U.S. patent application number 15/083838 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-05 for water heater monitoring.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to ANTONIO BUMARCH, III, NEAL ROBERT CALIENDO, JR., JUSTIN TYLER DUBS, ARNOLD S. WEKSLER.
Application Number | 20170284703 15/083838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59960337 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170284703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WEKSLER; ARNOLD S. ; et
al. |
October 5, 2017 |
WATER HEATER MONITORING
Abstract
In one aspect, a first device includes a processor and storage
accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions
executable by the processor to receive input from a water heater
meter that monitors a water heater and provide an output comprising
information pertaining to a time estimate related to the
provisioning of heated water based on the input.
Inventors: |
WEKSLER; ARNOLD S.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; BUMARCH, III; ANTONIO; (Cary,
NC) ; CALIENDO, JR.; NEAL ROBERT; (Raleigh, NC)
; DUBS; JUSTIN TYLER; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. |
New Tech Park |
|
SG |
|
|
Family ID: |
59960337 |
Appl. No.: |
15/083838 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 9/2007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/20 20060101
F24H009/20 |
Claims
1. A first device, comprising: a processor; and storage accessible
to the processor and bearing instructions executable by the
processor to: receive input from a water healer meter that monitors
a water heater; and based on the input, provide an output
comprising information pertaining to a time estimate related to the
provisioning of heated water.
2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the time estimate is one or
more of: an estimated amount of time remaining before the water
heater is no longer able provide hot water based at least on a
consumption rate, an estimated time at which the water heater will
no longer be able provide hot water based on at least a consumption
rate, an estimated amount of time to pass before the water heater
is able to provide hot water, and an estimated time at which the
water heater will be able to provide hot water.
3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the water healer meter
monitors an amount of water associated with the water heater.
4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the water heater meter
monitors a temperature of water associated with the water
heater.
5. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are
executable by the processor to: provide the output at the first
device.
6. The first device of claim 5, comprising a display accessible to
the processor, and wherein the output is provided on the
display.
7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are
executable by the processor to: provide the output to a second
device different from the first device.
8. The first device of claim 7, wherein the second device is a
device at which an activity is to be engaged in using water from
the water heater.
9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the output comprises
information pertaining to one or more of: an amount of water in the
water heater, and a temperature of water in the water heater.
10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are
executable by the processor to: raise the temperature of water in
the water heater to accelerate a time at which a determined amount
hot water from the water heater will be available.
11. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are
executable by the processor to: store information pertaining to at
least one use, by a particular user for a particular activity, of
water from the water heater.
12. The first device of claim 11, wherein the instructions are
executable by the processor to: estimate, based on the stored
information and based on input from the water heater meter, whether
the water heater currently contains enough water for the particular
user to engage in the particular activity using water from the
water heater, and provide the output based on the estimation.
13. The first device of claim 11, wherein the information comprises
data pertaining to one or more of: an identity of the particular
user, the activity, an amount water from the water heater that was
consumed to engage at least once in the predefined activity, a
duration that water from the water heater was consumed to engage at
least once in the predefined activity.
14. A method, comprising: receiving input from a water heater meter
that monitors a water heater; and based on the input, presenting an
output pertaining to a time at which water from the water heater
will be ready for use to engage in a particular activity.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the output comprises
information pertaining to an amount of water in the water
heater.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the output comprises
information pertaining to a temperature of water in the water
heater.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the time is a current time, and
wherein the output indicates that water from the water heater is
ready for use to engage in the particular activity.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the output comprises
information pertaining to a current availability of hot water from
the water heater.
19. The method of claim 14, comprising: presenting the output at
least in part by one or more of: actuating a light emitting diode
(LED), providing an audio indication, and providing a haptic
indication.
20. A water heating device, comprising: a water heater; a water
tank that holds water heated by the water heater; a processor; a
network transceiver accessible to the processor; a sensor
accessible to the processor and that monitors water in the water
tank; and storage bearing instructions executable by the processor
to: receive input from the sensor; and based on the input, provide
data to another device using the network transceiver, the data
pertaining to whether the water heating device holds enough hot
water to supply hot water throughout performance of a particular
activity.
21. The water heating device of claim 20, wherein the instructions
are executable by the processor to: during supply of water tor the
particular activity, increase a temperature of water in the water
heating device responsive to a determination that, based on a
current rate of consumption, there will not be enough hot water to
supply through completion of the particular activity.
22. A method, comprising: receiving input from a water heater meter
that monitors a water heater; and based on the input, providing an
output comprising information pertaining to a time estimate related
to the provisioning of heated water.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present application relates generally to water heater
monitoring.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As recognized herein, a water heater may be able to provide
but a limited amount of hot water during a particular time span. As
also recognized herein, there may be instances where multiple
people or items in a buldding are to use hot water from the water
heater, and there are currently no adequate ways for determining
whether the water heater is able to provide enough hot water to
meet the demands of the people and/or items.
SUMMARY
[0003] Accordingly, in one aspect a first device includes a
processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage
bears instructions executable by the processor to receive input
from a water heater meter that monitors a water heater and provide
an output comprising information pertaining to a time estimate
related to the provisioning of heated water based on the input.
[0004] In another aspect, a method includes receiving input from a
water heater meter that monitors a water heater and, based on the
input, presenting an output pertaining to a time at which water
from the water heater will be ready for use to engage in a
particular activity.
[0005] In still another aspect, a water heating device includes a
water heater, a water tank that holds water heated by the water
heater, a processor, a network transceiver accessible to the
processor, a sensor accessible to the processor and that monitors
water in the water tank, and storage. The storage bears
instructions executable by the processor to receive input from the
sensor. The instructions are also executable by the processor to,
based on the input, provide data to another device using the
network transceiver. The data pertains to whether the water heating
device holds enough hot water to supply hot water throughout
performance of a particular activity.
[0006] In yet another aspect, a method includes receiving input
from a water heater meter that monitors a water heater and
providing an output comprising information pertaining to a time
estimate related to the provisioning of heated water based on the
input.
[0007] The details of present principles, both as to their
structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system in accordance
with present principles;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of devices in
accordance with present principles;
[0010] FIGS. 3-5 are flow charts of example algorithms in
accordance with present principles;
[0011] FIGS. 6 and 7 are example data tables in accordance with
present principles; and
[0012] FIGS. 8-11 are example user interfaces (UI) in accordance
with present principles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] With respect to any computer systems discussed herein, a
system may include server and client components, connected over a
network such that data may be exchanged between the client and
server components. The client components may include one or more
computing devices including televisions (e.g., smart TVs,
Internet-enabled TVs), computers such as desktops, laptops and
tablet computers, so-called convertible devices (e.g., having a
tablet configuration and laptop configuration), and other mobile
devices including smart phones. These client devices may employ, as
non-limiting examples, operating systems from Apple, Google, or
Microsoft. A Unix or similar such as Linux operating system may be
used. These operating systems can execute one or more browsers such
us a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other
browser program that can access web applications hosted by the
Internet servers over a network such as the Internet, a local
intranet, or a virtual private network.
[0014] As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented
steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be
implemented in software, firmware or hardware; hence, illustrative
components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in
terms of their functionality.
[0015] A processor may be any conventional general purpose single-
or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various
lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and
registers and shift registers. Moreover, any logical blocks,
modules, and circuits described herein can be implemented or
performed, in addition to a general purpose processor, in or by a
digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device such as an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor
logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof
designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor can
be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of
computing devices.
[0016] Any software and/or applications described by way of flow
charts and/or user interfaces herein can include various
sub-routines, procedures, etc. It is to be understood that logic
divulged as being executed by, e.g., a module can be redistributed
to other software modules and/or combined together in a single
module and/or made available in a shareable library.
[0017] Logic when implemented in software, can be written in an
appropriate language such as but not limited to C# or C++, and can
be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage
medium (e.g., that is not a transitory signal) such as a random
access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only
memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as digital
versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices including removable thumb drives, etc.
[0018] In an example, a processor can access information over its
input lines from data storage, such as the computer readable
storage medium, and/or the processor can access information
wirelessly from an Internet server by activating a wireless
transceiver to send and receive data. Data typically is converted
from analog signals to digital by circuitry between the antenna and
the registers of the processor when being received and from digital
to analog when being transmitted. The processor then processes the
data through its shift registers to output calculated data on
output lines, for presentation of the calculated data on the
device.
[0019] Components included in one embodiment can be used in other
embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the
various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures
may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other
embodiments.
[0020] The term "circuit" or "circuitry" may be used in the
summary, description, and/or claims. As is well known in the art,
the term "circuitry" includes all levels of available integration,
e.g., from discrete logic circuits to the highest level of circuit
integration such as VLSI, and includes programmable logic
components programmed to perform the functions of an embodiment as
well as general-purpose or special-purpose processors programmed
with instructions to perform those functions.
[0021] Now specifically in reference to FIG. 1, an example block
diagram of an information handling system and/or computer system
100 is shown. Note that in some embodiments the system 100 may be a
desktop computer system, such as one of the ThinkCentre.RTM. or
ThinkPad.RTM. series of personal computers sold by Lenovo (US) Inc.
of Morrisville, N.C., or a workstation computer, such as the Think
Station.RTM., which are sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville,
N.C.; however, as apparent from the description herein, a client
device, a server or other machine in accordance with present
principles may include other features or only some of the features
of the system 100. Also, the system 100 may be, e.g., a game
console such as XBOX.RTM. or Playstation.RTM., and/or the system
100 may include a wireless telephone, notebook computer, and/or
other portable computerized device.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 may include a so-called
chipset 110. A chipset refers to a group of integrated circuits, or
chips, that are designed to work together. Chipsets are usually
marketed as a single product (e.g., consider chipsets marketed
under the brands INTEL.RTM., AMD.RTM., etc.).
[0023] In the example of Figure 1, the chipset 110 has a particular
architecture, which may vary to some extent depending on brand or
manufacturer. The architecture of the chipset 110 includes a core
and memory control group 120 and an I/O controller hub 150 that
exchange information (e.g., data, signals, commands, etc.) via, for
example, a direct management interface or direct media interface
(DMI) 142 or a link controller 144. In the example of FIG. 1, the
DMI 142 is a chip-to-chip interface (sometimes referred to as being
a link between a "northbridge" and a "southbridge").
[0024] The core and memory control group 120 include one or more
processors 122 (e.g., single core or multi-core, etc.) and a memory
controller hub 126 that exchange information via a front side bus
(FSB) 124. As described herein, various components of the core and
memory control group 120 may be integrated onto a single processor
die, for example, to make a chip that supplants the conventional
"northbridge" style architecture.
[0025] The memory controller hub 126 interfaces with memory 140.
For example, the memory controller hub 126 may provide support for
DDR SDRAM memory (e.g., DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.). In general, the
memory 140 is a type of random-access memory (RAM). It is often
referred to as "system memory."
[0026] The memory controller hub 126 can further include a
low-voltage differential signaling interface (LVDS) 132. The LVDS
132 may be a so-called LVDS Display Interface (LDI) for support of
a display device 192 (e.g., a CRT, a flat panel, a projector, a
touch-enabled display, etc.). A block 138 includes some examples of
technologies that may be supported via the LVDS interface 132
(e.g., serial digital video, HDMI/DVI, display port). The memory
controller hub 126 also includes one or more PCI-express interfaces
(PCI-E) 134. for example, for support of discrete graphics 136.
Discrete graphics using a PCI-E interface has become an alternative
approach to an accelerated graphics port (AGP). For example, the
memory controller hub 126 may include a 16-lane (x16) PCI-E port
for an external PCI-E-based graphics card (including, e.g., one of
more GPUs). An example system may include AGP or PCI-E for support
of graphics.
[0027] In examples in which it is used, the I/O hub controller 150
can include a variety of interfaces. The example of FIG. 1 includes
a SATA interface 151, one or more PCI-E interfaces 152 (optionally
one or more legacy PCI interfaces), one or more USB interfaces 153,
a LAN interface 154 (more generally a network interface for
communication over at least one network such as the Internet, a
WAN, a LAN, etc. under direction of the processors) 122), a general
purpose I/O interface (GPIO) 155, a low-pin count (LPC) interface
170, a power management interface 161, a clock generator interface
162, an audio interface 163 (e.g., for speakers 194 to output
audio), a total cost of operation (TCO) interface 164, a system
management bus interface (e.g., a multi-master serial computer bus
interface) 165, and a serial peripheral flash memory/controller
interface (SPI Flash) 166, which, in the example of FIG. 1,
includes BIOS 168 and boot code 190. With respect to network
connections, the I/O hub controller 150 may include integrated
gigabit Ethernet controller lines multiplexed with a PCI-E
interface port. Other network features may operate independent of a
PCI-E interface.
[0028] The interfaces of the I/O hub controller 150 may provide for
communication with various devices, networks, etc. For example,
where used, the SATA interface 151 provides for reading, writing or
reading and writing information on one or more drives 180 such as
HDDs, SDDs or a combination thereof, but in any case the drives 180
are understood to be, e.g., tangible computer readable storage
mediums that are not transitory signals. The I/O hub controller 150
may also include an advanced host controller interface (AHCI) to
support one or more drives 180. The PCI-E interface 152 allows for
wireless connections 182 to devices, networks, etc. The USB
interface 153 provides for input devices 184 such as keyboards
(KB), mice and various other devices (e.g., cameras, phones,
storage, media players, etc.).
[0029] In the example of FIG. 1, the LPC interface 170 provides tor
use of one or more ASICs 171, a trusted platform module (TPM) 172,
a super I/O 173, a firmware hub 174, BIOS support 175 as well as
various types of memory 176 such as ROM 177, Flash 178, and
non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 179. With respect to the TPM 172, this
module may be in the form of a chip that can be used to
authenticate software and hardware devices. For example, a TPM may
be capable of performing platform authentication and may be used to
verify that a system seeking access is the expected system.
[0030] The system 100, upon power on, may be configured to execute
boot code 190 for the BIOS 168, as stored within the SPI Flash 166,
and thereafter processes data under the control of one or more
operating systems and application software (e.g., stored in system
memory 140). An operating system may be stored in any of a variety
of locations and accessed, for example, according to instructions
of the BIOS 168.
[0031] Additionally, though now shown for clarity, in some
embodiments the system 100 may include a gyroscope that senses
and/or measures the orientation of the system 100 and provides
input related thereto to the processor 122, an accelcrometer that
senses acceleration and or movement of the system 100 and provides
input related thereto to the processor 122, an audio
receiver/microphone that provides input to the processor 122 based
on audio that is detected, such as via a user providing audible
input to the microphone, and a camera that gathers one or more
images and provides input related thereto to the processor 122. The
camera may be a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a
webcam, a three-dimensional (3D) camera, and/or a camera otherwise
integrated into the system 100 and controllable by the processor
122 to gather pictures/images and/or video. Still further, and also
not shown for clarity, the system 100 may include a GPS transceiver
that is configured to receive geographic position information from
at least one satellite and provide the information to the processor
122. However, it is to be understood that another suitable position
receiver other than a GPS receiver may be used in accordance with
present principles to determine the location of the system 100.
[0032] It is to be understood that an example client device or
other machine/computer may include fewer or more features than
shown on the system 100 of FIG. 1. In any case, it is to be
understood at least based on the foregoing that the system 100 is
configured to undertake present principles.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2, example devices are shown
communicating over a network 200 such as the Internet in accordance
with present principles. It is to be understood that each of the
devices described in reference to FIG. 2 may include at least some
of the features, components, and/or elements of the system 100
described above.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a notebook computer and/or convertible computer
202, a desktop computer 204, a wearable device 206 such as a smart
watch, a smart television (TV) 208, a smart phone 210, a tablet
computer 212, a water heating device/water heater 216, and a server
214 such as an Internet server that may provide cloud storage
accessible to the devices 202-212 and 216. It is to be understood
that the devices 202-216 are configured to communicate with each
other over the network 200 to undertake present principles.
[0035] Describing the water heating device 216 in more detail, it
may include a tank 218 tor holding water heated by a water heater
220. The device 216 may also include one or more sensors and/or
meters 222 for measuring/sensing various parameters related to the
device 216, such as an amount of water being held in the tank 218,
a temperature of that water, a rate of consumption of that water by
other items fluidly connected to the device 216 (such as a shower
in the same building as the device 216 is disposed), etc. The
sensors) 222 may thus provide input to the at least one processor
224 on the device 216 regarding these parameters, and that input
may be processed by the processor 224, as well as stored in storage
226 accessible to the processor 224 and/or remotely at other
storage areas accessible to the processor 224 using the network
transceiver/interface 228. It is to thus be understood that the
processor 224 controls the network interface 228 to communicate
with other devices such as those in the network 200.
[0036] Before moving on in the detailed description, it is to be
understood that a water meter, as referenced herein, may refer
collectively to sensors, processors, storage, and network
interfaces (and still other computing components) such as the
elements 222-228 described above, while in some instances it may
also refer specifically to sensors such as the sensor 222 described
above.
[0037] Now referring to FIG. 3, it shows example logic that may be
executed by a device such as the water heating device/water heater
216 in accordance with present principles (referred to below when
describing FIG. 3 as the "present device"). Beginning at block 300,
the logic may receive input from one or more sensors on the present
device, such as the sensor(s) 222 described above. Responsive to
receipt of input from the sensor(s), the logic may proceed to block
302 where the logic processes the input to identify an amount of
(e.g., hot) water currently being housed in the present device
and/or level of that water. At block 302, the logic may also
identify other parameters and/or characteristics as described
herein based on the type of input received from the sensor(s), such
as a temperature of the water, a rate of consumption of the water
and/or a flow rate of the water out of the present device, etc.
[0038] From block 302 the logic of FIG. 3 may next proceed to block
304. At block 304, based on the input that is received and/or
processed, the logic may provide data at the present device, such
as on a touch-enabled display disposed on the present device and
accessible to the processor undertaking the logic of FIG. 3,
pertaining to the amount and/or level of water in the present
device, the temperature of the water, etc. Also at block 304, the
logic may transmit the data to and/or present the data on another
device with which the present device communicates, such as a user's
smart phone or a display in another part of the building in which
the present device is disposed.
[0039] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows example logic
that may be executed by a device such as the system 100 in
accordance with present principles, such as when receiving data
from a device undertaking the logic of FIG. 3 described above.
Beginning at block 400, the logic may receive and/or process input
from a water heater meter with which the device undertaking the
logic of FIG. 4 communicates that pertains to and/or indicates
water level, water amount, water temperature, etc. of water in a
water heating device-water heater as described herein. The logic
may next proceed to block 402 where the logic may present
data/information at a display of the device undertaking the logic
of FIG. 4 and/or another device (e.g., other than the device
undertaking the logic of FIG. 4 and the water heating device
itself). The information may pertain to and or indicate a current
amount of water in the water heating device, a current level of
water in the water heating device, a current temperature of water
in the water heating device, etc. Accordingly, this information may
be viewed by a user when looking at the display on which it is
presented to thus determine, e.g., an amount and temperature of
water in the water heating device.
[0040] Moving on in the detailed description, FIG. 5 will now be
described. It also shows example logic that may be executed by a
device such as the system 100 in accordance with present principles
(referred to below when describing FIG. 5 as the "present device"),
such as a smart phone receiving data from a device undertaking the
logic of FIG. 3 described above. Beginning at block 500, the logic
may receive and/or process input from a water heater meter with
which the device undertaking the logic of FIG. 5 communicates that
pertains to and/or indicates water level, water amount, water
temperature, etc. of water in a water heating device-water heater
as described herein. The logic may then proceed to block 502 where
the logic may determine an activity to be engaged in by a user of
the present device, and/or may determine whether at least one peak
water usage time is ongoing or upcoming (e.g., will begin within a
threshold time of when the logic makes such a determination at
block 502).
[0041] To determine an activity to be engaged in by the user, the
logic may, for example, determine a location within a building at
which present device is disposed (and hence the user is assumed to
be disposal) based on coordinates from a GPS transceiver on the
present device. Once the location is determined, the logic may
access data associated with that location (e.g., stored at the
present device or elsewhere), such as metadata indicating that the
location is associated with an item such as a shower, a sink, a
washing machine, etc., and also access corresponding data
pertaining to an activity associated with the location and/or item.
Such data may be stored, e.g., in a data table accessible to the
present device.
[0042] Still further, location may be identified using received
signal strength indication (RSSI) principles based on communication
of the present device with another device to identify a location of
the present device and accordingly an activity to be engaged in.
Moreover, in some embodiments, a history of activities engaged in
by the user at past times may be accessed and used to determine an
activity to be engaged in based on the activity to be engaged in
being correlated to a current time of day matching a time of day in
the history at which the activity was previously engaged in.
[0043] The activity may also be determined still other ways. E.g.,
particular users may be associated only with particular activities,
and hence by identifying the user (e.g., based on being associated
with the present device) the activity may also be identified. An
example data table will be described below in reference to FIG. 6
that may be accessed to make such a determination.
[0044] As another example, a user's interaction with another device
(e.g., inputting a command to the other device) at a particular
location may be identified (and communicated to the present device
if the interacted-with device is not the device undertaking the
present logic), which may then be used to identify an item at the
location and hence an activity to be engaged in at the location
using the item as described herein. Thus, it is to also be
understood that to some embodiments, interaction with a device
disposed at a particular location may itself be used as an
indication from a user of an activity in which the user is to
engage. For instance, if the user interacts with a touch-enabled
display of a smart shower, the logic may determine that a user is
about to take a shower responsive to this interaction with the
touch-enabled display.
[0045] Regarding at least one peak water usage time that is
upcoming or ongoing, this may be identified at block 502 by
accessing a data table storing data that correlates particular
times and/or time ranges to other data, such as the time/range
being associated with an indicator that the time/range is one
correlated to peak water usage, and/or such as the time/range being
associated with particular average amounts of water from the water
heating device that is consumed during that particular time/range
in the past. These average water amounts may then be, e.g.,
compared to a threshold amount above which the logic may determine
that the time-range is a peak water usage time and below which the
logic may determine that the time/range is not a peak water usage
time. An example of such a data table will be described below in
reference to FIG. 7.
[0046] Still in reference to FIG. 5, from block 502 the logic may
proceed to block 504 where, if available, a profile and/or profile
information associated with an identified user may be accessed to
determine or estimate whether there is currently enough water in
the water heating device (and even whether the water is at least at
or above a threshold temperature) for the user to engage in the
activity determined at block 502 using water from the water heating
device without running out of water from the water heating device
before conclusion of the activity. In some embodiments, the logic
may also determine or estimate whether there is currently enough
water and whether the water, even if enough, is at least at a
particular threshold temperature below which the logic may
determine/estimate that there is not enough water for the activity
and above which the logic may determine/estimate that there is
enough water for the activity. In any case, the logic may
determine/estimate whether there is enough water for the activity
by identifying an amount of water from the profile that is to be
used for the activity (e.g., that was determined and stored based
on past instances of the user's engagement in the activity), and
then comparing the amount of water from the profile to the current
amount of water in the water heating device (e.g., as sensed by the
water heating device's sensor(s)) to determine whether the current
amount of water is at least the same as, if not more than, the
amount of water indicated in the profile.
[0047] Furthermore, note that if a peak water usage time was
identified at block 502, at block 504 the logic may estimate
whether the water heating device contains enough hot wafer to meet
an amount of water estimated to be consumed during the peak water
usage time based on a history of past usage amounts during similar
or the same times. The past amount(s) may be compared to the
current amount of water in the water heating device (e.g., as
sensed by the water heating device's sensor(s)) to determine
whether the current amount of water is at least the same as, if not
above, an amount of water previously consumed during a similar peak
water usage time.
[0048] Before moving on in the description of FIG. 5, note that the
profile information and/or peak water usage time information
describe above may be identified from data tables, such as those to
be described below in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.
[0049] From block 504, the logic may next proceed to decision
diamond 506. At diamond 506 the logic may determine whether to
output data and/or notifications pertaining to the water heating
device, such as based on whether an amount of water and/or
temperature of water in the water heating device is at or below a
threshold, whether there is currently enough water in the water
heating device to fulfill the peak water usage time needs and/or
water needed for the activity to be engaged in, etc. The decision
at diamond 506 may be based on, for example, user-configured
settings for whether to provide data/notifications and under what
conditions. The decision at diamond 506 may also be based on other
factors, such as if the present device has been programmed to only
provide data/notifications if there is not enough water in the
water heating device to meet peak water usage needs and/or to
supply enough hot water to engage in the predefined activity until
its conclusion.
[0050] Regardless, note that a negative determination at diamond
506 may cause the logic to move to block 508, where the logic may
revert back to block 500 and proceed therefrom. However, an
affirmative determination at diamond 506 may instead cause the
logic to proceed to block 510, at which the logic may determine one
or more devices at which to present the data and/or notifications
described herein. Devices at which to present the
data/notifications may be determined hased on user-configured
settings of which devices the user wishes to have output the
data/notifications. For instance, the user may provide a command to
the present device to always present such data/notifications at the
user's smart phone, a wearable device, a display centrally-located
and/or located within a common area of a building that is used to
control home automation and/or smart devices in the building,
etc.
[0051] Such devices may also be determined based on the devices
being associated (e.g. in a data table accessible to the present
device) with the particular activity or activities determined to be
engaged in, and/or item to be used during the peak water usage
time. For instance, if a shower is determined to be the activity to
be engaged in, the data/notifications may be determined to be
presented on a display of a shower area. If washing dishes is
determined to be the activity to be engaged in, the
data/notifications may be determined to be presented on a display
in a room in which a sink at which dishes are washed is disposed.
If a washing machine and shower are determined to be items to be
used during a peak water usage time, the data/notifications may be
determined to be (e.g., constantly) presented on displays
respectively at the shower and washing machine during the peak
water usage time.
[0052] From block 510 the logic may move to block 512. At block 512
the logic may output the data/notifications at the devices
determined at block 510. Note that in addition to presenting the
data/notifications on displays as described above, the
data/notifications may be presented to a user still other ways. For
example, the data and/or notifications may be provided audibly,
such as using an automated voice to convey water amount and water
temperature, and/or such as using particular sounds, alarms,
chimes, etc. which are respectively associated With different
statuses of the water heating device (e.g., a relatively
high-pitched chime may be presented to convey that there is enough
water in the water heating device to engage in a particular
activity, while a relatively low-pitched chime may be presented to
convey that there is not enough water). In other embodiments, a
sound may only be presented if there is enough water, or if there
is not enough water.
[0053] Haptic indications may also be used to provide the data
and/or notifications. For example, a first vibration pattern (using
a vibration element at the device being used to provide the
data/notification(s)) may be associated with and hence convey that
there is enough water in the water heating device to engage in a
particular activity, while a second vibration pattern may be
associated with and hence convey that there is not enough water. In
other embodiments, a vibration may only be presented if there is
enough water, or if there is not enough water.
[0054] Still further, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) on
such a device may be used to provide the data/notifications. For
example, an LED may be illuminated with a green color if the
present device determines that there is enough water for a
particular activity and/or the demands of an upcoming peak water
usage time, while the LED may be illuminated with a red color if
the present device determines that there is not enough water.
Furthermore, intensity and/or luminosity of the LED(s), such as
luminosities on a scale of one to ten, may also be controlled to
convey the data/notifications. For instance, a relatively less
luminous green may convey that there is just enough water to engage
in an activity while a relatively more luminous green may convey
that there is more than enough water (and hence, e.g., the activity
may be engaged in for longer than usual, if desired). As another
example, a relatively less luminous red may convey that there is
barely not enough water to engage in an activity and that hot water
may be unavailable toward the end of the activity, while a
relatively more luminous red may convey that there is not enough
water by more than a threshold amount and that hot water will run
out relatively soon and/or early in the activity.
[0055] Still in reference to FIG. 5, from block 512 the logic may
next proceed to block 514. At block 514 the logic may, as the
activity is being engaged in and as the peak water usage time
transpires, identify a current consumption rate of water from the
water heating device (e.g., based on input from a flow meter (and
or water level sensor) or drainage meter at the water heating
device and/or the item being used for the activity/during the peak
water usage time). Thus, as the amount and/or temperature of water
in the water heating device changes through time during and owing
to the activity and/or peak usage, this may be identified at block
514 and, also at block 514, the data and/or notifications that are
presented may be modified accordingly (and/or new data
notifications may be provided) reflecting whether (for example),
based on the current rate of consumption, there will still be
enough water in the water heating device for the user to complete
the activity and/or last through the peak water usage time with
enough water from the water heating device being available to meet
those demands.
[0056] From block 514 the logic may next proceed to block 516,
where the logic may increase an amount and/or temperature of water
in the water heating device, such as responsive to a determination
at block 514 that, based on the current rate of consumption, there
will not be enough hot water to supply through completion of the
activity and/or peak usage time based on a current amount and/or
temperature of water in the tank. In this way, the present device
may at least attempt to provide enough hot water for the
activity/peak usage time despite the current rate of
consumption.
[0057] From block 516, the logic of FIG. 5 may then move to block
518 where the logic may create and/or update a profile or other
data with information pertaining to water usage by a user for the
activity being engaged in and/or just concluded (e.g., update an
average of water consumed for die particular activity). In addition
to or in lieu of the foregoing, but also at block 518, the logic
may create and/or update data regarding water usage amounts during
a peak water usage time that has just transpired (e.g., update an
average of water consumed during die peak water usage time). From
block 518 the logic may then revert back to block 500 and proceed
therefrom.
[0058] Now in reference to FIG. 6, an example data table 600 that
may be accessed by a device undertaking present principles is
shown. The table 600 includes a first column 602 listing various
users and/or user identifications. The table 600 also includes a
second column 602 listing respective activities associated with
each user listed in column 602, a third column 604 listing
respective average amounts of water associated with each activity
listed in column 604, a fourth column 608 listing respective
average durations associated with each activity listed in column
604, and a fifth column 610 listing respective average temperatures
of water used to engaged in each activity listed in column 604
(e.g., as determined based on input from a flow meter, drainage
meter, and/or temperature sensor located at the item used to engage
in the activity to measure temperature of water being used).
[0059] Providing an example of how the data table 600 may be used,
suppose a smart phone identifies Arnie as a user, such as based on
biometric input to the smart phone that is used to identify Arnie
or based on the smart phone being associated with Arnie. The smart
phone may then access the data table 600 and parse entries in
column 602 until an entry for Arnie is identified (which, in this
case, is the first entry). The smart phone may then move
horizontally over to column 604 to determine that an activity with
which Amie is associated is a shower, then move horizontally over
to column 606 to determine that the average amount of water Arnie
consumes to take a shower is twenty five gallons, then move
horizontally over to column 608 to determine that Arnie takes a ten
minute shower on average, and then move over to column 610 to
determine that Arnie takes a shower using a water temperature of
one hundred five degrees Fahrenheit on average. The foregoing data
may then be used in accordance with present principles.
[0060] Moving on, reference is now made to FIG. 7, which shows an
example data table 700 that may be accessed by a device undertaking
present principles. The table 700 includes a first column 702
listing various time ranges, a second column 704 listing average
amounts of water respectively consumed during the respective time
ranges listed in column 702, and a third column 706 listing whether
the respective time ranges are peak times during which water from a
water heating device is used that may be respectively based on the
average amounts listed in column 704.
[0061] Providing an example of how the data table 700 may be used,
suppose a smart phone identifies a current time of day as being
6:30 p.m. The smart phone may access the table 700 and parse
entries in column 702 until an entry is identified for a time range
listed in the column 702 that includes the current time of day,
which in this case would be the third entry down for the range from
5:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. The smart phone may then move horizontally
over to column 704 to identify an average amount of water consumed
during that time range, and either identify that 6:30 p.m. is a
peak water usage time based on the data itself indicated in column
704 for the entry (such as based on whether the amount in the entry
is above a threshold amount that makes it a peak water usage time),
or then move horizontally over to column 706 to identify that 6:30
p.m. is a peak water usage time based on an affirmative indication
of such at column 706.
[0062] However, note that in other embodiments, once a time range
is identified from column 702 in which the current time of day
falls, the smart phone may move horizontally over from column 702
directly to column 706 to determine whether the current time of day
is during a peak water usage time frame based on data indicated in
column 706 for the entry.
[0063] Continuing the detailed description in reference to FIG. 8,
it shows a user interface (UI) 800 comprising example notifications
that may be presented on a display in accordance with present
principles. The UI 800 includes a first example notification 802
that indicates a number of gallons of hot water that is currently
housed in a water heating device/water heater. In the present
example, the notification 802 indicates, with underlining, that
fifty gallons of hot water are available for use.
[0064] The UI 800 also includes a second example notification 804
that indicates a current temperature of the hot water in the water
heating device, which in the present example is indicated, with
underlining, as being one hundred seventeen degrees Fahrenheit. The
UI 800 further includes a third example notification 806 that
indicates that, at the current consumption rate of water from the
water heating device, hot water from the water heating device will
run out in twenty minutes at a specific time (9:17 p.m.). The UI
800, and/or any of the notifications presented thereon, may be
presented, for example, regardless of any activity determined to be
engaged in and/or without a determination regarding such an
activity being made. Thus, for example, the notifications on the UI
800 may be presented on a display of the water heating device
itself, on a home screen of a home automation system, and/or on a
user's smart phone at any time so that a user may, regardless of
activity and/or peak water usage time, see how much water is
currently being housed in the water heating device and at what
temperature.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows another example UI 900 presentable on a display
in accordance with present principles. The UI 900 may be presented,
for example, once an activity to be engaged in has been identified
in accordance with present principles. In the present example,
indication 902 indicates that the activity determined to be engaged
in is a shower. Notification 904 indicates an estimated amount of
time remaining before a water heating device is no longer able
provide hot water based on a current consumption rate and/or an
activity to be engaged in. In this case, notification 904 indicates
that eight minutes of hot water remain in the water heating device
(e.g., with this duration being determined/estimated based on an
average flow rate of hot water from the water heating device for
the shower activity). As may also be appreciated from FIG. 9, the
notification 904 may also provide a reason that only eight minutes
of hot water remain, which in this case is that hot water from the
water heating device is already being used by a dish washer. Still
further, note that the notification 904 may also indicate, in
addition to an amount of time, an estimated time at which the water
heating device will no longer be able provide hot water based on
the current consumption rate and/or an activity to be engaged in,
which in this case is at 8:28 p.m.
[0066] The UI 900 also includes a second notification 906
indicating an estimated amount of time to pass before die water
heating device is able to provide enough (e.g., quantifiable,
ample, measurable, gaugeable, etc.) hot water for the shower
activity, which in this case is fifteen minutes. The notification
906 may also indicate an estimated time at which the water heater
will be able to provide enough hot water for the shower activity,
which in this case is 8:35 p.m. Furthermore, note based on FIG. 9
that, in some embodiments, the notification 906 may specifically
indicate when the water heater will be able to provide enough hot
water based on the average length that the user has engaged in the
shower activity in the past, as also indicated on the UI 900 (in
this case, as being a fifteen minute duration).
[0067] Moving on, reference is now made to FIG. 10, which shows
another example UI 1000 presentable on a display in accordance with
present principles. The UI 1000 includes a notification 1002
indicating that hot water from a water heating device is currently
unavailable for use. The notification 1002 may also indicate an
amount of time to wait before hot water is available for use (in
this example, thirty minutes), and/or may indicate a future time at
which water from the water heating device will be available for use
(in this example, 12:30 p.m.).
[0068] Continuing the detailed description in reference to FIG. 11,
it shows an example UI 1100 that may be presented on a display for
configuring settings of a device for undertaking present
principles. The UI 1100 includes a first setting 1102 at which a
user may select one or more options 1104-1112 corresponding to
times and/or circumstances under which the device is to present
notifications in accordance with present principles, it being
understood that each respective one of the options 1104-1112 may be
selected using the respective cheek boxes 1114 shown adjacent to
each option 1104-1112.
[0069] As may be appreciated from FIG. 11, option 1104 may be
selected to enable presentation of notifications regarding water
housed in a water heating device to always be presented, option
1106 may be selected to enable presentation of notifications when
only a threshold amount of time for consumption remains (e.g.,
based on a current consumption rate), option 1108 may be selected
to enable presentation of notifications when only a threshold
amount of water for consumption remains (e.g., based on the current
consumption rate), an option 1110 may be selected to enable
presentation of notifications only when no water is available in
the water heating device for consumption, and an option 1112 may be
selected to enable presentation of notifications only when the
temperature of water in the water heating device drops below a
threshold temperature.
[0070] As may be appreciated from FIG. 11, option 1106 includes a
number entry box 1116 at which a user may enter a number to
establish the threshold amount of time for that option, while
option 1108 includes a number entry box 1318 at which a user may
enter a number to establish the threshold amount of water for that
option and option 1112 includes a number entry box 1120 at which a
user may enter a number to establish the threshold temperature for
that option.
[0071] Still describing the UI 1100, in some embodiments it may
also include a second setting 1122 that may be enabled based on
selection of radio button 1124 to configure a device undertaking
present principles to access and use profile information and/or
history information (such as for particular users, activities,
etc.) when undertaking present principles. The setting 1122 also
includes a selector 1126 that is selectable to cause the device to
present another user interface at which a user may establish and/or
enter data for use regarding such users, activities, etc.
[0072] The UI 1100 may also include a third setting 1128 that may
be enabled based on selection of radio button 1130 to configure the
device to access and use peak water usage time frame information
when undertaking present principles. The selling 1128 also includes
a selector 1132 that is selectable to cause the device to present
another user interface at which a user may establish times and/or
time frames that are to be considered peak water usage times and/or
non-peak water usage times.
[0073] Moving on from FIG. 11, it is to be understood in accordance
with present principles that in some embodiments, when it is
determined that a user has begun an activity in accordance with
present principles (such as taking a shower), a device undertaking
present principles (e.g., executing the logic of FIG. 5) may start
a timer to back how long the user engaged in the activity from
beginning to conclusion. This information may then be used to
create or update a profile associated with the user that includes
information pertaining to an average time that a user engages in
the activity, an average amount of hot water consumed, and an
average temperature at which the user used the hot water. This
profile and/or dam may be stored, e.g., in storage at the water
healer itself, on the user's personal device, at a server or cloud
storage, or any other place accessible to other devices that may
undertake present principles. Furthermore, note that a device may
be able to estimate how much hoi water may be needed for a
particular activity based on a user's water temperature preference
by, e.g., determining how much hot water is mixed or released per
second with cold water from another source (e.g., a cold water
line) during an activity, and/or that is mixed or released per
second with cold water from another source and into a fluid line
that goes to the item where the mixed water is being consumed.
[0074] It may now be appreciated that present principles provide
devices, systems, and methods for monitoring hot water use at a
water heater as water is being emptied from the tank. A device
undertaking present principles may also have access to historical
usage information based on people and/or devices to provide
real-time information to a user for whether the user can actually
use hot water or how long to wait until hot water may be
replenished. For example, if a first user uses one third of all
available hot water in a water heater for a shower and a dishwasher
also uses hot water from the water heater, and then a second user
wishes to fill a bath tub with hot water, prior to taking the bath
the second person may be informed that they need to wait eight
minutes in order to have sufficient hot water to fill the bath tub.
Present principles also recognize that, for example, a water heater
may be configured to automatically raise the temperature of water
therein to allow for more reserve of hot water during peak usage
times, and/or to accelerate or move forward a time at which a
determined amount hot water will be available for a user to engage
in a particular activity as described herein.
[0075] Furthermore, it is to be understood that output in
accordance with present principles that is related to a water
heater may be presented at the water heater itself (such as at a
display or speaker thereon) and/or at another device, such as at a
user's smart phone, at a display (e.g., LCD or LED) associated with
a shower, and/or at a display mounted in a bathroom of a personal
residence. Even further, microphones of various devices in an
Internet of things environment may be actuated in accordance with
present principles to receive audible input from a user pertaining
to a status, amount, temperature, etc. of water in the water heater
and an output to the user may be provided in response.
[0076] For instance, in an Internet of things environment, a
microphone may be located at or near a shower head and a user may
provide input to that microphone asking if there is enough hot
water for the user to take a shower. A device undertaking present
principles may process that audible input and then generate output
to be presented at a speaker at or near the shower in response,
such as output indicating to the user that there is enough hot
water available or indicating that the user should wait a
particular amount of time before taking a shower.
[0077] Before concluding, it is to be understood that although a
software application for undertaking present principles may be
vended with a device such as the system 100, present principles
apply in instances where such an application is downloaded from a
server to a device over a network such as the Internet.
Furthermore, present principles apply in instances where such an
application is included on a computer readable storage medium that
is being vended and/or provided, where the computer readable
storage medium is not a transitory signal and/or a signal per
se.
[0078] While the particular WATER HEATER MONITORING is herein shown
and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject
matter which is encompassed by the present application is limited
only by the claims.
* * * * *