WO2020154384A1 - Water meter and leak detection system - Google Patents

Water meter and leak detection system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020154384A1
WO2020154384A1 PCT/US2020/014587 US2020014587W WO2020154384A1 WO 2020154384 A1 WO2020154384 A1 WO 2020154384A1 US 2020014587 W US2020014587 W US 2020014587W WO 2020154384 A1 WO2020154384 A1 WO 2020154384A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
leak detection
detection system
water meter
recited
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2020/014587
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Edward Klicpera
Original Assignee
Michael Edward Klicpera
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Michael Edward Klicpera filed Critical Michael Edward Klicpera
Publication of WO2020154384A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020154384A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
    • E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
    • E03B7/071—Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F7/00—Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
    • E03F7/12—Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
    • G01F15/061—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication
    • G01F15/063—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication using electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
    • G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/005—Valves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/07—Integration to give total flow, e.g. using mechanically-operated integrating mechanism
    • G01F15/075—Integration to give total flow, e.g. using mechanically-operated integrating mechanism using electrically-operated integrating means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/15—Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Definitions

  • This apparatus and the method of use relates to water supply systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a Water Meter and Leak Detection System for private and/or public property (ies) to monitor and provide water use and water leak information and to minimize water loss and related damage.
  • a Water Meter and Leak Detection System for private and/or public property (ies) to monitor and provide water use and water leak information and to minimize water loss and related damage.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System monitors real- time water use and provides real-time leak detection and
  • the present invention connects in series to the water supply for one or more private and/or public properties.
  • This invention e.g., residential structures and yards, business/industrial/commercial facilities, and/or governmental/institutional sites.
  • the collection node is essentially a water meter which can include: one or more water flow rate sensors, one or more optional control valves, one or more optional temperature sensors , one or more optional pressures sensor , one or more optional acoustic sensors , and wireless radio
  • the optional communication hub provides longer wireless range capability.
  • the water meter collection node and optional communication hub can utilise long range wireless technology [LoRa, WiMAX , Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) ,
  • 6L0WPAN standard Wi-Fi and Wi-F13 (with Wi-Fi extenders)]
  • limited range technology Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BUS) , Zigbee and Z-wave
  • other wireless technology wired and wired technology [X10 , universal powerline bus (UFB) , HART
  • the water meter collection node utilises at least one of a LoRa, WiMAX, 6L0WPAN or UNB radio that communications with the optional communication hub that has a corresponding LoRa, WiMAX, 6L0WPAM or UNB radio that communications with the collection node, and has a Wi ⁇ Fi or Wi-Fi3 second radio that communicates with a wireless router or commercial network.
  • Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth low energy (BLE) , Zigbee, and/or Z-Wave can also be used for shorter range communication.
  • the wireless communication technology can utilize and communicate with an application programming interface (API) protocol, a simple object access protocol (SOAP) , a representational state transfer (REST) protocol, or another API technology.
  • API application programming interface
  • SOAP simple object access protocol
  • REST representational state transfer
  • the API interface generally resides within a remote server and is software code that allows two programs to efficiently communicate with each other for website presentation.
  • the wireless technology is duplex format as water use monitoring transmits to a remote server while the leak detection capability needs to send a signal to control the water control valve.
  • the wireless technology [LoRa, WiM&X , IMB, 6L0WPAH, standard Wi-Fi and i-Fi3 ⁇ with Wi-Fi extenders) 3 , limited range technology [Bluetooth, BUS, Zigbee an Z-wave] , wired technology [XIO, UPB, H&RT Communications Protocol!, established cellular technology [3GFP, LTE-M] and any
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System is connected to the water supply piping using a
  • the present invention can foe used with private and/or public water sources such as private wells and other non-municipal related water sources .
  • the remote server and database can be used to support a computer portal that users or owners of designated or registered cell or smart phones , computers , or other electronic apparatuses can use to access and observe water use, leak conditions, and/or water quality parameters for relevant private and/or public
  • the housing of the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste collection node and optional communication hub can be fabricated from materials and can use technologies that provide moist and wet or hot weather and cold/f eezing protection properties .
  • the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System includes a central processing unit ⁇ CPU) and/or microcontroller, data storage, timing and wireless circuitry, water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, optional pressure sensors, acoustic sensors , and a power generation means .
  • the types of water flow sensor (s) can be invasive (i.e. within water pipe; e.g. turbine sensor), nan-invasive ⁇ i.e. outside water pipe; e.g.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can utilize several different sensors to accomplish the goals of monitoring water use monitoring and leak detection. Furthermore, the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System can monitor separately indoor and outdoor water use or can monitor one or more designated areas of one or more sites.
  • a temperature sensor and appropriate mechanism can be incorporated into the water meter collection node to determine, communicate, and address tempera ure conditions , e . g . assess freezing conditions and communicate with the property structure's thermostat o heating system to maintai a specified temperature within the structure , drain water from pipes, and/or perform other methods.
  • the optional pressure sensor with consideration of the control valve, can be used for detecting very small leaks, especially when the control valve is closed or turned off,
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System with control valv ⁇ s) can be control valve manually or by a programmed or set command or schedule using a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be programmed to follow a work, vacation, or other schedule.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be set to automatically shut-off when the property Cies) is un-occupied or vacant.
  • the occupancy of the property (ies) can be determined by feedback from electronic lock (s) , passive infrared sensor (s) CPIRs) , alarm ⁇ s) , security syste (s) , or other security devices.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be designed with circuitry to sen a signal to the cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus that the wate supply line is on or off.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System provides wireless remote leak detection notification using water event basis monitoring and software analysis, Alternately, continuous data monitoring can be stored in a data module in the water meter collection node and periodically transferred wirelessly to a remote computer or server as described herein.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System monitors water use and detects nontypical, unusual/abnormal , or continuous water use and alerts, signals, or messages via a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus to one or more property owners, users, or responsible individuals of any water leak
  • leak notification ca be provided when the property (ies) is vacated or unsupervised.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System' s collectio node communicates to a private or commercial network system or communicates with the optional communication hub through a router to the internet.
  • the Water Meter and Lea Detection Sy em' ' s collection node with control valve mechanism can be battery operated and can utilise re-chargeable batteries or super capacitators that can include an electricity generation means such as a water turbine generator ⁇ s) , solar cell(s), or wind generation means.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System with control valve mechanism can also be AC or DC powered.
  • Figure 1 is an illustration of the embodiment comprising a Water Meter and Leak Detection System connected in series to the water supply piping to monitor water use and detect leak(s) for an example property, a residential structure.
  • Figure 1 also shows several methods of wireless capability for the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System to communicate water use an leak detection information to a conveniently located cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus.
  • Figure 1 shows wireless communication fo the property and municipal
  • Figure 1 shows a wireless means for communicating directly to a home owner, or offsite central monitoring computer using long range wireless technology and/or telephone lines via satellite, microwave technology, the
  • FIG. 2 is a front illustration of an optional display on the apparatus base showing input and output of a water supplies lines with a display mean having one or more display screens and a plurality of hardware and/or software buttons.
  • Figure 3 is an electrical schematic showing the main power, CPU or microcontroller, the analog or digital optional display means, the clock circuit, one or more flow sensors, optional temperature sensor, optional pressure sensor and/or water quality sensor (s) , and optional water energy generator, and a first, second and/or third wireless cornmication technology for data transfer through eithe a private or public network system and/or the optional collection hub to an internet router .
  • Figure 4 is a cross-section illustration showing a
  • plurality of water flow and water quality parameter sensors located in relative positions within the water supply line lumen and the connecting wires.
  • Figure 5 is an illustration of an optional custo wireless display/recording remote apparatus having a plurality of display means and a plurality of software controlling buttons.
  • Figure 6 is an illustration of a plurality of water
  • FIG. 7 is an illustration of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System attached to a residential building with win and solar energy generation and a person havin a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection Syste for obtainin water parameter data or controlling a water control valve.
  • FIG. 8 is a more detailed illustration view of the water meter collection node with the control circuit, a wireless transceiver, power supply, a water control valve mechanism with a manual control, and water supply plumbing with optional water turbine energy generator that connected in series to the water supply line .
  • FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the present invention with a detailed illustration of the water control valve
  • Figure 10 is an illustration of water use dat and water heater use which can be used to calculate water energy use that can be demonstrated in an or programmed application that provides water as ⁇ data in various example formats that is transferred from the water meter collection node to a remote display/recording apparatus, or a cell or smart phone, computer , or other electronic apparatus.
  • Figure 11 is an illustration of another "APP” or programmed application, or another page of an "APP” or programmed
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged illustration of another typical cell or smart phone or other electronic apparatus having an "APP" or programmed application, or another page of an "APP" or programmed application to display the soft buttons or control activator to turn on/or the water system, schedule the water control mechanism, or receive a test message.
  • Figure 13 is an illustration of a typical cell or smart phone or other electronic apparatus having another "APP” or programmed application, or another page of an "APP" or
  • Figure 14 is block diagram of the more integrated system showing the software, hardware and applications of the home or corporate premises communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System and communicating with the internet and remote computer services ["the Cloud") .
  • Figure 15a is an illustration of the pressure dro with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there is no leak.
  • Figure 15b is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 20 ml/min.
  • Figure 15c is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 60 ml/min. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBGDIEMENTS
  • Water Dee refers to the total volume or volume of water used over a period of time.
  • 313 Water Energy Use refers to the ratio of cold or ambient water and hot water.
  • Water event use or water event use basis is defined as monitoring and sensing the initiation of water flow until the water flow is stopped, whereby the water flow rate, the duration of water flow, and the total water volume can be calculated and recorded.
  • the water event use will inherently save wireless transmission energy by causing the CPU to go into a sleep mode between each water event use and allowing a superior analysis of water signatures and patterns for reliable discernment of leak and leak locations .
  • s structure (s) , site(s), area ⁇ s ⁇ , land (s5 , and/or location (s) whether indoor, outdoor, or a combination thereof that is/are owned, controlled, used by or designated for use by any type of entity (ies) (i.e. personal, residential, commercial , corporate, business, industrial, establishment, government, administrative, institutional , organizational , etc . ) .
  • entities i.e. personal, residential, commercial , corporate, business, industrial, establishment, government, administrative, institutional , organizational , etc .
  • Examples include but are not limited to homes and yards, office buildings, commercial structures and grounds, farming lands, government or
  • Authentication enables a receiving device or station to authenticate another device or station prior to association.
  • Authentication refers to the technology that confirms or ensures that a message (s), control/command signal (s), data and/or information that is downloaded and/o transferred from one person, station, or device to another person, station, or device such that it is received only by the intended person, station. or device *
  • One example of an authentication method is the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol ⁇ CHAP ⁇ which
  • a network entity which may be any remote private or corporate server and/or the internet using a service provider (e.g, ATT U-verse, Xfinifc /Comcast)
  • a service provider e.g, ATT U-verse, Xfinifc /Comcast
  • CHAP provides users of mobile devices and devices with senso technology authenticated passwords, hashtags, QR codes or there authentication technology when accessing remote servers, which also are authenticated prior to allowing the user, station, or device access.
  • Blockchain is expected to become a major
  • Encryption refers to a privac technology that uses a process of encoding which prevents any individual or device but the intended recipient or device to access, download, read, or review message Cs) , control/command signal (s), data, and/or information by providing a confidential transfer between a device or one or more sensors transferring data or information to a remote computer or server.
  • Integrity refers to technology that ensures that a
  • control/command signal (s) data, and/or information is not altered, compromised, completely lost o having partially lost segments, or corrupted during transmission or when accessed or downloaded.
  • Non-repudiation refers to the technology that prevents a sender or receiver from denying that a message (s),
  • control/command signal (s) was sent or received.
  • Block chain technology is an upcoming technology that will ensure non-repudiation compliance.
  • Block chain technology provides a method that is resistant to modification of transmitted data or information by using a decentralization strategy that stores data or information in peer to peer network that is designed to eliminate the risk associated with centralized storage technology.
  • Block chain technolog can be utilized for identity, authentication,
  • Cellular format technology refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations [e.g. third generation (3G) , fourth generation (4G) and 3GPP (and enhancement revisions ⁇ , fifth generation (SG) , 3GPP cellular technology, all future generations of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM ⁇ , General Packet Radio Service (GPSR) , Code Division Multiple Access ⁇ CDMA, ⁇ , Evolution-Data Optimised (EV-DO) , Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) , 3GSM, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications ⁇ DECT ⁇ , Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA, Integrated Digital Enhance Network (IDEM) , HSPA+, WiMAX, LTE , Flash-GFDM, HIPERMAN, Wi-Fi, IBurst, UMTS, W-CDMA, HSPDA+HSUPA, UMTS-TD , other formats for utilizing cell or smart phone technology, telephony antenna distributions, and/or any combinations
  • Cell or smart phones, computers, or other electronic apparatuses includes personal digital assistants ⁇ PDAs ⁇ / tablets ⁇ refers to all current and variants, revisions, and generations of the APPLE®, SAMSUNG®, HP®, ACER®, MICROSOFT®, NOOK®, GOOGLE®, SONY®, KINDLE® and other tablets manufactured by these and other manufacturers ⁇ ; APPLE IPOD TOUCH®/ smart or internet capable televisions; wireless timepieces or wireless watches with Wi-Fi and wireless capability; having internet, cellular technology, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy ⁇ BLE) , and any combination thereof .
  • LoRa comprises a low-power wide area and long-range network protocol based on Semtech or HopeRF LoRa technology for loT devices, and LoRa networks and machine-to- achine (M2M)
  • LoRa uses a stable chirp spread spectrum (CSS) technology developed by the company Semtech. Chirp spread spectrum modulation which significantly increases the
  • LoRa' s secure bi-directional communications utilize an
  • LoRaWan is associated with LoRa by being a media access control protocol built on top of LoRa, built using Semtech' s LoRa modulation scheme, LoRaWAN is generally nsed for public wide-area networks because all the channels are tuned to the same frequencies.
  • LoRa communication is generally bi-directional or in a duplex format, but also supports multicast operations for enabling softwar upgrades or mass distribution messages to reduce the on-air communication time. Communication between the water, pressure and temperature sensor data is spread out on different frequency channels and data rates .
  • LoRa can included specialised software that can manage the data rate and radio frequency output for each end-device by mean of an adaptive data rate (ADR) scheme.
  • ADR adaptive data rate
  • the LoRa wireless system makes use of the unlicensed frequencies below 1 GHz that are available worldwide.
  • Wi-Fi With traditional Wi-Fi, most networks were designed on the ranges delivere by 802.11 standard operating frequencies 2. and 5.8 GHz and protocol for distance and performance. Hewer WiFi technology is known as Wi ⁇ Fi3. In the foreseen near future, companies will develop and market Wi-Fi3 powered technology that will deliver reliable, high-capacity indoo and outdoo Wi-Fi wireless communication and protocols for high-density
  • WiM&X refers to implementations of the IEEE 802.16 series of wireless-networks standards ratified by the WiM&X Forum,
  • WiM&X can be installed faster than other internet technologies because it can use lo height towers with the support of non- line-of-sight coverage across an entire city or country. WiM&X transmitter can span several miles with data rates reaching up to 30-40 megabits per second (Mbps) .
  • the WiM&X Forum has
  • IP based core network which is typically chosen by operators that serve as the Internet Service Providers (ISP) but can provide integration capabilities with other types of architectures.
  • ISP Internet Service Providers
  • Ultra Narrow Ban refers to technology that transmits over a very narrow spectrum (for example less than lKHz) to achieve ultra-long range (5 k in the urban environment and 25km+ in the suburb environment) for dat communication between a sensor collection node and a communication receiving hub. By transmitting in a UNB channel, little power is required to transmit date over a considerable distance. To save energy, UNB systems are frequently used in one-way, half duplex format but can mimic two-way full duplex communication when the
  • device/sensor is sleeping most of the time and has to open occasionally to listen for signal commands or messages, or transmit data or information.
  • 6L0WPAN combines the Internet Protocol ⁇ IPv6) with a sub 1GHz frequency which provides a low power wireless personal area networks.
  • the 6L0WPAN supports hundreds of hops for developing wireless mesh networks with high self-healing ⁇ node failure) and self-maintenance of mesh routes .
  • the 6L0WPAN allows for small devices with limited transfer communication ability to transmit information wirelessly using the SLoWPANInternet Protocol .
  • the 6L0WP&N architecture consists of a local network wit
  • routers/servers which utilizes a one or mor edge route ⁇ s) to connect to the access network.
  • the one or more edge router ⁇ s communicating with the internal serves, then provides the loT sensor and applications to access to the internet.
  • the header compression mechanisms standardized in RFC6282 can be used to provi.de header compression within IPv6 protocol packets to be used over networks , Some of these networks run ove IEEE
  • radio 802 15 ⁇ 4 defined radios and therefore these radios use the header compression and fragmentation as specified by the RFC6282 standard.
  • Bluetooth Low Energy refers to a newer version of standard Bluetooth * Standard Bluetooth was originally designed for continuous streaming of data applications at a short range. Bo li standard Bluetooth and BLE low energy operate in the 2,4 GHz ISM band. However, the BLE remains in a sleep mode
  • connection times are on a few milliseconds, unlike standard Bluetooth's continuous streaming.
  • BLE short time connection allows for higher data transfer rates of approximately 1 Mb/s ,
  • Cellular (3GPP) refers to the original release 8 and the associated enhancements ⁇ 9-145 - Enhancement 14 consists of the start of 5G cellular technology) , In addition to the continued Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular evolution, a new and updated radio access technology will be standardized, and these two technologies will form 5G radio access standard. Benefits of the 5G standard will include low latency communication, spectrum flexibility, machine type communication, multi-antenna and multi-site transmission techniques, and ultra-lean design.
  • LTE Long-Term Evolution
  • the LTE Cat-MI and LTE (4G) Cat-Mi technology is designed for Internet of Things (loT) devices to connect directly to a 5G network, without the typical node/computer network that passes traffic from a local network to other networks or the Internet router (gateway) and all powered b batter power. Like other low energy wireless standards, this technology is designed enter a deep sleep mode and only wake up periodically while connected.
  • Cellular 5G version uses a system of macro-cell sites that divide their territory into various sectors and send encoded data through radio waves.
  • 5G networks will use a type of encoding called orthogonal freqoency-divisio multiplexing (OFDM) that renders a network interface designed for much lower latency and greater flexibility.
  • OFDM orthogonal freqoency-divisio multiplexing
  • the 5G networks differ from 4G networks by managing significa ly More, smaller cells that can dynamically change their sise and shape so 5G networks need intelligent and quick reacting software. With existing macro-cells structure and intelligent software. Many cell phone companies currently or soon with have 5G capability,
  • Wired communication can be standard wire technology, such as XI0 , UPB and the HART Communication Protocol ⁇ Highway
  • X10 is a protocol for
  • the HART Communication Protocol ⁇ Highway Addressable Remote Transducer is a hybrid analog + digital industrial automation open protocol , Its most notable advantage is that it can communicate over legacy 4—20 mA analog instrumentation current loops, sharing the pair of wires used by the analog.onl beet systems. HART is widely used in process and instrumentation systems ranging from small automation applications through highly sophisticated industrial applications . Due to the huge installed base of 4-20 mA systems throughout the world, the HART Protocol is very popular for industrial protocols .
  • wired e.g., X10, UPB, HART Communication
  • Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
  • WiFi version 3 or Wi-Fi3, 6L0WPAN Wireless Fidelity
  • 6L0WPAN Wireless Fidelity
  • ZigBee ZigBee
  • Z-wave ZigBee
  • Bluetooth Bluetooth low energy ⁇ BLE
  • WiMAX long range low power
  • the internet of things is defined herein as a network of physical objects or things that is comprised of electronic apparatuses ⁇ collect node and
  • loT Protocols refer® to 1) MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) - a machine-to-machine or "Internet of Things" connectivity protocol on top of TCP/IP layers of the GSI; 2 ⁇ Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (CM ⁇ RR) is a communication protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML .
  • MQTT MQ Telemetry Transport
  • CM ⁇ RR Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol
  • Constrained Application Protocol is a specialized web transfer protocol for use with constrained nodes and constrained networks in the Internet of Things
  • AQF Advanced Message Queuing Protocol
  • THREAD is an IPv6-based, low-power mesh networkin technology for loT
  • Xigfoee is an IEEE 802.15.4 based specification with a group of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and other low- power low-bandwidth needs; 7) X-wave is a wireless
  • Data Distribution Service is an Object Management Group (OMG) machine-to-machine standard that aims to enable scalable, real-time, dependable, high-performance and interoperable data exchanges using a publish-subscribe pattern; 9) Hypertext
  • Transfer Protocol ⁇ HTTP is an standard protocol for distribute hypermedia information systems .
  • HTTP is the foundation of data communication where hypertext documents include hyperlinks to other resources that the user can easily access in the internet; 10) a custom designed protocol.
  • the present invention can be installed in the standard water meter location or installed between the pressure reducing valve and the civil, commercial , governmental, or municipal supply water source (s) and before any distribution lines. If is also anticipated by the Applicant that the Water Meter and Leak
  • the water use and leak detection apparatus 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 can be used on wells and in situations where the water source is not obtained from civil , commercial , governmental , or municipal operations.
  • the water use and leak detection apparatus 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 ⁇ can update, upload or download water and energy use on various frequencies, e.g. once per minute, once per hour, once per day, once per any frequency, or preferably can send information upon sensing the initiation of water flow until the water flow is stopped (defined herein as an "water event use” or '‘'water event use basis") .
  • Monitoring on a water event basis allows for a quantitative analysis using software instructions, algorithms, an artificial intelligence (AX) to learn the daily, weekly or monthly water use patterns and frequencies of a specific private or public property (ies) to improve identification and evaluation of water use
  • the wate parameter information can be viewed on a custom display/recorder screen 50, or cell or smart phones, computers, or other
  • the water parameter information can also be uploaded, either with the use of an optional communication hub to an internet router using wired or wireless technology which
  • remote servers for example, Amazon Web Services, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Azure Cloud
  • the wireless (or wired) technology 52 can communicate with a conveniently located remote display 50 in a location for review by a private or public property owner, user, or responsible individual (s) .
  • Remote display 50 can be a custom apparatus or TV, computer, IPad, or another conveniently available display technology. All wireless (or wired)
  • the wireless communication means 52 is in relatively close proximity to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) , the wireless means can consist of Bluetooth or BLE, 2-wave, EigBee, 6L0WPAN, or W ⁇ -Fi/Wi-Fi3 or similar technology that can communicate with router technology. It is anticipated that WIMAX, LoRa, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB ⁇ , cellular, 3GPP, and/or cellular LTE-M and 5G technology might be necessary for longer distance communication using long range, low power, and/or high-density technology that can communicate with one or more communication hubs .
  • the wireless (or wired) communication means 52 can also electronically communicate with a local router, which uses the internet and remote computer server (s) (Cloud technology ⁇ to provide remot access of the water data, [603 Also shown in Figure 1 is another wireless communication means 54 from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 show in Fig. 7 ⁇ for communicating water use and/or water quality information to a governmental, civil or municipal employee or individual 60 using a second custom remote display/recorder 56 for civil, commercial, governmental, or municipal operators/representatives . Since the wireless
  • this wireless technology should consist of a longer-range technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAN, UNB, Wi- Fi/Wi-Fi3 (with Wi-Fi extenders ⁇ , Cellular 3GPP, and/or LTE-M and 5G,
  • Bluetooth and BLE, ZigBee, Z-wave or similar wireless protocols are also possible as these technologies are improving in range and security measures and are offering better capabilities .
  • Figure 1 shows another wireless communication 46 that i designed to communicate information or data utilizing cellular format technology with offsite central monitoring using cellular or other telephone lines including satellite or microwave technology, the internet, cell towers, telephone lines, or similar technologies.
  • cellular format could be CDMA, GSM, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G or another cellular format, it is anticipated that the wireless communication 46 can transmit information to a remote database, which communicates with a registered cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 for displaying water use and leak detection data.
  • the wireless communication 46 should include specific identification
  • the wireless communication 46 can send data on various frequencies, e.g. once per minut , once per hou , once per day, once upon any frequency, or preferably upon a water event basis.
  • the wireless communication can also send information upon sensing the
  • continuous data monitoring can be stored in a data module in the water meter collection node and periodically transferred wirelessl to a remote computer or server as described herein. Water event basis monitoring can minimize the use of wireless signals within the private or public propert (ies) or building (s) , conserving energy,
  • the wireless communication 46 can consist of two-way transmission, commonly known as duplex transceiver technology, such that the Water Mete and beak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) can transmit and receive electronic signals with a remote station, cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the wireless communication 46 can also comprise a Radio Frequency (RF) mesh-enabled or point-to-point device (meters, relays) technology that is connected to several other mesh-enabled or point-to-point devices, which function as signal repeaters, relaying the data to an access point.
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • the access point device aggregates, encrypts, and eventually transmits the data back to a municipal or government agency over a secure third-party private or commercial network.
  • the resulting RF mesh or point- to-point network can span large distances and reliably transmit data over rough or difficult terrain. If the Water Meter and Leak Detection System or optional communication hub transmitter drops out of the network, its neighboring Water Meter and Leak Detection System or optional communication hub ill find another route.
  • the mesh or point-to-point technology continually
  • the water use dat can be routed through a Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) , Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi3, ZigBee, Z-wave, LoRa, 6L0WPAN,
  • WiM&X Ultra Narrow Band
  • NNB Ultra Narrow Band
  • Signals and/or data can also be transferred by standard cellular format, 3GPP or LTE-M and 5G cellular technology (using a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus) from cellular towers to remote servers (cloud technology) and then over the internet to a local router/server or private or commercial network that transfers the water use data over the internet and remote servers (cloud technology) .
  • Signals and/or data can also be transferred by standard cellular format, 3GPP or LTE-M and 5G cellular technology (using a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus) from cellular towers to remote servers (cloud technology) and then over the internet to a local
  • the wireless communication 46 can be either half duplex and/or full duplex two-way transmission ,
  • the wireless communications 52, 54 and 46 are preferred to transmit, upload or download water parameter data or information via a secure wireless communication network. It is anticipated that the wireless communication 54 can be received by a moving vehicle or can communicate with cell phone towers 44 using wireles communication 46.
  • the electronic communication (s) comprises, in part, a segment of the internet of things (loT) concept.
  • the wireless communication 54 or wireless communication 46 can also electronically communicate with a local area network (WLAN).
  • router/server which uses the internet to communicate with remote computers (cloud) to allow remote access of the water use data.
  • cloud-based computers can be provided by a large commercial cloud computer company such as Amazon Web Services .
  • wireless communications 54 and 46 an the wireless or wired communication 52 utilizing wired technologies can be used with the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste 10 (126 shown In Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) in any combination.
  • the present invention can be used with the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste 10 (126 shown In Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) in any combination.
  • the present invention can be used with the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste 10 (126 shown In Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) in any combination.
  • invention's collection node can use Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) , Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, WiMAX, 6L0WPAN, Zigbee and/or Z-wave to communicate with a custom display device 18, 56, 110 or with a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the collection node can also co munic te with a local wireless router or through a pri te or corporate network system to a private, commercial, or government remote computer (s) or server ⁇ s ⁇
  • the collection node can also be connected by wired technology directly or through XI0, gPB or HART Communication Protocol to communicate with a device such as a smart speaker hub or router.
  • the collection node can also connect to a private o commercial network system or to a router that communicates with the internet, all linked to private, commercial, or government remote computer ⁇ s) or serve (s) .
  • the collection node can also have a standard, 3GPP or LTE-M and 5G cellular technology to communicate wirelessly to the private, commercial, or government remote computer (s) or server (s) , also, one or more collection nodes can wirelessly communication using Lora, UNB, 6L0WPAN, or W1MAX technology to one or more communication hubs (with point-to-point or meshing technology) whereby the communication hub is either hard wired or uses Wi ⁇ Fi to communicate with a wireless router (or cable modem) to communication over the internet to a private or commercial remote server.
  • Lora, UNB, 6L0WPAN, or W1MAX technology to one or more communication hubs (with point-to-point or meshing technology) whereby the communication hub is either hard wired or uses Wi ⁇ Fi to communicate with a
  • Wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 preferably utilize encryption, authentication, integrity and/or nonrepudiation techniques to provide a secure transfer of the water information fro the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 to the first custom display/recorder apparatus 50, to the second custom display/recorder apparatus 56 and/or to the cell or smart phone, computer, or othe electronic apparatus 400,
  • wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 should include specific identification informatio e . g. property address, IP address.
  • the wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 can send data on various frequencies, e . g . once per minute, once per hour, once per day, or can send information on a water event basis to a first remot 50, a secon remote 54 or a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • wireless communication means 46, 52 or 54 can send data or information upon the sending of a request signal.
  • the request signal can be generated by, for example, the pushing of a requesting button located on the first 50 remote, the second 56 remote or the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 that transmits a request for water use and water quality use information or data to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,?) ,
  • the use of the request signal can minimise the use of wireless signals within the rivate or public property (xes) building, conserving energy, minimizing the interference with other wireless devices, and reduce the exposure of wireless energy to individuals.
  • the wireless means can consist of two-way transmission, commonly know as duplex transceiver technology, such that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,?) can transmit and receive electronic signals from the first, second remotes, 50, 56 or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 and similarly, the first and second optional remotes 50, 56 and cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 can
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System should be able to reliably and securely communicate the information collected to a remote central computer location. Difficult environments and distant locations for water meter installation can present wireless communication challenges. Solutions include using cell technology networks, satellites, licensed RF technology,
  • TCP/IP is a combination of the TCP fourth transport layer with a segment datagram and the IP thir network layer with a packet datagram of the Open Systems Interconnect model ⁇ 0S1 model)
  • TCP/IP technology has become a common communication and management platform for sensor to device applications, so software developers can utilize multiple communication systems while using TCP/IP technology.
  • Wireless technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAW, DUB, Wi ⁇ Fi/Wi ⁇ Fi3 ⁇ with Wi-Fi extenders) ,
  • Figures 10-13 show a cell or smart phone, computer, o other electronic apparatus 400 running an "APP" or a sequence of "APP" pages that show, in a pie chart, bar chart, or other format, the water uses of particular areas of the private and/or public propert ⁇ ies) .
  • System's flow rate sensor (s) and software calculate of the using the water flow rate, water use duration, and total volume of water to differentiate water use devices or appliances can be to show the water uses.
  • Other outdoor water uses such as pool or hot tub or water fountain water maintenance can be included for water use monitoring.
  • the addition of an acoustic sensor can observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) which can sens water valve position or movement, with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can provide more specific differentiation of water use devices .
  • the acoustic sensor can be calibrated to monitor water rate flo and water pressure.
  • FIG. 12 shows the Water Meter and Leak Detection System APP, which manages the water control valve mechanism enabling one to tur the water supply of /on, to program a water off/on schedule, and to receive notification of a leak condition with the option to remotely turn off the water supply.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System's flow sensor (s) 105 can
  • microprocessor or microcontroller 84 that has software that learns about water usage at a particular private or public property ⁇ ies) or areas thereof. Calibration of the sensors with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig.
  • FIG. 7 ⁇ can be initiated by pressing hard button 114, 116, and 118 and/or soft button activators 140, 144, and 146 on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 show in Fig,?) or by the custom display and/or a recording apparatus 50 , and/o by ceil or smart phones, computers, or other electronic apparatuses 400 can be located remotely from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) .
  • the multiple independent flow sensors 105 can be engaged to the main water supply, irrigation system, or water use devices such as washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, shower, and/or toilets , and any combinations thereof , Each independent flow sensor 105 sends a unique code to the microprocessor or microcontroller 84 for identification associated with the water use device. Each independent flow sensor 105 can communicate the water usage by wired or wireless communicating with a unique code to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) , The water data can be
  • a remote device ⁇ s ⁇ e.g. remote display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or cell or smart phones,
  • independent flow sensor at each water use devic but rather a single flow sensor can allow an owne /user to enter into a programmed "Water Use Device or Appliance Calibration” mode by pressing a specific hard or soft button on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) or touch screen display 80, o by sending an electronic signal from a display and/or recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or another remote device such as a cell or smart phone, computer , or other electronic apparatus 400, Water flow sensors 105, gauge or differential pressure sensor (s), and/or software sophisticated acoustic sensor (s) can monitor specific flow rates, flow durations, and total water use volumes, while the optional pressure sensor 65 can monitor unique pressure
  • the optional acoustic sensor can monitor unique sound patterns.
  • a single set of localized sensors can be utilized and incorporated into the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,? ⁇
  • the optional pressure senso (s) 65 and optional acoustic sensor (s) assist in identifying the specific water valve (s) for each water use device.
  • he osar turns on or cycles one wate use device (e.g, washing machine,
  • the Wafer Meter and Leak Detection System' s calibration software calibrates or determines the water flow rate, water duration, and total water volume and, if applicable, utilizes pressure and acoustic sensors to observe patterns (movement and noise) to identify water valves for specific water use devices , The user continues this process for each water use device (e.g. mains water supply, irrigation system, washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, kitchen faucet, bathroom faucets, toilets) until the water use device (s) are calibrated and/or the specific water valve (s) are identified.
  • each water use device e.g. mains water supply, irrigation system, washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, kitchen faucet, bathroom faucets, toilets
  • the software can use calibration data from the flow sensor for each water us device and record its water use signature (actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, total volume used) ,
  • the optional pressure sensor (s) and optional acoustic sensor (s) observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) to identify water valves for specific water use devices.
  • the water use data can he communicated to a display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 and the flow rates and water use for each wate use device can be displayed
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode utilizes artificial intelligence (AT) and other software to perform this operation.
  • a single series of senso (s) e.g. flow rate sensor (s) 150, optional pressure sensor (s) 65, optional acoustic senso (s), and/or temperature senso (s) 93 can be located with or in close
  • th optional pressure sensor 65 and optional acoustic sensor can be incorporated into the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 and function to assist in identifying the water valv (s) of a specific water use device (s) .
  • a user can enter into a programmed "Automatic Sensor Learning Mode” by pressing a specific hard or soft button on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.
  • the Water Meter with Leak Detection System automatically tracks water use parameter during the specified day/week/month period.
  • the flow sensor for each water use device records its actual flow rate, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, and total volume used.
  • the optional pressure and acoustic sensor observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) to identify water valves for specific water use devices.
  • the AI software observes and monitors the main water supply, irrigation system, and water use devices (e.g. washing machine, water heater, showers, dishwasher, kitchen an bathroom faucets) .
  • Th AI softwar determines property occupation associated with water use (an non-water use) remembers water usage with consideration of time and day/week/month.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System transfers water data to a remote computer (s) or serve (s) with databas (s) . Subsequently, the water data can be downloaded to a designated or registered cell or smart phone, computer or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode using AI and other software can monitor a washing machine's range of water flow used and records the water use duration periods, water flo rate patterns (water flow rates for washing machine cycles and variations of water flow rates over time including rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow at completion of water flow) .
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode can use optional pressure sensor (s) for determining
  • variations in pressure patterns can use optional acoustic senso (s) for identifying water valve movement and sounds when opening and closing and any vibrations during fully open valve with water flowing through the valve.
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode software recognizes the toilet water use pattern. If a bathroo faucet is turned on for hand washing, the software can identify the combination pattern of the toilet filling and the fencet water use . In this case an optional acoustic sensor can identify and differentiate the toilet and bathroom fancet water valv s to more accurately monitor th water used by these different water use devices at the property.
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode software can analyse, record, and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, duration periods, variations in pressure patterns (e.g. rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flo duration, and optional acoustic sensor
  • the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode softwar recognizes the shower water use pattern.
  • Th software can analyze, record and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, variations in pressure patterns (e . g . rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flow duration, and optional acoustic sensor to assign the pattern of water use to a particular water valve for the water use device shower and hot water heater.
  • irrigation watering usually occurs at a regular pattern
  • Sensor Learning Mode software can analyze, record and store water flow rates and duration patterns for irrigation cycles ,
  • the automatic learning software could record and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, expected duration, variations in pressure patterns (e.g, rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flow duration, and optional acoustic/sound frequency) to assign the pattern of water use to a particular flow sensor for the shower and hot water heater,
  • pressure patterns e.g, rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flow duration, and optional acoustic/sound frequency
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System's water leak detection and monitoring capability can use wireless technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAN, UNB, Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi3 (with Wi-Fi extenders) , Cellular 3GPP, and/or LTE-M and 56, Bluetooth and BLE, ZigBee , -wave or similar wireless protocols or other communication technologies using the TCP/IP or other GST
  • Leak notification can be provided via call to a registered or designated cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 or the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System can sen an alar (s) or message is) to a governing utility or
  • the remote display devices 46, 52, 54 and 400 can be any remote display devices 46, 52, 54 and 400.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 uses various wireless technologie .
  • Examples include Bluetooth modules ⁇ using the 2 , 4GHz band as Wi-Fi) such as the RN-41 Bluetooth modules available from Roving Networks in Los Gatos, CA; the KC-41, KC 11.4, KC-5100 , KC-216 or KC-225 data serial modules fro KC Wireless in Tempe AZ ; an the BT-21 module from Amp' ed RF wireless solutions in San Jose, CA.
  • Wi-Fi examples include the Photon manufactured by Particle, Inc. and numerous other Wi-Fi product .
  • Wireless protocols that can be utilized with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System include, but are not limited to, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802. llg and IEEE 802.11h modulation techniques.
  • IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11a
  • IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11b
  • IEEE 802. llg IEEE 802.11h modulation techniques.
  • An example of the North America 915MHz frequency is the wireless long range and low power technology known as
  • LoRa is a low power wide area network specification intended for wireless battery
  • LoRa includes key requirements of Internet of Things (loT) such as secure bi-directional communication, mobility, and localization services.
  • LoT Internet of Things
  • Texas Instruments manufactures a
  • Examples of cellular technology and protocols include CDMA and GSM and numerous other cellular protocols .
  • the Water Meter and leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7 ⁇ can be divided into two main components: 1) "collection node water meter" or
  • the communication hub can be hardwired or use wireless communication with an internet router.
  • the water meter collection node' s electric circuitry includes a generally low power long-range wireless radio and the water meter collection node's power source can be AC or DC voltage, battery, and/or super capacitor , The battery and/or super capacitors can be supplemented with a water turbine electric generator.
  • the water meter collection node communicates
  • the communication hub has a CPU/microprocessor , electrical circuitry with a generall low power long-range wireless radio and Wi-Fi radio, an a power source (battery or AC or DC voltage) .
  • the communication hub has a first wireless low power long-range LoRa, UHB, 6L0WPAW, or WiMAX radio 103 that communicates with the wate meter collection node (that has a corresponding DoRa, OHB, 6L0WPAN or WiMAX radio) .
  • the communication hub has a second wireless Wi-Fi radio that communicates with a wireless router or RF and/or cellular radio that communicates with a private or corporate network.
  • the communication hub can alternately be hard wired to the router and then the Wi-Fi radio is not a necessar component of the electrical circuitry.
  • the collection node can communicate with one or more water meters collection nodes and/or with one or more communication hubs ⁇ using mesh technology and/or point-to-point technology) .
  • the communication hub can wireless communicate with one or more water meter collection nodes and/or with one or more
  • the wireless or wire data transfe can be connected to the Internet using the IF or DHCP protocols whereby the water parameter data can be monitored remotely over the internet using a software progra ⁇ s ⁇ designed to record, display, analyze and/or audit the data. Data access would likely require server log on to perform query an obtain response,
  • Some wireless routers support a form of point-to-point or bridging operation which could be used to transfer water
  • ISM bands are defined by the ITU- R in 5.138, 5.150, and 5.280 of the Radio Regulations.
  • ISM bands use are governed by Part 18 of the FCC rules, while Part 15 Subparf B contains the rules for unlicensed communication devices including those that use the ISM frequencies . Part 18 rules prohibit using ISM for certain communication .
  • the ISM bands defined by the ITU-R are:
  • CDMA and W-CDMA are CDMA and W-CDMA, GSM, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G, EDGE, HSPA and other generations,
  • API application programming interface
  • a RestAPI uses HTTP requests to GET, PUT, POST and/or DELETE data or send control signals .
  • a RestAPI also referred to as a RESTful web service is based on the representational state transfer (REST) technology, an architectural style an approach that has
  • REST technology is generally preferred API protocol because it utilizes less bandwidth, makin it more suitable for internet and loT usage .
  • the REST is used by web browser or mobile APP and can be important in the development of loT, With cloud-company services on the rise, APIs are being developed to facilitate communication with web services mobile APPs , REST is a logical choice for building API that allow users to connect and
  • RestAPI has a uniform interface which serves between devices with mobile APPs or stations with computer programs and remotely located computer servers.
  • the uniform interface serves between devices with mobile APPs or stations with computer programs and remotely located computer servers.
  • a process includes that each message includes enough information to describe how to process the message invoking specified content by an Internet media type
  • server/computer processes the request, the appropriate state (or the piece (s) of state that matter) is communicated back to the requesting mobile APP or computer program via headers, status , and response body.
  • the RestAPI protocol includes a properly managed caching that facilitates device AFPs and station programs and remotely located server interactions, further improving scalability and performance . Since remo e computers and servers are not directly concerned with the user interface, computer and servers can be scalable. Computers and servers ma be replaced for many
  • the LoRa open specification create a low power, wide area LoRa technology network that is designed to wirelessly connect battery operated devices and sensors to the internet.
  • the LoRa protocol utilizes the unlicensed radio spectrum in the
  • ISM Industrial, Scientific and Medical
  • OSI th LoRa physical layer
  • an activation application delivers a first display to the user on either a display means of the cell or smart phone, computer or other electronic
  • the apparatus 400 smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices , and home control system , on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) and/or on a display means on the remote devices 480, Pairing technology or other application secure means associates a new user with a purchase or installed remote device and the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) .
  • the new user activates the AFP the first scree will request the SSID an password of the local LAW or wireless router and then records thi for subsequent access or alternately, scan a QR code with the cell phone camera.
  • a computer program or web portal can use the internet to allow access for new user 1 s water use and leak detection data by inputting a username or SSID and password or more commonly using a two-step authentication scheme (email, phone call or code authenticator) ,
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (12fi shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) will require the transfer of water use and water quality data or information using security measures and technology due to violation of municipal or
  • PKI Public Key Infrastructure
  • PKE Public Key Encryption
  • Digital Signature protocols are the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) , the Public Key Encryption (PKE] and the Digital Signature protocols.
  • PKI enables digital certificates to be used to electronically identify an individual or an organization.
  • ft PKI requires a certificate authority (CA) verifies digital certificates and can utilize a registration authority that acts as the verifier of the Cft when a ne digital certificate is issued.
  • CA certificate authority
  • PKE is a message or command signal that is encrypted with a recipient's public key. The message canno be decrypted by any individual or machine that does not possess the matching private key.
  • Block chain technology can be used to create a keyless signature infrastructure and may replace the more traditional PKE and Digital signatures which use asymmetric encryption techniques with a cache of public keys maintain by a Cft. Some of these technologies might become archaic when block chain technology becomes more commonly adopted.
  • SSL Secure Sockets Laye
  • a web resource retrievable with HTTP over SSL is usually represented by the protocol identifier "https" in the URL * Secure HTTP (S-HTTP) provides independently applicable security services for transaction confidentiality, authenticity and integrity of origin.
  • IPSee IP Security
  • Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol ⁇ "PPTP" ⁇ is another secure protocol that allows entities to extend their local network through private "tunnels" over the Internet.
  • Layer Two Tunneling Protocol C'L2TP is an extension of the PPTP protocol .
  • a Media Access Control Address (“MAC Address”) is a unique number assigned to a network interface controlle or other component designed to be connected to the internet.
  • the MAC address resides in the data link layer as a frame type datagram of the Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI Model) , The MAC address is appended to a digital message and provides
  • XML Signature associates a cryptographic signature value with Web resources using XML markup. he XML signature also provides for the signing of XML data. The more
  • JSON JavaScript object notation
  • JSQjJ is faster processing capabilitie wherea XML software is slow and cumbersome .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) should communicate securely with remote displays/recorders 52, 54 or cell or smart phone,
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) are aggregated across a large geographic area especially when containing multiple sites are serviced by multiple utilities where each site is operating on one o more municipal agencies.
  • Each Water Monitor and/or Leak Detection System needs to identify itself when transmitting water use or water quality data or information, or queried by a civil, commercial , municipal or governmental operator or agency.
  • Each Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 ⁇ will have a unique identified code that will be stored in a label and/or the software and be used for subsequent access in the central storage database.
  • the unique identification code can be represented by a MAC address, Universal Unique Identifier ("UUID”) , TCP/IP address, DNS name, email address, serial number, home or corporate physical
  • the unique identification code could include adding a unique municipality or authority na e code on a label and/or embedded with the software code in the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig.
  • a unique identification code registry is maintained within a remote database and associated with the installation and operation of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 ⁇ .
  • the unique identification code registry must be updated whenever a Water Meter and Leak; Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 ⁇ is brought into or removed from service.
  • the unique identification code registry may be segregated into a local registry with a unique host name (municipality or
  • the unique identification registry can be implemented as a single large database.
  • the registry can be implemented as a relational database ⁇ e.g.
  • MySQL MySQL, MariaSQL
  • non-relational database e.g. Amazon
  • DynamoDB DynamoDB
  • XML files XML files
  • CSV Comma Separated Value
  • Excel files or any mechanism that allows associated lookup when combined with the appropriate softwar .
  • a Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 receives or uploads data and information such as a control command signal to send or transmit data and
  • Encryption provides privacy by encoding data or information into an "encrypted" code to prevent unauthorized access. Encryption can be provided point-to-point, or end-to-end and messages using encryption schemes sooh as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) ,
  • Non-repudiation prevents the sender from denying that they sent or received data/information or a
  • Non-repudiation can foe provided by signing, electronic witnessing and technologies that assert a document was read before it was signed.
  • One of the main advantages of the Block- Chain technology is that non-repudiation is nearly immutable and can be used for security applications,
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 ⁇ 126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) will communicate with the private or public property Cies) using a remote display at a specifically determined frequency.
  • the preferred method of data transfer will be on a water event basis which monitors the initiation of water use, its initial water flow rate,
  • this update frequency can be modified and programmed into the present invention for various time periods, e.g, once per minute, twice per hour, once per day, once per week.
  • the data or information can be proeessed-hy an automated system and reports are only created every day, or week, or month. This scheme performs well on Water Meter and Leak
  • the encrypted data is
  • 6L0WP&N standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 with Wi-Fi extenders
  • 103 duplex wireless or wired directly to the internet router that communicates to remote servers .
  • the current marketed routers would have to be modified to receive the LoRa, WiMAX (UMB, 6L0WPAW) wireless duplex transmission.
  • UMB Ultra Narrow Band
  • 6L0WPAN standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 with Wi-Fi extenders
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig, 7 ⁇ can include a removable or a non-removable storage device that can contain water use and/or water quality parameter data, This removable storage device may be removed when there is a disruption in wireless transmittal of data, to upgrade configuration programs, or to download stored data.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 may be fitted with a physical lock that prevents unauthorized individuals f om detaching the removable storage device,
  • the Water Meter an Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig, 7) or the remote display means IB, 50, 56, computer, cell, smart or mobile phone 400 could include a microprocessor that has a data memory bank for a memory of the water and/or energ use parameter data that can be compared with the data that is uploaded by the government or municipal second remote
  • a visual alarm or signal can be incorporated into the present invention whereby a preset alarm or programmed alarm, changes the one or more of the screen displays, for example, blinking a parameter, or changing the color of a parameter.
  • a preset alarm might include visual reference, for example, an in-operative condition indicating a broken sensor, low power source, no flow, reverse flow, leak conditions, freeze
  • Programmed visual alarms would allow for individual selection (e.g. volume over set point, flow rate set point, total volume exceeded set points) which might be restricted or not by the default settings.
  • an auditory alarm can be incorporated into the present invention whereby a preset alarm or programmed alarm, changes the screen display, for example, using sound or pulsing a specific noise, or changing the color of a parameter.
  • the temperature or pressure display can change from green to red when a preset temperature or pressure is beyond a specific or programmed limit
  • a preset alar might include visual reference, for example, an in-operative condition, broken sensor, low power source no flow, reverse flow, leak conditions, freeze conditions, and some default limits.
  • Programmed auditory alarms would allo for individual selection which might be restricted or modify default settings,
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 ⁇ can include water control valve to turn off the water supply if an alarm condition or setting point is exceeded and has been activated.
  • the water control valve is electrically connected to the CPU or
  • microprocessor and has an electrical power to move a ball valve position or energize a solenoid valve, such the computer
  • the water control mechanism can comprise, for example, a typical electronically controlled ball valve or solenoid shut off valve incorporated into, or in series with the water meter collection node such that water from the source is closed.
  • the water control mechanism can be
  • the electronically controlled ball or solenoid valve can also be incorporated into the wate meter collection node as an
  • the water shut off means can be activated if an alarm state has been achieved, e.g. 200 gals/day of water is exceeded the total of e.g. 50 gallons of water has flowed in an unusual duration or flow rate since the water source was opened.
  • the alarm or settings can be a default setting installed by the manufacturer or programmed by the user.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can have capabilities such as vacation mode that turns off the water on a specific date and then turns the water on for the returning date.
  • a scheduling mode can also be programmed that turns off the water when the home is unoccupied, e.g, when the family is at wor from 8 a. . to 5 p.m.
  • the scheduling can be coupled with the vacation mode to allow the water to be turn on only for the date and times the irrigation is desired to be operational
  • the water control valve can have a variable open design whereby a different opening of e.g. ball valve, electrical activation or de-activation can change the opening and resulting flow rates .
  • FIG. 3 shown is an integrated circuit 88 with data transfer means 89 for communicating with the CPU or microprocessor, or microcontroller 84 and having a power line 85 and ground line 86.
  • the timing circuit 88 can communicate wit the CPU, microprocessor, o microcontroller 84 to an optional display 80 such information such as the time of da and current date and/or a time stamp for the duration that the water supply has turned been on and off, For monitoring the time stamp parameters of the water flowing through the present invention, the use of various trip switches o water sensors in close proximity to the flowing water can be monitored.
  • the timing clock IC 88 will assist by communicating a signal to the CPU or microprocessor 84 that the water suppl has been turn on and then shut off such that the software instructions and CPU or microprocessor can calculate various parameters, such as, but not limited to, the duration of water supply, total number of gallons or liters of water used and flow rates.
  • microcontroller 84 and having a power line 96 and ground 97.
  • one or more flow sensors 105 e,g, flow rate, pressure, ultrasonic, turbine, acoustic with a dat transfer means 108 for communicating with the CPU, microprocessor and/or microcontroller 84 a power line 106 and ground line 107.
  • the integrated circuits for the timing clock 88, temperature sensor 93 and flow sensor 105 can include circuitry to convert analog data to a digital format.
  • a second wireless electronic communication radio or means 61 with a data transfer 62 consisting Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 and other similar wireless technology where data transfer means 62 communicates with the CPU 84.
  • a third wireless electronic communication means 63 with a data transfer means 64 consisting LoRa, WiMAX, Ultra Marro Band (UMB) , 6L0WPAN and other similar long-range wireless technology where data transfer 64
  • the third wireless communication can also include cellular technology ⁇ 46 as shown in Fig. % ⁇ that is designed to communicate data utilizing a cellular format ⁇ standard 2G, 3GPP or LTE-M and LG5 cellular) with connection to offsite central monitoring com uter using cell towers and othe telephone lines via satellite, microwave technology, and the internet.
  • cellular format coul be CDMA, GSM or other advanced cellular formats ⁇ 3GPP/1TE-M and 56 ⁇ .
  • an optional display 80 with a power line 81 and ground line 82.
  • the water energy generator 95 can be a turbine, paddle, Pelton type or other similar technology. Recharging batteries 87 or super capacitors 94 can be accessed from a water proof door of the collection node housing or with a water-proof electrical coupler on the housing where the battery (ies) reside outside of the housing for periodic maintenance.
  • a wake-up button 104 can be include the
  • the wake-up button has a date
  • the wake-up button 104 preferably is a
  • Main power 98 produces a power line 85 and a ground line 86.
  • the main power 98 is preferably one or more batteries 87 and/or on or more super capacitors 94 as the power source. With the one or more batteries or super capacitors , is would be preferable to have the water energy generator 95 to supplant energy when generated during periods that water flow occurs.
  • An example of long-life batteries that can be used with the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 are the industrial lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl j ⁇ bobbin-type or spiral wound batteries produced by companies such as Tadiran Battery company.
  • Super capacitors store energy by means of a static charge caused by a voltage differential on position and negative plates .
  • Super capacitors should have a high capacitance which is ideal for applications 33 ⁇ 4 g_ i e f ecjuen o a cfinf n . oisc a ⁇ m ⁇ at high current and a short duration.
  • a super capacitor can also operate like a battery with the addition of special electrodes and electrolytes to increase its energy density. Higher voltage can be produced, but the trade-off is shorter service life. To obtain higher voltage, super capacitors must be connected in series. When two or more super capacitors are connected in series, protective circuitry is required to prevent any cell from going over-voltage.
  • the seif-discharge rate of super capacitor can be much higher than a Li-ion battery, as certain super capacitors can discharge 50% to 100% of their available capacity in 30 to 40 days ,
  • a LiSOCls bobbin type battery with a hybrid super capacitor would be an ideal primary cell power source that offers the highest capacit and highest energy density of any sole lithium cell, along with an extremely low annual self-discharge rate.
  • the CPU 84 that processes the information supplied by the flow sensor 105, the optional temperature sensor 93, the
  • optional pressure sensor 65, and timing circuit 88 uses internal instruction to control th information projected on a display, transferring water use data by wired or wireless communication, and for processing leak detection alarm states.
  • microprocessor can include an EEPROM or an type of memory section that allows for specific programming to be incorporated as processing instructions. It is anticipated by the Applicant that more powerful microprocessors with more memory capacity may be utilized to accommodate the more complex operations. There are many other variants or other microprocessors, whether commercially marketed or privately fabricated, that can be used with the present invention,
  • a means to record and digitally story the water parameters or data can be Incorporated into the present invention.
  • An integrated memory circuit ca be incorporated into the CPU or microprocessor 84 , or can be a separate memory circuit, and can include associated circuitry with a means to transfer the recorded data to a removable media, such as a flash mount on an electronic circuit board to control the display means and communicate with the sensors .
  • Various data access ports such as serial , parallel , or OSP can be used to tran fer the stored data to another device, such as a computer .
  • the CPU or microprocessor 84 and associated circuitry mounted on the electronic circuit board can also have the capability to be programmed for controlling certain display means fe.g U.S. or metric units), programming alarm or setting states Ce.g, flash all display means red when the total volume has exceeded a certain volume, for example, 175 gallons/day) .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be used in situations where the source of water comes for a well or no -commercial operation, and furthermore, where the commercial operations water treatments plants are under pressure to provide more water supplies or where problems, breakdowns or accidental situations can cause contamination of the water source, the present invention can be fitted with, display parameters of, and provide warning for, numerous mineral, elements and biological contaminates ,
  • [126J is a cross-section showing the one or more sensors 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, and water quality sensors 130, 132, 134, and 136 located in close proximity to water supply line 20, 22 and/or a water delivery supply line 24, 26 and their relative position of the sensors in the supply line lumen 38 and the connecting wires 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 131, 133, 135 and 137 for the display means, data transfer etc.
  • sensor 72 could be a timing sensor e . g. to monitor when water is flowing
  • sensor 74 can be a temperature sensor
  • sensor 76 can be a flow sensor
  • 78 can be a halogen (e.g. chloride or fluoride) sensor
  • 130 can be a total dissolved solids sensor
  • 132 can be a biological or fecal sensor
  • 134 can be a water hardness sensor and 136 can be a specific iron or other mineral sensor ,
  • sensors there are many types of sensors that ca be used with the present invention. Since a significant small change involves an exchange of energy, sensors can be classified according to the type of energy transfer that they detect.
  • sensors For measuring or monitoring the temperature of the water flowing through the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, the use of various thermocouples or thermistor sensors 70 as depicted in Figure 3 is protruding within the water supply 38 (or in close proximity to the water to be measured) and mounted within the articulating joint mechanism 22. Wires 71 are shown extending from the sensor 70 to electronically communicate with the CPU or microprocessor 84 and display unit.
  • Thermocouples measure the temperature difference between two points, not absolute temperature. In traditional
  • one of the junctions was maintained at a known (reference) temperature, while the other end was attached to a probe.
  • a thermistor i a type of resistor used to measure
  • Thermistors can be classified into two types depending on the sign of k . If k is positive, the resistance increases with increasing temperature. If is
  • NTC negative temperature coefficient
  • the flow sensor 105 can be fabricate from pressure sensor technology. There ar three general types of pressure sensors and each offers advantages and disadvantages for applied
  • the three types are 1) absolute pressure, 2) differential pressure measurement and 3) gauge pressure measurement.
  • Absolute pressure references pressure in in a perfect vacuum
  • Differential pressure measurement compares the difference between two applied pressures.
  • Gauge pressure measurement is a subtype of differential pressure measurement and compares the ambient atmospheric to the applied pressure.
  • Pressure sensors can be utilized with the present invention for accurate monitoring or small leaks. Examples of pressure sensors are the pressure transducer (sensor) TI2C marketed by Anfield and for a differential sensor the Motorola MPX570G series.
  • Pressure sensors can be particularly useful in measuring small leaks by shutting of the water supply line and then monitoring the pressure loss over time.
  • Pressure sensors can perform as a flow rate sensor (e.g, the differential pressure gauges Motorola MPX5700) or be sensitive types that can sense pressure waves and pressure changes for water pattern analysis.
  • a flow rate sensor e.g. the differential pressure gauges Motorola MPX5700
  • One particular use would be to us the pressure sensor ⁇ e.g. ceramic capacitive pressure sensor) to monitor the pressure of a private or public property (ies) after a water control valve has turned off th water supply. The pressure sensor can then measure the decay in pressure reads to observe and indicate small leaks (dripping faucet) .
  • An acoustic sensor can therefore be
  • the acoustic sensor can specifically identify the particular water use device. This is useful to
  • the acoustic sensor will be able to characterise all the various water use devices contain within these apartments and condos .
  • the acoustic sensor identifies use water valve movements and noises when being opened or close, or observing vibrational frequencies when water is flowing past the water valve.
  • Property billing for water use can then be accomplished without plumbing modifications.
  • various noise making orifices or vibration devices can be installe at various place for
  • acoustic sensor can now monitor water flow characteristics .
  • the acoustic sensor with programming software can also monitor the flow rate, the duration and the total water volume to determine water signature patte ns , [134]
  • various flow measuring technologies can foe utilised as the flow sensor 105.
  • a flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of flui flow.
  • a flow sensor is the sensing element used in a flow meter.
  • Non-invasive flow rate sensors can be time-based or Doppler-based ultrasonic technology, or magnetic type flow sensors for
  • the Pelton wheel turbine, paddle wheel and axial turbine translates the mechanical action of the specifically shaped objects rotating in the liquid flow around an axis that is translated into a user-readable rate of flow magnetic or optical monitoring technology.
  • the specifically shaped object or [ [The] paddle must be at least partially
  • paddle wheel, Felton wheel and/or turbine flow meter can be modified to also be used to generate electrical energy usin typical wire and magnets technology. And it is anticipated by the Applicant the paddle wheel, Felton wheel and/o turbine flow meter can generate electrical energy and perform as a flow meter
  • EMF back force
  • Intelligent software must be employed to compensate for the paddle wheel, Felton wheel or turbine flow meter slowing its rotation when generating electrical energy. Either calibration for the amount of energy generated versus the loss in rotation speed for a measured flow of water can be calculated
  • the intelligent software can switch energy generation off and on over a period of time and only monitor water flow rate when the energy generation is switched off.
  • the magnetic flow meter utilizes a magnetic field is applied to a tubular structure that has electrical insulatin properties .
  • the ultrasonic flo meters can measure water flow using two methods; transit time and 2) doppier shift. Both methods are possible by use of modern electronics.
  • the transit time method measures the difference of the transit time of ultrasonic pulses propagating in and against flow direction. This time difference is a measured for the average velocity of the water flowing through a specified path by the ultrasonic beam.
  • the Doppler shift method monitors water flow rate by passing an ultrasonic beam through the water pipe, bouncing the beam off a reflective plate that reverses the direction of the beam, such that the flow rate of water flow can be estimated. The speed of
  • transmission is affected by the movement of water in the pipe an by comparing the time taken to complete the cycle upstream versus downstream the flow of water through the pipe can be measured. The difference between the two speeds is a measure of true flow rate.
  • Fluid flow rate can be measured using a monochromatic laser diode.
  • the laser probe is inserted into a water pipe stream and turned on, whereby the laser light scatters, and a portion is reflected back to the probe.—The signal is then electronically processed to calculate flow rate within the water pipe.
  • the laser diode flow meter is more useful for relative rather than absolute measurements,
  • Multi-jet meters, positive displacement meter, single jet meters, pressure sensors, magnetic, ultrasound and Coriolis flow meters can all be utilized with the present invention to
  • FIG. 4 presents an example 110 of either the custom display/recorder SO or the second optional (handheld) display/recorder 56.
  • the first display/recorder 50 or optional second (handheld) display/recorder 56 includes a housing or container 112, display means 114, 116, and 118, software control buttons 120, 122, and 124, the electronic circuit board with wire or wireless capability, and power source are common between the two apparatuses , It is also anticipated that a third type of display/recorder (not shown) could utilized with computer, television or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus that has an internet, intranet, wire or wireless means.
  • the second display/recorder 56 or a third computer, television or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 can utilize custom software and/or market software that will be used to transfer the water parameter information from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) to the first display/recorder 50, the second
  • display/recorder 56 or the third computer, television, or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the display means 114, 116, and 118 can be programmed to display one or more parameters in a visual means that can utilize analog, character o digital display technology, or combination of the different display technology.
  • Information obtaine from the appropriate sensor monitoring or measuring the water parameters such as temperature, da e/time, total volume over time, and flow rate can be displayed in an appropriate format on the display means.
  • the display means could show any flow between 0.1 gal/min (0,38 liter /min) to many thousands of gals per day.
  • buttons or activators which can be incorporated into the display means housing to allow the
  • buttons will electrically communicate with the electronic circuit board contained with the housing or container 112 and respond to programmed instractions integrated within the CPU or microprocessor and associated circuitry of the electronic circuit board.
  • the buttons or activators 120, 122 and/or 124 should be mounted with the display means housing 124 with the capability to protect the buttons and electronic circuitry with the housing fo exposure to moist and wet, or freezing conditions.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of optional water flo rate with transceivers located near or attached to water use appliances at various locations for monitoring water use and furthermore for monitoring for water leaks.
  • individual water flow sensors with transmitters are at the water input supply lines 121 for a typical washing machine 128, a sprinkler system 122 , and the at the reduction valve 121.
  • the water flow rate leak sensors with transceiver can also be located on water use devices such as showers 122 , sinks ,
  • toilets toilets, hot water heaters 120b, bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 ⁇ and 200 i Fig. 73 can include a series of water flo sensors or
  • a control valve can be located at a particular location, e.g. the irrigation valve whereb by utilizing the two-way wireless capability of the Water Meter and Leak
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System 10 , 126, (and 200 shown in Fig. 7) can also communicate with the invasive flow sensor, non-invasive flow sensor, pressure sensors and/or sensitive flow sensors with transceivers to include software instructions for programming time intervals for water parameter data transmission.
  • Detection System 10, 126, and 200 shown in Fig. 7 can run a master schedule for querying each invasive flow sensor, non- invasive flow sensor and/or individual flow sensors with
  • Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 ⁇ and 200 shown in Fig. 7 can transmit a message to a specific collection node that can then sequentially request data from each of its invasive flow sensor, non-invasi e flow sensor, pressure sensor and/or independent flow sensors with
  • This systematic process can reduce dat packet collision on the network and can make the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 (and 200 shown in Fig. 7) immediately aware of any invasive flow sensor, non-invasiv flow sensor and/or sensitive flow sensors with transceivers that might be having trouble transmitting its data packet.
  • System 10, 126 ⁇ and 200 shown in Fig. 7 is designed to perceive water flow characteristics in the facility for a given unit of time, such as, for example, a day, for every unit in the
  • the software should be designed to identify numerous conditions, such as, for example, faulty toilet valves, periodic and irregular water flow for example toilets, faucets, and a slow constant water flow, a characteristic of a leakage
  • the Water Meter and Lea Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is strategicall located between main supply line 208 from a water main and a household water supply line 210 to a
  • Th Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200, with water control valve mechanism can be activ te and deactivated by a remote controller 220 to selectively tern on and off the water through the household water supply line 210.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is located with respect to the household water supply line 208 such that water flow through the household water supply line 210 to the living quarters of the residential building 202 may be prevented while still allowing water flow to non-residential areas, such as to sprinkler lines . It is anticipated by the Applicant that
  • separate water control valve mechanisms 310 can located on the household water supply line 208 and the irrigation water supply lines.
  • the multiple water control valve mechanism will have electrical circuitry and wireless radios such they can be controlled remotely through communication and commands/signals with the remote server over the internet from a cell phone APP. It is also anticipated by the Applicants that the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can take the place of , and function a , the main water meter and/or incorporate a pressure reduction valve.
  • Figure 1 also shows the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connected with a wired means 205 from a sola electrical generation 204 and/or connected wit a wired means 207 fro a wind electrical generation 206.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connected with a wired means 205 from a sola electrical generation 204 and/or connected wit a wired means 207 fro a wind electrical generation 206.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connected with a wired means 205 from a sola electrical generation 204 and/or connected wit a wired means 207 fro a wind electrical generation 206.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connected with a wired means 205 from a sola electrical generation 204 and/or connected wit a wired means
  • Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 with control valve mechanism 210 can be battery operated and utilize re-chargeable batteries or supe capacitors that can be charged with a water turbine electric generator or have typical batteries that are
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with control valve mechanism 310 can also be AC or DC powered.
  • An antenna 322 is shown extending from the water meter collection node with water control valve mechanism.
  • the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200 can incorporate freeze design feature (not shown) which, before a freezing condition is encountered, activates a freezing
  • freeze protection mechanism This technology is sometimes referred by other technologies such gas vehicle engines and called “freeze plugs’* .
  • This freeze protection technology is designed to guard against damaging the more expensive and private and public building water distribution piping by sacrificing the less expensive and easy to install freeze plug.
  • One method is for the freeze protection technology will allow water to trickle from the water distribution lines.
  • the freeze protection technology must be subsequently fixed or corrected when normal water operations are used.
  • the optional freeze protection technology is typically used in outside underground pits or poorly heated garages or utility rooms. In some extraordinary freezing
  • the optional freeze protection technology can be incorporated with a draining mechanism or system (not shown) that allows the water to passively drain from the private or public propert (ies) water pipes or forcefully removes the water from the water pipe with a power system.
  • a draining mechanism or system (not shown) that allows the water to passively drain from the private or public propert (ies) water pipes or forcefully removes the water from the water pipe with a power system.
  • Another method to protect from freezing conditions is to use a three-way control valve whereby the third port drains water from the private or public propert (ies) .
  • Software will be designed to position the three-way control valve in all three positions .
  • the advantage of the three-way control valve technology is that no components need to be fixed or corrected because the three-way valve can be moved from the freezing position to a normal position
  • the draining mechanism or system can also replace the water in the water pipes with air, nitrogen or other gas/liquid that have low freezing points and non-toxic conditions, are can withstand the freezing conditions to minimize damage to the water pipes. Furthermore, be
  • Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 can communicate with intelligent thermostats sending a signal to turn on the residential or corporation heat to a temperature that will inhibit freezing water in the residential and corporation interior water pipes .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can include an optional display means 211 for displaying various information, such as if the water is interrupted or allowed to flow into the private or public propert (ies) facility or building, or to help program the software for scheduled water interruption times (off from 8; 30 a. . until 4:30 p.m. then on, off again at 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. and then on again) .
  • the display means 211 can help program the software to display calendar information, such as the date and current time (12 hr, or 24 hr. format) .
  • the water meter collection node 200 can be programmed using a wire or wireless remote keyboard, alarm system, or use touch screen button technology on the display.
  • the display and display ousing most he able to sustain capability in outdoo wet and/or hot/freezing conditions.
  • the display can utilize touch screen technology.
  • One of the key features of the water meter and leak defection system 10, 126, 200 is that it has a convenient means that facilitates activation and/or deactivation of the water flow from the main water supply when a private or public
  • PIR sensor passive infrared sensor
  • the PIR sensor can communicate wired or wirelessly with a router that sends a signal to the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200.
  • FIG, 7 Shown in FIG, 7, is an individual 212 holding a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic
  • apparatus 400 for communicating with the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200 to control the water flow
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with a water control valve mechanism 310 can include programming instruction with a timing circuit to allow a user to program a defined time schedule.
  • the private or public property (ies) owne may simply establish that the water supply will be shut off or blocked during non-working hours, during a vacation, and/or during sleeping hours.
  • the scheduling could be a daily, weekly, monthly or annual or on a water use basis.
  • the programming of the timing schedule could be input into the CPU of the water meter collection node or the communication hub (or receiving station) via various methods, e.g, wireless or wired communication with a computer with appropriate software, using the remote controllers, using touch screen technology on the display means, or cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the vacation schedule can even be programmed to turn on for the irrigation schedule to water the home or
  • FIG. 8 shown is a perspective more detailed view of the at r Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126 , 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and water supply plumbing, and with optional water turbine generator 308 that is located within the water supply line.
  • the water suppl line from the water main 208 first engages a manual shut off valve 302.
  • the manual shut off valv can be a ball valve, solenoid valve, gate value type, piston valve, or other known technology.
  • the water control valve mechanism 310 can be a ball valve, solenoid valve, gate value type, piston valve, or other known technology with electronic activation, A mechanical lever or electric
  • button/toggle switch 311 can be incorporated on the water control valve mechanism (solenoid shutoff valve) to allow the modification of the mechanism to open the water flow in
  • the Water Meter and Leak Defection System 10, 126, 200 has a transceiver 320 that
  • programmable CPU a power source using either a batter or super capacitor (rechargeable) 326 or typical AC or DC suppl 324, and/or electrical circuitry, wireless or hard-wired components, and optional sensors and associated circuitry. Also shown is a battery voltage 326 which would electronically engage the optional solar cell 302 or wind generator 206 to provide
  • the water control valve mechanism 311 ball valve or solenoid shutoff valve
  • the optional water turbine generator 308 coul be incorporate within the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 as a single unit. It is also anticipated that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 as a single unit. It is also anticipated that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 as a single unit. It is also anticipated that the Water Meter and Leak
  • Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve 310 coul replace, and function as, the pressure regulator, eliminating one of the components shown in this drawing.
  • Exiting from Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is the main water supply 312 to the home (private or public property (ies) ) . It is also anticipated that Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 126, 200 with wate control valve 310 could replace, and function as, the main water meter,
  • FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with a perspective detailed view of the water control valve mechanism combined with an independent pressure regulator or reduction valve and
  • T e cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 or custom display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 56 and 110 has the convenient function of providing an individual or entity to review water use and water parameter data on a real time basis for auditing or monitoring purposes. It is also anticipated by the Applicants that the optional display means 12, 14, and 16 (shown in Figure 2 ⁇ can be located remotely from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200
  • the communication and control lines 83 can be used to transfer water use parameters and leak
  • radio-frequency can use radio-frequency, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) ZigBee Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, LoRa , 6L0WPAN, Ultra Narrow Band (UMB) , standard cellular or advanced 3GPP and LTE-M and 5G cellular technology or other wireless technology for
  • BLE Bluetooth low energy
  • UMB Ultra Narrow Band
  • Bluetooth modules ⁇ using the 2 , 4GHs band) that can be utilized by the present invention are the RN-41 Bluetooth modules available from Roving Networks in Los Gatos, CA, the KC- 41, KC 11.4, KC-5100, KC-216 or KC-225 data serial modules from KC Wireless in Te pe AZ, the Proton or Electron from Particle (formally Spark) in San Francisco, and/or the BT-21 module from Amp ⁇ ed RF wireless solutions in San Jose, CA, Examples of wireless protocols that can be utilized with the present
  • inventions include, but are not limited to, the IEEE 802.11a,
  • IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802, llg and IEEE 802.11h, and IEEE 802, llx modulation techniques and the newer protocol associated with WiFi3 Another example of the wireless protocols that can be utilized with the present invention is the ZigBee , Z-wave and IEE 802,15.4 modulation technology.
  • wireless low powe and long-range technology known as "LoRa” marketed by many manufactures such as Semetech and the BopeRF RFM95W-915S2 can be used with the present invention.
  • Ultra Narrow Band chips are marketed by Texas Instruments as CC112S Ultra-High Performance RF Narrowband Transceiver. Applicants recognize that there are numerou wireless protocols that have been developed that, although not specifically listed, could be utilized with the present invention for data transfer purposes
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can transmit water parameter data to a router that connects to the internet and then to remote computer /servers, can also communicate the water leak condition with a user or owner of a home, condo, apartment or other residence, rental/leased house, condo or apartment or other resident, owner or representative of a company or
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • GPSR General Packet Radio Service
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • EV- DO Evolution-Data Optimized
  • EDGE Enhanced Data Sates for GSM Evolution ⁇ EDGE
  • 3GSM Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
  • DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
  • IBEN Integrated Digital Enhance network
  • WIMAX WIMAX
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • Flash-OFDM Flash-OFDM
  • HIHERMAN Wi-Fi
  • IBurst UMTS
  • W-CDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
  • HSPDA+HSDPA XIMTS- DD and other formats for utilizing cell phone technolog , telephony antenna distributions and/ or any
  • Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 10, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes all PDAs, tablets (e.g. refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations of the Apple 1®4 IPAD ®5 , Samsunc 54 Galaxy ®54 , HP ® *, Acer ®54 , Microsoft ®5 , NookTM, GoogleTM NexusTM, SonyTM, KindleTM and all future tablets manufactured by these and other manufactures) , AppleTM IPODTM TouchTM, or a television, watch, timepiece or fob watch and other similar apparatus with Wi-Fi and wireless capability, and remote computers and controllers having internet or wireless connectivity.
  • tablets e.g. refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations of the Apple 1®4 IPAD ®5 , Samsunc 54 Galaxy ®54 , HP ® *, Acer ®54 , Microsoft ®5 , NookTM, GoogleTM NexusTM,
  • the display of the water leaking condition data can be in various pleasing format using digits, analog display, graphics, pictures, charts and/or ethe characters to exhibit the leaking condition to a user. Also, the transfer of data can use authentication, encryptions, integrity and non-repudiation technology to ensure that data or information is communicated securel .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can also function to monitor the water use in homes , companies , buildings or other structures by including either sensitive flow sensors, standard invasive flow sensors, (e.g. turbine, Pelton, paddle wheel flow, piston, and pressure sensors and other invasive sensors) , non- invasive flow use sensors (e.g, Doppler or time-transit
  • ultrasonic, laser or magnetic flow sensors and other non- invasive flow use sensors to communicate either or both the inside and/or irrigation water flow use on a real time, daily, weekly, monthly, and/or yearly basis or on a water use basis.
  • Such water flow use data can be transferred to a remote central monitoring computer service, municipality or government agency, via cell towers, satellite, microwave technology, the internet, tele hone lines , and the like.
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfer water parameters and data to the internet and to remote computer/servers can also communicate with a use or owner of a home, condo, apartment or other residence, rental/leased house, condo or apartment or other resident, owner or representative of a company or
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • GPSR General Packet Radio Service
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • EV- DO Evolution-Data Optimized
  • EDGE Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
  • 3GSM Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
  • DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
  • ISIS6/TDMA Integrated Digital Enhance Network
  • IBurst Wi-Fi
  • IBurst UMTS
  • W-CDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
  • HSPDA+HS0PA UMTS-TDD and other formats for utilising cell phone technology, telephony antenna distributions and/ or any
  • irrigation water use can be between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 and a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes PDAs, tablets ⁇ e.g. refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations of the Apple 5 ** IPAD ® *, Samsung 5 ** Galaxy 5 **, HP ® *, Acer 5 **, Microsoft 5 **, Hook ® *, Google 5 ** Nexus ®5 , Sony ®5 , Kindle ® * and all future tablets manufactured by these and other manufactures) , Apple ® * IPOD ®5 Touch ® *, or a television, watch, timepiece or fob watch and other electronic apparatus with Wi-Fi and wireless capability, and remote computers and controllers having internet or wireless connectivity.
  • the display of the indoor and irrigation water use data can be in various pleasing format using digits, analog displays, graphics, pictures, charts and/or other characters to exhibit the water use to a user.
  • the transfer of data can use authentication, encryptions, integrity and non-repudiation technology to ensure that data or information is communicated securely.
  • the sensitive water flow sensors e.g, standard invasive flow sensors, (e.g, turbine, Pelton, paddle wheel flow, piston, and pressure sensors and other invasiv sensors) , non-invasive flow use sensors (e.g. Doppler or time-transit ultrasonic , laser or magnetic flo sensors and other non-invasive flow use
  • transceivers with transceivers can hav an extended battery life by utilizing the interval wireless communications or transmissions and with long lasting battery pack, such as, for example, the Tadiran series of batteries manufactured by Tadiran ⁇ . . Battery in Lake Success , New York , Some candidates for use with the present invention water meter with leak detection system 10,
  • 126, 200 are the standard or rechargeable lithium industrial type batteries , LiSOCl2 bobbin or serial type batteries , one or more super capacitors, or LiSOCIs bobbin type with hybrid supercapacitor. Or with a turbine, paddle wheel or Felton wheel energy generator 95 in hydraulic communication with the water supply line, solar energy, or wind energy, a rechargeable battery or super capacitor can be utilized.
  • the batteries can be recharging type an accessed with an electrical coupler accessed from the outside of the sensitive flow sensors with transceiver .
  • the flow sensors can be powered by low voltage AC e.g. 24 volts AC, or DC current. High voltage current e.g, 240 or 120 volts can also be use an if necessary, the voltage can be reduced with transformers and the like.
  • apparatus 400 having an application 410, commonly known as an "APR" , programmed to display soft buttons or use control
  • a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400 designed to wirelessly communicate or send signals to and from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310. It is also anticipated that the apparatus 400 could be an leTM IP D ® ,
  • HP ®4 SamsungTM, LGTM or other manufacture's tablet and that the application 402 that would function as described below.
  • apparatus 400 could be a remote computer or
  • FIG. 12A Shown in Figure 12A is an example of an application 410 hich ill typically display soft buttons for controlling water on 404 and water off 406 by sending wireless instructions to the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200. It is anticipated by the Applicant that other configuration of application displays for remotely communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200.
  • the application 410 can also have a soft schedule b tton 408 which sequentially adds displays for entering a predetermined schedule fo turning on and off the water at th collection node of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126, 200.
  • the predetermined schedule can be sent to the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 for continuous sequencing operations on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly o yearly basis.
  • the predetermined schedule can be sent to the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 for continuous sequencing operations on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly o yearly basis.
  • predetermined schedule can be programmed into a memory module at the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200.
  • An option of the application 410 is shown as a decisional text message 413 inquiring if the individual would like the water turned off and sent to display 402 of the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 would preferably have incorporated GPS technology that can determine the location of the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus, and know or saved the home or water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 locations. Triangulation techniques between cell towers can also be used if the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 does not have GPS capability.
  • the application 402 could or will have a routine that can program the distance from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 that an individual desire to be provide a notice of the
  • decisional text message If th water is not turned off when the individual leaves the private or public property (res ⁇ , and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 has been programmed for a set distance from the wate meter
  • the decisional text message 417 for example, "Should I turn off the water supply" will be sent to the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • decisional text message is that, for the present invention to function as a water damage prevention system, substantial compliance with routine turning off the water when a private or public property (res) in unoccupied is necessary.
  • the decisional text message 417 provides the individual a soft button "yes" 412 to turn off the water at the collection node of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 or “no" 414 and leave the collection node of the water meter and leak detection 10, 126, 200 wit the water control valve on.
  • Hard button activators 41 a, 416b an 416c can also be used to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfers water parameter data to the internet and then to remote computers/servers fo cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus that a display screens or no touch screen capability.
  • hard button 416a can be used to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfers water parameter data to the internet and then to remote computers/servers fo cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus that a display screens or no touch screen capability.
  • hard button 416a can be used to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfers water parameter data to the internet and then to remote computers/servers fo cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus that a display screens or no touch screen capability.
  • hard button 416a can be used to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfers water parameter data to the internet and then to remote computers/servers fo
  • hard button 416b can communication with the Water Meter an Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 to turn the water system off
  • hard button 416c can communication with Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10,
  • Another optional decisional text message 410 can sent to the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 if one of the optional highly sensitive flow sensors and 123 detects a leaking condition.
  • the text message could specify "Leak found in kitchen area , should I turn of the wafer supply” .
  • the decisional text message 410 provides the individual a soft button “yes” 412 to turn off the water at the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 or “no” 414 and leave the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with the water control valve on.
  • Hard button activators 416a, 416b and 416c can also be used to communicate with the water meter with lea detection system 10, 126, 200 for ceil phones, smart phones or a other electronic apparatus that a limited display screens or no touch screen capability.
  • This optional leak detection message could also be sent the insurance or municipalit agenc monitoring station by PSTH or wireless means to notify of the leakage condition. It is also anticipated by the Applicant that the leak detection message could also be transferred to the supplying municipality to inform them of the leak such that the municipality can take action to repair the leak condition,
  • FIG. 10 Shown below in thi Figure 10 is a perspective view of an "AFP" or programmed application that provides water use data in various example formats that is transferred from the water meter collection node or optional communication hub to a remote display/ ecording apparatus 18, 50, 56, or a remote computer or a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • the programmed application or AFP shows an average time of water use data, average water use data, water cost data, energy calculations using the water heater type, the state located, cost of natural gas or oil per Therm, efficiency information, and the average ambient water temperature and the desired water temperature se for hot water devices (e , g . shower, faucets) .
  • the bottom of Figure 16 is the water energy calculatio and water costs for the day, week, month, year, and -year dates.
  • Detection System can communicate with a said typical cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes an
  • FIG. 11 Shown in Figure 11 is a perspective view of a first example application [AFP) , or a first page of an application (APP) 300, displayed on a typical cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 (see Figures 12 and 13 ⁇ .
  • This example application (APP) or page 300 is designed as a line graph format to be used by the resident of a home or a
  • FIG 11 shows and example of an application or page (APP) 300 for Water Use 302 having a daily 304 graph 306 with day hours 308 , designated b the symbol AM 312 and the night hours 310 designated by the symbol PM 314.
  • APP application or page
  • At the right side of the example application or page (APP) 300 is the daily total use of water 316 and the daily total cost in dollars (or other currency) 318 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality.
  • a plotted line 30? that shows the hourly water use.
  • the plotted line 307 can hav a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph.
  • a gallon or liter scale can be included on the left side of the daily graph 305 (not shown) .
  • 300 i the weekly total use of water 326 and the weekly total cost in dollars (or other currency) 328 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality.
  • a plotted line 327 that shows the daily water use
  • the plotted line 327 can have a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph, A gallon or liter scale can be included on the left side of the weekly graph 322 ⁇ not shown) .
  • the example of an application or page (APP) 300 for Water Use 302 can also have a monthly 334 graph 330 with months 332 ,
  • AFP 300 At the right side of the example first application or page (AFP) 300 is the monthly total use of water 336 and the monthly total cost in dollars (or other currency) 338 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality.
  • a plotted line 337 Within the monthly graph 330 is a plotted line 337 that shows the daily water use.
  • the plotted line 337 ca have a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph.
  • a gallon or liter scale can be included on the left sid of the monthly graph 330 ⁇ not shown) .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126, 200 is designed to transfer data and information by utilising the wireless communication with the one or more remote display and/or recorder apparatus, or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus whereby the remote display and/or recorder apparatus or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic
  • apparatus can automatically convert back and forth from radio frequency format, ZxgBee o Bluetooth format to a cellular format technology to accommodate different range requirements .
  • Figure 11 shows a Download Button 340 which is designed to manually or automatically download water rate and expense data from the servicing and registered water municipality or other source.
  • the cost per gallon, hundred cubic feet (HCF) or other measurement is usually dependent on volume used over a given period. For example, from 0-8 HCF could be billed at $3.64 per HCF, 9-24 HCF could be billed at $4,08 per HCF, and 25-36 HCF could be billed at $5.82 per HCF .
  • Figure 11 also depicts a user, whether it is a home owner or company representative, who can Set Limits 342 for wate use to command the water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 to turn the water completel off for example, if a limit of water flow exceeds a limit, or sound a verbal or audio alarm. It is anticipated that the servicing and registered water
  • Set Limits 342 to the individual water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200.
  • the Set Alarms 344 for water use can be used to display visually or provide audio signals of alarming conditions associated with the daily, weekly or monthly water use.
  • the application (AFP) 300 i designed to promote water conservation and monitor for leaking conditions .
  • FIG 11 also shows an optional Water Quality section 350 of the application (APP) 300.
  • optional water quality Sensor 1 352 can monitor one or more halogen elements or
  • the plotted line 358 for Sensor 1 shows peaks and valley over the time period 360.
  • the time period can be selected for daily, weekly or monthly.
  • Sensor 2 354 can be another water qualit sensor and Sensor X 356 can be on or more water quality sensor taken from the group define above.
  • a Frequency Soft Button which allows the user to define the time period, daily, weekly or monthly.
  • a user whether it is a home owner or company representative, who can Set Limits 372 for water quality to command the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 to turn the water completely off, limit the flow, or sound a verbal or audio alarm. It is anticipated that the servicing and registered water municipality or other source can upload Set Limits 372 to the individual Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 (with water control valve
  • the Set Alarms 374 for water use can be used to display visually or provide audio signals of alarming conditions associated with the daily, weekly or monthly water use ,
  • Figure 11 is only an example of presentation of the water use and water quality data, it is anticipated that other formats for displaying the daily, weekly, monthly, or anneal water use an wate quality use.
  • Such formats can be in bar graph format, pie graph format, cosmography formats, tabular formats, time series graph formats, histogram formats, data plot format, scatter plot format, other graph formats, or a
  • FIG. 12 shows one or more visual signals 409, 411 (e.g, LED or LCD) lights that are turned on (and off after a period of time) to communicate to an individual that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 has completed the programmed activity.
  • visual signals 409, 411 e.g, LED or LCD
  • 409 could be a red LED light that illuminates when the water system is turned off and 411 could be a green LED light that illuminates when the water system is turned on.
  • verbal signal verbal '"water off” or verbal "water on” or simply a playing certain ringtones
  • verbal signal can also be used to communicate that the programmed activity has been completed. Also shown near th middle of the "AFP"
  • (program) page is soft button 404 for turning on the water system and anther soft button 408 for turning off the water system.
  • a labeled 407 soft button 408 is used to bring up another page (s) that allows an individual to input a water off/on schedule. For example, one can have the water system or supply turned off automatically Monday Friday from 8:00 a.m, until 5:00 p.m. when all residences have vacated the residence (e.g. at work or school) , For business and companies , the scheduling soft button 408 can turn off the water system or supply automatically when the employees of the business o company are vacated (e.g. from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.
  • AFP program
  • a text message sent to the home owner or resident or business or company employee the option to turn on or off the water system or suppl if the Water Meter and Leak Detection System is aware that the home, building or company is vacated (e.g, by temporal measurements, passive infrared sensors, entry and/or exit (badge) identification information.
  • the Binetooth 420A, Wi-Fi 420B and cellular communication 420C means that wirelessly connects the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic
  • Typical cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic apparatuses 400 may have one or more means of communication that can be established with a particular water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 for wireless communication.
  • the use of Bluetooth wireless technology 420a is commonly a feature found on many cells phones, smart phones and other electronic apparatus.
  • Such Bluetooth wireless communication 420a can be a means to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 to turn the water on or off or receive decisional text messages 410.
  • Zigbee is another wireless technology that can be used. However, most current cell phones, smart phones or other
  • Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 family of wireless local area network
  • Wi-Fi3 wireless technology 420b is commonly a feature found on many cells phones , smart phones and other electronic apparatus 400 and wireless routers/servers.
  • Such Wi-Fi wireless communication 420b can be a means to
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 can have the capability to receive and transfer wireless signals and decisional text messages 410 using Wi-Fi technology directly to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310.
  • the Wi-Fi communication 420b will communicate with a wireless router/server that has a HTML or other communication- based interface and configuration page graphic user interfaces . Remote access from the cell phone, smart phone or other
  • SMS short message service
  • VOIP voice of Internet Protocol
  • Wi-Fi technology will access the interne through the wireless router and have the ability to recognise the cell phone, smart phone o other electronic apparatus 400 phone number for remote capability using SMS interface.
  • a digit numbers security can be used to maintain restricted integrity.
  • Receivers can be used for Wi-Fi communication 420b to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 for individuals lacking internet capability at their residence.
  • cellular wireless technology 420c is a primary feature of cells phones, smart phones and other electronic apparatus.
  • Such cellular wireless communication 420c can be a means to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 to turn the water on or off or to receive text messages .
  • the application 410 can have to interface with the
  • a Quic Response Code (QR code) unit address located on Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 can communicate with a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 having a camera to read QR and establish link to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200, Standard barcodes could would to pair and establish a link between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
  • QR code Quality of Code
  • Hear field link and RFID chip technology can also be used to facilitate pairing and establish a link between the water mete and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 .
  • bar code readers are applications that can be downloaded for a particular cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus operation system.
  • Hear field links are only recently becoming available on Samsung s ar phones, bat this technology may be expanded to many, if not all, cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus .
  • an individual who wants to turn off the water system would touch the off the soft button 408 or reply to the text message to turn off the water system " s" soft button 412, or push the hard button 416b on the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 which will communication with the water/energy use monitoring display apparatus 10 , 200 via the internet, wireless technology (e.g.
  • wireless technolog e,g, Bluetooth, ZigBee, W£-Fi3, LoRa
  • the paired Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 would turn off the water system off and then when completed (specified by switches and/or a flow sensor) will send a returned communication signal to the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 and turn on signal (audio or visual) message 408 that the water system is off.
  • FIG. 14 is block diagram of the overall system showing the software, hardware and software application of the private or public property (ies)
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 and communicating with the internet and remote computer service station ⁇ "the Cloud") .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 and communicating with the internet and remote computer service station ⁇ "the Cloud") .
  • Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 includes, a preferred, but optional receiving station or communication hub 477 that connects either hard wired or
  • the internet has duplex communication 461, 462 with the Remote Computer/Server Service Center 452 (e . g . .Amazon®, Microsoft®, Oracle® and
  • Google® Within the Remote Computer/Server Service Center communicating with a cell or mobile phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatu 400, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems (408).
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connects to the router/server 438 with
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System 10, 126, 200 with water control valv mechanism 310 system communicates with the remote computers 452 located in the service provider * s data center or hosted in integrated security system data center) , with the communication taking place via a communication network (e.g., cellular
  • remote computer can be used to wirelessly communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 via router/internet/remote servers to perform various functions and include number capabilities.
  • the cell or mobile phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400 computer, cell phone, smart phone and other electronic apparatu , smart internet TVs , smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems,
  • APPs downloaded programs or applications
  • APPs can specifically turning on and off the water suppl to a private or public property (ies) directly using a soft button of the AFP or program a schedule using the APP .
  • the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is not only designed to monitor for water use, energy use, and water quality, but to monitor of leak detection conditions and provide text messages, alerts signals, or emails regarding water leak conditions.
  • Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can be programmed by the user to automatically shut off the water supply when a leak condition is observed.
  • the following remote computer components manag the main elements of the remote computer service, but this only exemplary and is not so limited.
  • Several of the component defined and described can be replaces by a newly design operation (s) , combine operations, or eliminate some operation
  • Professional companies such as Amazon Web Services, handle most if not all of, the OSS and BSS services, database access, connectivity and database maintenance (e.g. SQL databases like MySQLTM, MariaSQLTM, and Aurora 5®4 , Redshif and non-SQL databases like Dynamodb 5 * 8 ) , server component access and maintenance and loa balancing, all for a cost base on various factors .
  • Data access by cell phones , mobile phone , and other electronic apparatus 400 , and remote computers can access the commercial database using certain protocols .
  • Oracle® and Google® have all built a significant quantity of computing infras ruc ure. Their data centers are vastly bigger, and significantly more efficient, than those operated by or could be built by most other independent companies.
  • the cloud- computing companies with their worldwide server farms allow for scalable and redundant data storage capabilities ⁇ Redundant- Array of Independent bisks or RAID technology) .
  • the large cloud- computer companies can temporarily extend or customize the functionality for a client by transferring logic to it that it can execute. Examples of this may include compile components such as Java applets and client-side scripts such as JavaScript.
  • a programmer/developer or a company simply pays for the cloud-computing service .
  • Using the cloud-computing services provide the developer and company access to fundamentally unlimited computing power marketed by the cloud computing companies without have to incur the expenses for developing and maintaining private or corporate computer inf astructure,
  • LoT Internet of Things
  • PaaS Platform as a Service
  • SaaS Software as a Service
  • Azure which refers to applications that run in the cloud like Microsoft’s Office 365, Google’s G Suite and Salesforce’s products for sales and marketing.
  • SaaS Software as a Service
  • the plan for a cloud ⁇ -computing companies is to make their services indispensable to both independent software developers and small , medium and larg bag activate .
  • Customers might venture into cloud computin with a single software application (APJ?) but as their businesses grow, their clou -comput r needs increase and the cloud-computing service companies are expecting that their cloud usage and revenue will increase.
  • Amazon® has increase their presence in the cloud industry, by sacrificing short term profits to enhance the customer experience and maximize long-term gain.ft'he more customers a cloud platform provider contracts with, the more servers and serving farms under their control can be developed. And the more servers the cloud-computing companies have, the better they can take
  • an activation application 494 delivers a first display to the user on either a display means of a remote computer, cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone or other electronic apparatus 400 , smart internet TVs , smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems, on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 and/or on a display means on the remote devices 480.
  • This pairing technology or other application secure means associates a new user with a purchased or installed remote device and the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 128, 200.
  • a number of applications provided by the large cloud- computing companies ensure overall management of the computer infrastructure and network service.
  • applications are configured to offer off-the-shelf programs and operating systems solutions management of the integrated cloudcomputing system service, overall service monitoring, customer support, and reporting.
  • FIG. 15a Shown in FIG, 15a is an illustration of the pressure drop within a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there is no leak.
  • the illustration is a plot of the pressure drop over time when the water supply is turned off by a control valve before the major water distribution lines .
  • the graph has a Y axis that shows the pressure reading and an X axis representing the time parameter.
  • Fig. 15a shows that when the water is initially turn off on a no leaks system, there may be an initial drop in pressure that is thought to be due to an interaction of the pressure regulator. But as shown in Fig. 15a the initial pressure drop levels off and maintains relatively constant pressure over time. Also shown is a calculated
  • the regression calculation can be used by the monitoring software to determine the quantitative loss in pressure over time and allo for artificial intelligence software ⁇ I ⁇ to determine what type of leak is present.
  • FIG. 15b Shown in FIG. 15b is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 20 ml/min.
  • FIG. 15b shows that when the water is initially turn off on the exemplary 20ml/min leak, there is a continual relatively slow drop in pressure over time where the pressure approaches zero pressure. Also shown is a calculated regression line shown in linear dashes and provides the calculated variables (e.g, Y ⁇ ⁇ 235.4 X + 47.6) .
  • the regression calculation can be used by the monitoring software to determine the quantitative loss in pressure over time and allow for artificial intelligence (AI) to determine what type of leak is present.
  • AI artificial intelligence
  • 15c is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household h ving copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 60 ml/min.
  • he illustration is a plot of the pressure drop over time when the water supply is turned off by a control valve before the major water distribution lines
  • the graph has a Y axis that shows the pressure reading and an X axis representing the time parameter.
  • Fig. 15c shows that when the water is initially turn off on the exemplary

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Abstract

The present invention is a water meter and leak detection system the is comprised of a water meter collection node system with optional control valve mechanism includes at least one of wireless Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee, Z-Wave, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), 6LoWP&N, LoRa, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3 or cellular (standard, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G) communication with a private or corporate network, or internet connection that transfer water parameter data to a remote computer or server. Alternately the system can consist of a water meter collection node that communicates by Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), 6LoWPAN, LoRa, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, or WiMAX or cellular (standard, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G) with a communication hub whereby the communication hub is in wired or wireless Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi3 communication with an internet router that communicates with an internet connection, or with a private or commercial network system, to a remote computer/server or a cloud-computing commercial service.

Description

Figure imgf000002_0001
[01] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Application Serial No, 16/356 870 filed on March 18, 2019,
Application Serial No, 16/295,396 filed on Marcy 7, 2019, and claims the benefit of tl.S. Provisional Application No,
62/795,529, filed January ,22, 2019.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[02] This apparatus and the method of use relates to water supply systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a Water Meter and Leak Detection System for private and/or public property (ies) to monitor and provide water use and water leak information and to minimize water loss and related damage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[03] Water is increasingly becoming a precious resource. While fresh water 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 (ies) (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.
[04] 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 amount to a significant percentage of the total water use.
Figure imgf000003_0001
[05] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System monitors real- time water use and provides real-time leak detection and
notification for private and/or public property (ies) (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 control valves, one or more optional temperature sensors , one or more optional pressures sensor , one or more optional acoustic sensors , and wireless radio
technology. Use of the optional communication hub provides longer wireless range capability. The water meter collection node and optional communication hub can utilise long range wireless technology [LoRa, WiMAX , Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) ,
6L0WPAN, standard Wi-Fi and Wi-F13 (with Wi-Fi extenders)], limited range technology [Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BUS) , Zigbee and Z-wave] , other wireless technology, wired and wired technology [X10 , universal powerline bus (UFB) , HART
Communications Protocol) , established cellular technology [3GPP , LTE-M and 5G] , and any combinations thereof.
[06] The water meter collection node utilises at least one of a LoRa, WiMAX, 6L0WPAN or UNB radio that communications with the optional communication hub that has a corresponding LoRa, WiMAX, 6L0WPAM or UNB radio that communications with the collection node, and has a Wi~Fi or Wi-Fi3 second radio that communicates with a wireless router or commercial network. Bluetooth,
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) , Zigbee, and/or Z-Wave can also be used for shorter range communication. The wireless communication technology can utilize and communicate with an application programming interface (API) protocol, a simple object access protocol (SOAP) , a representational state transfer (REST) protocol, or another API technology. The API interface generally resides within a remote server and is software code that allows two programs to efficiently communicate with each other for website presentation. The wireless technology is duplex format as water use monitoring transmits to a remote server while the leak detection capability needs to send a signal to control the water control valve. The wireless technology [LoRa, WiM&X , IMB, 6L0WPAH, standard Wi-Fi and i-Fi3 {with Wi-Fi extenders) 3 , limited range technology [Bluetooth, BUS, Zigbee an Z-wave] , wired technology [XIO, UPB, H&RT Communications Protocol!, established cellular technology [3GFP, LTE-M] and any
combinations thereof communicates and/or transfers data through a private or corporate network system or through a router connected to the internet. These methods of transfer communicate water use, water leaks, and/or water quality data to remote server (s) with database (es) . The Water Meter and Leak Detection System is connected to the water supply piping using a
continuous, water event use basis, or on a demand basis for monitoring water use from the main water supply line used within a private and/or public propert (ies) . The present invention can foe used with private and/or public water sources such as private wells and other non-municipal related water sources . The remote server and database can be used to support a computer portal that users or owners of designated or registered cell or smart phones , computers , or other electronic apparatuses can use to access and observe water use, leak conditions, and/or water quality parameters for relevant private and/or public
propert {ies) .
[073 The housing of the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste collection node and optional communication hub can be fabricated from materials and can use technologies that provide moist and wet or hot weather and cold/f eezing protection properties . The Wate Meter and Leak Detection System includes a central processing unit {CPU) and/or microcontroller, data storage, timing and wireless circuitry, water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, optional pressure sensors, acoustic sensors , and a power generation means . The types of water flow sensor (s) can be invasive (i.e. within water pipe; e.g. turbine sensor), nan-invasive {i.e. outside water pipe; e.g. ultrasonic sensor) , and/or sensitive water flow sensors {e.g. pressure sensor) . The Water Meter and Leak Detection System can utilize several different sensors to accomplish the goals of monitoring water use monitoring and leak detection. Furthermore, the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System can monitor separately indoor and outdoor water use or can monitor one or more designated areas of one or more sites. Optionally, a temperature sensor and appropriate mechanism can be incorporated into the water meter collection node to determine, communicate, and address tempera ure conditions , e . g . assess freezing conditions and communicate with the property structure's thermostat o heating system to maintai a specified temperature within the structure , drain water from pipes, and/or perform other methods. The optional pressure sensor, with consideration of the control valve, can be used for detecting very small leaks, especially when the control valve is closed or turned off,
[08] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System with control valv {s) can be control valve manually or by a programmed or set command or schedule using a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus , The Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be programmed to follow a work, vacation, or other schedule. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be set to automatically shut-off when the property Cies) is un-occupied or vacant. The occupancy of the property (ies) can be determined by feedback from electronic lock (s) , passive infrared sensor (s) CPIRs) , alarm{s) , security syste (s) , or other security devices. Furthermore, the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be designed with circuitry to sen a signal to the cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus that the wate supply line is on or off.
[09] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System provides wireless remote leak detection notification using water event basis monitoring and software analysis, Alternately, continuous data monitoring can be stored in a data module in the water meter collection node and periodically transferred wirelessly to a remote computer or server as described herein. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System monitors water use and detects nontypical, unusual/abnormal , or continuous water use and alerts, signals, or messages via a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus to one or more property owners, users, or responsible individuals of any water leak
condition (s) . Thus, leak notification ca be provided when the property (ies) is vacated or unsupervised.
[10] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System' s collectio node communicates to a private or commercial network system or communicates with the optional communication hub through a router to the internet. [11] The Water Meter and Lea Detection Sy em'' s collection node with control valve mechanism can be battery operated and can utilise re-chargeable batteries or super capacitators that can include an electricity generation means such as a water turbine generator {s) , solar cell(s), or wind generation means. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System with control valve mechanism can also be AC or DC powered.
[12] Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts , especially in light of the following
discussions, drawings, detailed descriptions and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[13] Figure 1 is an illustration of the embodiment comprising a Water Meter and Leak Detection System connected in series to the water supply piping to monitor water use and detect leak(s) for an example property, a residential structure. Figure 1 also shows several methods of wireless capability for the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System to communicate water use an leak detection information to a conveniently located cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus. Figure 1 shows wireless communication fo the property and municipal
representative using a custom display/recorder for a
governmental, civil, commercial or municipal operators or agencies. In one example, Figure 1 shows a wireless means for communicating directly to a home owner, or offsite central monitoring computer using long range wireless technology and/or telephone lines via satellite, microwave technology, the
internet, cell tower, telephone lines, and other similar
technology .
[143 Figure 2 is a front illustration of an optional display on the apparatus base showing input and output of a water supplies lines with a display mean having one or more display screens and a plurality of hardware and/or software buttons.
[15] Figure 3 is an electrical schematic showing the main power, CPU or microcontroller, the analog or digital optional display means, the clock circuit, one or more flow sensors, optional temperature sensor, optional pressure sensor and/or water quality sensor (s) , and optional water energy generator, and a first, second and/or third wireless cornmication technology for data transfer through eithe a private or public network system and/or the optional collection hub to an internet router .
Similar electronic circuitry without the sensors can be used with the optional communication hub.
[16] Figure 4 is a cross-section illustration showing a
plurality of water flow and water quality parameter sensors located in relative positions within the water supply line lumen and the connecting wires.
[17] Figure 5 is an illustration of an optional custo wireless display/recording remote apparatus having a plurality of display means and a plurality of software controlling buttons.
[18] Figure 6 is an illustration of a plurality of water
parameter transceivers attached to various locations for
monitoring water use,
[19] Figure 7 is an illustration of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System attached to a residential building with win and solar energy generation and a person havin a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection Syste for obtainin water parameter data or controlling a water control valve.
[20] Figure 8 is a more detailed illustration view of the water meter collection node with the control circuit, a wireless transceiver, power supply, a water control valve mechanism with a manual control, and water supply plumbing with optional water turbine energy generator that connected in series to the water supply line .
[21] Figure 9 is another embodiment of the present invention with a detailed illustration of the water control valve
mechanism combined with an independent pressure reduction valve and functioning as a combined system consisting of a water meter collection node with one or more water flow sensors having a water control valve mechanism and pressure reduction valve.
[22] Figure 10 is an illustration of water use dat and water heater use which can be used to calculate water energy use that can be demonstrated in an or programmed application that provides water as© data in various example formats that is transferred from the water meter collection node to a remote display/recording apparatus, or a cell or smart phone, computer , or other electronic apparatus.
[23] Figure 11 is an illustration of another "APP" or programmed application, or another page of an "APP" or programmed
application the displays water use data in another format that is transferred from the water mete collection node to a remote display apparatus, or a cell or smart phone, computer, or othe electronic apparatu .
[24] Figure 12 is an enlarged illustration of another typical cell or smart phone or other electronic apparatus having an "APP" or programmed application, or another page of an "APP" or programmed application to display the soft buttons or control activator to turn on/or the water system, schedule the water control mechanism, or receive a test message.
[25] Figure 13 is an illustration of a typical cell or smart phone or other electronic apparatus having another "APP" or programmed application, or another page of an "APP" or
programmed application to display the soft buttons to determine the period for displaying, graphical of water use devices, leak detection graphical item, and programming and settings features .
[26] Figure 14 is block diagram of the more integrated system showing the software, hardware and applications of the home or corporate premises communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System and communicating with the internet and remote computer services ["the Cloud") .
[27] Figure 15a is an illustration of the pressure dro with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there is no leak.
[28] Figure 15b is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 20 ml/min.
[29] Figure 15c is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 60 ml/min. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBGDIEMENTS
[30] Water Dee refers to the total volume or volume of water used over a period of time. 313 Water Energy Use refers to the ratio of cold or ambient water and hot water.
[32] Water event use or water event use basis is defined as monitoring and sensing the initiation of water flow until the water flow is stopped, whereby the water flow rate, the duration of water flow, and the total water volume can be calculated and recorded. The water event use will inherently save wireless transmission energy by causing the CPU to go into a sleep mode between each water event use and allowing a superior analysis of water signatures and patterns for reliable discernment of leak and leak locations .
[33] Private and/or public property {ies> refers to the
structure (s) , site(s), area {s} , land (s5 , and/or location (s) whether indoor, outdoor, or a combination thereof that is/are owned, controlled, used by or designated for use by any type of entity (ies) (i.e. personal, residential, commercial , corporate, business, industrial, establishment, government, administrative, institutional , organizational , etc . ) . Examples include but are not limited to homes and yards, office buildings, commercial structures and grounds, farming lands, government or
institutional facilities, multi-unit apartments, condominiums or townhomes, hospitals, dormitories, university or corporate campuse , water or irrigation system defined areas , water wells , sports fields, exercise facilities, parks, golf courses, home owner association (HOA) areas, an military bases.
[34] Authentication enables a receiving device or station to authenticate another device or station prior to association. Authentication refers to the technology that confirms or ensures that a message (s), control/command signal (s), data and/or information that is downloaded and/o transferred from one person, station, or device to another person, station, or device such that it is received only by the intended person, station. or device * One example of an authentication method is the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol {CHAP} which
provides authentication technology to a network entity which may be any remote private or corporate server and/or the internet using a service provider (e.g, ATT U-verse, Xfinifc /Comcast)
CHAP provides users of mobile devices and devices with senso technology authenticated passwords, hashtags, QR codes or there authentication technology when accessing remote servers, which also are authenticated prior to allowing the user, station, or device access. Blockchain is expected to become a major
technology for identity and authentication techniques .
[35] Encryption refers to a privac technology that uses a process of encoding which prevents any individual or device but the intended recipient or device to access, download, read, or review message Cs) , control/command signal (s), data, and/or information by providing a confidential transfer between a device or one or more sensors transferring data or information to a remote computer or server.
[36] Integrity refers to technology that ensures that a
message (s), control/command signal (s) , data, and/or information is not altered, compromised, completely lost o having partially lost segments, or corrupted during transmission or when accessed or downloaded.
[37] Non-repudiation refers to the technology that prevents a sender or receiver from denying that a message (s),
control/command signal (s) , data, and/or information was sent or received. Block chain technology is an upcoming technology that will ensure non-repudiation compliance.
[38] Block chain technology provides a method that is resistant to modification of transmitted data or information by using a decentralization strategy that stores data or information in peer to peer network that is designed to eliminate the risk associated with centralized storage technology. Block chain technolog can be utilized for identity, authentication,
security as well as other software associated technologies.
[39] Cellular format technology refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations [e.g. third generation (3G) , fourth generation (4G) and 3GPP (and enhancement revisions} , fifth generation (SG) , 3GPP cellular technology, all future generations of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM} , General Packet Radio Service (GPSR) , Code Division Multiple Access {CDMA,} , Evolution-Data Optimised (EV-DO) , Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) , 3GSM, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications {DECT} , Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA, Integrated Digital Enhance Network (IDEM) , HSPA+, WiMAX, LTE , Flash-GFDM, HIPERMAN, Wi-Fi, IBurst, UMTS, W-CDMA, HSPDA+HSUPA, UMTS-TD , other formats for utilizing cell or smart phone technology, telephony antenna distributions, and/or any combinations
thereof] and includes the use of satellite, microwave
technology, the internet, cell tower, telephony, and/or public switched telephone network lines .
[40] Cell or smart phones, computers, or other electronic apparatuses includes personal digital assistants {PDAs}/ tablets {refers to all current and variants, revisions, and generations of the APPLE®, SAMSUNG®, HP®, ACER®, MICROSOFT®, NOOK®, GOOGLE®, SONY®, KINDLE® and other tablets manufactured by these and other manufacturers} ; APPLE IPOD TOUCH®/ smart or internet capable televisions; wireless timepieces or wireless watches with Wi-Fi and wireless capability; having internet, cellular technology, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy {BLE) , and any combination thereof .
[41] LoRa comprises a low-power wide area and long-range network protocol based on Semtech or HopeRF LoRa technology for loT devices, and LoRa networks and machine-to- achine (M2M)
applications. LoRa uses a stable chirp spread spectrum (CSS) technology developed by the company Semtech. Chirp spread spectrum modulation which significantly increases the
communication range . Because the chirp spectrum utilizes an entire allocated broadband of the spectrum, chirp spread
spectrum is also resistant to multipath fading even when
operating at very low power and is resistance to Doppler effect, LoRa' s secure bi-directional communications utilize an
asynchronous protocol that is designed for long wireless range with extended battery power. Existing gateways are connected to the network server via standard internet protocol connections while end-devices use single-hop wireless communication to a network or gateway known as LoRaWan. LoRaWan is associated with LoRa by being a media access control protocol built on top of LoRa, built using Semtech' s LoRa modulation scheme, LoRaWAN is generally nsed for public wide-area networks because all the channels are tuned to the same frequencies. LoRa communication is generally bi-directional or in a duplex format, but also supports multicast operations for enabling softwar upgrades or mass distribution messages to reduce the on-air communication time. Communication between the water, pressure and temperature sensor data is spread out on different frequency channels and data rates . The selection of the data rate is a trade-off between communication range {power) and message duration. To maximize battery life LoRa can included specialised software that can manage the data rate and radio frequency output for each end-device by mean of an adaptive data rate (ADR) scheme. Thus, the LoRa technology offers high penetration, low
bandwidth, lo energy consumption, long range, an secure data that is gaining significant penetration into the Xo networks , Listed below are advantages of LoRa technology.
[42] The LoRa wireless system makes use of the unlicensed frequencies below 1 GHz that are available worldwide.
[43] * 868 MHz for Europe
[44] ¨ 915 MHz for North America
[45] « 433 MHz band for Asia
[46] Using lower frequencies than those of the 2,4 or 5.8 GHz ISM bands enables much better coverage to be achieved especially when the nodes are within buildings enabling superior
penetration of tali buildings and solid walls.
[47] With traditional Wi-Fi, most networks were designed on the ranges delivere by 802.11 standard operating frequencies 2. and 5.8 GHz and protocol for distance and performance. Hewer WiFi technology is known as Wi~Fi3. In the foreseen near future, companies will develop and market Wi-Fi3 powered technology that will deliver reliable, high-capacity indoo and outdoo Wi-Fi wireless communication and protocols for high-density
environments. The high channel density will enable multiple channels of a single chip meaning aggregate output on a single Wi-Fi3 enabled device will outperform traditional, single channel Wi-Fi technology . Thus, fewer access points will deliver higher quality of service that can considerably lower the cost of deployment of XoT devices. Remote and rural infrastructure installations are easily achievable doe to the extended network coverage and performance capabilities of Wi-Fi3,
[48] WiM&X refers to implementations of the IEEE 802.16 series of wireless-networks standards ratified by the WiM&X Forum,
WiM&X can be installed faster than other internet technologies because it can use lo height towers with the support of non- line-of-sight coverage across an entire city or country. WiM&X transmitter can span several miles with data rates reaching up to 30-40 megabits per second (Mbps) . The WiM&X Forum has
proposed an architecture that defines how a WiM&X network can be connected with an IP based core network, which is typically chosen by operators that serve as the Internet Service Providers (ISP) but can provide integration capabilities with other types of architectures.
[49] Ultra Narrow Ban (UNB) refers to technology that transmits over a very narrow spectrum (for example less than lKHz) to achieve ultra-long range (5 k in the urban environment and 25km+ in the suburb environment) for dat communication between a sensor collection node and a communication receiving hub. By transmitting in a UNB channel, little power is required to transmit date over a considerable distance. To save energy, UNB systems are frequently used in one-way, half duplex format but can mimic two-way full duplex communication when the
device/sensor is sleeping most of the time and has to open occasionally to listen for signal commands or messages, or transmit data or information.
[50] 6L0WPAN combines the Internet Protocol {IPv6) with a sub 1GHz frequency which provides a low power wireless personal area networks. The 6L0WPAN supports hundreds of hops for developing wireless mesh networks with high self-healing {node failure) and self-maintenance of mesh routes , The 6L0WPAN allows for small devices with limited transfer communication ability to transmit information wirelessly using the SLoWPANInternet Protocol . The 6L0WP&N architecture consists of a local network wit
routers/servers which utilizes a one or mor edge route {s) to connect to the access network. The one or more edge router {s), communicating with the internal serves, then provides the loT sensor and applications to access to the internet. The header compression mechanisms standardized in RFC6282 can be used to provi.de header compression within IPv6 protocol packets to be used over networks , Some of these networks run ove IEEE
802 15 <4 defined radios , and therefore these radios use the header compression and fragmentation as specified by the RFC6282 standard.
[51] Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) refers to a newer version of standard Bluetooth* Standard Bluetooth was originally designed for continuous streaming of data applications at a short range. Bo li standard Bluetooth and BLE low energy operate in the 2,4 GHz ISM band. However, the BLE remains in a sleep mode
constantly except for when a connection is initiated. The actual connection times are on a few milliseconds, unlike standard Bluetooth's continuous streaming. BLE short time connection allows for higher data transfer rates of approximately 1 Mb/s ,
[52] Cellular (3GPP) refers to the original release 8 and the associated enhancements {9-145 - Enhancement 14 consists of the start of 5G cellular technology) , In addition to the continued Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular evolution, a new and updated radio access technology will be standardized, and these two technologies will form 5G radio access standard. Benefits of the 5G standard will include low latency communication, spectrum flexibility, machine type communication, multi-antenna and multi-site transmission techniques, and ultra-lean design.
[53] In the cellular world advancements in LTE-M and 5G has formed the LTE Cat-Mi and/or Long-Ter Evolution (4G> Cat-Mi,
The LTE Cat-MI and LTE (4G) Cat-Mi technology is designed for Internet of Things (loT) devices to connect directly to a 5G network, without the typical node/computer network that passes traffic from a local network to other networks or the Internet router (gateway) and all powered b batter power. Like other low energy wireless standards, this technology is designed enter a deep sleep mode and only wake up periodically while connected. Cellular 5G version uses a system of macro-cell sites that divide their territory into various sectors and send encoded data through radio waves. Each macro-cell site must be connecte to a network backbone, whether through a wired or wireless connection, 5G networks will use a type of encoding called orthogonal freqoency-divisio multiplexing (OFDM) that renders a network interface designed for much lower latency and greater flexibility. The 5G networks differ from 4G networks by managing significa ly More, smaller cells that can dynamically change their sise and shape so 5G networks need intelligent and quick reacting software. With existing macro-cells structure and intelligent software. Many cell phone companies currently or soon with have 5G capability,
[54] Wired communication can be standard wire technology, such as XI0 , UPB and the HART Communication Protocol {Highway
Addressable Remote Transducer) , X10 is a protocol for
communication among electronic devices primarily used in the home automation industry. It primarily uses the power line wiring for signaling and control, where the signals involve brief radio frequency bursts representing digital information that transmits along the previously installed home electrical wiring. Universal Powerline Bus is a proprietary software protocol for power line communications between devices and again used for primarily in the home automation industry. Household electrical wiring is used to send digital data between UPB devices using pulse position modulation. The newer UPB protocol is more reliable that the older X10 technology, which allowed th UPB protocol to significantly penetrate the wired market. Communicatio can be peer to peer with no central controller necessary. The HART Communication Protocol {Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) is a hybrid analog + digital industrial automation open protocol , Its most notable advantage is that it can communicate over legacy 4—20 mA analog instrumentation current loops, sharing the pair of wires used by the analog.onl beet systems. HART is widely used in process and instrumentation systems ranging from small automation applications through highly sophisticated industrial applications . Due to the huge installed base of 4-20 mA systems throughout the world, the HART Protocol is very popular for industrial protocols .
[55] The terms wired (e.g, X10, UPB, HART Communication
Protocol) and wireless electronic communication {e.g. Wi-Fi, WiFi version 3 or Wi-Fi3, 6L0WPAN, ZigBee, Z-wave, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy {BLE) , WiMAX, long range low power
technology such as LoRa, Ultra Narrow Band {UMB) , and cellular technology 3GPP and LTE-M and 5G) correspond to the concept of "internet of things'·' or "loT", The internet of things is defined herein as a network of physical objects or things that is comprised of electronic apparatuses {collect node and
communication hub) , programmable software, various sensor technology {flow, temperature and water quality and leak detectors) , and local rente s/servers and/or remote network and internet connectivity, which enable apparatuses to collect and exchange data. The internet of things allows devices to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network
inf astructure, creating opportunities for more direct
integration between the physical worl an computer-based systems and resulting in improved efficiency, monitoring
accuracy and economic benefit. The internet of things
encompasses technologies such as smart grids, smart homes, and intelligent wire and wireless electronic communications .
[56] loT Protocols refer® to 1) MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) - a machine-to-machine or "Internet of Things" connectivity protocol on top of TCP/IP layers of the GSI; 2} Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (CMΆRR) is a communication protocol for message-oriented middleware based on XML . It enables the near real-time exchange of structured between any two or more network entities; 3) Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is a specialized web transfer protocol for use with constrained nodes and constrained networks in the Internet of Things 4) Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQF) is an open standard application layer protocol for message-oriented middleware; 5) THREAD is an IPv6-based, low-power mesh networkin technology for loT
products, intended to be secure and future-proof specifica ion; 6) Xigfoee is an IEEE 802.15.4 based specification with a group of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and other low- power low-bandwidth needs; 7) X-wave is a wireless
communications protocol used primarily for home automation but applicable to XoT applications . It is a mesh network using low- energy radio waves to communicate from device to another device; 8) Data Distribution Service (DDS) is an Object Management Group (OMG) machine-to-machine standard that aims to enable scalable, real-time, dependable, high-performance and interoperable data exchanges using a publish-subscribe pattern; 9) Hypertext
Transfer Protocol {HTTP) is an standard protocol for distribute hypermedia information systems . HTTP is the foundation of data communication where hypertext documents include hyperlinks to other resources that the user can easily access in the internet; 10) a custom designed protocol. [57] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1 , shown is an illustrative view of the Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.
7} connected i series to the water supply lines in an
appropriate location for local water monitoring 42 and for monitoring water use and leak detection within a private or public property (ies) 40, For accurate measurements of water use, the present invention can be installed in the standard water meter location or installed between the pressure reducing valve and the civil, commercial , governmental, or municipal supply water source (s) and before any distribution lines. If is also anticipated by the Applicant that the Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7 can be used on wells and in situations where the water source is not obtained from civil , commercial , governmental , or municipal operations. The water use and leak detection apparatus 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} can update, upload or download water and energy use on various frequencies, e.g. once per minute, once per hour, once per day, once per any frequency, or preferably can send information upon sensing the initiation of water flow until the water flow is stopped (defined herein as an "water event use" or '‘'water event use basis") . Monitoring on a water event basis allows for a quantitative analysis using software instructions, algorithms, an artificial intelligence (AX) to learn the daily, weekly or monthly water use patterns and frequencies of a specific private or public property (ies) to improve identification and evaluation of water use
characteristics and improved leak detection system. The wate parameter information can be viewed on a custom display/recorder screen 50, or cell or smart phones, computers, or other
electronic apparatuses having an AFP (shown in Figs, 10-13),
[58] The water parameter information can also be uploaded, either with the use of an optional communication hub to an internet router using wired or wireless technology which
transmits the data through remote servers (for example, Amazon Web Services, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Azure Cloud) and
associated databas (s) or, alternately, through a private or commercial network with privately own servers .
[59] Also shown in Figure 1 is a wireless (or wired)
communication means 52 from the Wafer Meter and Leak Detection Syste 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) for transmitting water use, water quality and leak detection information and/or data. The wireless (or wired) technology 52 can communicate with a conveniently located remote display 50 in a location for review by a private or public property owner, user, or responsible individual (s) . Remote display 50 can be a custom apparatus or TV, computer, IPad, or another conveniently available display technology. All wireless (or wired)
communications should preferably be a duplex format. Since the wireless communication means 52 is in relatively close proximity to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) , the wireless means can consist of Bluetooth or BLE, 2-wave, EigBee, 6L0WPAN, or W±-Fi/Wi-Fi3 or similar technology that can communicate with router technology. It is anticipated that WIMAX, LoRa, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB} , cellular, 3GPP, and/or cellular LTE-M and 5G technology might be necessary for longer distance communication using long range, low power, and/or high-density technology that can communicate with one or more communication hubs . The electronic
communication comprises, in part, a segment of the internet of things (loT) concept. The wireless (or wired) communication means 52 can also electronically communicate with a local router, which uses the internet and remote computer server (s) (Cloud technology} to provide remot access of the water data, [603 Also shown in Figure 1 is another wireless communication means 54 from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 show in Fig. 7} for communicating water use and/or water quality information to a governmental, civil or municipal employee or individual 60 using a second custom remote display/recorder 56 for civil, commercial, governmental, or municipal operators/representatives . Since the wireless
communication means 52 is not relatively close to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} , this wireless technology should consist of a longer-range technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAN, UNB, Wi- Fi/Wi-Fi3 (with Wi-Fi extenders} , Cellular 3GPP, and/or LTE-M and 5G, However, Bluetooth and BLE, ZigBee, Z-wave or similar wireless protocols are also possible as these technologies are improving in range and security measures and are offering better capabilities ,
[61] Figure 1 shows another wireless communication 46 that i designed to communicate information or data utilizing cellular format technology with offsite central monitoring using cellular or other telephone lines including satellite or microwave technology, the internet, cell towers, telephone lines, or similar technologies. Such cellular format could be CDMA, GSM, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G or another cellular format, it is anticipated that the wireless communication 46 can transmit information to a remote database, which communicates with a registered cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 for displaying water use and leak detection data. The wireless communication 46 should include specific identification
information e.g. the private or public property address. The wireless communication 46 can send data on various frequencies, e.g. once per minut , once per hou , once per day, once upon any frequency, or preferably upon a water event basis. The wireless communication can also send information upon sensing the
observation of a leak condition, e.g. alarm situation, to the registered cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400. Alternately, continuous data monitoring can be stored in a data module in the water meter collection node and periodically transferred wirelessl to a remote computer or server as described herein. Water event basis monitoring can minimize the use of wireless signals within the private or public propert (ies) or building (s) , conserving energy,
minimizing the interference with other wireless devices, and reduce the exposure of wireless energy to individuals.
[62] Furthermore, the wireless communication 46 can consist of two-way transmission, commonly known as duplex transceiver technology, such that the Water Mete and beak Detection System 10 <126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) can transmit and receive electronic signals with a remote station, cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400. The wireless communication 46 can also comprise a Radio Frequency (RF) mesh-enabled or point-to-point device (meters, relays) technology that is connected to several other mesh-enabled or point-to-point devices, which function as signal repeaters, relaying the data to an access point. The access point device aggregates, encrypts, and eventually transmits the data back to a municipal or government agency over a secure third-party private or commercial network. The resulting RF mesh or point- to-point network can span large distances and reliably transmit data over rough or difficult terrain. If the Water Meter and Leak Detection System or optional communication hub transmitter drops out of the network, its neighboring Water Meter and Leak Detection System or optional communication hub ill find another route. The mesh or point-to-point technology continually
optimizes routing to ensure information is passed from its source to its destination as quickly and efficiently as
possible. When the wireless communication 46 is being used, the water use dat can be routed through a Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) , Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi3, ZigBee, Z-wave, LoRa, 6L0WPAN,
WiM&X, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) or other wireless technology using a local router/server or private or commercial network that transfers the water use data over the internet and remote servers (cloud technology) . Signals and/or data can also be transferred by standard cellular format, 3GPP or LTE-M and 5G cellular technology (using a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus) from cellular towers to remote servers (cloud technology) and then over the internet to a local
router/server in a private or public propert (ies) . The wireless communication 46 can be either half duplex and/or full duplex two-way transmission ,
[63] The wireless communications 52, 54 and 46 are preferred to transmit, upload or download water parameter data or information via a secure wireless communication network. It is anticipated that the wireless communication 54 can be received by a moving vehicle or can communicate with cell phone towers 44 using wireles communication 46. The electronic communication (s) comprises, in part, a segment of the internet of things (loT) concept. The wireless communication 54 or wireless communication 46 can also electronically communicate with a local
router/server which uses the internet to communicate with remote computers (cloud) to allow remote access of the water use data. Such remote cloud-based computers can be provided by a large commercial cloud computer company such as Amazon Web Services .
[64] It is anticipated that the wireless communications 54 and 46 an the wireless or wired communication 52 utilizing wired technologies (XI0, UPB etc.) can be used with the Water Meter and Lea Detection Syste 10 (126 shown In Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) in any combination. For example, the present
invention's collection node can use Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) , Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, WiMAX, 6L0WPAN, Zigbee and/or Z-wave to communicate with a custom display device 18, 56, 110 or with a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400. The collection node can also co munic te with a local wireless router or through a pri te or corporate network system to a private, commercial, or government remote computer (s) or server{s} The collection node can also be connected by wired technology directly or through XI0, gPB or HART Communication Protocol to communicate with a device such as a smart speaker hub or router. The collection node can also connect to a private o commercial network system or to a router that communicates with the internet, all linked to private, commercial, or government remote computer {s) or serve (s) . The collection node can also have a standard, 3GPP or LTE-M and 5G cellular technology to communicate wirelessly to the private, commercial, or government remote computer (s) or server (s) , also, one or more collection nodes can wirelessly communication using Lora, UNB, 6L0WPAN, or W1MAX technology to one or more communication hubs (with point-to-point or meshing technology) whereby the communication hub is either hard wired or uses Wi~Fi to communicate with a wireless router (or cable modem) to communication over the internet to a private or commercial remote server. These are just a few examples of combinations using various wired and wireless technologies with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System,
[65] Wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 preferably utilize encryption, authentication, integrity and/or nonrepudiation techniques to provide a secure transfer of the water information fro the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 to the first custom display/recorder apparatus 50, to the second custom display/recorder apparatus 56 and/or to the cell or smart phone, computer, or othe electronic apparatus 400, Also, wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 should include specific identification informatio e . g. property address, IP address. The wireless communication means 46, 52 and 54 can send data on various frequencies, e . g . once per minute, once per hour, once per day, or can send information on a water event basis to a first remot 50, a secon remote 54 or a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
Furthermore, wireless communication means 46, 52 or 54 can send data or information upon the sending of a request signal. The request signal can be generated by, for example, the pushing of a requesting button located on the first 50 remote, the second 56 remote or the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 that transmits a request for water use and water quality use information or data to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,?) , The use of the request signal can minimise the use of wireless signals within the rivate or public property (xes) building, conserving energy, minimizing the interference with other wireless devices, and reduce the exposure of wireless energy to individuals.
[66] Furthermore, the wireless means can consist of two-way transmission, commonly know as duplex transceiver technology, such that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,?) can transmit and receive electronic signals from the first, second remotes, 50, 56 or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 and similarly, the first and second optional remotes 50, 56 and cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 can
transmit and receive electronic signals from Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 show in Fig. 6 and 200 show in Fig,?) to regulate a water control valve,
[6?3 The Water Meter and Leak Detection System should be able to reliably and securely communicate the information collected to a remote central computer location. Difficult environments and distant locations for water meter installation can present wireless communication challenges. Solutions include using cell technology networks, satellites, licensed RF technology,
licensed and unlicensed RF combined, and/or wired power lines. Additional remedies include fixed wireless, mesh, or point-to- point {and hybrid) networks or any combinations thereof. There are several other potential network configurations possible, including the use of Wi-Fi and other internet related networks. To date no one solution seems to be optimal for all
applications. Rural municipalities suc as mountainous regions or areas ill-served by wireless and internet companies have very different wireless communication issues than urban or
established area utilities.
[68] TCP/IP is a combination of the TCP fourth transport layer with a segment datagram and the IP thir network layer with a packet datagram of the Open Systems Interconnect model {0S1 model) , TCP/IP technology has become a common communication and management platform for sensor to device applications, so software developers can utilize multiple communication systems while using TCP/IP technology. Wireless technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAW, DUB, Wi~Fi/Wi~Fi3 {with Wi-Fi extenders) ,
Cellular 3GPP, and/or LTE--M and 5G, Binetooth and BLE , ZigBee , 2~wave or similar wireless protocols or other communication technologie using the TCP/IP technology to transfer or download water data from a private or public property (ies) or used to upload data, information or software updates to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig, 7) .
[69] Figures 10-13 show a cell or smart phone, computer, o other electronic apparatus 400 running an "APP" or a sequence of "APP" pages that show, in a pie chart, bar chart, or other format, the water uses of particular areas of the private and/or public propert {ies) . The Water Mete and Leak Detection
System's flow rate sensor (s) and software calculate of the using the water flow rate, water use duration, and total volume of water to differentiate water use devices or appliances (e.g. shower, faucet, bathtub, toilet, washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, and outside irrigation system) can be to show the water uses. Other outdoor water uses such as pool or hot tub or water fountain water maintenance can be included for water use monitoring. The addition of an acoustic sensor, can observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) which can sens water valve position or movement, with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can provide more specific differentiation of water use devices . Using AI software technologies, the acoustic sensor can be calibrated to monitor water rate flo and water pressure.
[70] Figure 12 shows the Water Meter and Leak Detection System APP, which manages the water control valve mechanism enabling one to tur the water supply of /on, to program a water off/on schedule, and to receive notification of a leak condition with the option to remotely turn off the water supply. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System's flow sensor (s) 105 can
communicate wirelessl or wired 101, 102, 103 with the
microprocessor or microcontroller 84 that has software that learns about water usage at a particular private or public property {ies) or areas thereof. Calibration of the sensors with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig.
6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} can be initiated by pressing hard button 114, 116, and 118 and/or soft button activators 140, 144, and 146 on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 show in Fig,?) or by the custom display and/or a recording apparatus 50 , and/o by ceil or smart phones, computers, or other electronic apparatuses 400 can be located remotely from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) .
[71] In another embodiment, the multiple independent flow sensors 105 can be engaged to the main water supply, irrigation system, or water use devices such as washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, shower, and/or toilets , and any combinations thereof , Each independent flow sensor 105 sends a unique code to the microprocessor or microcontroller 84 for identification associated with the water use device. Each independent flow sensor 105 can communicate the water usage by wired or wireless communicating with a unique code to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) , The water data can be
transferred to a remote device {s} , e.g. remote display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or cell or smart phones,
computers, or other electronic apparatuses 400.
[72] In another embodiment, which does not utilize an
independent flow sensor at each water use devic but rather a single flow sensor, can allow an owne /user to enter into a programmed "Water Use Device or Appliance Calibration” mode by pressing a specific hard or soft button on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7) or touch screen display 80, o by sending an electronic signal from a display and/or recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or another remote device such as a cell or smart phone, computer , or other electronic apparatus 400, Water flow sensors 105, gauge or differential pressure sensor (s), and/or software sophisticated acoustic sensor (s) can monitor specific flow rates, flow durations, and total water use volumes, while the optional pressure sensor 65 can monitor unique pressure
patterns, and the optional acoustic sensor can monitor unique sound patterns. Thus, a single set of localized sensors (flow rate sensor 105, optional pressure sensor 65, optional acoustic sensor, and/or optional temperature sensor) can be utilized and incorporated into the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,?}, The optional pressure senso (s) 65 and optional acoustic sensor (s) assist in identifying the specific water valve (s) for each water use device. During water use device calibration, he osar turns on or cycles one wate use device (e.g, washing machine,
dishwasher, shower) for a time period and the Wafer Meter and Leak Detection System' s calibration software calibrates or determines the water flow rate, water duration, and total water volume and, if applicable, utilizes pressure and acoustic sensors to observe patterns (movement and noise) to identify water valves for specific water use devices , The user continues this process for each water use device (e.g. mains water supply, irrigation system, washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, kitchen faucet, bathroom faucets, toilets) until the water use device (s) are calibrated and/or the specific water valve (s) are identified. The software can use calibration data from the flow sensor for each water us device and record its water use signature (actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, total volume used) , The optional pressure sensor (s) and optional acoustic sensor (s) observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) to identify water valves for specific water use devices. The water use data can he communicated to a display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 110 and/or cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 and the flow rates and water use for each wate use device can be displayed
appropri tely.
[73] It is anticipated by the Applicant that an "Automatic
Sensor Learning Mode" , where the software learns about the users' water use at a private or public property (ies) , can be completed without the calibration steps . The Automatic Sensor Learning Mode utilizes artificial intelligence (AT) and other software to perform this operation. In this embodiment, a single series of senso (s) (e.g. flow rate sensor (s) 150, optional pressure sensor (s) 65, optional acoustic senso (s), and/or temperature senso (s) 93 can be located with or in close
proximity to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) . Since independent water valves have unique pressures and sounds patterns when being closed or opened, th optional pressure sensor 65 and optional acoustic sensor can be incorporated into the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 and function to assist in identifying the water valv (s) of a specific water use device (s) , A user can enter into a programmed "Automatic Sensor Learning Mode” by pressing a specific hard or soft button on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} or touch screen display 80 or by sending an electronic signal from display and/or recording apparatus 50 , 110 and/or another remote device such as a cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400. Such operation initiates the software to monitor the wate us© that occur during the next days , weeks and/or months and, during this period, the learning AI software enters an aggressive learning phase. In this Automatic Sensor Learning Mode, the Water Meter with Leak Detection System automatically tracks water use parameter during the specified day/week/month period. The flow sensor for each water use device records its actual flow rate, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, and total volume used. The optional pressure and acoustic sensor (s) observe movement, vibration, and noise patterns (sound and pressure patterns) to identify water valves for specific water use devices. The AI software observes and monitors the main water supply, irrigation system, and water use devices (e.g. washing machine, water heater, showers, dishwasher, kitchen an bathroom faucets) . Th AI softwar determines property occupation associated with water use (an non-water use) remembers water usage with consideration of time and day/week/month. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System transfers water data to a remote computer (s) or serve (s) with databas (s) . Subsequently, the water data can be downloaded to a designated or registered cell or smart phone, computer or other electronic apparatus 400.
[74] For example, after a period of time, Automatic Sensor
Learning Mode using AI and other software can monitor a washing machine's range of water flow used and records the water use duration periods, water flo rate patterns (water flow rates for washing machine cycles and variations of water flow rates over time including rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow at completion of water flow) . The Automatic Sensor Learning Mode can use optional pressure sensor (s) for determining
variations in pressure patterns and can use optional acoustic senso (s) for identifying water valve movement and sounds when opening and closing and any vibrations during fully open valve with water flowing through the valve. In another example, when a toilet is flushed, the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode software recognizes the toilet water use pattern. If a bathroo faucet is turned on for hand washing, the software can identify the combination pattern of the toilet filling and the fencet water use . In this case an optional acoustic sensor can identify and differentiate the toilet and bathroom fancet water valv s to more accurately monitor th water used by these different water use devices at the property. The Automatic Sensor Learning Mode software can analyse, record, and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, duration periods, variations in pressure patterns (e.g. rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flo duration, and optional acoustic sensor
observing water valve characteristics to assign the pattern of water use for the toilet and bathroom faucet. In another
example, either during or following a shower, the Automatic Sensor Learning Mode softwar recognizes the shower water use pattern. As a tank type hot water heater begins adding water to replenish the hot water used for the shower. Th software can analyze, record and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, water use duration, variations in pressure patterns (e . g . rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flow duration, and optional acoustic sensor to assign the pattern of water use to a particular water valve for the water use device shower and hot water heater. In another example, irrigation watering usually occurs at a regular pattern
(generally in the morning or evenin hours) . The Automatic
Sensor Learning Mode software can analyze, record and store water flow rates and duration patterns for irrigation cycles ,
The automatic learning software could record and store actual independent flow rates, variation of flow rate over time, expected duration, variations in pressure patterns (e.g, rate of flow at onset of water flow and rate of flow when turned off, and any variations during water flow duration, and optional acoustic/sound frequency) to assign the pattern of water use to a particular flow sensor for the shower and hot water heater,
[75] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System's water leak detection and monitoring capability can use wireless technology such as LoRa, WIMAX, 6L0WPAN, UNB, Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi3 (with Wi-Fi extenders) , Cellular 3GPP, and/or LTE-M and 56, Bluetooth and BLE, ZigBee , -wave or similar wireless protocols or other communication technologies using the TCP/IP or other GST
technology to transmit an alarm or message to notify of leak conditio (s) at a private or public propert (ies) . Leak notification can be provided via call to a registered or designated cell or smart phone, computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 or the Water Meter and Leak Detectio System can sen an alar (s) or message is) to a governing utility or
unieipali y ,
[76] The remote display devices 46, 52, 54 and 400 can
communicate wirelessly are located remotely from the water sensor (s) , CPU, microprocessor and/or microcontroller 84, electrical circuitry, and data transfer technology 83, The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 uses various wireless technologie . Examples include Bluetooth modules {using the 2 , 4GHz band as Wi-Fi) such as the RN-41 Bluetooth modules available from Roving Networks in Los Gatos, CA; the KC-41, KC 11.4, KC-5100 , KC-216 or KC-225 data serial modules fro KC Wireless in Tempe AZ ; an the BT-21 module from Amp' ed RF wireless solutions in San Jose, CA. Wi-Fi examples include the Photon manufactured by Particle, Inc. and numerous other Wi-Fi product . Cellular technology examples include the Electron manufactured by Particle, Inc. numerous other cellular products. Wireless protocols that can be utilized with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System include, but are not limited to, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802. llg and IEEE 802.11h modulation techniques. An example of the North America 915MHz frequency is the wireless long range and low power technology known as
"LoRa" , which i marketed by many manufactures such as HopeRE (KFM95W-915S2) and Semetech (8X1276) , LoRa can be used with the collection node and the communication hub of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200. LoRa is a low power wide area network specification intended for wireless battery
operation. LoRa includes key requirements of Internet of Things (loT) such as secure bi-directional communication, mobility, and localization services. Texas Instruments manufactures a
competing technology known as the sub-1 GHz with 15.4 star networks {CC1125 or CC1310 device) Other wireless protocols that can be utilized with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System are ZigBee, Z-Wave and IEE 802.15.4 modulation technology.
Examples of cellular technology and protocols include CDMA and GSM and numerous other cellular protocols . The Applicant
recognizes there are numerous wireless protocols and
technologies that have been developed and, although not
specifically listed herein, could be utilized with the present invention for data transfer purposes . [77] To inc ease wireless rang and proved compatibility with wireless routers, the Water Meter and leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.7} can be divided into two main components: 1) "collection node water meter" or
"collection node", which comprises a water meter with electrical circuitry with power source, CPU/microprocessor/microcontroller, sensor (s) , water flow sensor {s) , optional temperature sensor (s) , optional pressure sensor (s), and/or optional acoustic senso (s>) and 2) "communication hub: , which is a receiving station having electrical circuitry, CFO, and one or more RF radios that communicate with the collection node water meter and one or more RF radios or cellular technology that communicate with a public or private network. Alternatively, the communication hub can be hardwired or use wireless communication with an internet router. The water meter collection node' s electric circuitry includes a generally low power long-range wireless radio and the water meter collection node's power source can be AC or DC voltage, battery, and/or super capacitor , The battery and/or super capacitors can be supplemented with a water turbine electric generator. The water meter collection node communicates
wirelessly with the communication hub. The communication hub has a CPU/microprocessor , electrical circuitry with a generall low power long-range wireless radio and Wi-Fi radio, an a power source (battery or AC or DC voltage) . In one embodiment, the communication hub has a first wireless low power long-range LoRa, UHB, 6L0WPAW, or WiMAX radio 103 that communicates with the wate meter collection node (that has a corresponding DoRa, OHB, 6L0WPAN or WiMAX radio) . The communication hub has a second wireless Wi-Fi radio that communicates with a wireless router or RF and/or cellular radio that communicates with a private or corporate network. The communication hub can alternately be hard wired to the router and then the Wi-Fi radio is not a necessar component of the electrical circuitry. The water meter
collection node can communicate with one or more water meters collection nodes and/or with one or more communication hubs {using mesh technology and/or point-to-point technology) . The communication hub can wireless communicate with one or more water meter collection nodes and/or with one or more
communication hubs (using mesh technology and/or point-to-point technology) . [78] The wireless or wire data transfe can be connected to the Internet using the IF or DHCP protocols whereby the water parameter data can be monitored remotely over the internet using a software progra {s} designed to record, display, analyze and/or audit the data. Data access would likely require server log on to perform query an obtain response,
[79] Some wireless routers support a form of point-to-point or bridging operation which could be used to transfer water
parameter data from the water meter collection node to a
communication hub. Other proprietary protocols can be used with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig.
6 and 200 shown in Fig.7} for example, ISM (industrial,
scientific and medical) bands. ISM bands are defined by the ITU- R in 5.138, 5.150, and 5.280 of the Radio Regulations.
Countries' individual use of ISM bands may differ due to
variations in national radio regulations . Communication devices using ISM bands must tolerate any interference from ISM
equipment , In the United States, ISM bands use are governed by Part 18 of the FCC rules, while Part 15 Subparf B contains the rules for unlicensed communication devices including those that use the ISM frequencies . Part 18 rules prohibit using ISM for certain communication .
[80] The ISM bands defined by the ITU-R are:
Frequency range [Hz] Center frequency [Hz]
6.765-6.795 MHz 6.780 MHz
13.553-13.567 MHz 13.560 MHz
26.957-27.283 MHz 27.120 MHz
40.66-40.70 MHz 40.68 MHz
433.05-434.79 MHz 433.92 MHz
902-928 MHz 915 MHz
2.400-2.500 GHz 2.450 GHz
5.725-5.875 GHz 5.800 GHz
24-24.25 GH 24.125 GHz
61-61.5 GHz 61.25 GHz
122-123 GHz 122.5 GHz
244-246 GHz 245 GHz [81] While currently the 430MHz and 900MHz frequencies are commonly use in the United States, it is anticipated by the Aplicants that other frequencies could be used for water use and water quality information or data communication transfers.
[82] Cell phones receive and transmit electromagnetic waves that exist between 800 and 2400 megahertz and the most popula
protocols are CDMA and W-CDMA, GSM, 3GPP, LTE-M and 5G, EDGE, HSPA and other generations,
[83] Many newer interne protocols have been developed commonly known a an application programming interface (API) , An API for website usage is a code that allows two software programs to efficiently communicate with each other. The API defines the a well organized and resourceful way for a programmer or developer to write software instructions in the program separate from an operating system or other application. One such API is the
RestAPI system which aims for fast performance, reliability, and the ability to grow, by re-using components that can be managed and updated without affecting the commercial system, A RestAPI uses HTTP requests to GET, PUT, POST and/or DELETE data or send control signals , A RestAPI , also referred to as a RESTful web service is based on the representational state transfer (REST) technology, an architectural style an approach that has
communications often used in web service development and
communications between mobile device APPs and computer servers. REST technology is generally preferred API protocol because it utilizes less bandwidth, makin it more suitable for internet and loT usage . The REST is used by web browser or mobile APP and can be important in the development of loT, With cloud-company services on the rise, APIs are being developed to facilitate communication with web services mobile APPs , REST is a logical choice for building API that allow users to connect and
interact with Cloud services,
[84] RestAPI has a uniform interface which serves between devices with mobile APPs or stations with computer programs and remotely located computer servers. The uniform interface
simplifies and decouples the REST architecture, which enables the device APPs or station computer programs and remotely located computer servers to evolve independently. The main guiding principles of the uniform interface are described below. [85] Using resources for identified Uniform Resource Identifiers {URIs} as resource identifiers. The identifiers are separated from the representations that are returned to the client. The commercial or private server does not transfer data directly from the database , but rather, utilizes HTML, XML or JSON code that is designed to represent database records expressed in variable width character encoding, depending on the details of the structured query language (SQL) request and the server implementation .
[86] 3k representation of a resource, including any metadata attached, and the software will verify that it has enough security information to modify or delete the resource on the server only under proper server permissions,
[87] A process includes that each message includes enough information to describe how to process the message invoking specified content by an Internet media type,
[88] Then the delivery of data or information utilizes SQL or non-SQL parameters, body content or headers, and requested URI for transmission communications . Computer or servers respond-via body content, response codes, and response headers to the requ st,
[89] Stateless of the REST architectural style and associated RestAPI protocol handles any sent requests, whether as part of the URI , query-string SQL or non-SQL parameters, body content, or headers. The URI uniquely identifies the resource and the body content contains the state (or state change) of the
resource. After server/computer processes the request, the appropriate state (or the piece (s) of state that matter) is communicated back to the requesting mobile APP or computer program via headers, status , and response body.
[90] The RestAPI protocol includes a properly managed caching that facilitates device AFPs and station programs and remotely located server interactions, further improving scalability and performance . Since remo e computers and servers are not directly concerned with the user interface, computer and servers can be scalable. Computers and servers ma be replaced for many
reasons; operating system or software can be updated, and/or developed independently whereby the Res API interface is maintained and unaltered. 01] The LoRa open specification create a low power, wide area LoRa technology network that is designed to wirelessly connect battery operated devices and sensors to the internet. The LoRa protocol utilizes the unlicensed radio spectrum in the
Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. The
specification define the device/senso to infrastructure of th LoRa physical layer (OSI) and provides seamless interoperability between devices , sensors , AFFs and computers .
[92] Once a user sets up a service, an activation application delivers a first display to the user on either a display means of the cell or smart phone, computer or other electronic
apparatus 400, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices , and home control system , on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) and/or on a display means on the remote devices 480, Pairing technology or other application secure means associates a new user with a purchase or installed remote device and the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) . For example, when the new user activates the AFP the first scree will request the SSID an password of the local LAW or wireless router and then records thi for subsequent access or alternately, scan a QR code with the cell phone camera. A computer program or web portal can use the internet to allow access for new user 1 s water use and leak detection data by inputting a username or SSID and password or more commonly using a two-step authentication scheme (email, phone call or code authenticator) ,
[93] There are many different transfer protocols that may be used to communicate and transfer water use and water quality data or information with the water meter and/or leak detection system. This list includes XML, XHTML and XHTML Basic, XML technology, Direct Internet Message Encapsulation (''DIME''), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) , application specific content like Excel spreadsheet data, an HTTP data message to an solicited HTTP request, a Res -API protocol or other supervisory control and data acquisition protocol that provides a control system architecture and/or protocol where a response can be incorporated into another protocol or format. These formats are frequently sent as (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) or binary-to-text Linux encoding (OUEHCODE) attachments which become components of the ope systems interconnect (OSI) model,
[94] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (12fi shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) will require the transfer of water use and water quality data or information using security measures and technology due to violation of municipal or
governmental law and ordinances and the for obstructing
fraudulent activities .
[95] There are numerous traditional security techniques, including authentication, integrity, encryption and non- repudiation, and new block chain technology, that provide secure communications .
[96] Several security techniques that utilize public key
cryptography are the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) , the Public Key Encryption (PKE] and the Digital Signature protocols. PKI enables digital certificates to be used to electronically identify an individual or an organization. ft PKI requires a certificate authority (CA) verifies digital certificates and can utilize a registration authority that acts as the verifier of the Cft when a ne digital certificate is issued. PKE is a message or command signal that is encrypted with a recipient's public key. The message canno be decrypted by any individual or machine that does not possess the matching private key. Digital signatures utilized with key pai technology, in association with authentication, integrity and non-repudiation
confidentiality techniques. In practice, when a user transmits a message or signal with a digital signature, the message or signal includes a one-way hash prior to transmission, and the recipient uses the sender's public key to decrypt the hash and verify the digital signature. Block chain technology can be used to create a keyless signature infrastructure and may replace the more traditional PKE and Digital signatures which use asymmetric encryption techniques with a cache of public keys maintain by a Cft. Some of these technologies might become archaic when block chain technology becomes more commonly adopted.
[97] Various encryption algorithms include the original RSft algorithm, ftdvanced Encryption Standard (AES) , Data Encryption Standard (DES) and Triple DES. [98] Secure technologies are the Secure Sockets Laye (SSL) which creates a secure connection between two com unicating programs or applications. The SSL is a standard security
technology are commonly utilized by web browsers and web servers in conjunction with HTTP protocol to perform secure web
transactions , A web resource retrievable with HTTP over SSL is usually represented by the protocol identifier "https" in the URL* Secure HTTP (S-HTTP) provides independently applicable security services for transaction confidentiality, authenticity and integrity of origin.
[99] When the present Water Meter and Leak Detection System can send an email message to a home or corporate owner for a public or private property wher a leak condition has been observed, then the Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) technology could be used. The S/MIME and PGP technology allows a message to be signed with a digital signature using a private key, preventing individuals from reading messages that are not addressed to them.
[100] Another security technology is the Internet Protocol
Security ("IPSee") which protects internet protocol traffic across the Internet and is particularly useful for implementing VPN that utilize tunnel and encryption techniques. IPSec originally utilized an IP authentication header, IP
encapsulating security payload was an optional packed header that can provide superior confidentiality through encryption of the packet. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol { "PPTP" } is another secure protocol that allows entities to extend their local network through private "tunnels" over the Internet. Layer Two Tunneling Protocol C'L2TP) is an extension of the PPTP protocol .
[101] A Media Access Control Address ("MAC Address") is a unique number assigned to a network interface controlle or other component designed to be connected to the internet. The MAC address resides in the data link layer as a frame type datagram of the Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI Model) , The MAC address is appended to a digital message and provides
authentication and integrity for the message.
[102] A further security protocol, the extensible Markup
Language (XML) Signature associates a cryptographic signature value with Web resources using XML markup. he XML signature also provides for the signing of XML data. The more
lightweight JavaScript object notation (JSON) has become a more popular alternative to XML for various reasons, e.g. less verbose than XML as XML uses more words than necessary and
JSQjJ is faster processing capabilitie wherea XML software is slow and cumbersome .
[103] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) should communicate securely with remote displays/recorders 52, 54 or cell or smart phone,
computer, or other electronic apparatus 400 and therefore they need to be provided with unique identities. The identity must not be easy to detect either intentionally or accidentally.
[104] Residential and corporate location identity are
particularly relevant in multi-site scenarios, where the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) are aggregated across a large geographic area especially when containing multiple sites are serviced by multiple utilities where each site is operating on one o more municipal agencies. Each Water Monitor and/or Leak Detection System needs to identify itself when transmitting water use or water quality data or information, or queried by a civil, commercial , municipal or governmental operator or agency.
[105] Each Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} will have a unique identified code that will be stored in a label and/or the software and be used for subsequent access in the central storage database. The unique identification code can be represented by a MAC address, Universal Unique Identifier ("UUID") , TCP/IP address, DNS name, email address, serial number, home or corporate physical
address, or a unique string of characters issued by the water supplying municipal or governmental agency.
[106] It is essential that no two Water Meter and Leak Detection Systems 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} will have the same identity within a specific geographic area. It might be also be preferred that the entity, municipality or authority name become a portion of the unique identification code. During the fabrication process, the unique identification code could include adding a unique municipality or authority na e code on a label and/or embedded with the software code in the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig.
6 and 200 shown i Fig. 7) or software downloaded upon
installation or inserted during a repair or maintenance periods .
[107] A unique identification code registry is maintained within a remote database and associated with the installation and operation of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} . The unique identification code registry must be updated whenever a Water Meter and Leak; Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} is brought into or removed from service. The unique identification code registry may be segregated into a local registry with a unique host name (municipality or
governmental agency) or installation region encoded within unique identification code. This would result in several
databases that are unique to a given municipality or
governmental agency. Alternatively, the unique identification registry can be implemented as a single large database. The registry can be implemented as a relational database <e.g.
MySQL, MariaSQL) , non-relational database (e.g. Amazon
DynamoDB) , XML files, Comma Separated Value (CSV) Excel files, or any mechanism that allows associated lookup when combined with the appropriate softwar . The unique identification
registry enforces distinctiveness, thereby preventing two present invention Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 from having the same unique identification code.
[108] Current encryption, authentication, integrity and nonrepudiation, and upcoming block chain technology, may be
important characteristics when the Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig,
7) is transferring water use or water quality data or
information to a remote server/da abase via a public or private network that provide wireless subsequent access to registered computers and cell, smart and mobile phones 400, When a Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) receives or uploads data and information such as a control command signal to send or transmit data and
information it is critical that the device can authenticate the sender and be sure of the integrity of the data and information. Encryption provides privacy by encoding data or information into an "encrypted" code to prevent unauthorized access. Encryption can be provided point-to-point, or end-to-end and messages using encryption schemes sooh as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) ,
Secure/Multipurpose Internet Email ίS/MIME} r XML, or SSL
encryption protocols. Non-repudiation prevents the sender from denying that they sent or received data/information or a
message. Non-repudiation can foe provided by signing, electronic witnessing and technologies that assert a document was read before it was signed. One of the main advantages of the Block- Chain technology is that non-repudiation is nearly immutable and can be used for security applications,
[109] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) will communicate with the private or public property Cies) using a remote display at a specifically determined frequency. The preferred method of data transfer will be on a water event basis which monitors the initiation of water use, its initial water flow rate,
intermediate water flow rates, and when the water ceases to flow {turned off) the water use duration and total water used is calculated. However, this update frequency can be modified and programmed into the present invention for various time periods, e.g, once per minute, twice per hour, once per day, once per week. The data or information can be proeessed-hy an automated system and reports are only created every day, or week, or month. This scheme performs well on Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10 {126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig.
7) where important real-time calculations can take up
significant available calculation time for small periods, but over time periods of a few hours when not water is flowing there is processing time to spare .
[110] In an alternate embodiment, the encrypted data is
transmitted optionally to a local router/server and then across the Internet or cell tower technology, or via directly to a public or private networks has been described herein. This is accomplished directly by the water meter collection hub or by using remote receiving stations or communication hub with Wi-Fi/ Wi-Fi3 101 or LoRa or WiMAX {or Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) ,
6L0WP&N, standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 with Wi-Fi extenders) 103 duplex wireless or wired directly to the internet router that communicates to remote servers . In the LoRa or WiMAX {or Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) , 6L0WPAN, standard Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 with Wi-Fi extenders) 103 wireless communicatio , the current marketed routers would have to be modified to receive the LoRa, WiMAX (UMB, 6L0WPAW) wireless duplex transmission. his has the adv ntag that Water Meter and Leah Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} does not need to store,but cars , encrypted data.
[111] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig, 6 and 200 shown in Fig, 7} can include a removable or a non-removable storage device that can contain water use and/or water quality parameter data, This removable storage device may be removed when there is a disruption in wireless transmittal of data, to upgrade configuration programs, or to download stored data. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 may be fitted with a physical lock that prevents unauthorized individuals f om detaching the removable storage device,
[112] Software is designed to validate before an upload is attempted, and only allow registered users to upload updated software and/or firmware. In additional, the Water Meter an Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig, 7) or the remote display means IB, 50, 56, computer, cell, smart or mobile phone 400 could include a microprocessor that has a data memory bank for a memory of the water and/or energ use parameter data that can be compared with the data that is uploaded by the government or municipal second remote
displa /recorded means 56 or the data the is uploaded by the wireless cell or microwave communication mean .
[113] A visual alarm or signal can be incorporated into the present invention whereby a preset alarm or programmed alarm, changes the one or more of the screen displays, for example, blinking a parameter, or changing the color of a parameter.
[114] A preset alarm might include visual reference, for example, an in-operative condition indicating a broken sensor, low power source, no flow, reverse flow, leak conditions, freeze
conditions, and/or some default limits. Programmed visual alarms would allow for individual selection (e.g. volume over set point, flow rate set point, total volume exceeded set points) which might be restricted or not by the default settings.
[115] In addition, an auditory alarm can be incorporated into the present invention whereby a preset alarm or programmed alarm, changes the screen display, for example, using sound or pulsing a specific noise, or changing the color of a parameter. For example, the temperature or pressure display can change from green to red when a preset temperature or pressure is beyond a specific or programmed limit, A preset alar might include visual reference, for example, an in-operative condition, broken sensor, low power source no flow, reverse flow, leak conditions, freeze conditions, and some default limits. Programmed auditory alarms would allo for individual selection which might be restricted or modify default settings,
[116] In addition, the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} can include water control valve to turn off the water supply if an alarm condition or setting point is exceeded and has been activated. The water control valve is electrically connected to the CPU or
microprocessor and has an electrical power to move a ball valve position or energize a solenoid valve, such the computer
controls the application of electrical power to activate or deactivate the water shut off means , The water control mechanism can comprise, for example, a typical electronically controlled ball valve or solenoid shut off valve incorporated into, or in series with the water meter collection node such that water from the source is closed. The water control mechanism can be
designed for variable opening conditions (e.g. 25% or 50% open) . The electronically controlled ball or solenoid valve can also be incorporated into the wate meter collection node as an
integrated unit. The water shut off means can be activated if an alarm state has been achieved, e.g. 200 gals/day of water is exceeded the total of e.g. 50 gallons of water has flowed in an unusual duration or flow rate since the water source was opened. The alarm or settings can be a default setting installed by the manufacturer or programmed by the user. In addition, the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can have capabilities such as vacation mode that turns off the water on a specific date and then turns the water on for the returning date. A scheduling mode can also be programmed that turns off the water when the home is unoccupied, e.g, when the family is at wor from 8 a. . to 5 p.m. In addition, the scheduling can be coupled with the vacation mode to allow the water to be turn on only for the date and times the irrigation is desired to be operational , The water control valve can have a variable open design whereby a different opening of e.g. ball valve, electrical activation or de-activation can change the opening and resulting flow rates . [117] ow referring to Figure 3, shown is an integrated circuit 88 with data transfer means 89 for communicating with the CPU or microprocessor, or microcontroller 84 and having a power line 85 and ground line 86. The timing circuit 88 can communicate wit the CPU, microprocessor, o microcontroller 84 to an optional display 80 such information such as the time of da and current date and/or a time stamp for the duration that the water supply has turned been on and off, For monitoring the time stamp parameters of the water flowing through the present invention, the use of various trip switches o water sensors in close proximity to the flowing water can be monitored. The timing clock IC 88 will assist by communicating a signal to the CPU or microprocessor 84 that the water suppl has been turn on and then shut off such that the software instructions and CPU or microprocessor can calculate various parameters, such as, but not limited to, the duration of water supply, total number of gallons or liters of water used and flow rates.
[118] An optional temperature sensor and associated temperature integrated circuit 93 with a data transfer means 92 for
communicating with the CPU, microprocesso and/o
microcontroller 84 and having a power line 96 and ground 97.
Also shown is one or more flow sensors 105 (e,g, flow rate, pressure, ultrasonic, turbine, acoustic with a dat transfer means 108 for communicating with the CPU, microprocessor and/or microcontroller 84 a power line 106 and ground line 107. The integrated circuits for the timing clock 88, temperature sensor 93 and flow sensor 105 can include circuitry to convert analog data to a digital format. Also shown is a first eandidat-e—e-f wireles electronic communication radio or means 58 consisting of Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) , Z-wave and Zigbee and other similar short-range wireless technology 102 with a data transfer 104. A second wireless electronic communication radio or means 61 with a data transfer 62 consisting Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi3 and other similar wireless technology where data transfer means 62 communicates with the CPU 84. A third wireless electronic communication means 63 with a data transfer means 64 consisting LoRa, WiMAX, Ultra Marro Band (UMB) , 6L0WPAN and other similar long-range wireless technology where data transfer 64
communicates with the CPU 8 , The third wireless communication can also include cellular technology {46 as shown in Fig. %} that is designed to communicate data utilizing a cellular format {standard 2G, 3GPP or LTE-M and LG5 cellular) with connection to offsite central monitoring com uter using cell towers and othe telephone lines via satellite, microwave technology, and the internet. Such cellular format coul be CDMA, GSM or other advanced cellular formats { 3GPP/1TE-M and 56} . Also shown in Fig. 3 is an optional display 80 with a power line 81 and ground line 82.
[113] An optional water energy generator 95 with data transfer communication 99 for communicating with the CPU (microprocesso and/or microcontroller) 84 with a power line 78 to the mai power supply 98. The water energy generator 95 can be a turbine, paddle, Pelton type or other similar technology. Recharging batteries 87 or super capacitors 94 can be accessed from a water proof door of the collection node housing or with a water-proof electrical coupler on the housing where the battery (ies) reside outside of the housing for periodic maintenance. Also shown is an optional pressure sensor 65 with date transfer communication 67 and a power line 69 and ground line 68.
[120J Is. efforts to save energy due to wireless transmission and CPU operations, a wake-up button 104 can be include the
function to initialize electrical energy after the system goes into a sleeping mode. The wake-up button has a date
communication line 111 to the CPU (microprocessor and/or
microcontroller} . The wake-up button 104 preferably is a
software feature that automatically monitors the initiation of water flow for activation of full electrical energy.
[121] Main power 98 produces a power line 85 and a ground line 86. The main power 98 is preferably one or more batteries 87 and/or on or more super capacitors 94 as the power source. With the one or more batteries or super capacitors , is would be preferable to have the water energy generator 95 to supplant energy when generated during periods that water flow occurs. An example of long-life batteries that can be used with the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 are the industrial lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl j } bobbin-type or spiral wound batteries produced by companies such as Tadiran Battery company. Super capacitors store energy by means of a static charge caused by a voltage differential on position and negative plates . Super capacitors should have a high capacitance which is ideal for applications 3¾ g_ i e f ecjuen o a cfinf n . oisc a ^m^ at high current and a short duration. A super capacitor can also operate like a battery with the addition of special electrodes and electrolytes to increase its energy density. Higher voltage can be produced, but the trade-off is shorter service life. To obtain higher voltage, super capacitors must be connected in series. When two or more super capacitors are connected in series, protective circuitry is required to prevent any cell from going over-voltage. The seif-discharge rate of super capacitor can be much higher than a Li-ion battery, as certain super capacitors can discharge 50% to 100% of their available capacity in 30 to 40 days , A LiSOCls bobbin type battery with a hybrid super capacitor would be an ideal primary cell power source that offers the highest capacit and highest energy density of any sole lithium cell, along with an extremely low annual self-discharge rate.
[122] It is anticipate that solar panels (water mete box cover) or wind generator can be also used to supplant electrical energy. It is also anticipated that AC or DC (AC-DC adapter) can be used for electrical energy.
[123] The CPU 84 that processes the information supplied by the flow sensor 105, the optional temperature sensor 93, the
optional pressure sensor 65, and timing circuit 88 uses internal instruction to control th information projected on a display, transferring water use data by wired or wireless communication, and for processing leak detection alarm states. The
microprocessor can include an EEPROM or an type of memory section that allows for specific programming to be incorporated as processing instructions. It is anticipated by the Applicant that more powerful microprocessors with more memory capacity may be utilized to accommodate the more complex operations. There are many other variants or other microprocessors, whether commercially marketed or privately fabricated, that can be used with the present invention,
[124] In addition, a means to record and digitally story the water parameters or data can be Incorporated into the present invention. An integrated memory circuit ca be incorporated into the CPU or microprocessor 84 , or can be a separate memory circuit, and can include associated circuitry with a means to transfer the recorded data to a removable media, such as a flash mount on an electronic circuit board to control the display means and communicate with the sensors , Various data access ports , such as serial , parallel , or OSP can be used to tran fer the stored data to another device, such as a computer , The CPU or microprocessor 84 and associated circuitry mounted on the electronic circuit board can also have the capability to be programmed for controlling certain display means fe.g U.S. or metric units), programming alarm or setting states Ce.g, flash all display means red when the total volume has exceeded a certain volume, for example, 175 gallons/day) .
[125] Because the Water Meter and Leak Detection System can be used in situations where the source of water comes for a well or no -commercial operation, and furthermore, where the commercial operations water treatments plants are under pressure to provide more water supplies or where problems, breakdowns or accidental situations can cause contamination of the water source, the present invention can be fitted with, display parameters of, and provide warning for, numerous mineral, elements and biological contaminates ,
[126J As illustrate in Figure 4 is a cross-section showing the one or more sensors 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, and water quality sensors 130, 132, 134, and 136 located in close proximity to water supply line 20, 22 and/or a water delivery supply line 24, 26 and their relative position of the sensors in the supply line lumen 38 and the connecting wires 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 131, 133, 135 and 137 for the display means, data transfer etc. For exemplary purposes, sensor 72 could be a timing sensor e . g. to monitor when water is flowing, sensor 74 can be a temperature sensor, sensor 76 can be a flow sensor, 78 can be a halogen (e.g. chloride or fluoride) sensor, 130 can be a total dissolved solids sensor, 132 can be a biological or fecal sensor, and 134 can be a water hardness sensor and 136 can be a specific iron or other mineral sensor ,
[127] There are many types of sensors that ca be used with the present invention. Since a significant small change involves an exchange of energy, sensors can be classified according to the type of energy transfer that they detect. For measuring or monitoring the temperature of the water flowing through the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, the use of various thermocouples or thermistor sensors 70 as depicted in Figure 3 is protruding within the water supply 38 (or in close proximity to the water to be measured) and mounted within the articulating joint mechanism 22. Wires 71 are shown extending from the sensor 70 to electronically communicate with the CPU or microprocessor 84 and display unit.
[128] Thermocouples measure the temperature difference between two points, not absolute temperature. In traditional
applications, one of the junctions, the cold junction, was maintained at a known (reference) temperature, while the other end was attached to a probe.
[129] A thermistor i a type of resistor used to measure
temperature changes, relying on the change in its resistance with changing temperature. Thermistors can be classified into two types depending on the sign of k . If k is positive, the resistance increases with increasing temperature. If is
negative, the resistance decreases with in decreasing
temperature, and the device is called a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor,
[130J To monitor or measure the flow rate of the water being delivered by the water supply line various flow measuring technologies are applicable .
[1313 The flow sensor 105 can be fabricate from pressure sensor technology. There ar three general types of pressure sensors and each offers advantages and disadvantages for applied
pressure monitoring operations. The three types are 1) absolute pressure, 2) differential pressure measurement and 3) gauge pressure measurement. Absolute pressure references pressure in in a perfect vacuum, Differential pressure measurement compares the difference between two applied pressures. Gauge pressure measurement is a subtype of differential pressure measurement and compares the ambient atmospheric to the applied pressure. Pressure sensors can be utilized with the present invention for accurate monitoring or small leaks. Examples of pressure sensors are the pressure transducer (sensor) TI2C marketed by Anfield and for a differential sensor the Motorola MPX570G series.
Pressure sensors can be particularly useful in measuring small leaks by shutting of the water supply line and then monitoring the pressure loss over time.
[132] There is also a category of pressure sensors that are designed to measure in a dynamic mode for capturing very high- speed changes in pressure , These sensors are commonly
manufactured out of piezoelectric materials like quartz.
Pressure sensors can perform as a flow rate sensor (e.g, the differential pressure gauges Motorola MPX5700) or be sensitive types that can sense pressure waves and pressure changes for water pattern analysis. One particular use would be to us the pressure sensor {e.g. ceramic capacitive pressure sensor) to monitor the pressure of a private or public property (ies) after a water control valve has turned off th water supply. The pressure sensor can then measure the decay in pressure reads to observe and indicate small leaks (dripping faucet) .
[133 Acoustic sensors are advancing to the point where they can monitor water flow and pressure readings that are approaching accurate quantifiable results , But acoustic sensor original function is to listen and record water valve noises and
vibration frequencies. It is anticipated that all water devices have a valve with a unique "open" and "close" noise and
vibration frequency. An acoustic sensor can therefore be
significantly useful for identifying various water devices such as showers , washing machines, toilets, irrigation valves, bathroom and kitchen faucets, etc. As each of these water use devices is used, the acoustic sensor can specifically identify the particular water use device. This is useful to
characterizing water use as shown in Figure 13. it is also useful in apartment or condo situations where this is only a single water meter all apartments or condos. The acoustic sensor will be able to characterise all the various water use devices contain within these apartments and condos , The acoustic sensor identifies use water valve movements and noises when being opened or close, or observing vibrational frequencies when water is flowing past the water valve. Property billing for water use can then be accomplished without plumbing modifications. To supplement the acoustic sensor, various noise making orifices or vibration devices can be installe at various place for
identification by the acoustic sensor. With artificial
intelligence (AI) and other programming software, the acoustic sensor can now monitor water flow characteristics , Like a flow rate sensor, the acoustic sensor with programming software can also monitor the flow rate, the duration and the total water volume to determine water signature patte ns , [134] In addition, various flow measuring technologies can foe utilised as the flow sensor 105. In general, a flow sensor is a device for sensing the rate of flui flow. Typically, a flow sensor is the sensing element used in a flow meter. There are various kinds of flow meters, including invasive Csensor
movement within the pipe) tha have vane, wheel, or turbine structure that is pushed by the fluid, and can drive a rotary potentiometer, or other similar device to monitor the flow rate. Flow meters can use a displacement piston, pushing if against a calibrated spring is a qualitative method and can only be used to show if the flow is on or off. Non-invasive flow rate sensors (sensor outside of the pipe) can be time-based or Doppler-based ultrasonic technology, or magnetic type flow sensors for
measuring and recording water flowing through a tube or pipe.
[135] The Pelton wheel turbine, paddle wheel and axial turbine translates the mechanical action of the specifically shaped objects rotating in the liquid flow around an axis that is translated into a user-readable rate of flow magnetic or optical monitoring technology. To function adequately, the specifically shaped object or [ [The] paddle must be at least partially
inserted into the water flow.
[136] It is anticipated by the Applicant that the paddle wheel, Felton wheel and/or turbine flow meter can be modified to also be used to generate electrical energy usin typical wire and magnets technology. And it is anticipated by the Applicant the paddle wheel, Felton wheel and/o turbine flow meter can generate electrical energy and perform as a flow meter
simultaneously. As electrical energy is generated, back force (EMF) becomes a factor and reduces the rotational speed.
Intelligent software must be employed to compensate for the paddle wheel, Felton wheel or turbine flow meter slowing its rotation when generating electrical energy. Either calibration for the amount of energy generated versus the loss in rotation speed for a measured flow of water can be calculated
appropriately. Alternately, the intelligent software can switch energy generation off and on over a period of time and only monitor water flow rate when the energy generation is switched off.
[137] In addition, non-invasive (outside the water flow pathway) magnetic and ultrasound flow meters can be utilized with the present invention to function as the flow sensor 105, Modern innovations in the measurement of flow rat© incorporate
electronic circuitry to correct for varying pressure and
temperature. The magnetic flow meter, utilizes a magnetic field is applied to a tubular structure that has electrical insulatin properties .
[138] The ultrasonic flo meters can measure water flow using two methods; transit time and 2) doppier shift. Both methods are possible by use of modern electronics. The transit time method measures the difference of the transit time of ultrasonic pulses propagating in and against flow direction. This time difference is a measured for the average velocity of the water flowing through a specified path by the ultrasonic beam. The Doppler shift method monitors water flow rate by passing an ultrasonic beam through the water pipe, bouncing the beam off a reflective plate that reverses the direction of the beam, such that the flow rate of water flow can be estimated. The speed of
transmission is affected by the movement of water in the pipe an by comparing the time taken to complete the cycle upstream versus downstream the flow of water through the pipe can be measured. The difference between the two speeds is a measure of true flow rate.
[139] Fluid flow rate can be measured using a monochromatic laser diode. The laser probe is inserted into a water pipe stream and turned on, whereby the laser light scatters, and a portion is reflected back to the probe.—The signal is then electronically processed to calculate flow rate within the water pipe. The laser diode flow meter is more useful for relative rather than absolute measurements,
[140] Multi-jet meters, positive displacement meter, single jet meters, pressure sensors, magnetic, ultrasound and Coriolis flow meters can all be utilized with the present invention to
function as the flow sensor 105.
[141] In addition, as shown i Figure 4, is an optional water quality sensors for monitor halogen (chloride or fluoride) 78, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 132, iron and other metallic ions 136, biological or fecal coliform 132, pH and water hardness sensor 134, [142] Now referring to Figure 5, which presents an example 110 of either the custom display/recorder SO or the second optional (handheld) display/recorder 56. The first display/recorder 50 or optional second (handheld) display/recorder 56 includes a housing or container 112, display means 114, 116, and 118, software control buttons 120, 122, and 124, the electronic circuit board with wire or wireless capability, and power source are common between the two apparatuses , It is also anticipated that a third type of display/recorder (not shown) could utilized with computer, television or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus that has an internet, intranet, wire or wireless means. In this first display/recorder 50, the second display/recorder 56, or a third computer, television or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 can utilize custom software and/or market software that will be used to transfer the water parameter information from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 (126 shown in Fig. 6 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) to the first display/recorder 50, the second
display/recorder 56, or the third computer, television, or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400.
[143] The display means 114, 116, and 118 can be programmed to display one or more parameters in a visual means that can utilize analog, character o digital display technology, or combination of the different display technology. Information obtaine from the appropriate sensor monitoring or measuring the water parameters such as temperature, da e/time, total volume over time, and flow rate can be displayed in an appropriate format on the display means. For example, when a sensor is monitoring or measuring the rate of water flowing from a water source and through the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, the display means could show any flow between 0.1 gal/min (0,38 liter /min) to many thousands of gals per day.
[144] Also shown in Figure 5, one or more ergonomicall 120,
122, and/or 124 placed buttons or activators which can be incorporated into the display means housing to allow the
modification of certain parameter units (e.g. metric to US), set alarm conditions (e.g. flow/volume rate-set points), or to program certain settings, e.g. over water use alarm, monitor continuous leakage, control valve not completely shut off or completely open, or provide a electronic button means to open and close the control valve . The buttons will electrically communicate with the electronic circuit board contained with the housing or container 112 and respond to programmed instractions integrated within the CPU or microprocessor and associated circuitry of the electronic circuit board. The buttons or activators 120, 122 and/or 124 should be mounted with the display means housing 124 with the capability to protect the buttons and electronic circuitry with the housing fo exposure to moist and wet, or freezing conditions.
[145] Now referring to Figure 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of optional water flo rate with transceivers located near or attached to water use appliances at various locations for monitoring water use and furthermore for monitoring for water leaks. In this example, the typical locations for
individual water flow sensors with transmitters are at the water input supply lines 121 for a typical washing machine 128, a sprinkler system 122 , and the at the reduction valve 121. The water flow rate leak sensors with transceiver can also be located on water use devices such as showers 122 , sinks ,
toilets, hot water heaters 120b, bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers .
[146] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 {and 200 i Fig. 73 can include a series of water flo sensors or
pressure sensor that can be connected to di ferent location , such as the irrigation system. In this way, the use of indoor water use {data acquired by the installed Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 and 200 shown in Fig. 7) and outdoor water (data acquired by flow or pressure sensor at irrigation system) use can be independently monitored. This can be useful for an individual or commercial operator to employ water
conservation methods (e.g., reduce the sprinkler frequency or duration) . Alternately, the monitoring of indoor water use and outdoor water use could be utilized by the particular water supplying municipality or government agency to apply different rates for indoor water use and outdoor water use. In certain situations, a control valve can be located at a particular location, e.g. the irrigation valve whereb by utilizing the two-way wireless capability of the Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10, 126 and 200 shown in Fig. 7} , whereby the water supplying municipality or government agency can remotely control water use {e.g. send out a code that inhibits outdoor water use on certain days or at certain hours of the day) . [147] The Water Meter and Leak Detectio System 10 , 126, (and 200 shown in Fig. 7) can also communicate with the invasive flow sensor, non-invasive flow sensor, pressure sensors and/or sensitive flow sensors with transceivers to include software instructions for programming time intervals for water parameter data transmission.
[148] Coordination of data packet transmissions from the invasive flow sensor, non-invasive flow sensor, pressure sensors and/or sensitive flow sensors with transceivers can be
programmed to define a schedule. The Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10, 126, and 200 shown in Fig. 7 can run a master schedule for querying each invasive flow sensor, non- invasive flow sensor and/or individual flow sensors with
transceivers. For example, Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 {and 200 shown in Fig. 7) can transmit a message to a specific collection node that can then sequentially request data from each of its invasive flow sensor, non-invasi e flow sensor, pressure sensor and/or independent flow sensors with
transceivers. This systematic process can reduce dat packet collision on the network and can make the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126 (and 200 shown in Fig. 7) immediately aware of any invasive flow sensor, non-invasiv flow sensor and/or sensitive flow sensors with transceivers that might be having trouble transmitting its data packet.
[149] The software in the Water Meter and Lea Detection
System 10, 126 {and 200 shown in Fig. 7) is designed to perceive water flow characteristics in the facility for a given unit of time, such as, for example, a day, for every unit in the
facility. The software should be designed to identify numerous conditions, such as, for example, faulty toilet valves, periodic and irregular water flow for example toilets, faucets, and a slow constant water flow, a characteristic of a leakage
condition .
[150] Referring to Figure 7, the Water Meter and Lea Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is strategicall located between main supply line 208 from a water main and a household water supply line 210 to a
residential building 202. Th Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200, with water control valve mechanism can be activ te and deactivated by a remote controller 220 to selectively tern on and off the water through the household water supply line 210. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is located with respect to the household water supply line 208 such that water flow through the household water supply line 210 to the living quarters of the residential building 202 may be prevented while still allowing water flow to non-residential areas, such as to sprinkler lines . It is anticipated by the Applicant that
separate water control valve mechanisms 310 can located on the household water supply line 208 and the irrigation water supply lines. The multiple water control valve mechanism will have electrical circuitry and wireless radios such they can be controlled remotely through communication and commands/signals with the remote server over the internet from a cell phone APP. It is also anticipated by the Applicants that the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can take the place of , and function a , the main water meter and/or incorporate a pressure reduction valve.
Figure 1 also shows the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connected with a wired means 205 from a sola electrical generation 204 and/or connected wit a wired means 207 fro a wind electrical generation 206. In this regard, the Water Meter and Leak
Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 with control valve mechanism 210 can be battery operated and utilize re-chargeable batteries or supe capacitors that can be charged with a water turbine electric generator or have typical batteries that are
replaceable. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with control valve mechanism 310 can also be AC or DC powered. An antenna 322 is shown extending from the water meter collection node with water control valve mechanism.
[1513 The water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200 can incorporate freeze design feature (not shown) which, before a freezing condition is encountered, activates a freezing
protection mechanism. This technology is sometimes referred by other technologies such gas vehicle engines and called "freeze plugs’* . This freeze protection technology is designed to guard against damaging the more expensive and private and public building water distribution piping by sacrificing the less expensive and easy to install freeze plug. One method is for the freeze protection technology will allow water to trickle from the water distribution lines. The freeze protection technology must be subsequently fixed or corrected when normal water operations are used. The optional freeze protection technology is typically used in outside underground pits or poorly heated garages or utility rooms. In some extraordinary freezing
situations, the optional freeze protection technology can be incorporated with a draining mechanism or system (not shown) that allows the water to passively drain from the private or public propert (ies) water pipes or forcefully removes the water from the water pipe with a power system. Another method to protect from freezing conditions is to use a three-way control valve whereby the third port drains water from the private or public propert (ies) . Software will be designed to position the three-way control valve in all three positions . The advantage of the three-way control valve technology is that no components need to be fixed or corrected because the three-way valve can be moved from the freezing position to a normal position
electronically. And it is anticipated that in these
extraordinary freezing situations, the draining mechanism or system can also replace the water in the water pipes with air, nitrogen or other gas/liquid that have low freezing points and non-toxic conditions, are can withstand the freezing conditions to minimize damage to the water pipes. Furthermore, be
communicating with a home router, the Water Meter and Leak
Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 can communicate with intelligent thermostats sending a signal to turn on the residential or corporation heat to a temperature that will inhibit freezing water in the residential and corporation interior water pipes .
[152] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can include an optional display means 211 for displaying various information, such as if the water is interrupted or allowed to flow into the private or public propert (ies) facility or building, or to help program the software for scheduled water interruption times (off from 8; 30 a. . until 4:30 p.m. then on, off again at 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. and then on again) . The display means 211 can help program the software to display calendar information, such as the date and current time (12 hr, or 24 hr. format) . In this regard, the water meter collection node 200 can be programmed using a wire or wireless remote keyboard, alarm system, or use touch screen button technology on the display. The display and display ousing most he able to sustain capability in outdoo wet and/or hot/freezing conditions. The display can utilize touch screen technology.
[153] One of the key features of the water meter and leak defection system 10, 126, 200 is that it has a convenient means that facilitates activation and/or deactivation of the water flow from the main water supply when a private or public
property (ies) facility or building when it becomes vacated or unsupervised. An vacated or unsupervised private or public property (ies) facility or building can utilized a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) is an electronic sensor that measures infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view. The PIR sensor can communicate wired or wirelessly with a router that sends a signal to the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200. Shown in FIG, 7, is an individual 212 holding a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic
apparatus 400 for communicating with the water meter and leak detection system 10, 126, 200 to control the water flow,
[154] For leak detection capability is would be preferre to have that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with a water control valve mechanism 310 can include programming instruction with a timing circuit to allow a user to program a defined time schedule. In this manner, the private or public property (ies) owne may simply establish that the water supply will be shut off or blocked during non-working hours, during a vacation, and/or during sleeping hours. The scheduling could be a daily, weekly, monthly or annual or on a water use basis. The programming of the timing schedule could be input into the CPU of the water meter collection node or the communication hub (or receiving station) via various methods, e.g, wireless or wired communication with a computer with appropriate software, using the remote controllers, using touch screen technology on the display means, or cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus 400. The vacation schedule can even be programmed to turn on for the irrigation schedule to water the home or
corporate plants, shrubbery or ground cover. This modified programming will turn off the supply water during a vacation and automatically turn on the supply water when the irrigation controlling is programmed to water the yard or area, e.g, 6-8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. [155] Now referring to Figure 8, shown is a perspective more detailed view of the at r Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126 , 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and water supply plumbing, and with optional water turbine generator 308 that is located within the water supply line. The water suppl line from the water main 208 first engages a manual shut off valve 302.
The manual shut off valv can be a ball valve, solenoid valve, gate value type, piston valve, or other known technology.
Further along the water supply line is a pressure regulator 304 with a connecting pipe 306 to the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310. The optional water turbine generator 308 that could be utilized to produce electrical energy for recharging the rechargeable battery source 326. The water control valve mechanism 310 (shown as solenoid shutoff valve) can be a ball valve, solenoid valve, gate value type, piston valve, or other known technology with electronic activation, A mechanical lever or electric
button/toggle switch 311 can be incorporated on the water control valve mechanism (solenoid shutoff valve) to allow the modification of the mechanism to open the water flow in
emergency and necessary situations. The Water Meter and Leak Defection System 10, 126, 200 has a transceiver 320 that
includes an antenna 322 which can be external or internal. The control circuit for the Water Mete and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 shown in more detail in Figure 3, includes
programmable CPU, a power source using either a batter or super capacitor (rechargeable) 326 or typical AC or DC suppl 324, and/or electrical circuitry, wireless or hard-wired components, and optional sensors and associated circuitry. Also shown is a battery voltage 326 which would electronically engage the optional solar cell 302 or wind generator 206 to provide
additional electrical energy. It is anticipated by the
Applicant' s that the water control valve mechanism 311 (ball valve or solenoid shutoff valve) , and if used, the optional water turbine generator 308, coul be incorporate within the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 as a single unit. It is also anticipated that the Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve 310 coul replace, and function as, the pressure regulator, eliminating one of the components shown in this drawing. Exiting from Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is the main water supply 312 to the home (private or public property (ies) ) . It is also anticipated that Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 126, 200 with wate control valve 310 could replace, and function as, the main water meter,
[156] Figure 9 is another embodiment of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with a perspective detailed view of the water control valve mechanism combined with an independent pressure regulator or reduction valve and
functioning as a combined system consisting of a water meter collection node with one or more water flow sensors having a water control valve mechanism and pressure reduction valve.
Shown is a typical water pressure reduction valve 304 connected directly with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 200 having a ball valve 310, a manual on-off handle 311, an electric motor 315, and electrical circuitry 314 with a wireless antenna 322.
[157] Ho referring to more detail in Figures 10, (and in addition to the other programs applications (APPs) as shown in Figures 11, 12, 13) where water parameter data can be display on a cell phone, smart phon and other electronic apparatus 400 as defined herein.
[1583 T e cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 or custom display and/or a recording apparatus 50, 56 and 110 has the convenient function of providing an individual or entity to review water use and water parameter data on a real time basis for auditing or monitoring purposes. It is also anticipated by the Applicants that the optional display means 12, 14, and 16 (shown in Figure 2} can be located remotely from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200
containing the CPU or microprocessor 84 with communication and control lines 83 (shown in Figure 3} that communicate either wired or wirelessly. Hence, the communication and control lines 83 can be used to transfer water use parameters and leak
detection alerts to a remotely positioned display receiver apparatus (not shown) or the display means 12, 14, and 16 can be eliminated to be replaced by the first display and/or recording apparatus 50, 56, 110 or on a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400, The wireless communication means 46,
52 and 56, can use radio-frequency, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) ZigBee Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, LoRa , 6L0WPAN, Ultra Narrow Band (UMB) , standard cellular or advanced 3GPP and LTE-M and 5G cellular technology or other wireless technology for
transferring the water parameter data generated by the sensors and collected by the microprocessor and sent to a wireless to a display means and/or a remotely positioned receiver apparatus or send control signals back to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310, Examples of Bluetooth modules {using the 2 , 4GHs band) that can be utilized by the present invention are the RN-41 Bluetooth modules available from Roving Networks in Los Gatos, CA, the KC- 41, KC 11.4, KC-5100, KC-216 or KC-225 data serial modules from KC Wireless in Te pe AZ, the Proton or Electron from Particle (formally Spark) in San Francisco, and/or the BT-21 module from Amp^ed RF wireless solutions in San Jose, CA, Examples of wireless protocols that can be utilized with the present
invention include, but are not limited to, the IEEE 802.11a,
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802, llg and IEEE 802.11h, and IEEE 802, llx modulation techniques and the newer protocol associated with WiFi3 , Another example of the wireless protocols that can be utilized with the present invention is the ZigBee , Z-wave and IEE 802,15.4 modulation technology. Furthermore, wireless low powe and long-range technology known as "LoRa" marketed by many manufactures such as Semetech and the BopeRF RFM95W-915S2 can be used with the present invention. Ultra Narrow Band chips are marketed by Texas Instruments as CC112S Ultra-High Performance RF Narrowband Transceiver. Applicants recognize that there are numerou wireless protocols that have been developed that, although not specifically listed, could be utilized with the present invention for data transfer purposes
[159] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310, can transmit water parameter data to a router that connects to the internet and then to remote computer /servers, can also communicate the water leak condition with a user or owner of a home, condo, apartment or other residence, rental/leased house, condo or apartment or other resident, owner or representative of a company or
corporate entity, owner or staff of a hotel/motel, institution facility, and/or a governmental agency, housing or facilit using a cellular format technology that refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations (e.g. third generation <3G) , fourth generation (46) , fifth generation (5G) and all future generations) of Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM) , General Packet Radio Service (GPSR) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , Evolution-Data Optimized (EV- DO) , Enhanced Data Sates for GSM Evolution {EDGE) , 3GSM, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) , Digital AMPS (IS- 136/TDMA, Integrated Digital Enhance network (IBEN) HSPA+ , WIMAX, LTE, Flash-OFDM, HIHERMAN , Wi-Fi, IBurst, UMTS , W-CDMA, HSPDA+HSDPA, XIMTS- DD and other formats for utilizing cell phone technolog , telephony antenna distributions and/ or any
combinations thereof, and including the use of satellite, microwave technology, the internet, cell tower, telephony and/or public switched telephone network lines. The wireless
communication of water leaking conditions can be between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 10, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes all PDAs, tablets (e.g. refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations of the Apple1®4 IPAD®5, Samsunc 54 Galaxy®54, HP®*, Acer®54, Microsoft®5, Nook™, Google™ Nexus™, Sony™, Kindle™ and all future tablets manufactured by these and other manufactures) , Apple™ IPOD™ Touch™, or a television, watch, timepiece or fob watch and other similar apparatus with Wi-Fi and wireless capability, and remote computers and controllers having internet or wireless connectivity. The display of the water leaking condition data can be in various pleasing format using digits, analog display, graphics, pictures, charts and/or ethe characters to exhibit the leaking condition to a user. Also, the transfer of data can use authentication, encryptions, integrity and non-repudiation technology to ensure that data or information is communicated securel .
[160] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can also function to monitor the water use in homes , companies , buildings or other structures by including either sensitive flow sensors, standard invasive flow sensors, (e.g. turbine, Pelton, paddle wheel flow, piston, and pressure sensors and other invasive sensors) , non- invasive flow use sensors (e.g, Doppler or time-transit
ultrasonic, laser or magnetic flow sensors and other non- invasive flow use sensors) to communicate either or both the inside and/or irrigation water flow use on a real time, daily, weekly, monthly, and/or yearly basis or on a water use basis. Such water flow use data can be transferred to a remote central monitoring computer service, municipality or government agency, via cell towers, satellite, microwave technology, the internet, tele hone lines , and the like. The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfer water parameters and data to the internet and to remote computer/servers can also communicate with a use or owner of a home, condo, apartment or other residence, rental/leased house, condo or apartment or other resident, owner or representative of a company or
corporate entity, owner or staff of a hotel/motel, institution facility, and/or a governmental agency, housing or facility using a cellular format technology that refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations <e.g. third generation (3G) , fourth generation (4G) , fifth generation (5G) and all future generations) of Global System for Mobile
Communication {GSM) , General Packet Radio Service (GPSR) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , Evolution-Data Optimized (EV- DO) , Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) , 3GSM, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) , Digital AMPS (ISIS6/TDMA, Integrated Digital Enhance Network (IDEM) , HSPA+, WIMAX, LTE, Flash-OFDM, HIPERMAN, Wi-Fi, IBurst, UMTS, W-CDMA, HSPDA+HS0PA, UMTS-TDD and other formats for utilising cell phone technology, telephony antenna distributions and/ or any
combinations thereof, and including the use of satellite, microwave technology, Wi-Fi, WIMAX, Wi-Fi3, LoRa technology, the internet, cell tower, telephony and/or public switched telephone network lines. The wireless communication of real time, daily, monthly, weekly, monthly, and/or yearly water indoor and
irrigation water use can be between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 and a cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes PDAs, tablets {e.g. refers to all current and future variants, revisions and generations of the Apple5** IPAD®*, Samsung5** Galaxy5**, HP®*, Acer5**, Microsoft5**, Hook®*, Google5** Nexus®5, Sony®5, Kindle®* and all future tablets manufactured by these and other manufactures) , Apple®* IPOD®5 Touch®*, or a television, watch, timepiece or fob watch and other electronic apparatus with Wi-Fi and wireless capability, and remote computers and controllers having internet or wireless connectivity. The display of the indoor and irrigation water use data can be in various pleasing format using digits, analog displays, graphics, pictures, charts and/or other characters to exhibit the water use to a user. Also, the transfer of data can use authentication, encryptions, integrity and non-repudiation technology to ensure that data or information is communicated securely. The sensitive water flow sensors, standard invasive flow sensors, (e.g, turbine, Pelton, paddle wheel flow, piston, and pressure sensors and other invasiv sensors) , non-invasive flow use sensors (e.g. Doppler or time-transit ultrasonic , laser or magnetic flo sensors and other non-invasive flow use
sensors) with transceivers can hav an extended battery life by utilizing the interval wireless communications or transmissions and with long lasting battery pack, such as, for example, the Tadiran series of batteries manufactured by Tadiran ϋ . . Battery in Lake Success , New York , Some candidates for use with the present invention water meter with leak detection system 10,
126, 200 are the standard or rechargeable lithium industrial type batteries , LiSOCl2 bobbin or serial type batteries , one or more super capacitors, or LiSOCIs bobbin type with hybrid supercapacitor. Or with a turbine, paddle wheel or Felton wheel energy generator 95 in hydraulic communication with the water supply line, solar energy, or wind energy, a rechargeable battery or super capacitor can be utilized. In addition, the batteries can be recharging type an accessed with an electrical coupler accessed from the outside of the sensitive flow sensors with transceiver . Or the flow sensors can be powered by low voltage AC e.g. 24 volts AC, or DC current. High voltage current e.g, 240 or 120 volts can also be use an if necessary, the voltage can be reduced with transformers and the like.
[1613 Referring to Figure 12, which shows a perspective view of a typical cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic
apparatus 400 having an application 410, commonly known as an "APR" , programmed to display soft buttons or use control
activators on a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400, designed to wirelessly communicate or send signals to and from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310. It is also anticipated that the apparatus 400 could be an le™ IP D® ,
HP®4, Samsung™, LG™ or other manufacture's tablet and that the application 402 that would function as described below.
Furthermore, apparatus 400 could be a remote computer or
television that is connected to the internet or has wireless capability. Shown in Figure 12A is an example of an application 410 hich ill typically display soft buttons for controlling water on 404 and water off 406 by sending wireless instructions to the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200. It is anticipated by the Applicant that other configuration of application displays for remotely communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200. The application 410 can also have a soft schedule b tton 408 which sequentially adds displays for entering a predetermined schedule fo turning on and off the water at th collection node of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126, 200. The predetermined schedule can be sent to the water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 for continuous sequencing operations on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly o yearly basis. The
predetermined schedule can be programmed into a memory module at the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200.
[162] An option of the application 410 is shown as a decisional text message 413 inquiring if the individual would like the water turned off and sent to display 402 of the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400. The cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 would preferably have incorporated GPS technology that can determine the location of the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus, and know or saved the home or water meter with leak detection system 10, 126, 200 locations. Triangulation techniques between cell towers can also be used if the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 does not have GPS capability. The application 402 could or will have a routine that can program the distance from the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 that an individual desire to be provide a notice of the
decisional text message . If th water is not turned off when the individual leaves the private or public property (res} , and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 has been programmed for a set distance from the wate meter
collection node or optional communication hub e.g. ¾ mile, then the decisional text message 417, for example, "Should I turn off the water supply", will be sent to the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400. The rational for the
decisional text message is that, for the present invention to function as a water damage prevention system, substantial compliance with routine turning off the water when a private or public property (res) in unoccupied is necessary. The decisional text message 417 provides the individual a soft button "yes" 412 to turn off the water at the collection node of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 or "no" 414 and leave the collection node of the water meter and leak detection 10, 126, 200 wit the water control valve on. Hard button activators 41 a, 416b an 416c can also be used to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 that transfers water parameter data to the internet and then to remote computers/servers fo cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus that a display screens or no touch screen capability. For example, hard button 416a can
communication with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126, 200 to turn the water system on, hard button 416b can communication with the Water Meter an Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 to turn the water system off, and hard button 416c can communication with Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10,
126, 200 to open a schedule page.
[1633 Another optional decisional text message 410 can sent to the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 if one of the optional highly sensitive flow sensors and 123 detects a leaking condition. The text message could specify "Leak found in kitchen area , should I turn of the wafer supply" . The decisional text message 410 provides the individual a soft button "yes" 412 to turn off the water at the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 or "no" 414 and leave the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with the water control valve on. Hard button activators 416a, 416b and 416c can also be used to communicate with the water meter with lea detection system 10, 126, 200 for ceil phones, smart phones or a other electronic apparatus that a limited display screens or no touch screen capability. This optional leak detection message could also be sent the insurance or municipalit agenc monitoring station by PSTH or wireless means to notify of the leakage condition. It is also anticipated by the Applicant that the leak detection message could also be transferred to the supplying municipality to inform them of the leak such that the municipality can take action to repair the leak condition,
[1643 Shown below in thi Figure 10 is a perspective view of an "AFP" or programmed application that provides water use data in various example formats that is transferred from the water meter collection node or optional communication hub to a remote display/ ecording apparatus 18, 50, 56, or a remote computer or a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400.
The programmed application or AFP shows an average time of water use data, average water use data, water cost data, energy calculations using the water heater type, the state located, cost of natural gas or oil per Therm, efficiency information, and the average ambient water temperature and the desired water temperature se for hot water devices (e , g . shower, faucets) . Or the bottom of Figure 16 is the water energy calculatio and water costs for the day, week, month, year, and -year dates.
The Applicant contends that many different water energy
calculations can be use with the present invention without deviated from its intended use. The Water Meter and Leak
Detection System can communicate with a said typical cell phone, smart phones, or other electronic apparatus includes an
application for a consumer/resident, corporate entity, or municipality that show the daily, weekly and/or monthly water use and/or daily, weekly or monthly water costs.
[165] Shown in Figure 11 is a perspective view of a first example application [AFP) , or a first page of an application (APP) 300, displayed on a typical cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 (see Figures 12 and 13} . This example application (APP) or page 300 is designed as a line graph format to be used by the resident of a home or a
representative of a company or a corporation to monitor water conservation, but is it anticipated by th Applicant that the application (APP) 300 could be used by municipal or government representatives .
[166] Figure 11 shows and example of an application or page (APP) 300 for Water Use 302 having a daily 304 graph 306 with day hours 308 , designated b the symbol AM 312 and the night hours 310 designated by the symbol PM 314. At the right side of the example application or page (APP) 300 is the daily total use of water 316 and the daily total cost in dollars (or other currency) 318 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality. Within the daily graph 306 is a plotted line 30? that shows the hourly water use. The plotted line 307 can hav a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph. A gallon or liter scale can be included on the left side of the daily graph 305 (not shown) .
[1673 The example of an application or page (APP) 300 for Water Use 302 ca also have a weekly 320 graph 322 with days 324. At the right side of the example first application or page (APP)
300 i the weekly total use of water 326 and the weekly total cost in dollars (or other currency) 328 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality. Within the weekly graph 322 is a plotted line 327 that shows the daily water use, The plotted line 327 can have a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph, A gallon or liter scale can be included on the left side of the weekly graph 322 {not shown) .
[168] The example of an application or page (APP) 300 for Water Use 302 can also have a monthly 334 graph 330 with months 332 ,
At the right side of the example first application or page (AFP) 300 is the monthly total use of water 336 and the monthly total cost in dollars (or other currency) 338 that has been downloaded the data 340 from the registered or serving water municipality. Within the monthly graph 330 is a plotted line 337 that shows the daily water use. The plotted line 337 ca have a rolling feature whereby new data replaces the oldest data in the graph.
A gallon or liter scale can be included on the left sid of the monthly graph 330 {not shown) .
[169] The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10 , 126, 200 is designed to transfer data and information by utilising the wireless communication with the one or more remote display and/or recorder apparatus, or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus whereby the remote display and/or recorder apparatus or cell phone, smart phone or other electronic
apparatus can automatically convert back and forth from radio frequency format, ZxgBee o Bluetooth format to a cellular format technology to accommodate different range requirements .
[170] Figure 11 shows a Download Button 340 which is designed to manually or automatically download water rate and expense data from the servicing and registered water municipality or other source. The cost per gallon, hundred cubic feet (HCF) or other measurement is usually dependent on volume used over a given period. For example, from 0-8 HCF could be billed at $3.64 per HCF, 9-24 HCF could be billed at $4,08 per HCF, and 25-36 HCF could be billed at $5.82 per HCF . This is only an example data that can be downloaded and utilized to determine the daily cost 318, weekly cost 328, or monthly cost 338, Other data can be downloaded from the water municipality or other source such as warnings for drought conditions, metering policies, quality messages, limits, alarms, etc. [171] Figure 11 also depicts a user, whether it is a home owner or company representative, who can Set Limits 342 for wate use to command the water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 to turn the water completel off for example, if a limit of water flow exceeds a limit, or sound a verbal or audio alarm. It is anticipated that the servicing and registered water
municipality or other source can upload Set Limits 342 to the individual water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200. It addition, the Set Alarms 344 for water use can be used to display visually or provide audio signals of alarming conditions associated with the daily, weekly or monthly water use. The application (AFP) 300 i designed to promote water conservation and monitor for leaking conditions .
[172] Figure 11 also shows an optional Water Quality section 350 of the application (APP) 300. As shown, optional water quality Sensor 1 352 can monitor one or more halogen elements or
compounds, monitoring total dissolve solids, monitoring a metallic or iron element or compound, monitoring water hardness, monitoring biological or coliform contaminates, monitoring pH, or any combinations thereof. The plotted line 358 for Sensor 1 shows peaks and valley over the time period 360. The time period can be selected for daily, weekly or monthly. Sensor 2 354, can be another water qualit sensor and Sensor X 356 can be on or more water quality sensor taken from the group define above.
[173J For the optional Water Quality sensors 350, shown is a Frequency Soft Button which allows the user to define the time period, daily, weekly or monthly. A user, whether it is a home owner or company representative, who can Set Limits 372 for water quality to command the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 to turn the water completely off, limit the flow, or sound a verbal or audio alarm. It is anticipated that the servicing and registered water municipality or other source can upload Set Limits 372 to the individual Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 (with water control valve
mechanism 310} . It addition, the Set Alarms 374 for water use can be used to display visually or provide audio signals of alarming conditions associated with the daily, weekly or monthly water use ,
[174] As Figure 11 is only an example of presentation of the water use and water quality data, it is anticipated that other formats for displaying the daily, weekly, monthly, or anneal water use an wate quality use. Such formats can be in bar graph format, pie graph format, cosmography formats, tabular formats, time series graph formats, histogram formats, data plot format, scatter plot format, other graph formats, or a
combination of these graph formats. In addition, it is
anticipated that the water flow data presented in line graphs, tabular formats or graphic formats or any combination of the formats listed herein can be presented on one or more pages or screens of the typical cell phone, smart phone or other
electronic apparatus .
[1753 Figure 12 shows one or more visual signals 409, 411 (e.g, LED or LCD) lights that are turned on (and off after a period of time) to communicate to an individual that the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 has completed the programmed activity. For
example, only, 409 could be a red LED light that illuminates when the water system is turned off and 411 could be a green LED light that illuminates when the water system is turned on. It is anticipated by the Applicant that verbal signal (verbal '"water off" or verbal "water on" or simply a playing certain ringtones) can also be used to communicate that the programmed activity has been completed. Also shown near th middle of the "AFP"
(program) page is soft button 404 for turning on the water system and anther soft button 408 for turning off the water system. A labeled 407 soft button 408 is used to bring up another page (s) that allows an individual to input a water off/on schedule. For example, one can have the water system or supply turned off automatically Monday Friday from 8:00 a.m, until 5:00 p.m. when all residences have vacated the residence (e.g. at work or school) , For business and companies , the scheduling soft button 408 can turn off the water system or supply automatically when the employees of the business o company are vacated (e.g. from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.
Friday and all-da Saturday-Sunday , Various hard buttons
416B, and 416C can be used to supplement the soft buttons
Figure imgf000066_0001
menu pages for movement within the page or inputting data. On the bottom of the "AFP" (program) is a text message sent to the home owner or resident or business or company employee the option to turn on or off the water system or suppl if the Water Meter and Leak Detection System is aware that the home, building or company is vacated (e.g, by temporal measurements, passive infrared sensors, entry and/or exit (badge) identification information. Shown on the side are the Binetooth 420A, Wi-Fi 420B and cellular communication 420C means that wirelessly connects the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic
apparatus 400 to the water meter and leak detections system 10 , 126, 200,
[176] Typical cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic apparatuses 400 may have one or more means of communication that can be established with a particular water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 for wireless communication. The use of Bluetooth wireless technology 420a is commonly a feature found on many cells phones, smart phones and other electronic apparatus. Such Bluetooth wireless communication 420a can be a means to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 to turn the water on or off or receive decisional text messages 410. Zigbee is another wireless technology that can be used. However, most current cell phones, smart phones or other
electronic apparatus 400 do not possess Zigbe wireless
capability.
[177] The use of Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family of wireless local area network) and upcoming Wi-Fi3 wireless technology 420b is commonly a feature found on many cells phones , smart phones and other electronic apparatus 400 and wireless routers/servers.
Such Wi-Fi wireless communication 420b can be a means to
communicate remotely from a router/server directly to, or by the communication hub circuitry to the collection node circuitry of the water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 to turn the water on or off or receive text messages . The Water Meter and Leak Detection Syste 10, 126, 200 can have the capability to receive and transfer wireless signals and decisional text messages 410 using Wi-Fi technology directly to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310.
Alternately, the Wi-Fi communication 420b will communicate with a wireless router/server that has a HTML or other communication- based interface and configuration page graphic user interfaces . Remote access from the cell phone, smart phone or other
electronic apparatus 400 could use a short message service (SMS) interface and/or voice of Internet Protocol (VOIP) which
communicates with the wireless router. This Wi-Fi technology will access the interne through the wireless router and have the ability to recognise the cell phone, smart phone o other electronic apparatus 400 phone number for remote capability using SMS interface. A digit numbers security can be used to maintain restricted integrity. Wireless Transmitters and
Receivers can be used for Wi-Fi communication 420b to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 for individuals lacking internet capability at their residence.
[178] The use of cellular wireless technology 420c is a primary feature of cells phones, smart phones and other electronic apparatus. Such cellular wireless communication 420c can be a means to communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 to turn the water on or off or to receive text messages .
[1793 The application 410 can have to interface with the
Bluetooth 420a, Wi~Fi 420b, or cellular 420c wireless
communication means, and send instructions to a specific
"paired" Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism. Various pairing methods between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 are contemplate to be necessary to ensure that proper communication is established between a single and unique Water Meter and Leak Detection
System 10, 126, 200 in addition to one or more unique cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400, A Quic Response Code (QR code) unit address located on Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 can communicate with a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 having a camera to read QR and establish link to the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200, Standard barcodes could would to pair and establish a link between the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400. Hear field link and RFID chip technology can also be used to facilitate pairing and establish a link between the water mete and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 and the cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 , Currently bar code readers are applications that can be downloaded for a particular cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus operation system. Hear field links are only recently becoming available on Samsung s ar phones, bat this technology may be expanded to many, if not all, cell phones, smart phones or other electronic apparatus .
[180] In operation, an individual who wants to turn off the water system would touch the off the soft button 408 or reply to the text message to turn off the water system " s" soft button 412, or push the hard button 416b on the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 which will communication with the water/energy use monitoring display apparatus 10 , 200 via the internet, wireless technology (e.g. Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fx3, LoRa) , and/or cellular format technology and then the paired Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 would turn off the water system off and then when completed (specified by switches and/or a flow sensor} will send a returned communication signal to the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 and turn on signal (audio or visual) message 408 that the water system is off. Comparable, an individual who wants to turn on the water system would touch the "on" the soft button 404 or reply to the text message to turn off the water syste 410 "no" soft button 412, or push the hard button 416a on the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 which will communication with water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 via the
internet, wireless technolog (e,g, Bluetooth, ZigBee, W£-Fi3, LoRa) , and/or cellular format technology and then the paired Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 would turn off the water system off and then when completed (specified by switches and/or a flow sensor) will send a returned communication signal to the a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 and turn on signal (audio or visual) message 408 that the water system is off.
[181j Figure 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment
comprising a home with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 (with or without the wate control valve mechanism 310) interposed within the main water supply system 208 and the first distribution line for the home or company 310 and
communicating wirelessly with a cell phone, smart phone or other electronic apparatus 400 held in the hand 221 of an individual 212. The cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400 communicates with the water meter and leak detections system 10, 126, 200 using Bluetooth or ZigBee wireless technology 420a, Wi-Fi wireless communication 420b , W1-F13 , LoRa and/or cellular wireless technology 420c. FIG. 14 is block diagram of the overall system showing the software, hardware and software application of the private or public property (ies)
communicating with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 and communicating with the internet and remote computer service station {"the Cloud") . The Water Meter and Leak
Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 includes, a preferred, but optional receiving station or communication hub 477 that connects either hard wired or
wireless to a router/server 438 which connects in a duplex communication 440, 441 to the internet 434. The internet has duplex communication 461, 462 with the Remote Computer/Server Service Center 452 (e . g . .Amazon®, Microsoft®, Oracle® and
Google®) . Within the Remote Computer/Server Service Center communicating with a cell or mobile phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatu 400, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems (408).
At a user's private or public property (ies) , the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 connects to the router/server 438 with
authentication, and preferable encrypted data. The Water Meter and Leak Detectio System 10, 126, 200 with water control valv mechanism 310 system communicates with the remote computers 452 located in the service provider * s data center or hosted in integrated security system data center) , with the communication taking place via a communication network (e.g., cellular
network, internet, etc,).
[182] The cell or mobile phone, smart phone, or other
electronic apparatu 400, remote computer, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems, can be used to wirelessly communicate with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 via router/internet/remote servers to perform various functions and include number capabilities.
The cell or mobile phone, smart phone, or other electronic apparatus 400, computer, cell phone, smart phone and other electronic apparatu , smart internet TVs , smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems,
preferably have downloaded programs or applications ("APPs") that communicated with the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 for displaying water use, energy use and water quality as described herein. The cell o mobile phone, smart phone, or other
electronic apparatus 400, remote computer, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices , and home control systems, that downloaded program or applications
( "APPs" ) can specifically turning on and off the water suppl to a private or public property (ies) directly using a soft button of the AFP or program a schedule using the APP . The Water Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 is not only designed to monitor for water use, energy use, and water quality, but to monitor of leak detection conditions and provide text messages, alerts signals, or emails regarding water leak conditions. The Water Meter and Lea
Detection System 10, 126, 200 with water control valve mechanism 310 can be programmed by the user to automatically shut off the water supply when a leak condition is observed. For purposes of brevity, water use data, water energy data, water quality data and leak detection signals and alerts utilising the
communication means described below,
[183] The following remote computer components manag the main elements of the remote computer service, but this only exemplary and is not so limited. Several of the component defined and described can be replaces by a newly design operation (s) , combine operations, or eliminate some operation |s) . Professional companies, such as Amazon Web Services, handle most if not all of, the OSS and BSS services, database access, connectivity and database maintenance (e.g. SQL databases like MySQL™, MariaSQL™, and Aurora5®4, Redshif and non-SQL databases like Dynamodb5*8) , server component access and maintenance and loa balancing, all for a cost base on various factors . Data access by cell phones , mobile phone , and other electronic apparatus 400 , and remote computers can access the commercial database using certain protocols .
[184] There are large cloud-computing companies with several computer server farms around the world that supplant the
independent comprehensive internet infrastructure and
communication network. Companies like Amazon©, Microsoft®,
Oracle® and Google® have all built a significant quantity of computing infras ruc ure. Their data centers are vastly bigger, and significantly more efficient, than those operated by or could be built by most other independent companies. The cloud- computing companies with their worldwide server farms allow for scalable and redundant data storage capabilities {Redundant- Array of Independent bisks or RAID technology) . The large cloud- computer companies can temporarily extend or customize the functionality for a client by transferring logic to it that it can execute. Examples of this may include compile components such as Java applets and client-side scripts such as JavaScript. Complying with these constraints, and thus conforming to the REST architectural style (REST an acronym for RE r sentational State Transfer) , which will enable any kind of distributed hypermedia system to have desirable emergent properties , such as performance, scalability, simplicity, modi iability, visibility, portability and reliability (RestAPI) . These large companies are presently marketing and rented out their computing capacity to developers and companies around the world. The developer or company doesn't have to incur the capital expense associated with designing network connectivity system, employing various Information technology (IT) professionals, purchasing the necessary computers an servers, developing the custom and noncustom software and conducting the significant maintenance procedures .
[185] A programmer/developer or a company simply pays for the cloud-computing service , Using the cloud-computing services provide the developer and company access to fundamentally unlimited computing power marketed by the cloud computing companies without have to incur the expenses for developing and maintaining private or corporate computer inf astructure,
[1863 There are various services, divided into certain
categories , that are provided by the cloud computing companies . Infrastructure as a Service, or "laaS,” is the most basic layer of cloud computing. It provides customers with virtual servers and database storage and Internet of Things (loT) sensor
communicatio and access. Platform as a Service, or "PaaS,” which is the set of application tools and services that make it easier for developers and IT professionals to build applications without the capital expense of purchasing software for
application development. Software as a Service, or SaaS, which refers to applications that run in the cloud like Microsoft’s Office 365, Google’s G Suite and Salesforce’s products for sales and marketing. [187] The plan for a cloud·-computing companies is to make their services indispensable to both independent software developers and small , medium and larg bag companie . Customers might venture into cloud computin with a single software application (APJ?) but as their businesses grow, their clou -comput r needs increase and the cloud-computing service companies are expecting that their cloud usage and revenue will increase. Amazon® has increase their presence in the cloud industry, by sacrificing short term profits to enhance the customer experience and maximize long-term gain.ft'he more customers a cloud platform provider contracts with, the more servers and serving farms under their control can be developed. And the more servers the cloud-computing companies have, the better they can take
advantage of economies of scale and offer customers lower prices for more robust features, including appeal to large enterprises. The efforts to market cloud-computing services supports that the near future of internet infrastructures and communication networks will increasing be controlled and maintained by the large cloud-computing companies.
[188] Specific communication protocols are becoming important to interface between the cloud-computing companies and the
company'' s local or cloud database for computer , cell phone, smart phone and other electronic apparatus, smart internet TVs, smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems, access to acquire requested data {e,g. SQL database requests) and perform instructional activities {turn off/on water) . Of these protocols, the Representational state transfer or RestAPI {or REST API), SOAP API, Java API or XML API seem to be appropriate.
[1893 Once a user sets up a service, an activation application 494 delivers a first display to the user on either a display means of a remote computer, cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone or other electronic apparatus 400 , smart internet TVs , smart central hub listening and speaker devices, and home control systems, on the Water Meter and Leak Detection System 200 and/or on a display means on the remote devices 480. This pairing technology or other application secure means associates a new user with a purchased or installed remote device and the Wate Meter and Leak Detection System 10, 128, 200. [190] A number of applications provided by the large cloud- computing companies ensure overall management of the computer infrastructure and network service. These pre-dafined
applications are configured to offer off-the-shelf programs and operating systems solutions management of the integrated cloudcomputing system service, overall service monitoring, customer support, and reporting.
[191] Shown in FIG, 15a is an illustration of the pressure drop within a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there is no leak. The illustration is a plot of the pressure drop over time when the water supply is turned off by a control valve before the major water distribution lines . The graph has a Y axis that shows the pressure reading and an X axis representing the time parameter. Fig. 15a shows that when the water is initially turn off on a no leaks system, there may be an initial drop in pressure that is thought to be due to an interaction of the pressure regulator. But as shown in Fig. 15a the initial pressure drop levels off and maintains relatively constant pressure over time. Also shown is a calculated
regression line shown in linear dashes an provides the
calculated variables (e.g. Y~ -83.7 X + 76,9} . The regression calculation can be used by the monitoring software to determine the quantitative loss in pressure over time and allo for artificial intelligence software {ΆI} to determine what type of leak is present.
[192] Shown in FIG. 15b is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household having copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 20 ml/min. The
illustration is a plot of the pressure drop over time when the water supply is turned off by a control valve before the major water distribution line , The graph has a Y axis that shows the pressure reading and an X axis representing the time parameter. Fig, 15b shows that when the water is initially turn off on the exemplary 20ml/min leak, there is a continual relatively slow drop in pressure over time where the pressure approaches zero pressure. Also shown is a calculated regression line shown in linear dashes and provides the calculated variables (e.g, Y~ ~ 235.4 X + 47.6) . The regression calculation can be used by the monitoring software to determine the quantitative loss in pressure over time and allow for artificial intelligence (AI) to determine what type of leak is present. [193] FIG. 15c is an illustration of the pressure drop with a typical 3-bedroom household h ving copper piping wherein there the leak is approximately 60 ml/min. he illustration is a plot of the pressure drop over time when the water supply is turned off by a control valve before the major water distribution lines The graph has a Y axis that shows the pressure reading and an X axis representing the time parameter. Fig. 15c shows that when the water is initially turn off on the exemplary
60ml/min leak, there is a continual relatively fast drop in pressure over time where the pressure approaches zero pressure.. Also shown is a calculated regression line shown in linear dashes and provides the calculated variables <e.g. Yº -261.6 X + 43.5) > The regression calculation can be used by the monitoring software to determine the quantitative loss in pressure over time and allow for artificial intelligence {AI> to determin what type of leak is present.

Claims

1, A Water Meter and Leak Detection System comprising ; said water meter and leak detection system interposed betwee a private or public water supply an a water supply fo said building or structure; a water meter collection node having one o more flow sensors; electrical circuitry including one or more CPUs , microprocessors or microcontrollers with a power source; said power source includes at least one AC power source, DC power source, one or more standard or rechargeable batteries, and one or more super capacitors source, wherein said at least one of said one or more rechargeable batteries and one or more super capacitors can be optionally supplemented with electrical energy generated by a turbine or other water flow typ
electrical generation, said power source can be electrically connected to said electrical circuitry; one or more wireless communication includes at least one of a Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, ighee , -wave , LoRA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, WIMAX, 6L0WPAH, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) , standard cellular GSM/CDMA technology, 3GPP cellular, LTE-M and 5G cellular technology, said one or more wireless communication optionally transferring at least one of a water use and water quality data on a water event use; sai one or more wireles commentcations includes at least two of authentication, encryption, integrity, non-repudiation technolog ; and one or more wireless communications, said one or more wireless communications transfers at least one of a water use and water quality information or data to a private or a corporate network, or to an internet connection, and to one or more remote
computers/servers , or to a commercial cloud-computer company.
2. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1, further comprising a water control valve or a variable water flo eans mechanism that is in electrical communication wit said Water Meter and Leak Detection System.
3. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1 , wherein said one or more wireless communications interfaces with remote computers or servers utilizes an application
programming interface RestAPI or SOAP-API technology.
4. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1, further comprising sai remote computers/servers allow communication with a cell phone,, smart phones, mobile phones, or other electronic apparatus includes at least one of a PDA or tablets that refers to all current and variant , revisions and generations of the APPLE©, SAMSUNG®, HP©, ACER®, MICROSOFT®, NOOK®, GOOGLE®, SONY®, KINDLE® and other tablets manufactured by these an other manufactures) , APPLE TOUCH©, a smart or internet capable television, wireless timepiece or wireless watch and other electronic apparatuses with Wi-F , Wi-Fi3, WiMAX, Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) , 6L0WPA and LoRa long range and low power technology wireless capability, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy {BLE) , E-Wave, standard cellular, 3GPP cellular, LTE-M and 5G cellular.
5. The water meter an leak detectio syste as recited in Claim 1, wherein said water meter collection node includes mesh and/or peer-to-peer technology circuitry that can communicate with other water meter collection node{s} ,
6. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 4, transmit water use data and/or water quality data to said cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone or other electronic apparatus .
7. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1 , can store data on said remote computers in a database such that water use and/or water quality recorded on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis is available for review for specified individuals or governmental/municipal agencies .
8. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said one or more batteries comprises standard or rechargeable lithium type batteries , LiSOCl£ bobbin or serial type batteries, lithium metal, lithium-air, solid state lithium. lithium sulf r, sodium-ion or LiSOCla bobbin type with hybrid super capacitor, and any combinations thereof*
9, The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim
I , further comprising a temperature sensor in close proximity to said wate supply.
10 * The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 9, can include at least one initiation of a wate freezing protection procedures when the water supply line approaches freezing conditions and/or sends a freezing warning message on said cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone or other electronic apparatus when said freezing condition exists.
II . The water meter and leak detection system recited in clai 2 can be programmed to turn off the control valve and water supply on a vacation schedule or work schedule usin an application ("APP") associated with said cell phone, smart phone mobile phone or other electronic apparatus .
12* The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Clai 1 , further comprising a ’’Automatic Sensor Learning Mode” that utilizes software instructions, algorithms and artificial intelligence to learn the daily or weekly water use patterns and frequencies of a specific private or public property (ies) to improve identification, evaluation and water characteristics of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System.
13. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1 , further comprising "Water Use Device or Appliance
Calibration'’ mode for learning the patterns and signature of water use devices or appliances within a specific private or public propert (ies) .
14. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 2, wherein when said monitoring indicates a leak
condition, a message or signal is sent to one or more cell phone , smart phone , mobile phones or other electronic
apparatuses allow the user to turn off the water control valve mechanism or can be programming the water meter and leak
detection system to automatically turn off the water control valve mechanism.
15. The wate meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1, further comprising an acoustic sensor that can monitor vibration frequencies from water use appliances with control valves to identify the particular water use appliances .
16. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim I, further comprising at least one of identity, authentication and security technologies utilised block chain technology.
17. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor .
18. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 17, wherein said pressure sensor can detect small leaks.
19. A water meter an leak detection system comprising: a water meter collection node interposed between a commerc al or municipality water supply and a water supply for said building or structure; said water meter collection node having one or more flow
sensors ; said water meter collection node having a first electrical circuitry including one or more CPUs or microcontrollers with a first power source; said power source include at least one AC power source, DC power source, one or more standard or rechargeable batteries, and one or more super capacitors source, wherein said at least one of said one or more rechargeable batteries and one or more super capacitors can be optionally supplemented with electrical energy generated by a turbine or other water flow type
electrical generation, said power source can be electrically connected to said electrical circuitry; a first one or more wireless communication, said first wireless communication having the capability to transfer wate parameter, water energy and/or water quality information or data to said first wireless communication, said one or more wireless
communicatio optionally transferring at least one of a water use and water quality data on a water event us ; said first one or more wireless communications includes at least one of a Bluetooth. , Bluetooth low energy, Eigbee, Z-wave, LoRA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fx3 , MiMAX, 6LoWP&N, Ultra Marrow Band (UNB) , standard cellular GSM/CDMA technology, cellular 3GPP, cellular LTE-M and 5G cellular technology; said first one or more wireless communications includes at least two of the authentication, encryption, integrity, nonrepudiation technology; and a communicatio hub, said communication hub located remotely from said base station; said communication hub having a second electrical circuitry including one or more CPU and/or microcontrollers with a second power source ; sai communication hub powered by a second power source that is either AC powered, DC powered, powered with one or more standard or rechargeable batteries, one or more super capacitors, said second power source is electrically connected to said second electrical circuitry; said communication hub having an either wired technology or a second one or more wireless communications that communicates with said first co munication, said second one or more wireiess communication having the capability to receive water use and/or wate quality information or data fro said base station or collection node; said second one or more wired or wireless communications
include at least one of Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy,
Zigbee, E-wave, LoRA, Wi-Fi, W1-F13, WiMAX, 6LoWPAN, Ultra
Marrow Band (XJNB) , standard cellular GSM/CDMA technology, cellular 3GPP, cellular LTE-M, X10, UPB and the HART
Communication Protocol (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer; and said communication hub transfers at least one of a water use an water quality information or data to a private or corporate network, or over an internet connection using an internet router, to one or more remot computers or servers, or to a commercial cloud-computer company.
20. he water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising a water control valve or a variable water flow means mechanism that is in electrical communication with said Water Meter and Leak Detection System,
21 , The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, wherein said one or more wireless communication interfaces with remote computers or servers utilizes an
application programming interface RestAFI or SOAP-API
technology,
22, The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising said remote computers/servers allow communication with a cell phone, smart phones, mobile phones, or other electronic apparatus includes at least one of a PDA or tablets that refers to all current and variants, revisions and generations of the APPLE®, SAMSUNG®, HP®, ACER®, MICROSOFT®, NOOK®, GOOGLE®, SONY®, KINDLE® and other tablets manufactured by these and other manufactures) , APPLE TOUCH®, a smart or internet capable television, wireless timepiece or wireless watch and other electronic apparatuses with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi3, WiMAX, Ultra Narrow Band (IMS) , 6L0WPAN and LoRa long range and low power technology wireless capability, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth lo energy (BLE) , 2-Wave, standard cellular, 3GPP cellular, LTE-M and 5G cellular.
23 , The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, wherein said water meter collection node and/or said communication hub includes mesh and/or peer-to-pee technology circuitry that can communicate with other water meter collection node(s) and/or communication hub(s).
24. The wate meter and leak detection syste as recited in Claim 22 , transmits said water use data and/or water quality initiated by a command signal from said cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone o other electronic apparatus .
25. The water meter an leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, can store data or said remote computers can store data such that water use, water energy use, and/or water quality recorded on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis is available for review for specified individuals or agencies.
26. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim IS, wherein said one or more batteries comprises standard or rechargeable lithium type batteries, LiSOCla bobbin or serial type batteries, lithium metal, lithium-air, solid state lithium, lithium sulfur, sodium-ion or LiSOCls bobbin type with hybrid super capacitor, and any combinations thereof,
27. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising a temperat re sensor in close proximity to said water supply
28. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 27, can include at least one initiation of a water
freezing protection procedures when the water supply line approaches freezing conditions and/or sends a freezing warning message on said cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone or other electronic apparatus when said f eezing condition exists .
29. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in claim 20 , can be programmed to turn off the control valve and water supply on a vacation schedule or wor schedule using a application (MAPP") associated with said cell phone, smart phone mobile phone or other electronic apparatus .
30. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising a ''Automatic Sensor Learning Mode" that utilizes software instructions , algorithms and artificial intelligence to learn the daily or weekly water use patterns and frequencies of a specific private or public property (ies) to improve identification, evaluation and water characteristics of the Water Meter and Leak Detection System.
31. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising "Water Use Device or Appliance Calibration" mode for learning the patterns and signature of water use devices or appliances within a specific private or public propert (ies) ,
32. The water meter and leak detection system as recited i
Claim 20, wherein when said monitoring indicates a leak condition , message or signal is sent to one or more call phonos, smart phonos, mobile phones or other electronic
apparatuses allow the user to turn off the water control valve mechanism or can be programming the water meter and leak
detection syste to automatically turn off the water control valve mechanism.
33. The water meter and leak detection system recited in Claim 19, further comprising an acoustic sensor that can monitor vibration frequencies from water use appliances with control valves to identify the particular water use appliances .
34. The water meter and leak detection system as recited in Claim 19, further comprising at least one of identity, authentication and security technologies utilized block chain technology,
35. The water meter and leak detection system as recite in Claim 19, further comprising a pressure sensor.
36. The water meter an leak detection system as recited in Claim 35, wherein said pressure sensor can detect small leaks.
PCT/US2020/014587 2019-01-22 2020-01-22 Water meter and leak detection system WO2020154384A1 (en)

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