JP2018506108A - Water quality detection - Google Patents

Abstract

The sensing device (24) includes one or more sensors (26, 28, 46, 48) configured to sense characteristics of water floating therein. A wireless communication interface (42) is connected to transmit a signal indicative of the output of one or more sensors. An energy storage device (58) is connected to provide electrical energy to the one or more sensors and the wireless communication interface. The sealed container (25) contains one or more sensors, a wireless communication interface and an energy storage device, and it has sufficient buoyancy to float in water. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the detection and monitoring of fluid properties, and more particularly to sensors, systems and methods for monitoring water in an aquarium.

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application 62 / 099,604, filed January 5, 2015, and this application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application 61 / 992,236, filed May 13, 2014. This is a partial continuation application of PCT application PCT / IB2015 / 053081 filed on April 28, 2015. All these related applications are incorporated herein by reference.

  Fish tank enthusiasts spend a lot of money, time and effort to introduce and maintain their tanks and fill them with fish, corals, plants and decorations. Such aquariums typically have heaters and cooling devices to maintain a constant temperature, pumps and filters to maintain water quality, and light for lighting and plant growth. Careful fish tank operators regularly check water quality parameters such as temperature, pH and ammonia concentration to ensure that they are within the optimal range, and take corrective action otherwise. Too often, however, equipment failures and short-time operator carelessness lead to a sharp deterioration in water quality, which has a devastating effect on fish and other organisms in the fish tank.

  In response to these issues, many vendors offer automated monitoring techniques for fish tanks. For example, Seneye, Inc. (Norwich, Norfolk, UK) offers electronics for fish tanks and ponds that monitor temperature, water level, pH, ammonia and other parameters. The device can also be connected to the server via the Internet, which allows the user to view the results using a mobile phone app and provides SMS and email alerts.

  As another example, Chinese utility model CN203101372U describes a water quality monitoring system for fish tanks. The system has a dissolved oxygen detection module, pH value detection module, chloride ion detection module, temperature detection module, AD (analog / digital) sampling module, power supply module, display module and alarm module, all connected to the controller module Has been. The system is mainly used to monitor changes in the fish tank in real time.

US Provisional Application 62 / 099,604 PCT application PCT / IB2015 / 053081 US Provisional Application 61 / 992,236 Chinese utility model CN203101372U

  The embodiments of the present invention described below provide novel equipment, methods and systems for collecting, processing and providing information about water stored in aquariums such as fish tanks.

  Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a sensing device is provided having one or more sensors configured to sense the characteristics of water floating therein. A wireless communication interface is connected to transmit a signal indicative of the output of one or more sensors. An energy storage device is connected to provide electrical energy to one or more sensors and the wireless communication interface. The sealed container contains one or more sensors, a wireless communication interface and an energy storage device, and has sufficient buoyancy to float in water.

  In one disclosed embodiment, the one or more sensors have an image sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the output of one or more sensors indicates the quality of the water. Further additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer and / or an acoustic sensor.

  In some embodiments, the wireless communication interface is configured to wirelessly transmit signals to the receiver using a short-range wireless communication (RF) protocol. In one embodiment, the signal transmitted by the wireless communication interface has a data packet, and the receiver has a wireless network access point, and the wireless communication network access point uses the network for output analysis. The data packet is transmitted to the server.

  Typically, the device is configured to float freely in the aquarium without connecting the container to the aquarium.

  One embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for monitoring water in an aquarium. The method comprises the steps of placing a floating detector in the aquarium, wherein the detector detects the characteristics of the water floating therein and the data indicating the detected characteristics is a wireless receiver. Configured to transmit wirelessly. Data is received from a wireless receiver via a public network and processed to analyze water characteristics. If the characteristic deviates from a predetermined normal range, an alarm is issued.

  In some embodiments, the aquarium has a fish tank and the step of alerting comprises notifying a fish tank operator of the condition of water that is harmful to the fish in the fish tank. In one disclosed embodiment, receiving data comprises receiving one or more images acquired by the sensing device.

  Alternatively, the aquarium contains drinking water and the step of issuing an alarm comprises notifying the aquarium operator of the condition of the water that is detrimental to its suitability as drinking water.

  In some embodiments, receiving data comprises receiving input from multiple detectors located in aquariums at different respective locations distributed over a geographical area and the method Has the step of analyzing the received input in order to detect macroscopic phenomena spreading over the geographical area. In one disclosed embodiment, the detection device is configured to detect waves in the water, and the step of analyzing the received input is detecting earthquake events in response to the detected waves. Have Additionally or alternatively, the step of analyzing the received input comprises detecting a meteorological phenomenon in response to the received input.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a monitoring system comprising a network interface configured to receive data output from multiple floating detection devices via a public communication network, and the detection device Are located in aquariums at different locations distributed over a geographical area, and a monitoring system is provided that is configured to detect characteristics of water floating therein. The processor is configured to process the received data to detect macroscopic phenomena that extend over a geographic region.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which is described in conjunction with the following drawings:
1 is a pictorial schematic diagram of a system for monitoring water quality in a fish tank according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the functional component of the water quality detection apparatus based on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a pictorial schematic diagram of a system for electronic data collection and processing according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  The above-mentioned PCT patent application PCT / IB2015 / 053081 describes a soakable detection device attached to the distal end of a fishing line and capable of transmitting signals regarding the presence or absence of nearby fish and other water quality factors. doing. (The sensing device is “immersible” in the sense that it operates while being partially immersed in water.) These signals enhance, for example, the angler's fishing experience, and via the angler's network. Can be processed to share information.

Embodiments of the present invention described herein are based on the principles of sensing devices and systems of the type described in the above-mentioned PCT patent applications, in closed aquariums such as fish tanks and aquariums for drinking water. Extend to monitoring. The disclosed embodiments use a sensing device that includes one or more sensors housed in a sealed container that has sufficient buoyancy to float in water. The sensor senses the characteristics of the water in which the sensing device floats, and the wireless communication interface contained in the sealed container also transmits a signal indicative of the sensor output. The container also includes an energy storage device such as a primary battery or a rechargeable battery that provides electrical energy to the sensor and communication interface.

A wireless communication interface transmits a signal wirelessly to a wireless receiver, usually (but not necessarily), in the form of a data packet that is transmitted to a wireless communication network access point. The access point or other receiver sends data to the server via the public network, the server processes the received data to analyze the characteristics of the water, and the characteristics deviate from the predetermined normal range Sometimes warn. In embodiments where the aquarium includes a fish tank, for example, the alarm can notify the operator of the water condition that is harmful to the fish in the fish tank. Alternatively, if the aquarium contains drinking water, the alarm can inform the aquarium operator of the deterioration of suitability as a water beverage.

Some embodiments of the present invention utilize the deployment of multiple sensing devices in aquariums at different locations distributed across geographic regions by different users to build a data collection and sensing network. . The server collects data from the detection device via a wide area network such as the Internet. By collating input received from multiple location sensing devices, the server detects macroscopic phenomena across geographic regions, for example, for application in environmental monitoring, research and protection, and weather monitoring and forecasting. be able to. Such monitoring can be done in real time or offline.

Additionally or alternatively, if the sensing device is configured to sense underwater waves (eg, by inertial or acoustic sensing), the server receives from the distributed sensing device to detect seismic events. Could analyze the input and possibly provide early warning of earthquakes and tsunamis.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial schematic diagram of a system 20 for monitoring water quality in a fish tank 22 according to one embodiment of the present invention. (As described above, a similar system may be used to monitor other types of aquariums, such as aquariums for drinking water that provide services to residences and other buildings.)

The system 20 has a sealed container 25 constructed around the floating detector 24 and having sufficient buoyancy to float in the water in the fish tank 22. The container is typically constructed from a suitable molded plastic material, but may alternatively be constructed from an inert metal or other suitable type of waterproof shell. An exterior or “skin” (not shown) may be mounted on the container 25 for aesthetic purposes, for example to give the sensing device 24 the appearance of floating aquatic plants or other ornaments. The container 25 of FIG. 1 has a particular geometric shape, but may have other suitable shapes, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Typically, the floating detector 24 is configured to float freely in the fish tank 22, and the container 25 is bound to the tank of the fish tank or is externally connected mechanically or electrically. There is no need to

The container 25 includes one or more sensors 26, 28 and a wireless communication interface and energy storage device (shown in FIG. 2). Sensors 26, 28 sense the characteristics of the water floating therein and provide an output indicative of water quality. In the illustrated embodiment, sensor 26 is an image sensor with suitable optics (not shown) that captures an underwater image, while sensor 28 includes other types of water quality sensors. Additionally or alternatively, the sensing device 24 can include acoustic and / or inertial sensors within the container 25, as well as other suitable types of sensors, depending on application requirements. Image sensor 26 is useful for detecting the activity (or inactivity) of fish in fish tank 22 and can also be used to measure water characteristics such as turbidity, but an alternative implementation. In the form (not shown), the detection device 24 does not have an image sensor.

The sensing device 24 includes a wireless communication interface (shown in the following figure) that wirelessly transmits signals to a wireless receiver 30 such as a wireless network access point. These signals indicate the output of the sensors 26, 28, etc., and typically include digital still or video output from the image sensor 26 and / or telemetry from the sensor 28. The wireless link may carry control inputs, configuration and instructions to the sensing device 24. The sensing device 24 and the receiver 30 typically communicate over a wireless link using a short range radio frequency (RF) communication protocol, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) or Bluetooth protocol. Therefore, the signal transmitted by the wireless communication interface in the detection device 24 may include a data packet that the receiver 30 transfers via a public wide area communication network 32 such as the Internet.

The server 36 receives the data relayed by the wireless receiver 30 via the public wide area communication network 32 and processes the received data to analyze the characteristics of the water in the fish tank 22. Based on this analysis, the server 36 issues a water quality report to a client device 34, such as a fixed or mobile computing device (eg, a smart phone) used by an operator of the fish tank 22. These reports typically show that the characteristics of the water in the fish tank, such as temperature or chemical characteristics or perhaps image-based characteristics such as fish movement, deviate from the predetermined normal range and therefore A warning issued by the server 36 when indicating a condition of water that is harmful to other fish. When the alarm is received on the client device 34, the operator of the fish tank 22 can immediately make the necessary adjustments to the fish tank device or replace the water in the fish tank as needed.

Additionally or alternatively, the server 36 collates data received from sensing devices in a plurality of different fish tanks or other aquariums, as described below with reference to FIG. Further additionally or alternatively, the client device 34 may receive data from the receiver 30 without the intervention of the server 36. In this case, an application running on the client device 34 analyzes the data and provides the operator with the desired reports and alerts.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates functional components of the sensing device 24, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, the sensor 28 of the sensing device 24 senses parameters used for water quality telemetry monitoring. The term “water quality” is to be understood broadly in this context and in the claims, including the characteristics of any and all water and nearby objects in the water. Thus, the sensor 28 may sense, for example, water temperature; pH, salinity, oxygen, and / or other chemical parameters; nearby motion and / or vibration; and / or turbidity. Additionally or alternatively, the image captured by the image sensor 26 is analyzed to derive water turbidity and other optical qualities, as well as the presence (or absence) of fish and the presence or absence of fish movement or inactivity. May be detected. For these purposes, the image sensor 26 may receive and detect visible light, infrared light, or both.

In order to detect water waves, vibrations or other movements in the fish tank 22, the sensing device 24 typically includes an acoustic transducer 46 configured as a microphone for detecting sound waves and / or ultrasound in the water. Prepare. Additionally or alternatively, the sensing device 24 includes a motion sensor 48, such as an accelerometer or other inertial sensor (commonly referred to as a “gyro”), and the motion of the sensing device, and thus the water in which the sensing device floats. Produces an output showing the motion of

Further, the sensor 28 may include air quality, temperature, and barometric sensors (not shown). Such sensors are typically mounted on the upper side rather than the lower side of the sensing device, as shown in FIG. These sensors are useful both in providing local information to the aquarium operator and in collecting weather-related information from multiple locations over a wide area for transmission over the public wide area network 32. is there.

The function of the sensing device 24 is typically controlled and adjusted by a controller 40, which is a single chip component with an appropriate interface for connection to other components of the sensing device 24. At least some of the controller 40 and other components shown in FIG. 1 are typically mounted on a rigid or flexible printed circuit board (not shown) in the container 25.

The controller 40 is connected to the receiver 30 via a wireless communication interface 42 such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® interface connected to an antenna 44 located either inside or on the surface of the container 25, for example. connect. The memory 52 includes non-volatile memory (such as ROM and / or flash memory) and possibly volatile memory (such as RAM), program code 54 executed by the controller 40, and sensors 26, 28 by the controller. , 46, 48,. . Data 56 collected is stored. Typically, the controller 40 digitizes the sensor output and transmits the digital signal carrying the data to the receiver 30 via the wireless interface 42 (with or without processing by the controller). And can even be processed. The digital signal has the form of a data packet, and the sensing device 24 has its own Internet Protocol (IP) and / or other network address so that the receiver 30 can detect the sensing device 24 and the server 36. Packets can be transferred directly between Alternatively, the communication interface 42 may be configured to transmit the sensor output in analog form.

In some embodiments, the sensing device 24 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 50 or other light sources. For example, the sensing device 24 may include a plurality of LEDs 50 of different colors that are used to project light into the water for imaging and water quality detection by the image sensor 26. Additionally or alternatively, the acoustic transducer 46 may be configured as a speaker that emits sound or other vibrations to stimulate movement by the fish.

Further additionally or alternatively, the sensing device 24 may comprise a position sensor such as a GPS receiver (not shown). The output of the position sensor can be used to track the current position of the sensing device 24 for large-scale monitoring purposes over a geographical area, as will be described below.

The controller 40 and other components of the detection device 24 are powered by a battery 58 that generally retains sufficient charge for continuous operation for at least several days. The battery 58 may be chargeable via a charging circuit 60 such as a wireless induction charging circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the battery 58 may be a primary battery that stores sufficient energy to operate the device 24 for months or years (particularly where image sensing is not required). When the battery runs out, the detection device 24 may be opened to replace the battery. Or you may replace | exchange the whole detection apparatus. To extend the life of the battery 58, the components of the sensing device 24 are switched on only when the sensor 28 detects that the sensing device 24 is underwater, and thereafter periodically from the internal clock or server 36. Switch on at start-up by any of the triggers.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial schematic diagram of a system 70 for electronic data collection and processing according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 70 collects and processes information transmitted by the sensing device 24, which is located in aquariums distributed at different locations over a large geographic area and configured to sense characteristics of water floating therein. In addition to the fish tank 22, the detection device 24 of this example is deployed in other types of tanks such as a drinking water tank 72 belonging to a residential or commercial building.

The server 74 receives and processes information transmitted by the detection device 24 via the receiver 30. The server 74 typically comprises a processor 78 having a suitable interface 76 to the public wide area network 32 for communicating with the sensing device 24, and a general purpose computer having memory. The processor 78 performs the functions described herein under software control, typically stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium, such as an optical, magnetic, or electronic storage medium. To do. Server 74 analyzes the sensor output and issues a warning to the respective operator of fish tank 22 and / or drinking water tank 72, such as the functions of server 36 described above, and as described below. It performs the function of analyzing and detecting macroscopic phenomena over a wide geographical area.

Server 74 uses a variety of different types of data from sensing device 24 in system 70 for macroscopic monitoring purposes. For example, the server 74 may use not only weather related data such as temperature and barometric measurements, but also vibration and / or other motion related data transmitted by the sensing device 24. Server 74 may also receive other types of data from sensing device 24, such as GPS-based or other location data. Server 74 correlates sensor output with position data to map macroscopic phenomena, such as earthquake vibrations and / or weather changes, that correlate with multiple sensing devices 24 at different points. Based on this, the server 74 may indicate that an increase in wave activity in the aquarium may be imminent, for example, when the characteristics associated with the target macroscopic phenomenon deviate from a predetermined normal range. An alarm can be issued when indicating, or when a drop in air pressure indicates that a storm is about to occur. Alternatively or additionally, the server 74 can provide a collated report of detection results for weather forecasting or seismological studies.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes combinations and subcombinations of the various features described above, as well as both variations and modifications not found in the prior art that can occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims (19)

A detection device,
One or more sensors configured to sense characteristics of water floating therein, wherein the sensing device;
A wireless communication interface connected to transmit a signal indicative of the output of the one or more sensors;
An energy storage device connected to provide electrical energy to the one or more sensors and the wireless communication interface;
An enclosed container containing the one or more sensors, the wireless communication interface and the energy storage device and having sufficient buoyancy to float in the water;
A detection device characterized by comprising:   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise an image sensor.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output of the one or more sensors is indicative of the quality of the water. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an accelerometer.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an acoustic sensor.   The wireless communication interface is configured to wirelessly transmit the signal to a receiver using a short-range wireless communication (RF) protocol. machine.   The signal transmitted by the wireless communication interface has a data packet, and the receiver has a wireless communication network access point, and the wireless communication network access point passes through the network for analysis of the output. The device according to claim 6, wherein the data packet is transmitted to a server.   The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to freely float in the water tank without connecting the container to the water tank. A method for monitoring water in an aquarium,
Placing a floating detector in the aquarium;
The sensing device is configured to sense characteristics of water floating therein, and to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the sensed characteristics to a wireless receiver;
Receiving the data from the wireless receiver via a public communication network;
Processing the received data to analyze the characteristics of the water; and issuing an alarm if the characteristics deviate from a predetermined normal range;
A method characterized by comprising:   10. The fish tank includes a fish tank, and the step of issuing an alarm includes notifying an operator of the fish tank of a state of water harmful to fish in the fish tank. The method described in 1.   The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the data comprises receiving one or more images acquired by the sensing device.   The water tank contains drinking water, and the step of issuing an alarm comprises notifying an operator of the water tank of the state of the water that is detrimental to suitability as drinking water. 9. The method according to 9.   Receiving the data comprises receiving inputs from multiple sensing devices located in aquariums at different locations distributed over a geographical area, and the method comprises: 13. A method according to any of claims 9-12, comprising the step of analyzing the received input to detect a macroscopic phenomenon spreading over a region.   The sensing device is configured to sense a wave in the water, and the step of analyzing the received input comprises detecting an earthquake phenomenon in response to the sensed wave. 14. A method according to claim 13 characterized in that   14. The method of claim 13, wherein analyzing the received input comprises detecting a meteorological phenomenon in response to the received input. A monitoring system,
A network interface configured to receive data output from multiple floating detectors via a public communications network;
The sensing devices are arranged in aquariums at different locations distributed over a geographical area, and the sensing device is configured to sense characteristics of water floating therein; and A processor configured to process the received data to detect macroscopic phenomena extending across the area;
A monitoring system characterized by comprising:   The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to issue an alarm if a characteristic related to the macroscopic phenomenon deviates from a predetermined normal range.   18. The detection device of claim 16 or 17, wherein the detection device is configured to detect underwater waves and the processor is configured to detect seismic events in response to the detected waves. The system described.   18. A system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the sensing device is configured to sense a weather phenomenon in response to the received data.

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