# US 11,121,887 B2 · Systems and methods for wireless monitoring of sump pumps based on geographic location > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,121,887 B2 - Document ID: US11121887B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/249,746 - Filed: 2019-01-16 - Published: 2019-08-01 - Granted: 2021-09-14 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-15 - Assignees: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Hassan Khalid; Micheal Pasche; Brian Broga; Robert Westphal; Brian Boothe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11121887B2 ## CPC - H04L 12/2818: {from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007)} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 88/16: Gateway arrangements - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention provide a system for adapting a sump pump for wireless communication. In some embodiments, a system for adapting a sump pump with a serial communication port for communication with a user via a remote server, an internet connection, and internet enabled device is provided, the system comprising: a wireless gateway device connected to a router; and a wireless adapter connected to the serial communication port, comprising: a gateway node; a transceiver; and a processor programmed to: establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway; receive a first message from the sump pump; cause the gateway node to modify the first message; cause the first modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway; receive a second message from the remote server; modify the second message for output to the sump pump; and transmit the second modified message to the sump pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of remotely monitoring a sump pump, the sump pump being coupled to a motor, the method comprising: assigning an internet protocol address to the pump; connecting a wireless adapter to a controller of the pump; establishing a wireless connection between the wireless adapter and a cloud based server via a wireless gateway; uploading a geographic location for the sump pump to the cloud based server; transmitting the geographic location from the cloud based server to a manufacturer database; establishing communication between the cloud based server and a remote user device; sensing a water level parameter in proximity to the sump pump; uploading the water level parameter from the controller of the sump pump to the cloud based server; providing for remote monitoring of the water level parameter from the remote user device over the wireless connection; determining whether the water level parameter has exceeded a predetermined value; sending a first alert message to the remote user device when the water level parameter has exceeded the predetermined value; accessing the manufacturer database to determine the geographic location of the sump pump; and sending a second alert message to a device manufacturer of the pump through the wireless adapter and the cloud based server that the water level parameter has exceeded the predetermined value at the geographic location, wherein the second alert message is different from the first alert message and wherein the second alert message includes additional information relevant to the device manufacturer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising sensing a humidity parameter in proximity to the sump pump and uploading the humidity parameter from the controller of the sump pump to the cloud based server. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 and further comprising sending a third alert message to the remote user device based on the humidity parameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising sensing a radon parameter in proximity to the sump pump and uploading the radon parameter from the controller of the sump pump to the cloud based server. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 and further comprising sending a third alert message to the remote user device based on the radon parameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising performing a prediction analysis based on the water level parameter, the geographic location, and historical weather patterns for the geographic location. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 and further comprising generating a predictive flood trend analysis based on the geographic location. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein sending the first alert message includes providing to the remote user device an option to contact a service provider. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the information contained in the second alert message includes at least one of installation information, distributor information, and warranty information. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the information contained in the second alert message includes at least one of a list of residential devices associated with a user account, maintenance information, a device make, a model number, a serial number, installation date, years in service, and installer information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising sending a third alert message to service personnel to schedule a service call at the geographic location. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the third alert message includes at least one of user contact information, user address, nature of problem, fault parameters, previous service performed, faults received over time, and expected replacement parts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising automatically scheduling an appointment in a work order system of a service provider. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising sensing a nonrecoverable fault condition. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the nonrecoverable fault condition is at least one of a ground fault, over-voltage, over-current, short circuit, no motor start, loss of communication, and loss of prime. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising accessing a maintenance server to obtain at least one of a user profile and product registration data. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 and further comprising filtering possible service providers based on at least one of product make, product model, installation, years in service, geographic location, distributor, and past maintenance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 and further comprising analyzing a parameter associated with a fault condition to create a list of at least one of materials and replacement parts needed to perform maintenance. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 and further comprising providing to the cloud based server a bill of material for maintenance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 and further comprising evaluating a stock list of replacement parts and automatically placing an order for replacement parts. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 and further comprising sending a third alert message to the remote user device requiring a user to approve ordering replacement parts. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined value is a predetermined preventative maintenance value. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first alert message and the second alert message includes at least one of over-current, over-voltage, under-voltage, cannot start motor, dry run, ground fault, system not grounded, open transducer, shorted transducer, over-temperature, excessive runtime, filter clog, internal fault, hardware fault, external fault, low amps, jam, over pressure, clogged impeller, lead in suction line, loss of prime, and cavitation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the predetermined value using the remote user device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the predetermined value inherently within the controller. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising collecting and providing rainfall level data for the geographic location to the cloud based server. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising sending an early warning alert for flood prevention to the remote user device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing at least one of the first alert message and the second alert message to an insurance company for flood analysis.