Network-enabled valve management system
AssigneeQMI Manufacturing Inc.
InventorsMichael Hanrahan, Raymond Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for remotely operating endpoint devices, such as valves for utility services, comprises a server, one or more network access hubs, and one or more endpoint devices. The network access hubs communicate with the server through a network and communicate wirelessly with the endpoint devices. The network access hubs transmit instructions to the endpoint devices to control the operation of the endpoint devices. The network access hubs may also comprise earthquake detection circuits to detect possible earthquakes and transmit instructions to the endpoint devices to close valves accordingly.
Claims20
A system for remotely operating endpoint devices, said system comprising:
- a server;
- one or more network access hubs, wherein each of said one or more network access hubs comprises:
- a network interface for communication with said server over a network;
- a microprocessor;
- a hub transmitting means;
- an earthquake detection circuit, wherein said earthquake detection circuit sends an earthquake warning to said microprocessor upon detection of a possible earthquake;
- and
- a hub power supply;
- and
- one or more endpoint devices, wherein each of said one or more endpoint devices comprises:
- an endpoint receiving means for receiving wireless communications from said hub transmitting means of one or more of said network access hubs in wireless communications range, said wireless communications comprising instructions;
- a microcontroller for processing said instructions and executing said instructions;
- and
- an endpoint power supply.
(canceled)
A method of remotely controlling endpoint devices, said method comprising the steps of:
- a server communicating with one or more network access hubs through a network:
- said one or more network access hubs wirelessly transmitting instructions to one or more endpoint devices through a hub transmitting means;
- said one or more endpoint devices receiving said instructions from said network access hubs through an endpoint receiving means;
- and
- said one or more endpoint devices implementing said instructions.
A method of controlling endpoint devices, said method comprising the steps of:
- a server communicating with one or more network access hubs through a network;
- said one or more network access hubs wirelessly transmitting instructions to one or more endpoint devices through a hub transmitting means;
- said one or more endpoint devices receiving said instructions from said network access hubs through a endpoint receiving means;
- said one or more endpoint devices receiving other instructions from a local interface connected to said endpoint devices;
- said one or more endpoint devices implementing either said instructions or said other instructions, depending on priority of said instructions and said other instructions.
A method of remotely controlling a valve in an endpoint device in response to a possible earthquake, said method comprising the steps of:
- a server communicating with a network access hub through a network;
- said network access hub detecting a possible earthquake through an earthquake detection circuit;
- said network access hub transmitting information regarding said possible earthquake to said server through said network;
- said network access hub wirelessly transmitting instructions to said endpoint device through a hub transmitting means, said instructions comprising instructions regarding control of said valve in response to said possible earthquake;
- said endpoint device receiving said instructions from said network access hub through an endpoint receiving means;
- and
- said endpoint device controlling said valve in accordance with said instructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.