Devices and systems for remote and automated monitoring and control of water removal, mold remediation, and similar work

• US 20060217934A1
• Filed: 03/05/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jay T. Armstrong
• Original Assignee: Jay T. Armstrong
• Inventors: Armstrong, Jay T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/7007 by using electricity, e.g. electro-osmosis electrochemical desalination or re-alkalisation of reinforced concrete C04B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

Electronic devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for remote and/or automated monitoring of temperature, humidity, or other factors in a building during a remediation project, such as after a flood or mold infestation. These devices comprise sensors devices that can be distributed around a room or building, for transmitting data to a processor such as a laptop computer. Using telephone, cell phone, or internet connections, the processor can transmit compiled data to a website or remote computer, for analysis and use by a project supervisor. Sensor-switch devices also are disclosed for turning fans, dehumidifiers, or other equipment on or off. Using a telephone, cell phone, or internet connnection, a project supervisor at any location can download information, obtain current status information, and turn equipment on or off as needed.

Claims

1. A portable system to facilitate monitoring of progress at a work site, comprising:

a. at least one programmable processor that can be placed and operated at a work site and that contains or interacts with;

(i) at least one data transfer device that enables data and signals to be transferred from said work site to a remote computer at a different site;

(ii) means that enable said programmable processor to receive data from at least one sensor that is positioned at the work site; and

,

(iii) a memory array that enables said programmable processor to record and store data from at least one sensor; and

,

b. at least one sensor that can measure at least one local condition that will change, as work is done at a work site, in a manner that correlates with desired progress of work at the work site, wherein said sensor is provided with means for transmitting data on said local condition to said programmable processor, when said portable system is operating at the work site.

4. The portable system of claim 1, wherein at least one data transfer device that allows data to be transferred from said programmable processor to a remote computer at a different site utilizes wireless transmission of signals.

5. The portable system of claim 1, wherein at least one data transfer device that allows data to be transferred from said programmable processor to a remote computer at a different site enables transmission of data to a website.

6. The portable system of claim 1, wherein said means that enable said programmable processor to receive data from at least one sensor positioned at the work site comprise wireless means.

7. The portable system of claim 1, where said portable system also comprises at least one sensor-switch device that allows said programmable processor to:

a. determine whether current is being sent to at least one powered device;

b. transmit information to a remote computer at a different site, indicating whether current was being sent to at least one powered device at an indicated time; and

c. enable a human operator at a remote location to send one or more signals to said programmable processor in a manner that causes said sensor-switch device to (i) provide current to said powered device, when desired by said operator, or (ii) terminate any current that is being provided to said powered device, when desired by said operator.

2. The portable system of claim 2, wherein at least one sensor measures temperature and humidity, and wherein said portable system can be used for remote monitoring of progress in remediating water-related damage.

3. The portable system of claim 2, comprising:

(i) a plurality of sensors that can be positioned at spaced locations around the work site; and

,

(ii) means that enable said plurality of sensors to transmit data from each sensor to said programmable processor, in a manner that enables the programmable processor to correlate each set of data with a specific sensor which collected that data,

and wherein said programmable processor is also provided with a memory array that enables said programmable processor to record and store data sets from a plurality of sensors, in a manner that correlates each data set with a specific sensor which collected that data set, when said portable system is operating at the work site.

8. A system that enables remote monitoring and control of water remediation work at a work site, comprising:

a. at least one programmable processor that can be placed and operated at the work site and that contains or interacts with;

(i) at least one data transfer device that enables data and signals to be transferred from said work site to a remote computer at a different site; and

,

(ii) means that enable said programmable processor to receive data from at least one sensor positioned at the work site; and

,

b. at least one sensor that can measure temperature and humidity, wherein said sensor is provided with means for transmitting data to said programmable processor.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising:

(i) a plurality of sensors that can be positioned at spaced locations around a work site; and

,

(ii) means that enable said plurality of sensors to transmit data from each sensor to said programmable processor, in a manner that enables the programmable processor to correlate each set of data with a specific sensor which collected that data,

and wherein said programmable processor is also provided with a memory array that enables said programmable processor to record and store data sets from a plurality of sensors, in a manner that correlates each data set with a specific sensor which collected that data set, when said portable system is operating at the work site.

10. A sensor and switching device, comprising:

a. means for conveying, in a switch-controlled and interruptible manner, current from an electrical current supply, to a switch-controlled outlet that can be used to provide electrical power to a powered device;

b. sensor means for detecting whether current is passing through said switch-controlled outlet to a powered device;

c. a programmable microprocessor within said sensor and switching device, which can be loaded with software that has been written to enable the sensor and switching device to exchange signals with a processor that is designed to interact with at least one sensor and switching device; and

,

d. an antenna component designed to transmit wireless signals in either direction between said sensor and switching device, and said processor.

11. A sensor and switching system that can be monitored from a remote location, comprising:

a. a processor designed to process and transmit signals from each sensor-switch device among a plurality of sensor-switch devices; and

,

b. a plurality of sensor-switch devices, each of said sensor-switch devices comprising;

(i) means for conveying, in a switch-controlled and interruptible manner, current from an electrical current supply, to a switch-controlled outlet that can be used to provide electrical power to a powered device;

(ii) sensor means for detecting whether current is passing through said switch-controlled outlet to a powered device; and

,

(iii) means for conveying signals between said sensor-switch device and said processor, and wherein said processor is also provided with means for;

(a) polling any sensor-switch device within said plurality of sensor-switch devices, to determine whether such device is providing electrical current to a powered device, when such polling is activated by a human operator at a remote site; and

, (b) transmitting information to a human operator at a remote site, indicating whether a polled sensor-switch device was providing electrical current to a powered device when said sensor-switch device was polled by said processor.

12. The sensor and switching system of claim 11, wherein the system is also provided with means that will enable a human operator at a remote location to send one or more signals to said processor in a manner that causes a specific targeted sensor-switch device to (i) provide current to a powered device, when desired by said operator, or (ii) terminate any current that is being provided to said powered device, when desired by said operator.