IP Library Granted Patent US 7,561,057
Granted Patent B2
US 7,561,057 · App. 11/216,225 · Granted Jul 14, 2009

Method and apparatus for detecting severity of water leaks

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,561,057
App. No.
11/216,225
Granted
Jul 14, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for detecting water leaks is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of sensors, selected from a moisture sensor, a water level sensor, and/or a water temperature sensor. A processor collects moisture readings from the sensors. In one embodiment, the processor reports a possible water leak when a moisture sensor detects moisture above a moisture threshold value. In one embodiment, the processor reports a water leak when the water level reading exceeds a water threshold value and/or when the temperature reading exceeds a temperature threshold value.

Claims (13)

1. A system for detecting water leaks, comprising:

a moisture sensor;

a water level sensor comprising a plurality of probes at different heights; and

a processor configured to collect moisture readings from said plurality of probes, said processor configured to report a possible water leak when said moisture sensor detects moisture above a moisture threshold value and above a threshold temperature, said processor configured to report a first water level when a resistance between a first pair of probes falls below a specified value and to report a second water level when a resistance between a second pair of probes falls below a threshold value, said water level sensor comprising a conduction-enhancing agent provided to one or more of said probes.

2. A system for detecting water leaks, comprising:

a moisture sensor;

a water temperature sensor;

a water level sensor comprising a plurality of probes at different heights; and

a processor configured to collect moisture readings from said plurality of probes, said processor configured to report a possible water leak when said moisture sensor detects moisture above a moisture threshold value and above a threshold temperature, said processor configured to report a first water level when a resistance between a first pair of probes falls below a specified value and to report a second water level when a resistance between a second pair of probes falls below a threshold value, wherein different probes in said plurality of probes are composed of different conductive materials.

3. A system for detecting water leaks, comprising:

a moisture sensor;

a water level sensor comprising a plurality of probes provided to one or more substrates at different heights, said water level sensor sensing water level and water temperature; and

a processor configured to collect moisture readings from said plurality of probes, said processor configured to report a possible water leak when said moisture sensor detects moisture above a moisture threshold value, said processor configured to report a first water level when a resistance between a first pair of probes falls below a specified value and to report a second water level when a resistance between a second pair of probes falls below a threshold value and said water temperature corresponds to a specified temperature range, wherein a conduction-enhancing agent is provided to at least one of said at least one or more substrates.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044101/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2014
From: NEST LABS, INC.
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 033568/0693 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT PATENT NO. 8,101,892 TO BE REMOVED PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 031658 FRAME: 0179. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 29, 2014
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033452/0413 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT ADDITION OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,101,892 TO THE LIST. ALL OTHER NUMBERS REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031658 FRAME 0093. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE U.S. PATENT NO. 8,101,892 IS TO BE REMOVED. Recorded Jul 28, 2014
From: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR LLP
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033429/0848 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2013
From: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR LLP
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031658/0093 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2013
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: NEST LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031658/0179 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2009
From: KATES, LAWRENCE
To: KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, LLP
Reel/Frame 022460/0472 →