Touchless utility controller

1. A system for controlling a utility, the system including:

an RFID reader;

a visual indicator;

a processor; and

memory, storing a list of registered unique identifiers and storing instructions that, when executed the processor, cause the system to perform operations including:

receiving, by the RFID reader, an RFID signal from an RFID tag, the RFID signal including a unique identifier, wherein the RFID tag is one of a set of RFID tags that includes a master RFID tag and a configuration RFID tag;

comparing the unique identifier to the list of registered unique identifiers to determine that the RFID tag is a registered RFID tag;

in response to determining the RFID tag is a registered RFID tag:

transmitting an activation signal to a valve control device to cause a valve controlling a utility to open;

illuminating the visual indicator to a first color; and

initiating a shutdown timer; and

upon expiration of the shutdown timer:

ceasing the transmission of the activation signal; and

illuminating the visual indicator to a second color;

detecting the master RFID tag;

in response to detecting the master RFID tag, entering a configuration mode;

while in the configuration mode, detecting the configuration RFID tag; and

based on the detection of the configuration RFID tag, modifying one or more settings of the system.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first color indicates the utility is active and the second color indicates the utility is inactive.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the RFID reader, the visual indicator, the processor, and the memory are housed within a housing, wherein the housing includes no physically activated interface elements.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator illuminates at least 10% of a surface area of a face of the housing.

5. The system of claim 3 , the visual indicator changes to indicate an amount of time remaining on the shutdown timer.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the system further includes a shutdown timer indicator that changes to indicate an amount of time remaining on the shutdown timer.

7. A touchless utility controller comprising:

a housing encompassing:

circuitry configured to receive a signal from an RFID tag, and based on the received signal, provide an activation signal to a valve control device for a valve;

wherein the housing comprises:

a face having an illuminated portion to allow for a visual indictor to illuminate the illuminated portion, wherein the face does not include any physically activated interface elements; and

at least one of an outer side perimeter connected to the face or a back side;

wherein at least one of the outer side perimeter or the back side defines at least one through hole for receiving a input power wiring and output transmission wires for connecting to the valve control device for the valve controlling one of gas or water.

8. The utility controller of claim 7 , wherein the illuminated portion has a surface area that is at least 10% of a surface area of the face.

9. The utility controller of claim 7 , further comprising an RFID reader, a memory, and a processor housed in the housing.

10. The utility controller of claim 7 , wherein the face has a width, and an outer edge of the illuminated portion is positioned within 20% of the width from all exterior edges of the face.

11. The utility controller of claim 7 , wherein the housing does not include any physically activated interface elements.

12. A method for controlling a utility, the method comprising:

receiving, by an RFID reader of a utility controller, a first RFID signal from a first RFID tag;

comparing, by a processor of the utility controller, the first RFID signal to a list of registered unique identifiers to determine that the first RFID tag is a registered RFID tag;

in response to determining the first RFID tag is a registered RFID tag:

transmitting an activation signal to a valve control device to cause a valve controlling a utility to open;

illuminating a visual indicator to a first color; and

initiating a shutdown timer;

receiving, by the RFID reader, a second RFID signal from a second RFID tag;

comparing, by the processor of the utility controller, the second RFID signal to the list of registered unique identifiers to determine that the second RFID tag is a registered RFID tag; and

in response to determining the second RFID tag is a registered RFID tag:

ceasing the transmission of the activation signal; and

illuminating the visual indicator to a second color.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

receiving, by the RFID reader, a third RFID signal from a third RFID tag;

based on the third RFID signal, determining that the third RFID tag is a master RFID tag;

entering a configuration mode in response to determining that the third RFID tag is a master RFID tag;

while in the configuration mode, receiving, by the RFID reader, a fourth RFID signal from a fourth RFID tag;

comparing, by the processor of the utility controller, the fourth RFID signal to the list of registered unique identifiers to determine that the fourth RFID tag is not a registered RFID tag;

in response to determining the fourth RFID tag is not a registered RFID tag, adding the fourth RFID tag as a registered RFID tag to the list of registered unique identifiers.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein a duration of the shutdown timer is based on the first RFID signal.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first color indicates the utility is active and the second color indicates the utility is inactive.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the RFID reader, the visual indicator, and the processor, are housed within a housing, wherein the housing includes no manually activated interface elements.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

receiving, by the RFID reader of the utility controller, a third RFID signal;

in response to receiving the third RFID signal:

transmitting a second activation signal to the valve control device to cause the valve controlling the utility to open;

receiving an emergency shutdown signal;

in response to receiving the emergency shutdown signal, ceasing the transmission of the activation signal;

receiving an emergency override signal; and

transmitting, only in response to the emergency override signal, a third activation signal to the valve control device to cause the valve controlling the utility to open.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second RFID signal is received prior to expiration of the shutdown timer.