LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A liquid level monitoring system for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold a liquid, the system comprising:
- a housing attachable to the stem of the plant;
a circuit board positioned within the housing, the circuit board having a microprocessor;
a sensor coupled to one of the housing or circuit board, the sensor operable to transmit a signal to the processor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir; and
an indicator in communication with the processor, the indicator configured to provide at least one human perceptible signal that correlates with a liquid level in the reservoir.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid level monitoring system is configured for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold a liquid. The system includes a housing attachable to the stem of the plant. The housing may include an aperture for receiving some of the liquid in the reservoir. A circuit board is coupled to or positioned within the housing and includes a microprocessor. A sensor may be located within the housing or attached externally thereto. The sensor is operable to transmit a signal to the processor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir. And, an indicator is in communication with the processor to provide at least one human perceptible signal that correlates with a liquid level in the reservoir.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A liquid level monitoring system for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold a liquid, the system comprising:
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a housing attachable to the stem of the plant; a circuit board positioned within the housing, the circuit board having a microprocessor; a sensor coupled to one of the housing or circuit board, the sensor operable to transmit a signal to the processor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir; and an indicator in communication with the processor, the indicator configured to provide at least one human perceptible signal that correlates with a liquid level in the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for monitoring a liquid level in a reservoir configured to receive a wood-stemmed plant, the method comprising:
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placing a liquid level monitoring system into the reservoir, the system affixed to a stem of the plant; arranging the system to bring a plurality of sensors into contact with at least some of the liquid; transmitting signals to a microprocessor of the system from the plurality of sensors, the sensors arranged in a gravitational direction with each sensor operable to transmit a low-liquid signal to the microprocessor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir; and providing at least one human perceptible signal from the system that correlates with a level of the liquid in the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A liquid level monitoring system for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold water, the system comprising:
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a housing attachable to the stem of the plant, the housing having an aperture for receiving an amount of the water in the reservoir; an electronic circuit located within the housing; a processor located within the housing; a plurality of sensors positioned within the housing, each sensor operable to transmit a signal through the circuit to the processor if a water level of the reservoir drops below a predetermined level relative to the sensor; and a transmitter in communication with the processor, the transmitter operable to provide a signal that correlates with the water level in the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification