Apparatus for monitoring fluid levels in a remotely located storage tank
DCFirst Claim
1. A computer implemented method for monitoring fluid levels of a consumable liquid in a storage tank, the method comprising:
- providing a monitoring unit associated with a storage tank, said monitoring unit in close proximity to the storage tank and communicatively linked with a sensor that provides fluid level information indicative of the amount of fluid in the storage tank, wherein the monitoring unit includes at least one processor with circuitry for receiving and processing the fluid level information;
providing a central server remotely located from the storage tank, said central server communicatively linked with the monitoring unit so that fluid level information can be transmitted via a communications link to the central server from the monitoring unit;
receiving, by the processor, fluid level information from the sensor;
determining, by the processor, whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred;
in response to a determination that a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred, sending notice via the communications link to the central server from the monitoring unit;
transmitting fluid level information from the monitoring unit to the central server via the communications link between the monitoring unit and the central server; and
receiving, by the central server, fluid level information, the central server then processing received fluid level information (i) to provide displayable fluid level data, and (ii) to forecast future fluid levels utilizing at least stored fluid level data.
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Abstract
An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account. The system can calendar required inspections of customer tanks, homes, and appliances, and data can be combined with accounts receivable information. Remote monitoring of customer tanks can be combined with other products using similar equipment to provide additional non-seasonal revenue streams.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for monitoring fluid levels of a consumable liquid in a storage tank, the method comprising:
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providing a monitoring unit associated with a storage tank, said monitoring unit in close proximity to the storage tank and communicatively linked with a sensor that provides fluid level information indicative of the amount of fluid in the storage tank, wherein the monitoring unit includes at least one processor with circuitry for receiving and processing the fluid level information; providing a central server remotely located from the storage tank, said central server communicatively linked with the monitoring unit so that fluid level information can be transmitted via a communications link to the central server from the monitoring unit; receiving, by the processor, fluid level information from the sensor; determining, by the processor, whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred; in response to a determination that a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred, sending notice via the communications link to the central server from the monitoring unit; transmitting fluid level information from the monitoring unit to the central server via the communications link between the monitoring unit and the central server; and receiving, by the central server, fluid level information, the central server then processing received fluid level information (i) to provide displayable fluid level data, and (ii) to forecast future fluid levels utilizing at least stored fluid level data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of monitoring fluid levels of a consumable liquid in a storage tank, the method comprising:
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monitoring the fluid level for the liquid in the storage tank; transmitting fluid level data to a central server, remotely located from the storage tank, at preselected intervals or times; comparing, using a computer program embodied in computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer memory and executed on a computer hardware system, a change in fluid levels over a period of time to historic changes in fluid levels fluid levels over the same period of time for the same tank or for similar tanks; and from this comparison, determining with the computer program whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred and, if so, sending notice to the central server at a time other than at said preselected intervals or times. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A nontransitory, computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for controlling a system coupled to a computer acting as a central server, the computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for carrying out the steps of:
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causing the central server to receive fluid level data from a monitoring unit associated with a remotely located storage tank, said monitoring unit collecting fluid level data indicating the fluid levels in the storage tank; processing received fluid level data (i) to provide displayable fluid level data, and (ii) to forecast future fluid levels utilizing at least stored fluid level data; and transferring the displayable fluid level data from the central server to a remotely located graphical user interface where it can be accessed by an end-user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification