# US 2017/0285665 A1 · Method, apparatus, and system for water management > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285665 A1 - Document ID: US20170285665A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/085,688 - Filed: 2016-03-30 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: e.Digital Corporation - Applicants: e.Digital Corporation - Inventors: Patrick O'Neal Nunally; Kevin Bostenero; Alfred Falk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285665A1 ## CPC - G01M 3/26: by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors - E03B 7/071: {Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off} - G01F 15/063: using electrical means - G01M 3/24: using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations - Y02A 20/15: Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract The disclosed embodiments describe a method, apparatus, and system for water management. At least one smart aquameter may be used to connect to a plumbed water system. The smart aquameter may measure a variety of sensor data, process, analyze, store, report, or control information related to the water system. The acoustic, pressure, and temperature characteristics of water in a plumbed system, amongst other things, may be used to identify which outlet is using water, for how long, and how much. This information, along with other relevant information, may be utilized to report, alert, optimize, inform, educate, and regulate the water system, for consumers, utility companies, and resource agencies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A smart aquameter, for water management, comprising: a power module adapted to power the smart aquameter; an input-output module adapted to intake water from a plumbed system; a sensor module adapted to measure water characteristics; a communication module; a processor module adapted to send information based on the measured water characteristics via the communication module; and a memory module coupled to the processor module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the sensor module comprises a microphone, pressure sensor, or thermo sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the processor adapted to analyze, process, and filter the measured water characteristics. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the processor adapted to analyze the acoustic characteristics of the water, a pipe, or the plumbed system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The smart aquameter of claim 4, further comprising: the processor adapted to analyze pressure surges caused when a fluid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the processor adapted to analyze the pressure characteristics of the water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the processor adapted to analyze the temperature characteristics of the water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the memory module adapted to store the measured, processed, or analyzed water characteristics. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the input-output module adapted to outlet the intake water. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the input-output module adapted to connect to a connector, hose, pipe, water spout, spigot, appliance, or faucet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the input-output module adapted to connect inline with a pipe or hose. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the input-output module adapted to connect to one side of a pipe or hose. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the communication module adapted to communication on the cellular band, WiFi, and USB. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the communication module adapted to communicate with a server, a mobile device, or a fixed device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The smart aquameter of claim 1, further comprising: the power module comprises a back up power supply of a battery, a capacitor bank, or induction bank. ### Claim 16 A smart aquameter, for water management, comprising: a power module adapted to power the smart aquameter; an input-output module comprising a sensor module; a sensor module adapted to measure plumbed system characteristics, the sensor module comprising a microphone; a communication module; a processor module adapted to analyze the acoustic characteristics of the plumbed system, adapted to send information based on the measured plumbed system characteristics using the communication module; and a memory module coupled to the processor module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The smart aquameter of claim 16, further comprising: the sensor module comprising a pressure sensor and thermo sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The smart aquameter of claim 16, further comprising: the input-output module adapted to intake water from the plumbed system; and adapted to connect to a water spout, hose, pipe, appliance, spigot, or faucet. ### Claim 19 A method for water management, comprising: measuring acoustics of a plumbed water system; processing the measured acoustics to generate acoustic patterns; identifying at least one water outlet based on the generated acoustic patterns; reporting the plumbed water system characteristics, the characteristics comprising the identified at least one water outlet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: the at least one acoustic sensor comprises a microphone or accelerometer; and placing the at least one acoustic sensor on the outside of the smart aquameter in contact with a pipe of the plumbed water system.