Monitoring system and method
First Claim
1. A remote sensing system comprising:
- a housing adapted for being secured to and supported by a manhole cover within a sewer manhole, the housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing beneath the manhole cover;
a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way wireless radio module through a digital connection;
a connector cable connected to the two-way wireless radio module which leads to an external antenna embedded in or atop the manhole cover for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device; and
a power means for providing power to the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system includes one or more monitoring devices, positioned in sewer manholes, storm drains, etc., and a remote monitoring station that communicates wirelessly therewith. The monitoring device may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a two-way telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The monitoring device is placed within a manhole cavity to obtain depth (e.g., water level) measurements, images, and other data, and report the measurements back to the remote monitoring station, which analyzes the data and responds to alert messages when a dangerous water level is detected. An additional sensor may monitor the manhole cover for security purposes. A distributed mesh network of wireless nodes may be used to relay communications from the monitoring devices along alternative paths, through bridge nodes that may connect to a public wireless or cellular network.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A remote sensing system comprising:
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a housing adapted for being secured to and supported by a manhole cover within a sewer manhole, the housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing beneath the manhole cover; a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way wireless radio module through a digital connection; a connector cable connected to the two-way wireless radio module which leads to an external antenna embedded in or atop the manhole cover for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device; and a power means for providing power to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A remote sensing system, comprising:
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a housing adapted for being secured to a manhole cover within a sewer manhole, the housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing beneath the manhole cover; a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way wireless radio module through a digital connection; a connector cable connected to the two-way wireless radio module which leads to an external antenna embedded in or atop the manhole cover for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device; a power means for providing power to the housing; and a second antenna connected to the housing for communicating with the central server using a different communication protocol than is used by the two-way wireless radio module communicating via the first antenna; wherein the housing includes an enclosure cover and a window.
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10. A remote sensing system comprising:
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a housing attached to and supported by the underside of a manhole cover, the housing having communication ports for sensors, the sensors monitoring parameters in the vicinity of the housing and beneath the manhole cover; a microcontroller within the housing for communicating the parameters to a two-way wireless radio module through a digital connection; a connector cable connected to the two-way wireless radio module which leads to an external antenna embedded in or atop the manhole cover for transmitting the parameters to a remote communication device to a real-time receiver; remotely programmable sensor thresholds which cause the microcontroller to communicate with the remote communication device when the sensor thresholds have been exceeded, said programmable sensor thresholds configured to be modified through commands received via the two-way wireless radio module; and a battery for providing power to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A remote sensing device comprising:
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a housing adapted for being securably mounted beneath and supported by a manhole cover of a sewer manhole; one or more sensors disposed within or coupled to said housing for monitoring conditions beneath the manhole cover, the conditions including at least a surface depth beneath the manhole cover; a two-way wireless radio; a digital processor within the housing for periodically communicating parameters associated with the monitored conditions to the two-way wireless radio; an external antenna embedded in or atop the manhole cover, and magnetically or electronically coupled to the two-way wireless radio, for transmitting the parameters to a remote station; and a battery for providing power to the components within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification