Detection and mitigation of water leaks with home automation

• US 9,912,492 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: McCarthy, III, Bernard Anthony, Kummer, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Norton, Jennifer L
• Application Number:
  US14/485,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20150160663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0068 Door closed
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/22 Interactive procedures; Man-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 : involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/096 : Sliding

Abstract

Automation control for water leaks is provided. First sensor readings from first sensors disposed about water supply lines at a home to detect a first type of metrics indicative of water flow may be received and recorded over a first time period. Second sensor readings may be received from a second sensor. A first correlation between the first sensor readings and the second sensor readings may be identified. A first activity profile may be generated based on the first correlation. A first water use profile may be generated based on the first activity profile. First thresholds may be identified based on the first water use profile and may be retained in association with the first activity profile. Water use at the home may be monitored with the first sensors and activity at the home may be monitored with the second sensors. A water leak condition may be determined.

Claims

1. A method for automation control for water leaks, the method comprising:

receiving, by a control device, a first set of one or more sensor readings from a first set of one or more sensors disposed about one or more water supply lines at a home, the first set of one or more sensors to detect a type of one or more metrics indicative of water flow;

recording, by the control device, the first set of one or more sensor readings over a time period;

receiving, by the control device, a second set of one or more sensor readings from a second set of one or more sensors disposed at the home, the second set of one or more sensors to detect presence and/or locations of one or more occupants at the home;

identifying, by the control device, a correlation between the first set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the water flow over the time period and the second set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the presence and/or the locations of the one or more occupants at the home;

generating, by the control device, an activity profile based at least in part on the correlation;

generating, by the control device, a water use profile based at least in part on the activity profile, wherein the water use profile indicates water flow trends corresponding to circumstances identified with the activity profile;

identifying, by the control device, a set of one or more thresholds based at least in part on the water use profile;

retaining, by the control device, the set of one or more thresholds in association with the activity profile;

monitoring, by the control device, water use at the home at least in part with the first set of one or more sensors and activity at the home at least in part with the second set of one or more sensors;

determining, by the control device, a water leak condition based at least in part on the monitoring, wherein the determining the water leak condition comprises;

matching monitored activity to the activity profile;

comparing a third set of one or more sensor readings indicative of monitored water use to at least one threshold of the set of one or more thresholds; and

determining that the at least one threshold is satisfied;

determining, by the control device, an adjustment to address the water leak condition; and

causing, by the control device, a water supply controller to make the adjustment, wherein the adjustment comprises shutting off a water supply.

2. The method for automation control for water leaks of claim 1, further comprising:

causing, by the control device, transmission of a user notification to indicate the water leak condition via one or more notification interfaces.

3. The method for automation control for water leaks of claim 1, further comprising:

processing, by the control device, one or more user selections corresponding to one or more user-selection options;

wherein the causing the water supply controller to make the adjustment is based in part on the one or more user selections.

4. The method for automation control for water leaks of claim 1, further comprising:

processing, by the control device, one or more user selections corresponding to one or more user-selection options; and

modifying, by the control device, the set of one or more thresholds based in part on the one or more user selections.

5. The method for automation control for water leaks of claim 1, wherein the second set of one or more sensor readings from the second set of one or more sensors indicates the locations of the one or more occupants of the home.

6. A system for automation control for water leaks, the system comprising:

a control device communicatively coupled to;

a first set of one or more sensors disposed about one or more water supply lines at a home, the first set of one or more sensors to detect a type of one or more metrics indicative of water flow; and

a second set of one or more sensors disposed at the home;

the control device comprising;

one or more processors;

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the one or more processors and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive a first set of one or more sensor readings from the first set of one or more sensors;

record the first set of one or more sensor readings over a time period;

receive a second set of one or more sensor readings from the second set of one or more sensors disposed at the home, the second set of one or more sensors to detect presence and/or locations of one or more occupants at the home;

identify a correlation between the first set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the water flow over the time period and the second set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the presence and/or the locations of the one or more occupants at the home;

generate an activity profile based at least in part on the correlation;

generate a water use profile based at least in part on the activity profile, wherein the water use profile indicates water flow trends corresponding to circumstances identified with the activity profile;

identify a set of one or more thresholds based at least in part on the water use profile;

retain the set of one or more thresholds in association with the activity profile;

monitor water use at the home at least in part with the first set of one or more sensors and activity at the home at least in part with the second set of one or more sensors;

determine a water leak condition based at least in part on the monitoring, wherein the determining the water leak condition comprises;

matching monitored activity to the activity profile;

comparing a third set of one or more sensor readings indicative of monitored water use to at least one threshold of the set of one or more thresholds; and

determining that the at least one threshold is satisfied;

determine an adjustment to address the water leak condition; and

cause a water supply controller to make the adjustment, wherein the adjustment comprises shutting off a water supply.

7. The system for automation control for water leaks of claim 6, wherein the processor-readable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

cause transmission of a user notification to indicate the water leak condition via one or more notification interfaces.

8. The system for automation control for water leaks of claim 6, wherein the processor-readable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

process one or more user selections corresponding to one or more user-selection options;

wherein the causing the water supply controller to make the adjustment is based in part on the one or more user selections.

9. The system for automation control for water leaks of claim 6, wherein the processor-readable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

process one or more user selections corresponding to one or more user-selection options; and

modifying the set of one or more thresholds based in part on the one or more user selections.

10. The system for automation control for water leaks of claim 6, wherein the second set of one or more sensor readings from the second set of one or more sensors indicates the locations of the one or more occupants of the home.

11. One or more non-transitory, machine-readable media having machine-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more processing devices, facilitates automation control for water leaks, causing the one or more processing devices to:

receive a first set of one or more sensor readings from a first set of one or more sensors disposed about one or more water supply lines at a home, the first set of one or more sensors to detect a type of one or more metrics indicative of water flow;

record the first set of one or more sensor readings over a time period;

receive a second set of one or more sensor readings from a second set of one or more sensors disposed at the home, the second set of one or more sensors to detect presence and/or locations of one or more occupants at the home;

identify a correlation between the first set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the water flow over the time period and the second set of one or more sensor readings indicative of the presence and/or the locations of the one or more occupants at the home;

generate an activity profile based at least in part on the correlation;

generate a water use profile based at least in part on the activity profile, wherein the water use profile indicates water flow trends corresponding to circumstances identified with the activity profile;

identify a set of one or more thresholds based at least in part on the water use profile;

retain the set of one or more thresholds in association with the activity profile;

monitor water use at the home at least in part with the first set of one or more sensors and activity at the home at least in part with the second set of one or more sensors;

determine a water leak condition based at least in part on the monitoring, wherein the determining the water leak condition comprises;

matching monitored activity to the activity profile;

comparing a third set of one or more sensor readings indicative of monitored water use to at least one threshold of the set of one or more thresholds; and

determining that the at least one threshold is satisfied;

determine an adjustment to address the water leak condition; and

cause a water supply controller to make the adjustment, wherein the adjustment comprises shutting off a water supply.

12. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable media of claim 11, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the one or more processing devices to:

cause transmission of a user notification to indicate the water leak condition via one or more notification interfaces.

13. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable media of claim 11, wherein the machine-readable instructions further cause the one or more processing devices to:

process one or more user selections corresponding to one or more user-selection options;

wherein the causing the water supply controller to make the adjustment is based in part on the one or more user selections.

14. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable media of claim 11, wherein the second set of one or more sensor readings from the second set of one or more sensors indicates the locations of the one or more occupants of the home.