US 12,094,320 B2
Flood warning system
Jacob M. Torres, College Station, TX (US); Evan S. Adrian, Rowlett, TX (US); and Raymond C. Cook, Euless, TX (US)
Assigned to J.M. Torres & Associates, LLC, College Station, TX (US)
Filed by J. M. Torres & Associates, LLC, College Station, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/702,787.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/287,025, filed on Dec. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0177944 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. G08B 21/20 (2006.01); G01F 23/80 (2022.01); G01W 1/06 (2006.01); G01W 1/14 (2006.01); G08B 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G08B 21/20 (2013.01) [G01F 23/80 (2022.01); G01W 1/06 (2013.01); G01W 1/14 (2013.01); G08B 21/182 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for monitoring flooding, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of flood monitoring stations, each flood monitoring station including at least one sensor configured to detect water level;
determining, at each flood monitoring station, a water level using the at least one sensor;
communicating wirelessly, from each flood monitoring station to a flood warning station, a most recent water level determined by each flood monitoring station;
communicating wirelessly a warning message to a user from the flood warning station when one or more of the most recent water levels determined by each flood monitoring station exceeds a threshold;
wherein the warning message is sent to a user device after the flood warning station receives the most recent water level determined from the flood monitoring station that reported the water level exceeding a threshold;
wherein the user device is distinct from each flood monitoring station and the flood warning station;
receiving wirelessly, at the flood warning station, a confirmation message from the user device after the warning message is sent to the user device;
communicating wirelessly, upon receiving the confirmation message from the user device, from the flood warning station to the flood monitoring station that reported the water level exceeding the threshold, a trigger message;
wherein the trigger message is sent to the flood monitoring station after the flood warning station receives the confirmation message from the user device;
triggering, upon receiving the trigger message at the flood monitoring station from the flood warning station, a visual warning at the flood monitoring station that reported the water level exceeding the threshold;
wherein each of the plurality of flood monitoring stations includes a warning light physically mounted to a flasher pole in a fixed location adjacent to a corresponding waterway, wherein the at least one sensor of each flood monitoring station is mounted within the corresponding waterway and operably coupled to a first controller disposed within a first housing, and wherein the method further comprises detecting, with the at least one sensor of each flood monitoring station, the water level of each corresponding waterway; and
wherein one or more of the plurality of flood monitoring stations includes a plurality of warning lights physically mounted to a plurality of flasher poles in fixed locations adjacent to the corresponding waterway, and wherein the method further comprises tracking, at a control panel, the flasher pole confirmation progress of each of the plurality of flasher poles.