Fluid flow sensor with low frequency sampling for flow detection

A method for detecting and analyzing fluid flow, comprising:

• providing a turbine that rotates in response to a fluid flow;
• providing a sensor that senses positional information of the turbine;
• periodically capturing and storing a value indicative of a position of the turbine;
• comparing the value with a previously collected value;
• detecting a fluid flow if the value and previously collected value differ;
• and
• activating a flow analysis system in response to a detected flow, wherein the flow analysis system collects and analyzes data from the sensor.

A plumbing fixture, comprising:

• system for detecting and analyzing fluid flow, including:
• a turbine that rotates in response to a fluid flow;
• a sensor that senses positional information of the turbine;
• a flow detector coupled to the sensor that periodically:
• captures and stores a value indicative of a position of the turbine;
• compares the value with a previously collected value;
• and
• detects flow if the value and previously collected value differ;
• and
• a flow analysis system coupled to the sensor that activates in response to a detected flow, wherein the flow analysis system collects and analyzes data from the sensor.