Remote monitoring system

• US 8,694,277 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JELD-WEN Incorporated (JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JELD-WEN Incorporated (JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.)
• Inventors: Corwin, Wallace Dale, Walker, Michael Shayne, Beatty, Budd William
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US12/508,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 702/127, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/127
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A remote monitoring system is disclosed. In one such embodiment, a system may comprise a first measuring unit disposed within a structure, a first processor disposed in operative communication with the first measuring unit, and a second processor disposed within the structure. The first measuring unit may comprise a first sensor adapted to detect a first parameter. The first measuring unit may be adapted to output a first signal associated with the first parameter. The first processor may be adapted to receive the first signal and to control the first measuring unit. The second processor may be disposed in operative communication with the first measuring unit and the first processor.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting by a first sensor disposed in a cavity of an exterior wall of a building structure a first parameter of air within the cavity prognostic of a potential loss of integrity of the building structure;

generating by a first measuring unit a first signal associated with the first parameter, the first sensor disposed in operative communication with the first measuring unit;

communicating the first signal to a remote processor, wherein the remote processor is disposed remotely from the building structure, and wherein the remote processor is configured to be in operative communication with the first measuring unit;

recording a first value in a database, the first value associated with the first parameter;

updating the database with a second value associated with the first parameter;

and assessing, via the remote processor, the potential loss of integrity of the building structure based at least in part on the first signal and the first and second values associated with the first parameter, wherein the potential loss of integrity of the building structure results from exposure of the building structure to an environmental condition related to the first parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a local processor in operative communication with the first measuring unit and the remote processor, wherein the local processor is disposed in an interior of the building structure and is adapted to communicate the first signal to the remote processor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

detecting by a second sensor a second parameter, the second sensor disposed in operative communication with the remote processor;

generating by a second measuring unit a second signal associated with the second parameter, the second sensor disposed in communication with the second measuring unit; and

communicating the second signal to the remote processor, the remote processor disposed in operative communication with the second measuring unit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the local processor is disposed in operative communication with the second measuring unit, the local processor adapted to communicate the second signal to the remote processor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the remote processor is adapted to compare the first and second signals and to generate an alarm signal if the compared first and second signals trend toward a predetermined set point.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the second sensor is disposed outside of the building structure.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second sensor is coupled with an exterior surface of the building structure.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

detecting by a third sensor a third parameter, the third sensor disposed in communication with the first measuring unit;

generating by the first measuring unit a third signal associated with the third parameter; and

communicating the third signal to the remote processor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second parameter comprises a physical property related to that of the first parameter.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the third parameter comprises a physical property different than that of the first parameter.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the remote processor is adapted to control sampling of data by the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensor further senses a physical property comprising at least one of a stress, strain, position, deformation, vibration, acceleration, pressure, and motion.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an alarm signal when the second value exceeds a predetermined set point.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote processor is configured to remotely control at least one measurement parameter of the first measuring unit.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the cavity is formed between an inner wall and an opposing outer wall of the exterior wall of the building structure.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises humidity.

17. A system comprising:

a plurality of first measuring units disposed within at least two buildings, each one of the plurality of first measuring units comprising a first sensor disposed within a cavity of a wall of each of the buildings and adapted to detect a first parameter, each one of the plurality of first measuring units adapted to output a first signal associated with the first parameter; and

a remote processor disposed remotely from the buildings and in operative communication with the first measuring units, the remote processor adapted to receive the first signal from the first measuring units and to remotely control at least one measurement parameter of the plurality of first measuring units, and wherein the remote processor is adapted to compare data related to the first parameter in a first building with data related to the first parameter in at least one additional building.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the data related to the first parameter in the first building is compared with data related to the first parameter in a plurality of additional buildings.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of second measuring units disposed outside of the buildings and in communication with the remote processor, the second measuring units each comprising a second sensor adapted to detect a second parameter, each of the second measuring units adapted to output a second signal associated with the second parameter.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the remote processor is adapted to receive the second signal from the second measuring units and to control the second measuring units.