Excessive product usage detection using a level monitoring system
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank, the system comprising:
- a monitor operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein;
a data center in communication with the monitor;
wherein the data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage, defined as a difference between a first monitored level of product and a second monitored level of product equaling or exceeding a threshold level of change, has been detected; and
wherein the monitor is configured to monitor the product level at a first rate and to transmit product level information to the data center at a second rate, and wherein the monitor immediately transmits product level information to the data center when the monitor determines that an excessive usage of product has occurred.
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Abstract
A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor. The data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage has been detected.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank, the system comprising:
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a monitor operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein; a data center in communication with the monitor; wherein the data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage, defined as a difference between a first monitored level of product and a second monitored level of product equaling or exceeding a threshold level of change, has been detected; and wherein the monitor is configured to monitor the product level at a first rate and to transmit product level information to the data center at a second rate, and wherein the monitor immediately transmits product level information to the data center when the monitor determines that an excessive usage of product has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of detecting an excessive usage of product stored in a storage tank, comprising the steps of:
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taking an initial reading of a product level in the storage tank; taking a later reading of the product level in the tank; comparing the initial reading with the later reading; generating an alarm signal when the initial reading and the later reading differ by at least a threshold level of change to indicate that the excessive usage has been detected; reporting information related to the product level in the storage tank at a second rate; and wherein the step of generating an alarm signal comprises the step of reporting information related to the product level immediately upon generating the alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of detecting an excessive usage of product in a storage tank, comprising the steps of:
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displaying a user interface having a plurality of user selectable options and a threshold level of change input window; receiving user input to select at least one of a level rise and a level drop excessive product usage function; receiving a user selected threshold level of change; receiving first information relating to the level of product in the storage tank; receiving second information relating to the level of product in the storage tank; comparing the first information and the second information; generating an alarm signal when the step of comparing indicates that the user selected threshold level of change has been exceeded; transmitting the user input and the user selected threshold level of change to a tank level monitor; and receiving an alarm signal from the tank level monitor indicating that user selected threshold level of change has been exceeded.
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Specification