Abstract: A system and method for detecting and analyzing fluid flow. The system includes a turbine that rotates in response to a fluid flow; a sensor that senses positional information of the turbine; a flow detector coupled to the sensor that: periodically captures and stores a value indicative of a position of the turbine; compares the value with a previously collected value; and detects flow if the value and previously collected value differ; and a flow analysis system coupled to the sensor that activates in response to a detected flow, wherein the flow analysis system collects and analyzes sensor data from the sensor.

Abstract: A universal fluid flow sensor system and method installable in a toilet tank. A system is disclosed that includes a two-part water flow monitoring device, which include a dry module that contains a power source, communications and an event processing system; and a wet module releasably coupled to the dry module that receives an inflow of water and includes a turbine with magnets that generates a magnetic field when spun. The magnetic field is captured by the dry module to determine flow rate data.

Abstract: A device configured to perform a task. The device includes an optical sensor configured to obtain light sequences from a camera flashlight (or other source) and convert the light sequences to electronic signals; a processor configured to receive the electronic signals from the optical sensor, detect electronic signals indicative of a predefined light sequence, and output control signals in response to detection of a predefined light sequence; and a controllable feature that is activated in response to the control signals from the processor.

Abstract: A self-charging sensor (SCS) adapted for use in a toilet or the like. The SCS includes a housing having a rechargeable battery; a turbine module having a multilevel impeller having offset wheels that are adapted to be driven by a fluid flow via an inlet port during an event, wherein a rotation of the impeller causes the turbine module to generate electricity that recharges the rechargeable battery; and a processing module that collects count data associated with the rotation during the event; and an attachment component adapted to seat the housing on an overflow tube.

Abstract: A computing system having a memory and a processor configured to process flow data packets (FDPs) collected from a set of sensor devices, each installed in a toilet that collects a flow data packet (FDP) in response to a detected event, wherein each FDP includes a sequence of flow rate values collected over the course of the detected event. The processor is configured to: issue a first type of alert in response to a number of flow rate values in a current FDP being above a threshold; issue a second type of alert in response to a detected abnormal behavior of the current FDP relative to previously collected FDPs for an associated toilet; and issue a third type of alert based on a water usage for the toilet, wherein the water usage is based on calculated flow rate for a toilet determined from at least one FDP.

Abstract: A self-charging sensor (SCS) adapted for use in a toilet or the like. The SCS includes a housing having a rechargeable battery; a turbine module having a multilevel impeller having offset wheels that are adapted to be driven by a fluid flow via an inlet port during an event, wherein a rotation of the impeller causes the turbine module to generate electricity that recharges the rechargeable battery; and a processing module that collects count data associated with the rotation during the event; and an attachment component adapted to seat the housing on an overflow tube.

Abstract: A universal fluid flow sensor system and method installable in a toilet tank. A system is disclosed that includes a housing that contains a power source and an event processing system; a flow sensor coupled to a base of the housing, wherein the flow sensor provides flow rate data to the event processing system, the flow sensor having an inlet adapted to receive an inflow of water from a fill tube and an outlet adapted to expel an outflow; a universal stem that extends from the housing and includes at least two different mounting systems adapted to seat the housing onto different overflow tube types, wherein the universal stem includes an elbow assembly configured to receive and redirect the outflow into an overflow tube; and a pair of cylindrical probes positioned in parallel within the elbow assembly, wherein the probes activate the event processing system in response to a detection of water contacting the probes.

Abstract: A computing system having a memory and a processor configured to process flow data packets (FDPs) collected from a set of sensor devices, each installed in a toilet that collects a flow data packet (FDP) in response to a detected event, wherein each FDP includes a sequence of flow rate values collected over the course of the detected event. The processor is configured to: issue a first type of alert in response to a number of flow rate values in a current FDP being above a threshold; issue a second type of alert in response to a detected abnormal behavior of the current FDP relative to previously collected FDPs for an associated toilet; and issue a third type of alert based on a water usage for the toilet, wherein the water usage is based on calculated flow rate for a toilet determined from at least one FDP.

Abstract: A water flow sensor and associated distributed water management system that analyzes water flow in toilets to identify leaks or other failures. A water flow sensor is disclosed that includes: a housing that contains a power source and an event processing system; a sensor that provides water flow data to the event processing system, the sensor having an inlet adapted to receive an inflow of water from a fill tube and an outlet that expels an outflow of water; a probe that activates the event processing system in response to a detected water flow event; and a support structure for seating the housing onto an overflow tube, wherein the support structure includes an assembly to receive the outflow of water and redirect the outflow into the overflow tube.

Abstract: A universal fluid flow sensor system and method installable in a toilet tank. A system is disclosed that includes a housing that contains a power source and an event processing system; a flow sensor coupled to a base of the housing, wherein the flow sensor provides flow rate data to the event processing system, the flow sensor having an inlet adapted to receive an inflow of water from a fill tube and an outlet adapted to expel an outflow; a universal stem that extends from the housing and includes at least two different mounting systems adapted to seat the housing onto different overflow tube types, wherein the universal stem includes an elbow assembly configured to receive and redirect the outflow into an overflow tube; and a pair of cylindrical probes positioned in parallel within the elbow assembly, wherein the probes activate the event processing system in response to a detection of water contacting the probes.

Abstract: A water flow sensor and associated distributed water management system that analyzes water flow in toilets to identify leaks or other failures. A water flow sensor is disclosed that includes: a housing that contains a power source and an event processing system; a sensor that provides water flow data to the event processing system, the sensor having an inlet adapted to receive an inflow of water from a fill tube and an outlet that expels an outflow of water; a probe that activates the event processing system in response to a detected water flow event; and a support structure for seating the housing onto an overflow tube, wherein the support structure includes an assembly to receive the outflow of water and redirect the outflow into the overflow tube.