possibility of regulation are associated with varying degrees of controllability (i.e. of user interaction). In fact, the interactions of the operators with the remote controlled watering system according to the invention can be carried out according to different modalities.

Different sensor or sensor technologies can be used in combination. In other words, the watering system according to the invention can be variously instrumented. Said sensors are generally placed on the surface of the ground and / or buried (sometimes deeply). Some sensors can be placed in height (e.g. 15 cameras), or even fixed on or in (i.e. inserted in) plants or culture. Sensors can include humidity probes, anemometers, cameras, barometers, etc. In some embodiments, the upstream measurement of physico-chemical properties of the soil (eg nutrient content, acidity, temperature, etc.) may make it possible to adjust downstream the composition of the liquid delivered by the watering system ( eg mixing or enriching nutrients, fertilizers, etc.). Measurements of wind and / or sunlight may, for example, constitute secondary indications useful for the management of watering. In some embodiments, the installation of cameras makes it possible to evaluate the state of dryness of the plants and constitutes an additional parameter of regulation. The cameras may be fixed or result from the use of one or more instrumented drones.

In one embodiment, one or more humidity sensors are used. The less expensive are capacitive type and their accuracy is suitable for carrying out the invention. In some embodiments, moisture sensors according to more sophisticated technologies may be used. In one embodiment, one or more level detectors are used. For example, a level detector makes it possible to manage a tank emptying. A level detector is for example of magnetic type with REED contact. Advantageously, this type of detector has few mechanical parts and is therefore reliable and inexpensive. Generally, a switch sealed in a vacuum glass tube to prevent corrosion is opened or closed by moving a magnet.

In one embodiment, one or more gas detectors are used. A gas detector can manage a ventilation in case of presence of gas (carbon monoxide, pollutant, etc.).

In one embodiment, one or more water meters are used. A water meter measures the instantaneous and / or cumulative flow of water dispensed. The use of water meters makes it possible to manage an automatic purge of a network that is dependent on the residence time in the pipe for example.

In one embodiment, one or more conductivity meters are used. A conductivity meter makes it possible to manage a purge of the network according to a change in the quality of the water (for example).

In one embodiment, devices may be attached to the plants to be watered (e.g., the tracking of the circumference of certain stems may permit the detection of water stress). This type of monitoring will be advantageously coupled with the visual tracking of certain parts of the foliage. In other words, certain combinations of sensors can lead to a better understanding of water stress (eg 5 concomitant and different measures taken on plants). Figure 3 illustrates an example of taking into account meteorological data 213.

In general, one or more of the programmable logic controllers are programmed to measure (for example at least once a day) the soil moisture. If the humidity measured by the moisture sensors buried in the ground is below a configurable or configured threshold, at least one programmable controller polls a meteorological data server. Meteorological and / or evapotranspiration data (moisture released by plants) are data that can be provided by national or regional services. This data may be part of the decision-making system implemented in the watering system. In particular it can be considered whether the cumulation of the expected rain in the next 24 hours is sufficient or not, so as to trigger a watering appropriately. An example of rules based on the use of meteorological data is shown in FIG. 3. In step 300, a particular probe is interrogated (among the plurality of probes implemented). If the measured humidity 310 is greater than a predefined threshold, the method determines that no watering is necessary. If the humidity is below the trigger point, watering should normally be initiated. The use of meteorological data makes it possible to modulate or temper this decision. In the example of FIG. 3, if the measured humidity 3035563 is less than 80% of the predefined triggering threshold, a weather check 331 is performed. If a strong rain is likely, then the watering is inhibited 332. Otherwise, a watering is triggered 333. If the measured humidity is lower than the predefined threshold 5 but greater than 80% of the value of this threshold, then a test meteorological 321 is performed, taking into account the precipitation forecast and also the (maximum) probability of precipitation. If a light rain is considered unlikely then watering is triggered.

The use of a plurality of thresholds (ie the triggering threshold and a tolerance range here set at 20% of this threshold), combined with the use of meteorological data (ie the importance and probability of rain), makes it possible to manage finely watering and ultimately save water.

In general, all the parameters presented above can be configurable and / or configured (for example by the operator). For example, the gardener may decide to apply a tolerance of 25% instead of 20% for the application of weather modulation rules.

It can also define or redefine or program (eg in time) the threshold for triggering the watering. In some embodiments, all or part of the watering installation is buried or buried beneath the surface (for example 25 programmable controllers are accessible via hatches). In some embodiments, poles may emerge and allow solar and / or wind power (for example, the communicating controller 110 may be powered by a solar panel (not shown).

The invention combines particularly well with the proprietary MHZ network. A 169 Mhz network provides broadband data transport economically and economically. A 169 MHz network is characterized by the use of a frequency which offers a good compromise between the range of the radio relay and the energy consumed. It is also a good compromise between the amount of data that can be transmitted and the cost of data transmissions. Other types of network have disadvantages. For example, transferring a large amount of data over long ranges is currently expensive on GSM networks (and should remain so over the medium term). Moreover, GSM use has these detrimental consequences in terms of energy management of communicating devices incorporated in programmable communicating controllers. Sigfox and LoRa network networks allow relatively few data to be transported over long ranges and require very sensitive transceivers, which ultimately limits the technical possibilities (the number of transmitted data is limited, it is difficult to parameterize the data). remote controller).

According to one aspect of the invention, the data transfer can be bidirectional and can be organized to save the batteries. In one embodiment, the controller of the programmable controller only activates itself to transmit its data and to indicate to the central server that it is ready to receive data back. Upon receipt of the data, the controller resumes sleep saving battery power. Different user interfaces are possible.

In one embodiment, a client interface (eg, implemented on a mobile phone or via a web page accessible from a browser) provides access to a management server 140 of the watering system. Said management server 140 may correspond to an identified physical server and / or a set of hosted servers 5 ("cloud computing"). Optionally, access to the management server can be done encrypted (for example to avoid intentional sabotage). Web services and / or APIs can be implemented.

In one embodiment, the watering system is implemented according to a client-server model. In particular, the server and the client interface may perform one or more of the steps of a) hosting all the data relating to the field systems and the users of these systems; b) allow users to reference the recipients of the alarms; c) allow users to set the maximum and / or minimum watering volumes for triggering alarms; d) allow users to set the watering time and / or force the shutdown; e) allow users to set the types of alarms they wish to receive; f) allow users to view operating reports; g) import weather forecasts (for example in the short term); h) allow users to set watering schedules; i) allow users to supervise the proper operation of all watering points and to organize interventions (i.e. visits to the facility) to restart points indicating malfunctions. For example, according to a particular embodiment, an operator can access an Internet space dedicated to its exploitation (management of access rights), for example comprising items such as "My exchanges", "My administered", "My exploitation "," My services ", 24 3035563 etc. The user can, for example, access the location information of the various systems (map display), the total theoretical water consumption, the consumption of the last watering, the date of the last watering, the measured humidity level, the threshold 5 watering trigger as active, different dates (eg start of season, etc). In an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention associated or combines (i) a secure and supervised radio communication system in 169 Mhz, (ii) software and Internet services developed specifically for this application (for example hosted at remote and accessible from a PC, tablet or smart terminal such as a mobile phone) and (iii) watering equipment (as existing or as modified).

In certain embodiments, the client-server model ("cloud computing") makes it possible to pool infrastructures and thus reduce costs. This reduction in costs makes it possible to make the watering solution according to the invention accessible to 20 "small" green spaces, services hitherto reserved for large units (such as golf courses or racetracks). In one embodiment, the access to the data is one-sided: only management reports are accessible. For example, a user (for example the operator) can consult on a web page (e.g. web page, portal, mail, etc.) all the parameters associated with the management of his green space. various data may be available, including watered volumes (individual volume, cumulative volume, total volume, etc.), weekly, monthly, annual 30 watering volumes (or according to calendar ranges chosen by the user), measurements relating to the soil moisture (for example with production of historical curves, etc.) as well as all the other parameters making it possible to report on the operating state of its installation (eg anomaly, malfunctioning possible).

In one embodiment, the user can remotely configure ("remote manage") the various control parameters of the irrigation system. The accesses to the data are therefore bi-directional: the user can consult the data but also modify, or adjust or configure or optimize the active water management parameters (for example, the user can directly trigger or inhibit watering at a given time. remote or planning future waterings by setting the trigger thresholds) In some embodiments, alerts and / or notifications and / or alarms may be triggered by applying one or more thresholds, said thresholds being static (ie invariant over time) and / or dynamic (ie determined according to rules, for example conditional). These alerts, notifications and alarms can, for example, be sent to the mobile phones of the operators. They may particularly relate to under-consumption of water (for example indicative of pipeline problems) or overconsumption of water (eg indicative of leakage).

In some embodiments, the sprinkler system of the invention inhibits or stops or reduces watering if overconsumption is detected (where appropriate, water leakage is likely).

Experiments were conducted on test plots and demonstrated in particular that the sprinkler system according to the invention was properly avoided from irrigating after the rains had ceased. difference from existing competing systems that have resumed excess watering after the rain.

The watering system according to the invention has also saved watering during the wet season, since the soil moisture curve has remained above a trigger point. Visual observations made by the operators on the condition of the irrigated vegetation and the state of the soil moisture confirmed the likelihood of the measured data automatically. Observations on the level of harvests generally do not indicate a significant difference in yield between the existing systems and the sprinkler system according to the invention, indicating a minimal impact with respect to this criterion.

FIG. 4 illustrates various exemplary embodiments of the invention in sensor management, including humidity probes.

In one embodiment, a programmable controller is associated with a single sensor (or sensor or probe). In other embodiments, a plurality of sensors (e.g., humidity probes) are used. Some sensors may be shared between different programmable controllers (correlations or checks may be established, providing a more robust solution to failures). Preferably, each sensor is associated with a single programmable controller (notion of "cell" independent). Physically, the placement of the sensors is variable. A sensor may be placed on or inserted into (404) a plant element. A sensor can be placed on the ground (403), partially buried (402) or totally buried (e.g. 401, 411 and 412). A sensor in certain configurations can be moved, even autonomously without external assistance (displacement of the sensor in a tube to proceed to the establishment of the soil moisture profile).

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the use of a plurality of humidity probes makes it possible to refine the understanding of water stress (eg the model can establish, depending on the type of vegetation, the type of sustainable water stress by surface vegetation, which adds additional management criteria to those of the probability of rain and its importance). For example, the concomitant presence of the sensor 401 at a depth P1, the sensor 411 at a depth P2 and the sensor 412 at a depth P3 makes it possible to discriminate a water profile 431 'which would trigger a watering because the humidity measured by the sensor 401 is below the trigger threshold 420) of a water profile 432 (above the trigger threshold but yet associated with a less favorable water profile = 20 In a manner similar to the management of the subsoil, various considerations can optimize the geostatistics of sensor placement, ie the distribution of sampling points in the basement and / or on the surface of the surface to be watered Sensors are usually placed by the 25 gardeners nearby and according to the vegetation, nevertheless multiple optimizations are possible (from a random distribution on the surface to an optimized tiling of the space to be covered, etc.). vention can be implemented from hardware and / or software elements. It may be available as a computer program product on a computer readable medium. The support may be electronic, magnetic, optical or electromagnetic. 30

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. Watering system comprising: - sensors arranged on or in the ground; 5 - watering means; - One or more communicating programmable controllers, a communicating programmable controller including water management rules remotely editable via one or more communication networks; Said system being characterized in that the watering means are controlled by at least one communicating PLC, said communicating PLC being associated with at least one sensor. 15 2. sprinkler system according to claim 1, at least one sensor being a capacitive moisture sensor. 3. The sprinkler system according to claim 1, wherein one or more sensors are selected from a group of sensors comprising a humidity sensor, a level detector, a gas detector, a water meter and / or a conductivity meter. . 4. Sprinkler system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one communicating apparatus adapted to receive meteorological type data on the location of the sprinkler system. 5. sprinkler system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, at least one communication network being of type 169 Mhz. 30 The sprinkler system of claim 5, the 169 MHz communication network being bidirectional. 7. sprinkler system according to any one of the preceding claims, the watering trigger threshold being configurable remotely. 8. Sprinkler system according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one communicating PLC being adapted to receive information associated with the physical state of the inputs and / or outputs of the sprinkler means. The sprinkler system of claim 8, the physical status information of the inlets and / or outlets of the sprinkler means indicative of under-consumption or over-consumption of fluid sprayed with respect to a predefined reference consumption. 10. Sprinkler system according to claim 9, at least one programmable controller being adapted to stop or suspend or reduce the fluid spraying by controlling the watering means in the event of overconsumption of fluid and / or to resume said watering. in case of under-consumption and / or to issue an alert. 11. Irrigation system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a central server remotely searchable by one or more client stations, said central server being adapted to receive and process data from one or more communicating programmable controllers. . 12. Sprinkler system according to claim 11, at least one communicating programmable controller being adapted to send these data to the central server according to the humidity measurement made by a sensor. A computer-implemented water-wetting method on a surface comprising the steps of: receiving from one or more sensors moisture data and / or water consumption data and / or meteorological data; determining by a processor a fluid distribution according to remotely modifiable management rules and said received data. The watering method of claim 13, further comprising a step of modifying one or more management rules in the processor. 15. The method of watering according to claims 13 or 14, further comprising a step of modifying in the processor one or more thresholds of start and / or stop of the watering, said thresholds being associated with the rules of management. Computer program product, said computer program comprising code instructions for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, when said program is executed on a computer. 25 30