Fluid monitoring systems and methods with data communication to interested parties

• US 20050251367A1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BL Technologies Inc. (Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sensicore, Inc. (Veolia Environnement SA)
• Inventors: Martin, Glenn, Man, Piu Francis, Kahn, Malcolm R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,249,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

Various sensor unit configurations are disclosed within the context of a fluid quality monitoring system. The distribution of sensor units can be accomplished using existing product distribution channels to sell, distribute and install sensor units so that a fluid distribution monitoring system can be established at relatively low cost, on a wider basis, and by locating sensor units at the most desirable location from problem detection standpoint, the location of the end user.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring fluid quality, comprising the steps of:

distributing sensor units to locations controlled by separate entities corresponding to different points of fluid delivery using pre-existing product distribution systems, wherein the sensor units are configured to be installed at points of fluid delivery in a fluid distribution system, the sensor units being configured to establish communication with a centralized data collection point;

receiving, at the centralized data collection point, fluid quality measures from installed sensor units; and

communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties other than said entities.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid is water.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to said entities.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pre-existing product distribution system is a water treatment service.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pre-existing product distribution system is a retail outlet.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pre-existing product distribution system is a water authority.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pre-existing product distribution system is security or health monitoring service.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said installing step includes installation by a water treatment service.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said installing step includes installation by a water treatment service.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said installing step includes installation by an end user.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said installing step includes installation by a water authority.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said installing step includes installation by a security or health monitoring service.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of communicating fluid quality measures further comprises communicating measurements that have been confirmed by the sensor unit prior to communicating the measurements.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties includes offering said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to more than one interested party.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties includes receiving considerations from interested parties who are given access to said fluid quality or fluid quality measures.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

distributing fluid treatment devices to be associated with said sensor units; and

guaranteeing or certifying the quality of fluid treated by said fluid treatment devices.

17. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

distributing fluid treatment devices to be associated with said sensor units; and

billing customers per unit of fluid treated by the fluid treatment devices.

23. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said network communicates at least one of said fluid quality and fluid quality measures to more than one interested party.

18. A system of monitoring fluid quality, comprising:

pre-existing product distribution systems used for additionally distributing sensor units to locations controlled by different entities corresponding to different points of fluid delivery, said sensor units being configured for installation at points of fluid delivery in a fluid distribution system;

communication devices in the sensor units which establish communication between installed sensor units and a centralized data collection point for communicating fluid quality measures to the centralized data collection point; and

a network for communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties other than said entities.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said fluid is water.

20. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said network further communicates at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to said entities.

21. A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said pre-existing product distribution system one or more distributions systems selected from a group consisting of a water treatment service, a retail outlet, a water authority and security or health monitoring service.

22. A system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising sensor units that monitor parameters in a fluid supply, identify detection events, confirm detection events and communicate confirmed detection events.

24. A method of monitoring fluid quality, comprising the steps of:

communicating with sensor units at locations controlled by separate entities corresponding to different points of fluid delivery using pre-existing commercial communication systems, wherein the sensor units are configured to be installed at points of fluid delivery in a fluid distribution system, the sensor units being configured to establish communication with a centralized data collection point;

receiving, at the centralized data collection point, fluid quality measures from installed sensor units; and

communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties other than said entities.

25. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said fluid is water.

26. A method in accordance with claim 24, further comprising communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to said entities.

27. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said pre-existing commercial communication system is a water treatment service.

28. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said pre-existing commercial communication system is a retail outlet.

29. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said pre-existing commercial communication is a water authority.

30. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said pre-existing commercial communication system is security or health monitoring service.

31. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said step of communication fluid quality measures further comprises communicating measurements that have been confirmed by the sensor unit prior to communicating the measurements.

32. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said step of communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties includes offering said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to more than one interested party.

33. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said step of communicating at least one of said fluid quality or fluid quality measures to interested parties includes receiving considerations from interested parties who are given access to said fluid quality or fluid quality measures.

34. A method in accordance with claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

distributing fluid treatment devices to be associated with said sensor units; and

guaranteeing or certifying the quality of fluid treated by said fluid treatment devices.

35. A method in accordance with claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

distributing fluid treatment devices to be associated with said sensor units; and

billing customers per unit of fluid treated by the fluid treatment devices.