Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Irrigation Tech: Precision Consumable Delivery System

Publication ID: 24-11856900_0001_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Irrigation Tech: Precision Consumable Delivery System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856900_0001_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856900_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,900.

Background and Problem Solved

Conventional irrigation systems often lack the ability to precisely control consumable delivery, leading to over- or under-application, waste, and potential environmental harm. The original patent, 'Selective application of consumables via irrigation systems', addressed this issue by introducing a method for determining application characteristics based on irrigation area characteristics. However, there remains a need for further enhancements to improve the accuracy, flexibility, and real-time adaptability of consumable delivery systems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention's key innovations lie in the integration of RFID technology, real-time weather data, modular consumable cartridges, machine learning-based consumable identification, and real-time monitoring of consumable delivery. These advancements provide a significant improvement over the original patent, enabling more precise, efficient, and adaptive consumable application.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include the use of other identification technologies, such as barcode scanning or NFC tags, instead of RFID. The system could also be adapted for use in different irrigation areas, such as agricultural or commercial settings, or integrated with other smart irrigation technologies.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced consumable delivery system has significant commercial potential in the irrigation industry, particularly in residential, agricultural, and commercial markets. The system's ability to optimize consumable delivery, reduce waste, and improve environmental sustainability aligns with growing consumer and regulatory demands for eco-friendly and efficient irrigation solutions.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01G25/167
G G05 G05B19/042
G G05 G05B2219/2625

Field of Art

Irrigation systems and agricultural technology, focusing on precision consumable delivery and smart control systems. Requires expertise in agricultural engineering, sensor technologies, and automated control systems with knowledge of irrigation management techniques

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering or related field, experienced in irrigation system design, familiar with sensor technologies, control systems, and agricultural resource management techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize that integrating modern sensor and communication technologies into existing irrigation control systems represents a predictable technological evolution. The PTD's variations systematically extend the source patent's core consumable delivery methodology by incorporating advanced identification, monitoring, and adaptive control mechanisms. These improvements represent logical technological progressions using standard engineering design approaches and readily available technological components.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Selective activation of delivery outlets based on irrigation area characteristics
PTD Variation
Adding RFID tag identification for consumable tracking and automated delivery adjustment
Obviousness Reasoning
Using RFID for automated identification is a known technique in inventory and tracking systems, representing a predictable application of existing technology to improve consumable management
Source Patent Element
Determining application characteristics for consumables
PTD Variation
Incorporating real-time weather data to dynamically adjust consumable delivery parameters
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating environmental sensor data to modify irrigation parameters is a standard engineering approach for optimizing resource delivery, yielding expected and beneficial results
Source Patent Element
Irrigation system controller for managing consumable delivery
PTD Variation
Implementing machine learning algorithms for consumable identification and delivery optimization
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to improve system performance is a recognized method for enhancing automated control systems, representing an obvious technological progression
Source Patent Element
Delivery of consumables through irrigation systems
PTD Variation
Using modular consumable cartridges with embedded sensors for precise tracking and delivery
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular design with integrated sensing capabilities is a standard engineering approach for improving system flexibility and monitoring precision
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856900, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations in consumable delivery systems would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention. The disclosed technical improvements represent predictable combinations of known techniques in irrigation control, sensor integration, and automated resource management, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,900
TitleSelective application of consumables via irrigation systems
Assignee(s)RACHIO, INC.