Systems and methods for sensing a fluid supply status
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- a container containing a fluid;
a fluid line coupled with the container;
a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line;
a sensor comprising a wireless transmitter, the sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit, using the wireless transmitter, an alarm message when the pressure reaches an alarm threshold; and
a control unit comprising a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to receive the alarm message, using the wireless receiver, and to output an alarm indication in response to the alarm message.
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Abstract
A system that includes a container containing a fluid, a fluid line coupled with the container, and a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line. The system further includes a sensor that includes a wireless transmitter. The sensor is configured to sense the pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit, using the wireless transmitter, an alarm message when the pressure reaches an alarm threshold.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a container containing a fluid;
a fluid line coupled with the container;
a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line;
a sensor comprising a wireless transmitter, the sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit, using the wireless transmitter, an alarm message when the pressure reaches an alarm threshold; and
a control unit comprising a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to receive the alarm message, using the wireless receiver, and to output an alarm indication in response to the alarm message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a container containing a fluid;
a fluid line coupled with the container;
a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line;
a sensor comprising a wireless transmitter, the sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit status information relating to the pressure in the fluid line using the wireless transmitter; and
a control unit comprising a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to;
receive the status information using the wireless receiver;
determine when the container is empty based at least in part on the status information; and
determine when the container is replaced or refilled based at least in part on the status information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a container containing a fluid;
a fluid line coupled with the container;
a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line;
a sensor comprising a wireless transmitter, the sensor configured to sense a pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit status information relating to the pressure in the fluid line using the wireless transmitter; and
a control unit comprising;
a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to receive the status information using the wireless receiver;
a network interface communicatively coupled to a communication network; and
a transmitter configured to transmit the status information and/or information related to the status information through the network interface; and
a data processing center communicatively coupled to the communication network, the data processing center configured to;
determine when the container is empty based at least in part on the status information and/or information related to the status information;
determine when the container is replaced or refilled based at least in part on the status information and/or information related to the status information; and
determine how long it took to replace or refill the container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of monitoring the status of fluid in a container, comprising:
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pumping the fluid out of the container through a fluid line;
sensing the pressure in the fluid line;
transmitting an alarm message indicating that the container is empty when the pressure in the fluid line reaches an alarm threshold;
transmitting a message when the pressure returns to a normal operation range indicating the container has been replaced or refilled. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a means for containing a fluid;
a fluid line coupled with the means for containing a fluid;
a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the fluid line and causing the fluid to be pumped out of the means for containing the fluid through the fluid line;
a sensing means, including a wireless transmitting means, for sensing a pressure in the fluid line and periodically transmitting, using the wireless transmitting means, status information relating to the pressure in the fluid line; and
a controlling means, including a wireless receiving means, for receiving the status information, using the wireless receiving means, and to output an alarm indication when the status information indicates that the pressure in the fluid line has reached an alarm threshold. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A soda fountain, comprising:
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a syrup bag containing a syrup used to make a beverage;
a syrup line coupled with the syrup bag;
a pump configured to pump the syrup out of the syrup bag through the syrup line;
a sensor comprising a wireless transmitter, the sensor configured to sense a pressure in the syrup line and to periodically transmit, using the wireless transmitter, an alarm message when the pressure drops below an alarm threshold indicating that the syrup bag is empty; and
a control unit comprising a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to receive the alarm message, using the wireless receiver, and to output an alarm indication in response to the alarm message. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of containers each containing a fluid;
a plurality of fluid lines, each of the plurality of fluid lines coupled to one of the plurality of containers;
a plurality of pumps, each of the plurality of pumps coupled with one of the fluid lines and configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the associated fluid lines;
a plurality of sensors each comprising a communication interface configured to couple the sensor to a communication network, each of the plurality of sensors configured to;
couple with one of the plurality of fluid lines;
sense a pressure in the fluid line; and
communicate information related to the pressure in the fluid line through the communication interface;
a wireless transmit unit comprising a wireless transmitter and a communication interface configured to interface the wireless transmit unit to the communication network, the wireless transmit unit configured to receive the information related to the pressure in the fluid lines from the plurality of sensors and to transmit the received information via the wireless transmitter; and
a control unit comprising a wireless receiver, the control unit configured to receive, using the wireless receiver, the information related to the pressure in the fluid lines transmitted by the wireless transmit unit. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification