System for real-time contaminant detection in a water distribution system
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring water quality at remote locations in a water distribution system, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a plurality of end user sites in the water distribution system, each end user site including a communication means operable to communicate with a remotely located Internet server;
providing a plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies each having an integral processing means and a communications interface, wherein the sensor assemblies are effective for measuring critical water parameters and deriving raw data therefrom, processing measured raw data to provide quantified output data, and transmitting the output data via the communications interface;
installing the plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies into a water conduit at each of the plurality of end user sites;
coupling the plurality of sensor assemblies to a remotely located Internet server computer via the communication means located at the end user site;
transmitting the output data to the Internet server computer;
storing the transmitted output data on the Internet server computer;
accessing such output data asynchronously from the Internet server computer;
manipulating the transmitted output data into an analysis result and a report result; and
uploading the analysis result and the report result to an Internet web server in a format suitable for access and visualization with a web browser computer program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring water quality at remote locations in a water distribution system using water sensors installed at end user sites to detect contaminants downstream in the distribution system. Each sensor includes an integral processing means and a communications interface allowing the sensor to be coupled to a a remotely located Internet server via telephone lines at the end user site. The sensor assemblies are effective for measuring critical water parameters, processing measured data to provide quantified output data, and transmitting the output data to the Internet server in real time. A processor resident on the Internet server is operable to compare the output data with pre-established safe water parameters, determine differentials between pre-established safe water parameters and the output data, and issue an Alarm Event report if known limits for the differentials are exceeded. The Alarm Event report can be automatically transmitted to Department of Homeland Security.
25 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring water quality at remote locations in a water distribution system, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a plurality of end user sites in the water distribution system, each end user site including a communication means operable to communicate with a remotely located Internet server;
providing a plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies each having an integral processing means and a communications interface, wherein the sensor assemblies are effective for measuring critical water parameters and deriving raw data therefrom, processing measured raw data to provide quantified output data, and transmitting the output data via the communications interface;
installing the plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies into a water conduit at each of the plurality of end user sites;
coupling the plurality of sensor assemblies to a remotely located Internet server computer via the communication means located at the end user site;
transmitting the output data to the Internet server computer;
storing the transmitted output data on the Internet server computer;
accessing such output data asynchronously from the Internet server computer;
manipulating the transmitted output data into an analysis result and a report result; and
uploading the analysis result and the report result to an Internet web server in a format suitable for access and visualization with a web browser computer program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for monitoring water quality at a plurality of end user sites in a water distribution system wherein each of the end user sites are on a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
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a plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies each including a integral communication interface, said plurality of sensor assemblies being installed into water lines at each of the plurality of end user sites such that said communications interfaces are coupled to the PSTN at each end user site, said plurality of sensor assemblies further including a processing means wherein said sensor assemblies are effective for measuring critical water parameters and deriving raw data therefrom, processing measured raw data to provide quantified output data, and transmitting the output data via the communications interface;
a remotely located Internet server computer in communication with said plurality of sensor assemblies via a PSTN, said Internet server being in communication with a processing means and a memory means, wherein said processing means is operable to perform the steps of;
storing the transmitted output data in said memory means;
comparing the output data with pre-established safe water parameters;
determining differentials between pre-established safe water parameters and the output data; and
issuing an Alarm Event report if known limits for the differentials are exceeded; and
a means for coupling said Internet server computer to a computer network associated with a law enforcement agency whereby said Alarm Events reports are concurrently received by the law enforcement agency. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for monitoring water quality at remote locations in a water distribution system, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a plurality of end user sites in the water distribution system, each end user site including a communication means operable to communicate with a remotely located Internet server;
providing a plurality of multi-parameter water sensor assemblies each having an integral processing means and a communications interface, wherein the sensor assemblies are effective for measuring critical water parameters and deriving raw data therefrom, processing measured raw data to provide quantified output data, and transmitting the output data via the communications interface;
installing the plurality of sensor assemblies into a water conduit at each of the plurality of end user sites;
coupling the plurality of sensor assemblies to a remotely located Internet server computer via the communication means located at the end user site;
transmitting the output data to the Internet server computer;
storing the transmitted output data on the Internet server computer;
comparing the output data with pre-established safe water parameters;
determining differentials between pre-established safe water parameters and the output data;
issuing an Alarm Event report if known limits for the differentials are exceeded; and
coupling the Internet server computer to a computer network associated with a law enforcement agency whereby the Alarm Event reports are concurrently received by the law enforcement agency. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification