Method and apparatus for detecting water leaks
OwnerLawrence Katesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low cost, robust, wireless sensor system that provides an extended period of operability without maintenance is described. The system includes one or more intelligent sensor units and a base unit that can communicate with a large number of sensors. When one or more of the sensors detects an anomalous condition (e.g., smoke, fire, water, etc.) the sensor communicates with the base unit and provides data regarding the anomalous condition. The base unit can contact a supervisor or other responsible person by a plurality of techniques, such as, telephone, pager, cellular telephone, Internet, etc. In one embodiment, one or more wireless repeaters are used between the sensors and the base unit to extend the range of the system and to allow the base unit to communicate with a larger number of sensors.
Claims33
A system for detecting water leaks, comprising:
- a moisture sensor;
- a water level sensor;
- a water temperature sensor;
- a processor configured to collect moisture readings from said moisture sensor, water level readings from said water level sensor, said processor configured to report a possible water leak and an identification code when said moisture sensor detects moisture above a moisture threshold value, said processor configured to report a water leak and an identification code when said water level reading exceeds a water level threshold value;
- and
- a radio-frequency transceiver connected to the water level sensor configured to receive at least a command to set said water level threshold.
A method for sensing water leaks, comprising,:
- measuring moisture using a moisture sensor to determine moisture data;
- measuring temperature data using a temperature sensor to determine temperature data;
- measuring the water level using a water sensor to determine water level data;
- sending said moisture and said water level data to a monitoring station;
- reporting a possible water leak when said moisture data fails a moisture threshold test;
- and
- report a water leak when said water level data fails a water level threshold test and said temperature data fails a temperature threshold test.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.