Water Saving Device

• US 20140200838A1
• Filed: 01/15/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Green Starts Here, LLC
• Original Assignee: Green Starts Here, LLC
• Inventors: Myers, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US14/156,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200838A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/49
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/122 responsive to presence or shape of target B05B12/124 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Abstract

A water saving device including a housing and a processor disposed within the housing. The processor calculates a water volume expended over a period of time based on a predetermined volumetric flow rate and time. A sensor is disposed within the housing for sensing the presence of a user. The sensor is operably connected to the processor. The sensor generates a signal to cause the processor to begin calculating the water volume upon sensing the presence of a user. A display indicates the expended water volume and is operatively connected to the processor. The display shows a virtual water level which rises as time and water usage increases.

Claims

1. A water saving device comprising:

a housing;

a processor disposed within the housing, the processor calculating a water volume expended over a period of time based on a predetermined volumetric flow rate and time;

a sensor disposed on the housing and being operably connected to the processor, the sensor generating a signal to cause the processor to begin calculating the water volume upon sensing the presence of a user; and

a display screen for indicating the expended water volume and being operatively connected to the processor, the display screen showing a virtual water level which rises as time and water usage increases.

2. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a passive Infra-Red sensor.

3. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a percentage scale and the rising virtual water level indicates a percentage of water usage in relation to a predetermined maximum water volume.

4. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a plurality of zones differentiated by color indicating water usage.

5. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined volumetric flow rate is selected from a predetermined group of flow rates.

6. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined volumetric flow rate is set by a user.

7. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein a predetermined maximum water volume is set by a user.

8. A water saving device of claim 1, wherein the processor further calculates and stores the total volume used during multiple water usage events.

9. A water saving device comprising:

a housing;

a processor disposed on the housing, the processor calculating a water volume expended over a period of time based on a predetermined volumetric flow rate and time;

an indicator for indicating the expended water volume operatively connected to the processor;

an infra-red sensor disposed within the housing being operably connected to the processor, the sensor generating a signal to cause the processor to begin calculating the water volume upon sensing the presence of one of a user or a water flow.

10. A water saving device of claim 9, wherein the predetermined volumetric flow rate is selected from a predetermined group of flow rates.

11. A water saving device of claim 9, wherein said predetermined volumetric flow rate is set by a user.

12. A water saving device of claim 9, wherein a predetermined maximum water volume is set by a user.

13. A water saving device of claim 9, wherein the processor further calculates and stores the total volume used during multiple water usage events.

14. A water saving device of claim 9, wherein the indicator is a visual display screen.

15. A water saving device of claim 14, wherein the visual display screen includes a virtual water level, wherein the water level rises over time to indicate water usage.

16. A water saving device of claim 15, wherein the position of the virtual water level is responsive to a preset maximum water usage volume.

17. A water saving device of claim 15, wherein the display includes a percentage scale and the rising virtual water level indicates a percentage of water usage in relation to a predetermined maximum water volume.

18. A water saving device of claim 15, wherein the virtual water level includes a generally horizontal upper boundary that increases in height over time to represent increasing water usage.

19. A method of saving water comprising:

providing a water saving device including a processor operably connected to a sensor and a display, the processor calculating a volume of water used based on a predetermined flow rate and time, the processor storing a predetermined maximum water usage amount;

starting the timer at the onset of water usage;

the processor calculating the water usage; and

the display indicating the amount of water used in relation to the predetermined maximum water usage amount.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the display is a virtual water level which rises with increased calculated water usage.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, including setting the flow rate prior to starting the timer.

22. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the sensor is a non-contact sensor activated by one of the presence of the user or the flow of water.