APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A DRYING PROCEDURE

• US 20080249654A1
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RM2 Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RM2 Incorporated
• Inventors: Pedraza, Mark A., Lubeski, Richard G., O'Connell, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,068,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/208
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/70 Drying or keeping dry, e.g. by air vents using damp-proof courses E04B1/644; using sealings, e.g. sealing masses or foils, E04B1/66; during erection E04G21/28
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0008 for air-humidification F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/14 by humidification; by dehumidification
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/22 Controlling the drying process in dependence on liquid content of solid materials or objects
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/14 Calling by using pulses

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method provide drying procedure information through a user interface. A monitoring device transmits drying procedure data measured by sensors within a structure undergoing the drying procedure to a server. In response to requests received through a communication network from a user interface, the server transmits the drying procedure information that is presented through the user interface. A variety of information and services related to the drying procedure may be provided through the user interface.

Claims

1. A method for managing a drying procedure performed at a structure, the method comprising:

receiving, through a communication network, drying procedure data obtained at a structure undergoing a drying procedure to remove moisture from at least a portion of a building material forming at least a portion of the structure; and

transmitting control instructions through the communication network to equipment at the structure.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the control instructions from a user interface through the communication network.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting drying procedure information based on the drying procedure data to a user interface through a communication network.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the drying procedure data comprises moisture data indicating a moisture level of at least a portion of the building material.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drying procedure data comprises at least one of a temperature at the structure, an indoor humidity level at the structure, an outdoor humidity level at the structure, and a dissipated power value indicating power dissipated by the equipment.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control instruction comprises a command to configure drying equipment.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control instruction comprises a command to configure a drying monitor device obtaining the drying procedure data.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transmitting the control instructions comprises transmitting the control instructions through a packet switched network.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the packet switched network is an Internet.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the building material is selected from the group consisting of wood, plywood, drywall, brick, concrete, pressboard, plaster, carpet, and insulation.

11. A system comprising:

a server configured to transmit, through a communication network, control instructions configured to control equipment at a structure undergoing a drying procedure to remove moisture from at least a portion of a building material forming at least a portion of the structure.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the server is further configured to receive, through the communication network, the control instructions obtained through a user interface.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the server is further configured to transmit, through the communication network to the user interface, drying procedure information based on drying procedure data acquired at the structure.

14. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:

a monitoring device configured to transmit the drying procedure data from the structure to the server; and

drying equipment, the control instructions for configuring the drying equipment.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the control instructions comprise a power instruction to turn off the drying equipment.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to acquire the drying procedure data at the structure.

17. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the monitoring device comprises:

a communication interface configured to receive the control instructions through a wireless communication link.

18. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:

a monitoring device configured to transmit the drying procedure data from the structure to the server, the control instructions for configuring the monitoring device.

19. A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising the user interface, the user interface configured to obtain and forward the control information.

20. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the building material is selected from the group consisting of drywall, brick, concrete, pressboard, plaster, carpet, and insulation.

21. A system comprising:

a server configured to transmit, through a communication network to a user interface, drying procedure information based on drying procedure data acquired at a structure undergoing a drying procedure to remove moisture from at least a portion of a building material forming at least a portion of the structure, the server adapted to receive control instructions from the user interface to control equipment at the structure.

22. A device comprising:

a data interface configured to obtain drying procedure data at a drying procedure structure undergoing a drying procedure to remove moisture from at least a portion of a building material forming at least a portion of the structure;

a communication interface connected to the data interface and configured to receive control instructions through a communication network, the device responsive to the control information.

23. A device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the device is responsive to the control instructions by configuring drying equipment at the drying procedure structure.

24. A device in accordance with claim 23, wherein the control instructions comprise an instruction for turning off the drying equipment.

25. A device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the device is responsive to the control instructions by configuring the device.

26. A device in accordance with claim 22, the device further comprising a sensor for sensing the drying procedure data, the device responsive to the control instructions by configuring the sensor.

27. A device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive the control instructions through a wireless communication link.

28. A device in accordance with claim 22, wherein the building material is selected from the group consisting of drywall, brick, concrete, pressboard, plaster, carpet, and insulation.