Flow sensing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for monitoring use of a shower, the device comprising:
- a mounting mechanism for mounting the device on a surface of the shower so that the device is not in direct contact with water carrying components of the shower;
an acoustic transducer;
a processor configured to;
maintain the device in a first operational mode wherein the processor;
receives acoustic data from the acoustic transducer;
determines an amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within a predetermined frequency range, wherein the predetermined frequency range includes a peak frequency of sound created by water exiting a shower head or water flowing;
in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern is above a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined time period, initiating a second operational mode of the device, wherein in the second operational mode, the processor;
tracks a time period for the device in the second operational mode;
monitors the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within the predetermined frequency range;
in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data is below the predetermined threshold for a second predetermined time period, transmitting the tracked time period to an external device and initiating return of the device to the first operational mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A non-invasive, hands-free “water flow device” senses when water is and is not flowing and can give the user a visual display, of the real time water flow duration and quantity of water used by a shower (or other water dispensing device), for example. The water flow device may use an acoustic transducer (e.g., a microphone) to sense the acoustic waves generated by the flow of water during a shower. For example, the flow or lack of flow of water may be determined by analyzing the acoustic signature and/or amplitude of sounds (e.g., within a certain frequency range) in the shower.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A device for monitoring use of a shower, the device comprising:
-
a mounting mechanism for mounting the device on a surface of the shower so that the device is not in direct contact with water carrying components of the shower; an acoustic transducer; a processor configured to; maintain the device in a first operational mode wherein the processor; receives acoustic data from the acoustic transducer; determines an amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within a predetermined frequency range, wherein the predetermined frequency range includes a peak frequency of sound created by water exiting a shower head or water flowing; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern is above a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined time period, initiating a second operational mode of the device, wherein in the second operational mode, the processor; tracks a time period for the device in the second operational mode; monitors the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within the predetermined frequency range; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data is below the predetermined threshold for a second predetermined time period, transmitting the tracked time period to an external device and initiating return of the device to the first operational mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A device for monitoring use of a shower, the device configured for placement outside of direct contact with water carrying components of the shower, the device comprising:
-
an acoustic transducer; and a processor configured to; maintain the device in a first operational mode wherein the processor; receives acoustic data from the acoustic transducer; determines an amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within a predetermined frequency range, wherein the predetermined frequency range includes a peak frequency of sound created by water exiting a shower head or water flowing; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern is above a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined time period, initiating a second operational mode of the device, wherein in the second operational mode, the processor; tracks a time period for the device in the second operational mode; monitors the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within the predetermined frequency range; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data is below the predetermined threshold for a second predetermined time period, transmitting the tracked time period to an external device and initiating return of the device to the first operational mode.
-
-
22. A non-transitory computer readable storage device storing a water use module comprising software instructions executable by a computing device placed outside of direct contact of water carrying components, the computing device having an acoustic transducer and a processor, execution of the water use module causing the computing device to:
-
maintain the water use module in a first operational mode wherein the processor; receives acoustic data from the acoustic transducer; determines an amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within a predetermined frequency range, wherein the predetermined frequency range includes a peak frequency of sound created by water exiting a shower head or water flowing; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern is above a predetermined threshold for a first predetermined time period, initiating a second operational mode of the water use module, wherein in the second operational mode the processor; tracks a time period for the water use module in the second operational mode; monitors the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data within the predetermined frequency range; in response to determining that the amplitude and/or signal pattern of the acoustic data is below the predetermined threshold for a second predetermined time period, transmitting an alert indicating the tracked time period to an external device; and initiating return of the water use module to the first operational mode.
-
Specification