Method of communicating conditions within a storage tank level
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring conditions within a storage tank, the method including the steps of:
- a. sensing conditions within the storage tank with a sensor;
b. positioning the sensor within the storage tank and a cellular modem in proximity and in communication with the sensor, the storage tank being located within a tank storage area;
c. sending data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the sensor to the cellular modem;
d. sending the data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the cellular modem to a base controller, wherein the base controller is located remotely and outside of the tank storage area;
e. predefining a tank configuration with the base controller;
f. using the data to recall the tank configuration;
g. preparing a graphical representation of conditions within the storage tank for viewing and using the data and tank configuration to generate the graphical configuration; and
h. displaying the graphical representation to provide information on conditions within the storage tank.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring the conditions within a storage tank includes a sensor communicating data indicative of conditions within the storage tank to a base controller. The data is decoded and arranged into a graphical display of the conditions of the storage tank. The graphical display includes a representation of storage tank conditions including the configuration of the storage tank, current fluid levels and temperature within the storage tank. The graphical display also includes a historical database of conditions within the storage tank that may be displayed graphically to track usage. The base controller is connected to a communications network such that data indicative of conditions with the storage tank can be communicated to remote users through a wireless communication network by way of alphanumeric messages.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method of monitoring conditions within a storage tank, the method including the steps of:
-
a. sensing conditions within the storage tank with a sensor;
b. positioning the sensor within the storage tank and a cellular modem in proximity and in communication with the sensor, the storage tank being located within a tank storage area;
c. sending data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the sensor to the cellular modem;
d. sending the data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the cellular modem to a base controller, wherein the base controller is located remotely and outside of the tank storage area;
e. predefining a tank configuration with the base controller;
f. using the data to recall the tank configuration;
g. preparing a graphical representation of conditions within the storage tank for viewing and using the data and tank configuration to generate the graphical configuration; and
h. displaying the graphical representation to provide information on conditions within the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system for monitoring conditions within a storage tank comprising;
-
a sensor for sensing conditions within the storage tank;
a cellular modem in proximate communication with the sensor for transmitting data indicative of the conditions within the storage tank;
a communication network through which data from the sensor is communicated to a base controller;
the base controller including a decoding means to translate the data, a storage means to store the data, and a transmitter to forward data;
a graphical representation of data transmitted from the sensor to communicate the conditions within a storage tank tailored to the specific storage tank configuration, wherein the specific tank storage configuration is definable by a unique identifier, and the graphical representation is displayable upon a recall of the unique identifier upon receipt of data indicative of the conditions within the storage tank, and a remote display device to receive data sent from the base controller through the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of monitoring conditions within a storage tank, the method including the steps of:
-
a. positioning a sensor within the storage tank, the storage tank being located within a storage tank area;
b. sensing conditions within the storage tank with the sensor;
c. sending data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the sensor to a cellular modem;
d. sending the data indicative of conditions within the storage tank from the cellular modem to a base controller, wherein the base controller is located remotely and outside of the tank area;
e. receiving, decoding and storing the data at the base controller;
f. detecting a unique identifier within the data;
g. using the unique identifier to recall a predefined storage tank configuration;
h. displaying a graphical representation of the conditions within the storage tank by using the unique identifier to recall the predefined storage tank configuration;
i. transmitting the data from the base controller over a communications network to a remote user, and j. viewing the data on a wireless display device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A system for monitoring conditions within a storage tank comprising;
-
a sensor for sensing conditions within the storage tank within a tank area;
a cellular modem in proximate communication with the sensor for transmitting data indicative of the conditions within the storage tank;
a communication network through which the data from the sensor is communicated;
a base controller;
comprising a decoding means for interpreting the data and detecting a unique identifier within the data, a storage means for storing the data, and a transmitter for forwarding the data through a wireless network, wherein the base controller is operative for using the unique identifier to recall a predefined storage tank configuration and for displaying a graphical representation of the conditions within the storage tank by using the unique identifier to recall the predefined storage tank configuration from the storage means; and
a remote display device for receiving the data forwarded from the base controller through the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
Specification