System and method for monitoring and controlling an aquatic environment

• US 7,222,047 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biomatix Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Teletrol Systems, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: McMillan, Andrew H., Desmarais, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai; Carol S. W.
• Application Number:
  US11/014,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 210/851, 210/169, 210/805, 119/51.02, 119/51.04, 119/51.11, 119/219, 119/226, 119/238
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring and controlling an aquatic environment thus regulating the aquatic environment and maximizing the stability of the aquatic ecosystem. This system uses sensor and data fusion algorithms to perform system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics based on the output of sensors associated with the aquatic environment control devices. Based on the system anomaly analysis and/or predictive failure diagnostics, the system may continuously adjust the system parameters to maintain an efficient and stable aquatic environment, alert local or remote monitors of failed or impending failure of control devices. In addition, the system may present the system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics information at a local or remote location to enable the monitor to address any problems presented in situ.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically monitoring, controlling and optimizing an aquatic environment using an aquatic environment control system, said method comprising:

monitoring an aquatic environment, the step of monitoring comprising;

recording data from at least one of a system control device and an associated sensor,

storing the data, and

making the data available for analysis;

performing a system anomaly analysis on the data; and

controlling the aquatic environment, the step of controlling further comprising;

presenting an output from the system anomaly analysis at a location using a communication means; and

regulating the system control device based on the output from the system anomaly analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the output is presented at a remote location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the output includes an alert if the system anomaly analysis determines a deviation from at least a reference threshold parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the system uses other sensors to monitor and control a parameter not associated with a first sensor in the aquatic environment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the system the aquatic environment control system uses at least a temperature sensor to measure deviations in circulation in the aquatic environment.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises responding to the output presented wherein the system the aquatic environment control system creates or manages schedules for routine maintenance based on the system anomaly analysis.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the process further comprises compensating for performance deviations in the aquatic environment, by adjusting at least a first system control device to eliminate potential deviations in performance.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises compensating for performance deviations in the aquatic environment, by adjusting other system control devices to eliminate other potential deviations in performance.

9. A method for monitoring, controlling and optimizing an aquatic environment using an aquatic environment control system, said process comprising:

monitoring an aquatic environment, the step of monitoring comprising;

recording the data from at least a system control device and an associated sensor,

storing the data, and

making the data available for analysis;

performing predictive failure diagnostics based on the data, the step of performing further comprising;

delivering an output from the predictive failure diagnostics, wherein the output includes a prediction of failure of a system control device; and

controlling the aquatic environment, the step of controlling further comprising;

presenting the output from the predictive failure diagnostics at a location using a communication means; and

regulating the at least system control device based on the output from the predictive failure diagnostics.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the output is presented at a remote location.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising predicting at least an unusual system event not covered by scheduled maintenance,

wherein the aquatic environment control system creates or manages schedules for routine maintenance based on the predictive failure diagnostics.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising predicting at least a system event not covered by scheduled maintenance,

wherein the aquatic environment control system creates or manages schedules for routine maintenance based on the predictive failure diagnostics.