System and method for a smart faucet

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of fluid flow through pipes and especially to the regulation of water flow through a faucet. A system and method for a smart faucet is presented. The system comprises a remote controlled faucet having a solenoid valve for controlling water flow, an electronic circuit for controlling the solenoid wherein the circuit includes a radio receiver, a remote sending unit for transmitting commands to the radio receiver, and a battery.

1 . A remote controlled faucet, comprising: a solenoid valve for controlling water flow; an electronic circuit for controlling said solenoid wherein said circuit includes a radio receiver; a remote sending unit for transmitting commands to said radio receiver; and a battery. 
     
     
         2 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the solenoid valve connects to an inlet water channel and an outlet water channel in which said channels are collinear. 
     
     
         3 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the solenoid valve is a bistable solenoid valve. 
     
     
         4 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the radio receiver comprises circuits that demodulate and the remote sending unit communicate comprises circuits that modulate radio signals selected from the group comprising FM, Bluetooth and XBee. 
     
     
         5 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         6 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 5  comprising in addition charging electronics in said circuit for charging the battery and an external AC/DC transformer for recharging the battery, wherein said transformer comprises a wired connector for making electrical contact with the battery to supply DC power and an electrical cord and plug for receiving AC power from a conventional wall socket. 
     
     
         7 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 5  comprising in addition charging electronics in said circuit for wirelessly charging the battery and an external wireless charger for remotely recharging the battery. 
     
     
         8 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 5  comprising in addition charging electronics in said circuit and one or more solar cell for recharging the battery, wherein said solar cells are mounted on a housing of said remote controlled faucet. 
     
     
         9 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 5  comprising in addition a hydroelectric generator for recharging the battery. 
     
     
         10 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 5  comprising in addition a thermoelectric generator for recharging the battery. 
     
     
         11 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1 , wherein the solenoid valve has three-ports that comprises a first port for receiving water and a valve for selectively sending water to a second port that exits a nozzle or a third port that exits to a spray. 
     
     
         12 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1  comprising in addition a manifold for adjusting the flow of water exiting the faucet. 
     
     
         13 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1  comprising in addition at least one microphone and the addition of speech recognition electronics in said circuit for controlling said solenoid valve. 
     
     
         14 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1  comprising in addition electronics in said circuit for entering a sleep mode to conserve said battery. 
     
     
         15 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1  comprising in addition electronics in said circuit for automatically stopping water flow by closing said solenoid after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         16 . The remote controlled faucet of  claim 1  comprising in addition an LED light in said circuit, wherein said LED is visible to user of said faucet when said battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         17 . A method for commanding a remote controlled faucet containing a solenoid valve from a wireless remote sending unit using an appendage to control water flow, wherein said remote sending unit can be located anywhere within three meters of said faucet, comprising: pressing and holding the remote sending unit for water to flow; and removing the appendage from the remote sending unit to stop water flow. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising in addition: pressing the remote sending unit twice in quick succession to initiate the continuous flow of water; and after pressing twice to initiate continuous water flow, pressing the remote sending unit once to discontinue the water flow. 
     
     
         19 . The method of according to  claim 18  wherein said appendage is selected from the group consisting of a hand, elbow, knee, foot and mobility aid. 
     
     
         20 . A method for sending information from a faucet, comprising: the faucet collecting information on the water flowing from the faucet; the faucet compiling said information in a data set; and the faucet transmitting said data using radio signals to a wireless communications device on a local area network.