System, method, and apparatus for managing wastewater treatment installation

• US 20090083180A1
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Service Pro Monitoring LLC
• Original Assignee: Service Pro Monitoring LLC
• Inventors: Graves, Gregory D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,751,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/027 Alarm generation, e.g. communication protocol; Forms of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Abstract

Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website.

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A system for monitoring and controlling a wastewater treatment system, comprising:

a remote monitoring center;

a maintenance and repair service provider; and

a plurality of in situ control units,

wherein respective single consolidated invoices are sent to each owner of said in situ control units, and wherein fees collected in reply to said invoices are distributed to an operator of said remote monitoring center and said distributor or service provider.

44. A system as claimed in claim 43, further comprising an administrator, and wherein said fees are further distributed to said administrator.

45-50. -50. (canceled)

51. A method for monitoring and controlling a wastewater treatment system, comprising the steps of:

a remote monitoring center monitoring a plurality of in situ control units for individual wastewater treatment installations;

said remote monitoring center notifying a service provider when a specific condition occurs;

billing each owner of said in situ control units;

collecting payments reflective of the billing; and

distributing collected payments to an operator of said remote monitoring center and to a distributor or service provider.

52. A method as claimed in claim 51, further comprising the step of distributing said payments to an administrator.

53. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein said payments are collected and distributed by a third party financial entity.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, wherein said payments include payment for financial services provided by said third party financial entity.

55. A method of monitoring a wastewater treatment system and generating billing, collection of payments and distribution of payments, comprising the steps of:

remotely monitoring a plurality of in situ monitoring units each associated with a wastewater treatment installation of an owner for determining at least one condition reflective of an operational status of the wastewater treatment installation;

servicing a wastewater treatment installation dependent upon the operational status as remotely monitored;

billing an owner of a serviced wastewater treatment installation for the service performed;

collecting payment reflective of the aforesaid billing; and

distributing the collected payment to at least one entity which performed at least one of the remote monitoring and/or servicing of a specific wastewater treatment installation.

56. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the collected payment is distributed to an entity which performed service with respect to the specific wastewater treatment installation.

57. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the collected payment is distributed to an entity which performed the remote monitoring of a specific wastewater treatment installation.

58. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the collected payment is proportionally distributed to an entity which performed service with respect to a specific wastewater treatment installation, and to an entity which performed the remote monitoring of the specific wastewater treatment installation.

59. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the collected payment is additional proportionally distributed to an administrator.

60. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 56, wherein the collected payment is additional proportionally distributed to an administrator.

61. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 57, wherein the collected payment is additional proportionally distributed to an administrator.

62. A monitoring, billing and payment distribution method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the collected payment is additional proportionally distributed to an administrator.

63. A method as claimed in claim 55, wherein said payment is collected and distributed by a third party financial entity.

64. A method as claimed in claim 63, wherein said payments include payment for financial services provided by said third party financial entity.