System and method for collecting and aggregating water usage data based on vibration sensors
US10306340B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2209/60
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments are disclosed that sense vibrations caused by flow of water in pipes, and covert the sensed vibrations into water usage data which can be analyzed, aggregated, and made available to users. In one embodiment, mechanical vibrations of a pipe are sensed, via a piezo-electric sensor attached to an external surface of the pipe, to form analog electrical signals. The analog electrical signals are converted into time-sampled digital data via a microcontroller having analog-to-digital conversion capability. A frequency analysis is performed on the time-sampled digital data, via at least one processor, to generate spectral data. The spectral data is analyzed, via the at least one processor, to determine whether the vibrations are caused by a fluid flowing through the pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.