Bathroom Water Monitoring Using Multi-Sensor Activity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for reducing water consumption in bathrooms lack flexibility and human interaction awareness, and fail to effectively coordinate multiple water installations, leading to inefficiencies and potential economic losses due to excessive water use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors (motion, audio, humidity, and temperature) that detect human activity and water usage patterns, transmitting qualified data via low-power signals to an external unit for processing and outputting actionable insights, including alerts and water-saving tips, to reduce water consumption and promote proper usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and data processing components are integrated into the apparatus, then measurement precision and control capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (motion sensor, audio sensor, humidity sensor, temperature sensor) and data processing components into a single integrated apparatus housing. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple sensing modalities while containing the physical footprint and simplifying installation by having one unified device rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs motion detection, audio monitoring, humidity sensing, temperature sensing, data qualification through algorithms, and wireless communication. This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices, balancing enhanced measurement capabilities with acceptable device complexity.
2Productivity
If real-time data monitoring and processing is implemented, then water consumption control effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic data transmission rather than continuous real-time streaming. The controller qualifies sensor data and transmits it to external units at scheduled intervals or when specific thresholds are reached. This periodic action maintains effective water consumption monitoring and control while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous data processing and communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus includes an energy storage means (battery) that enables the device to operate autonomously without requiring constant external power supply. The system qualifies and processes data using onboard computational resources, reducing the need for energy-intensive cloud processing. This self-service approach balances real-time control effectiveness with reduced energy requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces water consumption by minutes or seconds in showers, enhances human awareness of water usage, and coordinates multiple bathroom installations, preventing economic losses from excessive water use while providing insights for improved hygiene and health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor (110) configured to detect a movement in a certain distance from the apparatus in a bathroom as a first indication of activity in the bathroom
Implementation Method 2
an audio sensor (115) configured to monitor a sound of running water from one or more water consumption locations in a bathroom as a second indication of activity in the bathroom
Implementation Method 3
a humidity sensor (120) configured to monitor the ambient humidity in a bathroom as a third indication of activity in the bathroom
Implementation Method 4
an ambient temperature sensor (200)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system for reducing or controlling water consumption in bathrooms includes a housing and is configured to receive data from water consumption locations. The housing includes a motion sensor to detect movement in a threshold distance from the apparatus as a first indication of activity, an audio sensor to monitor sound of running water as a second indication of activity, optionally a humidity sensor to monitor ambient humidity as a third indication of activity, optionally an ambient temperature sensor, a controller to qualify data received from the sensors by an algorithm, a transmitter to transmit data to an external unit, optionally via a mobile device, by low power signals, and an identification mechanism readable or scannable by a mobile device and configured to include output data based on qualified data for reducing or controlling water consumption.