US-12618703-B1 - Water meter system

US12618703B1US 12618703 B1US12618703 B1US 12618703B1US-12618703-B1

Abstract

The present invention is a system comprised of a water meter collection node system with water valve control mechanism or shut-off/on mechanism with wireless technology to communication with a private or corporate network, or internet connection that transfer water parameter data to a remote computer or server. Or the system can consist of a water meter collection node (water meter) that communicates with a communication hub that function to extend the range of wireless transmissions whereby the communication hub that is in wired or includes wireless communication with an internet router that communicates with an internet connection, or the collect node or communication hub can wirelessly communicate with a private or commercial network system, to a remote computer/server or a cloud service commercial service. One or more communication hub can function as a repeater apparatus to also extent the range of wireless transmissions.

Inventors

Michael Edward Klicpera

Assignees

Michael Edward Klicpera

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240807

Claims (20)

1 . A water meter comprising: a base station configured to be installed between a main water supply line for one or more buildings or structures and a water supply from a water source provider; the base station comprising: a) an electrical circuitry including at least one of a CPU, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, or any combination thereof; b) one or more water flow rate sensors or one or more positive displacement water sensors configured to sense a water flow through the main water supply line; c) a power source configured to be connected to the electrical circuitry; d) a memory including instructions that, when executed by at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, monitor water data of the one or more buildings or structures, the water data comprising one or more of water flow rates, water use durations, total water volumes, water energy uses, or water leak information, or any combination thereof; e) one or more wireless communication transceivers; wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers are configured to utilize an authentication or an encryption, or any combination thereof, when: (i) transmitting the water data; or (ii) receiving a signal or a command; or any combination thereof; wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers are configured to communicate with a communication hub including one or more second wireless communication transceivers, the communication hub having a second electrical circuitry including at least one of a second CPU, a second microprocessor, or a second microcontroller, or any combination thereof, and a second power source; wherein the communication hub is configured to perform an authentication pairing procedure to establish wireless communication with the base station; wherein the communication hub is configured to: (i) extend a range of the one or more wireless communication transceivers; (ii) perform as a repeater apparatus; (ii) provide mesh technology in wireless communication with one or more base stations; or (iv) communicate with one or more internet connections or access points, a corporate network, a private network, or a cloud service company, or combination thereof; or any combination thereof; wherein at least one of the one or more wireless communication transceivers or at least one of the one or more second wireless communication transceivers, or any combination thereof, is configured to, via an application programming interface (API); (i) transmit the water data from the base station to a remote computer system; or (ii) receive, from the remote computer system or from an electronic communication device, the signal or the command to perform an operational procedure; or any combination thereof.
2 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a water control valve mechanism including a ball valve, a solenoid valve, a piston valve, a gate valve, a variable open-design valve, or a three-way valve, or any combination thereof, the water control valve mechanism is configured to connect with the electrical circuitry.
3 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the application programming interface (API) comprises at least one of: (i) a direct internet message encapsulation; (ii) a simple object access protocol; (iii) an architectural style that sends requests and receives responses using methods to access and process data for different systems over an Internet connection; (iv) a platform that uses a Java development kit to facilitate communication between APPs and external services over a HTTP; (v) a document object module that is written in JavaScript and uses Java to process operations of a web document; (vi) a simple event-driven algorithm for lexing and parsing XML documents; (vii) a bidirectional read/write event-based method for lexing and parsing XML documents; or (viii) an extensible markup language application programming interface; or any combination thereof.
4 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electronic communication device comprises at least one of a cell phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet, a remote computer, a server, a web portal, an internet capable television, a wireless smartwatch, a remote computer operation center, or another electronic communication device, or any combination thereof.
5 . The water meter as recited in claim 2 , further comprising a pressure sensor, the memory further including instructions that, when executed by at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, perform, based on pressure data from the pressure sensor: (i) monitoring one or more pressure patterns and establishing pressure signatures; (ii) detecting a leak condition; or (iii) monitoring pressure changes when the base station closes the water control valve mechanism; or any combination thereof.
6 . The water meter as recited in claim 2 , wherein the base station is configured to receive, from the remote computer system or the electronic communication device, the signal or the command to transmit the water data, close or open the water control valve mechanism, or perform a leak detection analysis, or any combination thereof.
7 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the base station is configured to detect a leak condition and transmit an alert or a notification to the remote computer system or the electronic communication device, or any combination thereof, to inform a user, an owner, or a monitoring facility, or any combination thereof.
8 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor.
9 . The water meter as recited in claim 8 , wherein the memory further including instructions that, when executed by at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, perform, based on temperature data from the temperature sensor that a water temperature approaches a freeze point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius: (i) sending a warning or a message to the remote computer system or the electronic communication device, or any combination thereof; (ii) communicating with an intelligent thermostat with wireless technology to turn on a heating system for the one or more building or structures; or (iii) conducting a water freeze protection procedure including draining the main water supply line or replacing the water, or a portion of the waters in the main water supply line with air, nitrogen, or another gas or liquid having a low freezing point; or any combinations thereof.
10 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more wireless communication transceivers or at least one of the one or more second wireless communication transceivers, or any combination thereof, is configured to communicate via: a wireless network protocol based on IEEE 802.11 standards; an infrared light transmission scheme; a low-power and long-range chirp spread spectrum modulation technology; a network that uses the low-power and long-range chirp spread spectrum modulation technology; a wireless technology that transmits over an ultra narrow band; an Internet Protocol (IPv6) that uses a sub-1 (GHz frequency; a network: based on a star, ring, or bus topology, with master and slave devices; specified in EN 13757 standards; and that uses operating modes S, T, R, C (868 MHz), F (433 MHz), or N (169 MHz); a narrowband internet of things (IoT) protocol that uses a low-power wide-area network technology standard by 3GPP for cellular network devices and services; a network protocol that uses a differential binary phase-shift keying and a Gaussian frequency shift keying over an ultra narrow band; a wireless communication technology based on IEEE 802.16 standards; a wireless network configured to provide cloud connectivity for one or more internet of things (IoT) devices and to use smart speakers or bridge devices, or any combination thereof; a third-generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology; a fourth-generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology; a fifth-generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology; a sixth-generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology; a seventh-generation wireless mobile telecommunications technology; or any combination thereof; wherein one or more cellular transceivers and one or more wireless mobile telecommunications technologies are configured to utilize an embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) code.
11 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an acoustic sensor, the memory further including instructions that, when executed by at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, perform, based on acoustic data from the acoustic sensor: (i) monitoring sound patterns and establishing sound signatures to identify one or more water control valves; or (ii) detecting a leak condition; or any combination thereof.
12 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, or at least one of the one or more wireless communication transceivers, or any combination thereof, enter a sleep mode until awakened by a water flow event; a leak detection analysis; the signal or the command; or an alert or a notification; or any combination thereof.
13 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication hub includes software instructions configured to use SQL or non-SQL statements, an algorithm, or an artificial intelligence technology, or any combination thereof, and communicates with the base station to perform: (i) processing the water data for monitoring and calculating the water flow rates, the water use durations, or the total water volumes, or any combination thereof; (ii) monitoring pressure patterns and establishing pressure signatures; (iii) monitoring the power source or the second power source, or any combination thereof; (iv) controlling the sleep modes of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, and of the one or more wireless communication transceivers; (v) controlling the sleep modes of the second CPU, the second microprocessor, or the second microcontroller, or any combination thereof, and of the second wireless transceivers; (vi) performing the operation of the water control valve mechanism; (vii) closing the water control valve mechanism and monitoring for pressure changes to detect leaks; (viii) closing the water control valve mechanism and processing the pressure information or observing decay curves, or any combination thereof; (ix) monitoring programmed alert levels; or (x) scheduling software updates for the base station or the communication hub, or any combination thereof; (xi) controlling the water control valve mechanism per a defined schedule; or any combination thereof.
14 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising one or more water quality sensors configured to monitor at least one of a pH, a halogen, total dissolved solids, a biological or a fecal contamination, a water hardness, or a metallic ion, or any combination thereof.
15 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more wireless communication transceivers or at least one of the one or more second wireless communication transceivers, or any combination thereof, is configured to use a blockchain technology to transmit the water data and receive the signal or the command.
16 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers of the one or more base stations and the one or more second wireless communication transceivers of one or more communication hubs are configured to form a corporate network or a private network, the corporate network or the private network utilizes the application programming interface (API) when communicating with the remote computer system.
17 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more wireless communication transceivers, the one or more base stations, the one or more second wireless communication transceivers, the one or more communication hubs, the corporate network, the private network, the cloud service company having one or more databases, the application programming interface (API), a remote computer operation center, or the remote computer system, or any combination thereof, are configured to be marketed, sold leased, supplied, or any combination thereof, as one or more of independent parts, components, services, a total system, or a partial system, or any combination thereof.
18 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, includes a software program that performs a water use device calibration mode, the water use device calibration mode informs a user to activate a water use device, fixture, or appliance; monitors and records one or more water flow events; and utilizes at least one of a software calculation, an algorithm, or an artificial intelligence technology, or any combination thereof; to monitor a water pattern and establish a water signature to identify the water use device, fixture, or appliance.
19 . The water meter as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the CPU, the microprocessor, or the microcontroller, or any combination thereof, includes a software program which performs an automatic learning mode, the automatic learning mode executes a period of self-learning; monitors and records one or more water flow events; and utilizes at least one of a software calculation, an algorithm or an artificial intelligence technology, or any combination thereof; to monitor water patterns and establish water signatures to identify water use devices, fixtures, or appliances, or any combination thereof.
20 . The water meter as recited in claim 2 , where in the electronic communication device includes an application program or an APP that performs: presenting historical information of a water use or a water quality, or any combination thereof; displaying the water use of water use devices, fixtures, or appliances, or any combination thereof; programming a schedule to turn off or on the water control valve mechanism; programming the alert or the notification for a water flow rate limit, a water use limit, or a total volume limit or any combination thereof; setting water measurement units; or conducting a leak detection analysis; or any combination thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This apparatus and the method of use relate to water supply systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a water meter and leak detection system for private and/or public property to monitor and provide water use and water leak information and to minimize water loss and related damage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Water is increasingly becoming a precious resource. While freshwater supplies have been challenged due to climate (short rainy seasons and long droughts) and increased pollution, water demand has been rising due to the growing population along with increased development. The increasingly limited supply of fresh water is a humanitarian concern and water conservation is becoming a major issue for many communities. An apparatus for real-time monitoring of water use, and real-time detection of leak conditions at private and/or public property (e.g., residential structures and yards, business/industrial/commercial facilities, and governmental/institutional sites) can be useful in assessing and controlling water resources and supporting water conservation. Water losses to private and/or public properties caused by broken or compromised water pipes and by unobserved leaks are enormous. Broken or compromised water pipes are often undetected, for example when the property owner is absent or sleeping, and the resulting water loss and property damage can be catastrophic. Property insurance agencies report that a significant portion of total insurance losses are water related. It has been found that losses due to water leaks in residential homes can amount to a significant percentage of the total water use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The water meter and leak detection system monitor real-time water use and provides real-time leak detection and notification, alert, or alarm for private and/or public property (e.g., residential structures and yards, business/industrial/commercial facilities, and/or governmental/institutional sites). The present invention connects in series to the water supply for one or more private and/or public properties. This invention comprises a water meter collection node and an optional communication hub. The collection node is essentially a water meter which can include: one or more water flow rate sensors, one or more optional water control valves valve mechanism, one or more optional temperature sensors, one or more optional pressures sensors, one or more optional acoustic sensors, and wireless radio technology. Use of the optional communication hub extends the wireless range capability. The communication hub can also serve as a repeater apparatus or access point for receiving signals or commands and transmitting water data and information while providing longer wireless range capability. In this capability the communication hub functions as a repeater apparatus to communicate with an access point or network to communicate with an internet or network. The water meter collection node and optional communication hub can utilize long range wireless technology(ies) including such as Li-Fi, LoRa, Sigfox, WiMAX, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), NB-IoT, M-Bus, 6LoWPAN, standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi versions 3/4/5/6 Wi-Fi7, Wi-Fi8 and Wi-Fi9 (with Wi-Fi extenders), Amazon Sidewalk technology established cellular technology, 3GPP, LTE-M, 4G and 5G, limited range technology such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee and Z-wave, other wireless technology, wired and wired technology such as X10, universal powerline bus (UPB), HART Communications Protocol. In one embodiment, the water meter collection node utilizes a Wi-Fi version 3/4/5/6, Wi-Fi7, Wi-Fi8 and Wi-Fi9, Li-Fi, LoRa, Sigfox, Ultra Narrow Band, 6LowPAN, NB-IoT, M-Bus, WIMAX, Amazon Sidewalk, standard cellular technology, LTE-M cellular technology, 3GPP, 4G and 5G cellular technology radio that communicates with a private or corporate network. In another embodiment, the collection node utilizes a Wi-Fi version 3/4/5/6, Wi-Fi7, Wi-Fi8 and Wi-Fi9, Li-Fi, LoRa, Sigfox, Ultra Narrow Band, 6LowPAN, NB-IoT, M-Bus, WIMAX, Amazon Sidewalk, standard cellular technology, LTE-M cellular technology, 3GPP, 4G and 5G cellular technology radio that communications with the optional communication hub 477 that has a corresponding Wi-Fi version 3/4/5/6, WiFi7, Li-Fi, LoRa, Sigfox, Ultra Narrow Band, 6LowPAN, NB-IoT, M-Bus, WIMAX, Amazon Sidewalk, standard cellular technology, LTE-M cellular technology, 3GPP, 4G and 5G cellular technology that communications with the collection node and the communication hub has also Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi versions 3/4/5/6, Wi-Fi7, Wi-Fi8, Wi-Fi9 and Li-Fi second radio that communicates with a wireless router. The communication hub 477 can also serve as a repeater apparatus receiving water data and transmitting water data to also provide longer wireless range capability. Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee, or Z-Wave can also be used for shorter range communications. The wireless communication te