Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising:
- a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system; and
an interface module configured to communicate with the controller, the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system, and to send, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system, and the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more sensed parameters.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising:
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a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system; and
an interface module configured to communicate with the controller, the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system, and to send, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system, and the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising:
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sending, by a controller, control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system;
receiving, by an interface module, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system;
sending, by the interface module, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system; and
sending, by the interface module, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising:
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a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system, the control signals including a signal to shut off a main water supply line of the water-based system; and
an interface module configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller, the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system, the interface module being configured to wirelessly send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system, and wherein the controller is configured to send the control signals based at least in part on the status information sent by the interface module.
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29. An interface module in a system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the interface module comprising:
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a communications portion configured to provide communication with a controller, wherein the interface module is configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in a water-based system;
a receiver configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system; and
a sender configured to send, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising:
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maintaining a schedule to define at least one predetermined time when a fluid control device in a water-based system is to be automatically cycled; and
automatically cycling the fluid control device in accordance with the schedule. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising:
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detecting water flow in a component of a water-based system of a structure;
sending, to a controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system; and
controlling a climate control unit of the structure based at least in part on the detected water flow in the component. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising:
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a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system of a structure; and
an interface module configured to communicate with the controller, the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system, and to interface with a climate control unit of the structure, the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system, and the interface module being configured to control the climate control unit based at least in part on the detected water flow in the component. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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51. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a multi-unit structure having a water-based system, the system comprising:
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a controller; and
a plurality of interface modules configured to communicate with the controller, the controller being configured to selectively send control signals to each of the plurality of interface modules, each interface module being configured to receive, from a respective sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system of the structure, and to interface with a respective control valve that is operable to shut off a water supply to the component, the component being associated with a unit of the structure, each interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information including information indicative of the detected water flow in the component, the detected water flow of each interface module being readable by a user of the system, and each interface module being configured to control the respective control valve based at least in part on input from a user. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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55. A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption in a building having a water-based system, the method comprising:
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remotely accessing a controller in communication with an interface module of the building, the interface module configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system of the building, the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of the detected water flow in the component;
reading the detected water flow of the interface module; and
billing a user based at least in part on the detected water flow. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification