Method and apparatus for tracing sewer connections with RFID PIT tags
First Claim
1. A method of determining whether a building plumbing system is connected to a sewer system, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) installing a first radio frequency antenna in a first fluid pipe in the sewer system;
(a1) prior to step (b), installing a second radio frequency antenna in a second fluid pipe;
(b) providing a first reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the first radio frequency antenna;
(b1) prior to step (c), providing a second reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the second radio frequency antenna;
(c) introducing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device into the building plumbing system at an insertion location;
(d) ensuring sufficient fluid flow into the building plumbing system to flow the RFID device downstream from the insertion location;
(e) the first radio frequency antenna receiving an RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna; and
(e1) after step (d), the second radio frequency antenna receiving the RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the second radio frequency antenna;
(f) the first radio frequency antenna transmitting a first radio frequency antenna electronic signal containing identification code data to the first reader when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the first fluid pipe; and
(f1) after step (e1), the second radio frequency antenna transmitting a second radio frequency antenna electronic signal to the second reader and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the second fluid pipe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for tracing sewer connections with RFID PIT tags consists of using at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag embedded within a protective outer covering, and at least one RFID reader and antenna system to trace the flow of a fluid within a plumbing system, sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system. The RFID PIT tag and protective outer covering are introduced in one point within the plumbing system, sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system, such as by flushing a toilet. Subsequent collection, or detection of the RFID PIT tag at another location within a sewer lateral pipe, sanitary or storm sewer system is used to establish the presence of a hydraulic connection between the introduction and collection or detection points. The method is useful to identify whether a plumbing system or sewer lateral pipe is properly connected to a sewer system without the need to actively observe the presence of a visual tracing aid such as dye.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of determining whether a building plumbing system is connected to a sewer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) installing a first radio frequency antenna in a first fluid pipe in the sewer system; (a1) prior to step (b), installing a second radio frequency antenna in a second fluid pipe; (b) providing a first reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the first radio frequency antenna; (b1) prior to step (c), providing a second reader configured to receive an electronic signal from the second radio frequency antenna; (c) introducing a radio frequency identification (“
RFID”
) device into the building plumbing system at an insertion location;(d) ensuring sufficient fluid flow into the building plumbing system to flow the RFID device downstream from the insertion location; (e) the first radio frequency antenna receiving an RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna; and (e1) after step (d), the second radio frequency antenna receiving the RFID electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the second radio frequency antenna; (f) the first radio frequency antenna transmitting a first radio frequency antenna electronic signal containing identification code data to the first reader when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the first fluid pipe; and (f1) after step (e1), the second radio frequency antenna transmitting a second radio frequency antenna electronic signal to the second reader and determining that the building plumbing system is connected to the second fluid pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of determining if a fluid pipe system is connected to a sanitary sewer system or to a storm sewer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) installing a first radio frequency antenna in a sanitary sewer system; (b) installing a second radio frequency antenna in a storm sewer system; (c) providing a first reader configured to receive a first electronic signal from the first radio frequency antenna and a second reader configured to receive a second electronic signal from the second radio frequency antenna; (d) introducing an RFID device into the fluid pipe system at an insertion location and allowing the RFID device to flow through the fluid pipe system; (e) ensuring sufficient fluid flow into the fluid pipe system to flow the RFID device downstream through the fluid pipe system; (f) the first radio frequency antenna receiving an electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the first radio frequency antenna and then the first radio frequency antenna transmitting a first radio frequency antenna signal to the first reader, thereby determining that the fluid pipe system is connected to the sanitary sewer system; (f1) the second radio frequency antenna receiving an electronic signal from the RFID device when the RFID device flows past the second radio frequency antenna and then the second radio frequency antenna transmitting a second radio frequency antenna signal to the second reader, thereby concluding that the fluid pipe system is connected to the storm sewer system; and (f2) concluding a result as inconclusive when the RFID device flows past neither the first radio frequency antenna nor the second radio frequency antenna. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification