DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202221011340 filed on 2nd March 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to managing usage of devices and more particularly, to managing Real Time Clocks (RTCs) in a device such as but not limited to a water purifier, wherein the RTC uses a Lithium-ion battery as a power source/backup power source.

BACKGROUND
[002] A real-time clock (RTC) is an electrical device that counts down the seconds (usually in the form of an integrated circuit). Although RTCs are most usually linked with computers, servers, and embedded systems, they can be found in almost any electrical device that requires precise timing. RTCs often feature a backup power source, which allows them to keep track of time even if the primary power source is down or unavailable. This backup source of power is normally a lithium-ion battery, which can be bulky.
[003] Typically, a water purifier includes one or more filter cartridges that must be replaced after a certain time period of usage since there is a difficulty in monitoring the filtering efficiency of the filter cartridge as well as the quality of input water. The replacement of filter cartridge in time enables efficient purification of water as well as to prevent a possibility of non-working condition of the water purifier thereby enhancing the health and drinking water experience of user. However, without an indication of the extent to which the filter cartridge has been used, the user may not be aware that the filter cartridge should be replaced. Some solutions include determining a status of the filter cartridge based on the amount of water flow between the filter cartridges and a discharge outlet of the water purifier. For example, the amount of water flow before the entry of filtered water into the discharge outlet and the amount of water flow at the exit of the discharge outlet can be monitored for determining the status of the filter cartridge. Other solutions include counting number of water fills in the water purifier for determining the status of the filter cartridge. For example, the status of the filter cartridge can be determined by counting the number of times a float sensor has reached a maximum water fill level in the water purifier. In another example, the status of the filter cartridge can be determined by counting the rotation of a rotary float sensor, where the rotary float sensor rotates by one revolution on a threaded rod each time on water fill in the water purifier. The status of the filter cartridge indicates one of good filter condition or filter which is near to replacement condition or replace filter condition. The above-mentioned solutions for determining the status of the filter cartridge involves usage of one or more sensors and devices which are complex in design as well as costly, and the installation/ integration of such sensors/devices in the water purifier is cumbersome.

OBJECTS
[004] Principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for managing one or more real-time clocks (RTCs) in a device such as but not limited to a water purifier, wherein the RTC can use a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery as a power source/backup power source.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for monitoring usable life of at least one filter cartridge (water purifier cartridge) in a water purifier based on information provided by the RTC.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for monitoring (detecting/tracking and indicating) usage days of the filter cartridge and determining the usable/useful life of the filter cartridge and providing alerts on end of the usable life of the filter cartridge.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system which precisely calculates the usable life of filter cartridge and is in-expensive.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for providing continuous visual and/or audio notification/alerts on the amount of useful life remaining in the filter cartridge and when the filter cartridge has reached the end of its useful life.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to use a light-weight Li-ion battery of high energy density as the power source/backup power source for the RTC of the water purifier thereby reducing the power consumption of the water purifier.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system for determining the usable life of the filter cartridge without using any sensors.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the system which enables the recording and storage of data on the status of the filter cartridge, in order to facilitate the use, maintenance and servicing of the filter cartridge.
[0012] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0013] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts the arrangement of real time clocks (RTCs) in a device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIGs. 2A and 2B depict the power supply arrangement of the RTC, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0016] FIGs. 3A and 3B are flowcharts depicting the process of monitoring (tracking and alerting) the usable life of a filter cartridge in a water purifier, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for managing one or more real-time clocks (RTCs) in a device such as but not limited to a water purifier, wherein the RTC can use a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery as a power source/backup power source. Further, embodiment herein achieve the system for monitoring (detecting/tracking and indicating) usage days of the filter cartridge and determining the usable/useful life of the filter cartridge and providing alerts on end of the usable life of the filter cartridge. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3B, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts the arrangement of real time clocks (RTCs) in a device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The system 100, as depicted, comprises a Real Time Clock (RTC) PCB (Printed Circuit Board) (101) connected to a controller (102) in the device. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the system (100) is explained herein below with reference to monitoring usable/useful life of at least one filter cartridge in a water purifier based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to practice/ use the components of the system (100) in combination with the usable life logic embedded in the system (100) for monitoring usable/useful life of engine exhaust after-treatment devices, control valves, sensors or air filter or oil filter or fluid filter or liquid filter or other electrical/electronic devices or applications, where monitoring usable life of such devices based on the information from RTC (101) is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Further, the filter cartridge can also be called as filter or water filter cartridge or water purifier cartridge or water filtering module or membrane filter. The RTC PCB (101) can be connected to the controller (102) using a suitable communication means (for example, Universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART), universal synchronous and asynchronous receiver-transmitter (USART), and so on. The RTC PCB (101) can be connected to one or more Li-ion batteries (103), wherein the Li-ion batteries (103) serve as at least one of a primary power source (as shown in fig. 1) or a backup power source (as shown in fig. 2B) to the RTC PCB (101).
[0020] In an embodiment herein, the RTC PCB (101) can use a main power supply, when connected, as the power source and can use the Li-ion battery (103) as the backup power source, when the main power supply is not available (as depicted in FIGs. 2A and 2B).
[0021] The Li-ion batteries, as used herein, are light weight. The Li-ion batteries have higher energy density than other rechargeable batteries. The Li-ion batteries have a greater number of charge and discharge cycles and also, they operate at higher voltage than other rechargeable batteries (approx. 3.7 V).
[0022] The RTC PCB (101) is configured to keep an updated track on current date and time. In an example embodiment herein, the RTC PCB (101) can be used to check and give the information to the controller (102) for calculation of usable life of the at least one filter cartridge in the water purifier. To make sure that the filter cartridge life of the water purifier works with the impact of timeframe, the RTC PCB (101) can provide information to the controller (102) to calculate the real usage of the filter cartridge by making the use of real timeframe.
[0023] The controller (102) can receive information from the RTC PCB (101). The controller (102) can determine usable life (time period for end of life (EOL)) of the filter cartridge based on usage time period (real usage) of the filter cartridge in accordance with the information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102). The usable life of the filter cartridge comprises predetermined (pre-set) number of days of usage of the filter cartridge and a pre-determined (pre-set) number of days as a grace period. The predetermined (pre-set) number of days of usage of the filter cartridge (usable life) can be configured by an authorized person, such as, the manufacturer, an authorized service personnel, and so on and can be stored in a suitable location (such as internal memory (not shown)). The grace period can be configured by an authorized person, such as, the manufacturer, an authorized service personnel, and so on and can be stored in a suitable location (such as internal memory (not shown)). The controller (102) can determine that if a pump of the water purifier is not ON (switched OFF) for at least a short period of time on a day, then the controller 102 considers that day as an unused day and does not count towards the grace period. The controller 102 considers the date of the day as a reference, and not the hours.
[0024] In an example herein, consider that the usage days of the water purifier is 365 days, and the grace period has been configured as 25 days. The controller (102) can receive current date information from the RTC PCB (101). The controller 102 can determine usage days of the filter cartridge by using 365 days as the usage time period of the filter cartridge with 25 days as the grace period. The controller (102) can determine that if a pump of the water purifier is not ON (switched OFF) for at least a second per day, then the controller (102) considers that day as an unused day and does not count towards the grace period.
[0025] FIGs. 3A and 3B are flowcharts depicting the process of monitoring (tracking and alerting) the usable life of at least one filter cartridge in a water purifier. In step 301, the controller (102) checks if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102). If the filter cartridge has been used on the current day, in step (302), the controller (102) increments number of days of usage of the filter cartridge by 1. In step (303), the controller (102) checks if the number of days of usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the usable life (pre-set usage days) of the filter cartridge. In step (304), if the number of days of usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the usable life of the filter cartridge, the controller (102) accordingly determines that the useful life of the filter has ended and provide an alert to at least one user. In an embodiment herein, the alert can be in the form of an audible and/or visual alert on the water purifier through an indicating module (not shown) based on alert signal sent by the controller (102) to the indicating module. In an embodiment herein, the alert can be in the form of an alert to a remote user using at least one of a web server, a mobile application, an Internet of Things (IoT) device based application using a communication interface (not shown). In step (305), the controller (102) checks if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102). If the filter cartridge has been used on the current day, in step (306), the controller (102) increments number of grace days by 1. In step (307), the controller (102) checks if the number of days of usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the maximum number of grace days (pre-set grace days). In step (308), if the number of days of usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the maximum number of grace days, the controller (102) accordingly determines that the grace period of the filter has ended and provide an alert to at least one user. In an embodiment herein, the alert can be in the form of an audible and/or visual alert on the water purifier via the indicating module (not shown) based on alert signal sent from the controller (102) to the indicating module. In an embodiment herein, the alert can be in the form of an alert to a remote user using at least one of a web server, a mobile application, an Internet of Things (IoT) device based application using a communication interface (not shown). In an embodiment herein, the controller (102) can stop the operation of the water purifier on determining the end of grace period of the filter cartridge. The various actions in method (300) may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIGs. 3A and 3B may be omitted.
[0026] The technical advantages of the system (100) for monitoring usable life of the filter cartridge in the water purifier are as follows. the system is adapted to monitor (detect/track and indicate) usage time of the filter cartridge and determine the usable/useful life of the filter cartridge and provide alerts/notifications on end of the usable life of the filter cartridge. The time period for end of life (EOL) logic, as disclosed herein, based on RTC can provide a more predictable annual maintenance charge (AMC) conversion. Embodiments herein provide more accuracy for calculating the filter cartridge life and is in-expensive. The power consumption of the water purifier is very low to negligible which is very important when the RTC runs from an alternate power source such as the light-weight Li-ion battery (103). The system enables the recording and storage of data on the status of the filter cartridge, in order to facilitate the use, maintenance and servicing of the filter cartridge. The system determines the usable life of the filter cartridge without using any sensors.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system (100) for monitoring usable life of a device, the system (100) comprising
a Real Time Clock (RTC) PCB (Printed Circuit Board) (101);
at least one Lithium-ion battery (103) for providing power to the RTC PCB (101); and
a controller (102), wherein the controller (102) is configured for determining the usable life of the device using information provided by the RTC PCB (101).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is at least a water purifier having at least one filter cartridge;
the controller (102) is configured to calculate usage days of the filter cartridge for determining the usable life of the filter cartridge based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102); and
the usable life of the filter cartridge is a predetermined (pre-set) number of days of usage of the filter cartridge and a pre-determined (pre-set) number of days as a grace period.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one Lithium-ion battery (103) serves as a backup power source to the RTC PCB (101) when a main power supply is not available.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one Lithium-ion battery (103) serves as a primary power source to the RTC PCB (101).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (102) is configured to determine the usable life of the filter cartridge by:
checking, if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102);
incrementing days of usage of the filter cartridge by one, if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day;
checking if the days of the usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the usable life of the filter cartridge;
determining that the usable life of the filter cartridge has ended, if the days of the usage of the filter cartridge is equal to usable life of the filter cartridge;
checking if the filter cartridge has been used on the present day based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102);
incrementing number of grace days of the filter cartridge by one, if the filter cartridge has been used on the present day, if the usable life of the filter cartridge has ended;
checking if the number of grace days of the filter cartridge is equal to a maximum grace period; and
stopping operation of the water purifier, if the number of grace days is equal to the maximum grace period.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller (102) is further configured to provide an alert to at least one user, on determining the end of usable life of the filter cartridge if the days of the usage of the filter cartridge is equal to usable life of the filter cartridge; and
the information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102) is current date.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the controller (102) is further configured to:
determine that the grace period of the filter cartridge has ended if the number of grace days of the filter cartridge is equal to the maximum grace period; and
provide an alert to at least one user on determining end of grace period of the filter cartridge.

8. A method (300) for monitoring usable life of a filter cartridge in a water purifier, said method (300) comprising:
checking, by a controller (102), if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day based on information sent by a Real time clock (RTC) PCB (printed circuit board) (101) to the controller (102);
incrementing, by the controller (102), days of usage of the filter cartridge by one, if the filter cartridge has been used on the current day;
checking, by the controller (102), if the days of the usage of the filter cartridge is equal to the usable life of the filter cartridge;
determining, by the controller (102) that the usable life of the filter cartridge has ended, if the days of the usage of the filter cartridge is equal to usable life of the filter cartridge; and
providing, by the controller (102), alerts on determining the end of usable life of the filter cartridge.

9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method (300) includes,
checking, by the controller (102) if the filter cartridge has been used on the present day based on information sent by the RTC PCB (101) to the controller (102);
incrementing, by the controller (102), number of grace days of the filter cartridge by one, if the filter cartridge has been used on the present day, if the usable life of the filter cartridge has ended;
checking, by the controller (102), if the number of grace days of the filter cartridge is equal to a maximum grace period; and
stopping operation of the water purifier, if the number of grace days of the filter cartridge is equal to the maximum grace period.

10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (300) includes;
providing, by the controller (102), alerts to at least one user, on determining the end of usable life of the filter cartridge;
determining, by the controller (102) that the grace period of the filter cartridge has ended if the number of grace days of the filter cartridge is equal to the maximum grace period; and
providing, by the controller (102), alerts to at least one user on determining end of grace period of the filter cartridge.