Water distribution system
A water distribution system configured for control by a remote control system is disclosed comprising of a water filtration unit for filtering water and a water storage unit for storing the filtered water and including a water dispenser. A control unit is provided that is configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit and includes a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered, and to monitor the functioning of one or more components of the water filtration unit. A point of sale device is also provided comprising of a service management device mounted on the water dispenser and is configured to control the operation of the water dispenser and a user interface to receive user inputs and is configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system. The system includes a communication gateway enabling communication between the water distribution system and the remote control system such that the water distribution system is configured to transmit data obtained from the sensor system and the user interface to the remote control system. The water distribution system is further configured to receive instructions for the operation of the water filtration unit from the remote control system and to receive instructions for dispensing of water on successful processing of user payment.
1. A system comprising:
a remote control system; and
a water distribution system located remote from the remote control system, comprising:
a water filtration unit for filtering water, the water filtration unit including one or more adjustable water filtration components;
a water storage unit for storing water filtered by the water filtration unit, the water storage unit including a water dispenser;
a control unit configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit by adjusting the one or more adjustable water filtration components to bring monitored water quality parameters within desired settings, the control unit including a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered by the water filtration unit, and to monitor the functioning of the one or more adjustable water filtration components of the water filtration unit and monitor the water quality parameters;
a point of sale device comprising (a) and (b):
(a) a service management device coupled to the water storage unit and configured to control the operation of the water dispenser; and
(b) a user interface to receive user inputs and configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system; and
a communication gateway enabling remote communication between the water distribution system and the remote control system; such that the water distribution system is configured to transmit data obtained from the sensor system and the user interface to the remote control system, and the water distribution system is further configured to receive instructions for the operation of the water filtration unit from the remote control system, and to receive instructions for dispensing of water on successful processing of user payment.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the service management device includes one or more of a sensor to measure the quality of water, total dissolved solids in the dispensed water, a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor, a spectrometer, a pressure sensor, or a filtration sensor.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the point of sale device is configured to stop dispensing of water by the water dispenser if measurements from one or more of the sensors tracked by the service management device is outside a predetermined range.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communication gateway includes a modem capable of any of GSM, CDMA, Wi-Fi, GPRS, Zigbee, wired internet or any wired or wireless communication protocol.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a power source for the control unit and the point of sale device.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to stop or start operation of the water filtration unit on receiving instructions from the remote control system.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to receive instructions from the remote control system for adjusting operation settings of the water filtration unit by adjusting the one or more adjustable water filtration components.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the point of sale device is configured to adjust operation settings of the service management device on receiving instructions from the remote control system.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor system includes one or more of a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor, a spectrometer or a pressure sensor.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the service management device includes a filtration system, separate from the water filtration unit, for filtering the water exiting the water storage unit.
11. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the water filtration unit is located remotely from the water storage unit.
12. A water distribution system configured for control by a remote control system, the water distribution system comprising:
a water filtration unit for filtering water;
a water storage unit for storing the filtered water and including a water dispenser;
a control unit configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit and comprising:
a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered and to monitor the functioning of one or more components of the water filtration unit, wherein the sensor system monitors parameters of the water filtration unit;
a communication module for communication with the remote control system and configured to transmit data obtained from the sensor system to the remote control system and to receive instructions for the operation of the water filtration unit from the remote control system, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the one or more components of the water filtration unit to bring the parameters of the water filtration unit to desired settings based on instructions received from the remote control system; and
a point of sale device comprising:
a service management device mounted on the water storage unit and configured to control the operation of the water dispenser;
a communication module for communication with the remote control system, and
a user interface to receive user inputs and configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system through the communication module;
such that the point of sale device is configured to instruct the service management device to dispense water through the water dispenser on successful processing of user payment.
13. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the service management device includes one or more of a sensor to measure the quality of water, total dissolved solids in the dispensed water, a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor, a spectrometer, a pressure sensor, or a filtration sensor.
14. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the point of sale device is configured to stop dispensing of water by the water dispenser if measurements from one or more of the sensors tracked by the service management device is outside a predetermined range.
15. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the communication modules of the control unit and the point of sale device include modems capable of any of GSM, CDMA, Wi-Fi, GPRS, Zigbee, wired internet or any wired or wireless communication protocol.
16. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a power source for the control unit and the point of sale device.
17. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the control unit is configured to stop or start operation of the water filtration unit on receiving instructions from the remote control system.
18. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the point of sale device is configured to adjust operation settings of the service management device on receiving instructions from the remote control system.
19. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the sensor system includes one or more of a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor, a spectrometer or a pressure sensor.
20. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the service management device includes a filtration system, separate from the water filtration unit, for filtering the water before dispensing.
21. A water distribution system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the water filtration unit is located remotely from the water storage unit.
22. A system for distribution of water comprising:
a remote control system for collecting data and aggregating information from one or more remotely located water distribution system in communication with the remote control system;
a water filtration unit having one or more adjustable water filtration components for filtering water;
a water storage unit for storing water filtered by the water filtration unit, the water storage unit including a water dispenser;
a control unit configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit by adjusting the one or more adjustable water filtration components to bring monitored water quality parameters within desired settings, the control unit including a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered by the water filtration unit, and to monitor the functioning of one or more components of the water filtration unit and monitor the water quality parameters;
a point of sale device comprising (a) and (b):
(a) a service management device coupled to the water storage unit and configured to control the operation of the water dispenser; and
(b) a user interface to receive user inputs and configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system; and
a communication gateway enabling communication between the water distribution system and the remote control system; such that the water distribution system configured to transmit data obtained from the sensor system and the user interface to the remote control system, and the water distribution system further configured to receive instructions for the operation of the water filtration unit from the remote control system, and to receive instructions for dispensing of water on successful processing of user payment.