System and method for wireless water leak detection

Abstract

The system and method for wireless water leak detection provides for manual prevention of external action, such as an external alarm and/or valve shut-off, if a leak sensor can be reached by a respondent within a pre-set time threshold. Upon detection of a leak by a leak sensor, a local alarm, such as an audible alarm or the like, is initiated. Additionally, at the time of detection, a first time is recorded. A first alarm signal is transmitted from the leak sensor to a base station. The first alarm signal includes data representative of the recorded first time. If manual input is not received by the leak sensor within a pre-set time threshold measured from the first time, then the base station transmits a second alarm signal to at least one external device, and may further wirelessly transmit a shut-off signal to a valve controller for closing an associated valve.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for wireless water leak detection, comprising the steps of:
 detecting a leak with a leak sensor;   initiating a local alarm at the leak sensor;   recording a first time;   wirelessly transmitting a first alarm signal to a base station, the first alarm signal including data representative of the first time;   transmitting a second alarm signal from the base station to at least one external device when manual input is not received by the leak sensor within a pre-set time threshold measured from the first time; and   recording identification information associated with a party making the manual input when the manual input is received by the leak sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating the local alarm comprises initiating an audible alarm at the leak sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , wherein, if the manual input is not received by the leak sensor within the pre-set time threshold measured from the first time, then further wirelessly transmitting a shut-off signal from the base station to a valve controller. 
     
     
         4 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording a second time indicative of a time when the leak is no longer detected by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording a third time indicative of a time when the manual input has been received by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording a fourth time indicative of a time when an initial sensing mode of the leak sensor is reinitiated. 
     
     
         7 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of ceasing the local alarm when the manual input is received by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting an acknowledgement signal from the base station to the leak sensor upon receipt of the first alarm signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting the identification information associated with the party to the base station. 
     
     
         10 . A method for wireless water leak detection, comprising the steps of:
 detecting a leak with a leak sensor;   initiating a local alarm at the leak sensor;   recording a first time;   wirelessly transmitting a first alarm signal to a base station, the first alarm signal including data representative of the first time;   transmitting a second alarm signal from the base station to at least one external device and further wirelessly transmitting a shut-off signal from the base station to a valve controller when manual input is not received by the leak sensor within a pre-set time threshold measured from the first time; and   recording identification information associated with a party making the manual input when the manual input is received by the leak sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the step of initiating the local alarm comprises initiating an audible alarm at the leak sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of recording a second time indicative of a time when the leak is no longer detected by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of recording a third time indicative of a time when the manual input has been received by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of recording a fourth time indicative of a time when an initial sensing mode of the leak sensor is reinitiated. 
     
     
         15 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of ceasing the local alarm when the manual input is received by the leak sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting an acknowledgement signal from the base station to the leak sensor upon receipt of the first alarm signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of transmitting the identification information associated with the party to the base station. 
     
     
         18 . A system for wireless water leak detection, comprising:
 a leak sensor adapted for sensing a leak, the leak sensor comprising:
 a local alarm for local indication of a sensed leak; 
 a timer; 
 a manual interface; 
 non-transitory computer readable memory for recording a first time, the first time being indicative of a time associated with the sensing of the leak; and 
 a first wireless transceiver for wirelessly transmitting a first alarm signal, the first alarm signal including data representative of the first time; and 
   a base station comprising:
 a second wireless transceiver adapted for receiving the first alarm signal; and 
 a telecommunication interface, wherein if manual input is not received by the manual interface of the leak sensor within a pre-set time threshold measured from the first time, the telecommunication interface transmits a second alarm signal to at least one external device, 
   wherein identification information associated with a party making the manual input is further recorded in the non-transitory computer readable memory when the manual input is received by the leak sensor.   
     
     
         19 . The system for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a valve controller, wherein if the manual input is not received by the manual interface of the leak sensor within the pre-set time threshold measured from the first time, the telecommunication interface further transmits a shut-off signal to the valve controller. 
     
     
         20 . The system for wireless water leak detection as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable memory further records a second time indicative of a time when the leak is no longer detected by the leak sensor, a third time indicative of a time when the manual input has been received by the leak sensor, and a fourth time indicative of a time when an initial sensing mode of the leak sensor is reinitiated.