Kathleen Sue Rice

US Patent:

20130055797, Mar 7, 2013

Filed:

Mar 1, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/409979

Inventors:

Van Willis Cline - St. Paul MN, US
Kathleen Sue Rice - Faribault MN, US
Troy David Carson - Richfield MN, US

International Classification:

G01N 3/42

US Classification:

73 82

Abstract:

Evaluating ground surface hardness for a site involves using a mobile data collection device to automatically drop an object including an accelerometer onto a ground surface at sample locations spaced at regular intervals within the site. The acceleration of the object is detected with the accelerometer as the object impacts the ground surface at the sample locations. A value is generated representative of ground surface hardness for each of the sample locations. Evaluation using a handheld hardness measurement device is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20130191073, Jul 25, 2013

Filed:

Jul 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/558071

Inventors:

Kathleen Sue Rice - Faribault MN, US
Van Willis Cline - St. Paul MN, US

International Classification:

G01M 99/00

US Classification:

702182

Abstract:

Systems and methods for evaluating individual sprinkler head performance within a turf irrigation system are disclosed.

US Patent:

20120084115, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/895339

Inventors:

Van Willis Cline - St. Paul MN, US
Kathleen Sue Rice - Faribault MN, US
Troy David Carson - Richfield MN, US

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00
G06F 19/00
G01N 33/24
A01G 25/16

US Classification:

705 727, 700284, 702 2

Abstract:

A turf management system includes an irrigation system for providing water to the turf at a turf site, and an irrigation evaluation system for evaluating the performance of the irrigation system. The irrigation evaluation system segments the turf site into irrigation management units, where each of the irrigation management units includes at least one sprinkler head. Qualities of the turf are measured to generate collected data points. The data points are used by the irrigation evaluation system to compute a value for the turf in each of the irrigation management units. The values can then be used to identify irrigation management units having common characteristics. The values can be used to define irrigation management zones for controlling the irrigation system.

US Patent:

20180199525, Jul 19, 2018

Filed:

Dec 13, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/841011

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Kathleen Sue Rice - Faribault MN, US
Troy David Carson - Richfield MN, US

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

A01G 25/16
G06Q 10/06
A01G 25/02
A01G 25/00

Abstract:

A turf management system includes an irrigation system for providing water to the turf at a turf site, and an irrigation evaluation system for evaluating the performance of the irrigation system. The irrigation evaluation system segments the turf site into irrigation management units, where each of the irrigation management units includes at least one sprinkler head. Qualities of the turf are measured to generate collected data points. The data points are used by the irrigation evaluation system to compute a value for the turf in each of the irrigation management units. The values can then be used to identify irrigation management units having common characteristics. The values can be used to define irrigation management zones for controlling the irrigation system.