FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)
SMART GAS REGULATOR UNIT
Applicants:
i) NAIK KARMALI, Shreyash
ii) PRABHU, Sanket
Address:
H. No. 46, Near Vithal Mandir, Sanguem, Goa 403704
The following Specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of a gas regulator unit, and more particularly to a smart gas regulator unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In every household, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking and other purposes. LPG is generally stored in a gas storage container and is supplied to a gas stove via a hose. A gas regulator unit is a device which is connected to the gas storage container for regulating the flow of gas from the gas storage container to the gas stove. The gas regulator unit operates in two modes viz. OFF mode and ON mode. The gas regulator unit is switched from OFF mode to ON mode and vice versa via a manual switch provided therein. Thus, the gas regulator unit provides the basic functionality of controlling the supply of gas to the gas stove when desired.
As the LPG is regularly spent for the household purpose, the level of the gas in the gas storage container diminishes. When the gas storage container becomes empty, the gas needs to be refilled at a refilling station. Till the time the filled gas storage container is supplied by a gas refill agency, an alternate arrangement needs to be made. In case no alternate arrangement is available, then the user has to wait till the refilled gas storage container is delivered. Another concern with the use of LPG is that the LPG is prone to

leakage. If the leakage is not detected on time, it may cause severe accidents and may result in several casualties and deaths in addition to the loss of property.
In light of the above, there exists a need for a smart gas regulator unit capable of interfacing with a handheld device of a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a smart gas regulator unit. In one aspect, a gas regulator unit for use with a gas storage container includes a valve connectable to the gas storage container and configured for regulating flow of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) contained in the gas storage container to a gas stove, a level sensor configured for sensing a level of the LPG contained in the gas storage container, and a microprocessor configured for determining the level of the LPG in the gas storage container to be less than a pre-determined threshold value. The gas regulator unit also includes a communication module for automatically sending one or more notifications to a handheld device (116) of a user of the gas storage container.
Furthermore, the gas regulator container includes a leakage sensor configured for detecting leakage of the LPG contained in the gas storage container. Additionally, the gas regulator unit includes an actuating unit configured for operating the value to regulate the flow of the LPG. Moreover, the gas regulator unit includes a measuring unit

configured for measuring the amount of the LPG supplied to the gas stove from the gas storage container.
Therein, the microprocessor is configured for automatically placing an order for a gas refill with the gas refill agency when the level of the LPG falls below the predetermined threshold value.
In another aspect, a method of a gas regulator unit includes determining level of the LPG contained in a gas storage container, determining whether the level of the LPG in the gas storage container has fallen below a pre-determined threshold level, and automatically sending a first notification indicating that the level of the LPG is below the pre-determined threshold level to a handheld device (116) of a user of the gas storage container if the level of the LPG has fallen below the pre-determined threshold level.
The method also includes detecting leakage of the LPG gas contained in the gas storage container, and sending a second notification indicating the leakage of the LPG gas from the gas storage container to the handheld device.
Additionally, the method includes receiving a first request to allow flow of the LPG to a gas stove from the handheld device. The method includes determining whether the request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit. If the request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit, switching OFF the gas regulator unit coupled to the gas storage container to obstruct the flow of the LPG from the gas storage container. If the request

is not for switching OFF the gas regulator unit, switching ON the gas regulator unit to allow the flow of the LPG to the gas stove. Moreover, the method includes recording amount of the LPG consumed by the user, and sending consumption data indicating the amount of the LPG consumed by the user to the handheld device. Also, the method includes automatically placing an order for a gas refill with a gas refill agency when the level of the LPG falls below a pre-determined threshold value.
The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will now be addressed with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not limit the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit, according to another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of alerting a user of a gas storage container based on level of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of automatically placing an order for a gas refill based on the level of LPG, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of handling leakage of LPG from the gas storage container, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operating the gas regulator unit, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of providing consumption information to the user, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a smart gas regulator unit. Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit 100, according to one embodiment. The gas delivery system comprises a gas storage container 102, a gas regulator unit 100 connected to the gas storage container 102, and a gas stove 114 coupled to the gas regulator unit 100 via a hose (not shown). The gas storage container 102 contains a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking purposes in household. The gas regulator unit 100 primarily regulates flow of the LPG from the gas storage container 102 to a gas stove which burns the LPG for cooking purposes.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas regulator unit 100 consists of a valve 104, a level sensor 106, an actuating unit 108, a microprocessor 110, and a communication module 112. The valve 104 is connected to the outlet of the gas storage container 102 via a suitable fastening means known in the art. The valve 104 regulates the flow of LPG from the gas storage container 102 to the gas stove 114. Normally, the valve 104 is in ON position.
The actuating unit 108 operates the valve 104 to allow or obstruct the flow of LPG from the gas storage container 102 to the gas stove 114. The microprocessor 110 controls the operation of the actuating unit 108. In one embodiment, the microprocessor 110 may send a signal to the actuating unit 108 to shut OFF the valve 104. In this embodiment, the actuating unit 108 shuts OFF the valve 104 to obstruct the flow of LPG to the gas stove 114 based on the signal from the microprocessor 110. In another embodiment, the microprocessor 110 may send a signal to the actuating unit 108 to allow the flow of LPG to the gas stove 114. In this embodiment, the actuating unit 108

switches ON the valve 104 to allow the flow of LPG based on the signal from the microprocessor 110.
In some embodiments, a user may send a request to switch ON or switch OFF the gas regulator unit 100 using a handheld device 116. An application installed on the handheld device 116 may enable the user to generate and send the request to the gas regulator unit 100 using communication networks such as GSM, EDGE, GPRS etc. The request may contain command to the microprocessor 110. The request may be sent as a short message service (SMS) message. Accordingly, the communication module 112 is equipped with a subscriber identity module (SIM) to receive or transmit data from/to the handheld device 116. When the communication module 112 receives a request to switch OFF the gas regulator unit 100 from the handheld device 116, the microprocessor 110 sends a signal to the actuator unit 108 which in turn shuts OFF the valve 104. When the communication module 112 receives a request to switch ON the gas regulator unit 100 from the handheld device 116, the microprocessor 110 sends a signal to the actuator unit 108 which turns ON the valve 104.
The level sensor 106 is coupled to the valve 104. The level sensor 106 senses the level of the LPG and provides the sensed signal to the microprocessor 110. In an exemplary implementation, the level sensor 106 may be a pressure sensor. Alternatively, the level sensor 106 may be any other sensor known in the art. In some embodiments, the microprocessor 110 determines whether the level of the LPG has fallen below a predetermined threshold value based on the sensed signal. The predetermined

threshold value may be a lowest value set by the gas refill agency. In one embodiment, if the level has fallen below the predetermined threshold value, the microprocessor 110 generates a notification indicating that the level of LPG has fallen below the predetermined threshold value. Accordingly, the communication module 112 sends the notification to a handheld device 116 of a user. Thus, the user comes to know that the level of the LPG in the gas storage container 102 is low and there is chance that the gas storage container 102 may get empty soon. The first notification may be short message service (SMS) message. In another embodiment, if the level has fallen below the predetermined threshold value, the microprocessor 110 automatically places an order for a gas refill with a gas refill agency using the communication module 112.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit 200, according to another embodiment. It can be seen that the gas regulator unit 200 is similar to the gas regulator unit 100 of FIG. 1, except that the gas regulator unit 200 additionally includes a leakage sensor 202 and an alarm unit 204. The leakage sensor 202 is connected to the valve 104. The leakage sensor 202 continuously determines for any leakage in the LPG from the gas storage container 102. When the leakage sensor 202 detects leakage of the LPG, the leakage sensor 202 sends a signal to the microprocessor 110. The microprocessor 110 generates a notification indicating that the leakage of LPG is detected. Accordingly, the communication module 112 sends the notification to the handheld device of the user. Thus, the user becomes aware of the leakage of LPG via the handheld device 116 in case the user is away from home. Based on the notification, the user may send a request to the gas regulator unit 200 to

shut OFF the valve 104. Accordingly, the microprocessor 110 may shut OFF the valve 104, thereby stopping the leakage of LPG. Alternatively, when the signal indicating leakage of LPG is received from the leakage sensor 202, the microprocessor 110 may shut OFF the valve 104 to prevent hazard in addition to notifying the user. In absence of such a provision, the microprocessor 110 may generate an alarm via the alarm unit to provide an alert regarding leakage of LPG to people in vicinity to the gas delivery system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gas delivery system employing a gas regulator unit 300, according to yet another embodiment. It can be seen that the gas regulator unit 300 is similar to the gas regulator unit 100 of FIG. 1, except that the gas regulator unit 300 additionally consists of a measuring unit 302 and a display unit 304. The measuring unit 302 is connected to the valve 104. When the valve 104 is in ON state, the measuring unit 302 records the amount of LPG supplied to the gas stove 114. The measuring unit 302 periodically sends the consumption data to the microprocessor 110. In turn, the microprocessor 110 generates a notification indicating the amount of LPG consumed to the handheld device 116 of the user using the communication module 112. Additionally, the microprocessor 110 may send the consumption data to a server for billing and other purposes. This can be realized when the gas regulator unit 300 is connected in a machine to machine communication environment in which several such gas regulator units as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 deployed in a geographic region interact with a server (e.g., hosted on a cloud).

As shown in FIG. 3, the gas regulator unit 300 is provided with the display unit 304 coupled to the microprocessor 110. The microprocessor 110 may display the consumption data and other information (last refill data, amount of LPG remaining, next refill due date, etc.) on the display unit 304.
Although FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 illustrates three different embodiments, the features of the gas regulator units 100, 200 and 300 can be implemented in a single gas regulator unit as desired.
FIG. 4 is a process flowchart 400 illustrating an exemplary method of alerting a user of a gas storage container 102 based on the level of LPG, according to one embodiment. At step 402, the level of the LPG contained in the gas storage container is determined. At step 404 it is determined whether the level of the LPG is below a predetermined threshold level. For example, the predetermined threshold level may be minimum quantity of LPG required in the gas storage container at any instance of time. The predetermined threshold level may be preset by a gas agency or by the user. If it is determined that the level of the LPG is below predetermined threshold level, then at step 406 a first notification indicating that the level of the LPG is below the predetermined threshold level is automatically sent to the handheld device 116 of the user. For example, the first notification may be short message service (SMS) message. Alternatively, the first notification can be any other type of message known in the art. If it is determined that the level of the LPG is above the predetermined threshold level, the process repeats the step 402.

FIG. 5 is a process flowchart 500 illustrating an exemplary method of automatically placing an order for a gas refill based on the level of LPG, according to one embodiment. At step 502, the level of the LPG contained in the gas storage container is determined. At step 504 it is determined whether the level of the LPG is below a predetermined threshold level. If it is determined that the level of the LPG is below predetermined threshold level, then at step 506 an order for a gas refill is placed. For example, contact information associated with a gas refill agency maybe pre-stored. If the level falls below the predetermined threshold level, the contact information is used for placing an order for a gas refill with a gas refill agency.
FIG. 6 is a process flowchart 600 illustrating an exemplary method of handling leakage of LPG from a gas storage container, according to one embodiment. At step 602, leakage of LPG from the gas storage container is detected. At step 604, a second notification indicating the leakage of the LPG from the gas storage container is sent to the handheld device of the user. At step 606, the flow of the LPG to the gas stove is automatically switched OFF to prevent leakage.
FIG. 7 is a process flowchart 700 illustrating an exemplary method of operating the gas regulator unit, according to one embodiment. At step 702, a first request to regulate the
t.
flow of LPG is received from the handheld device. At step 704, it is determined whether the request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit. If the request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit, then at step 706 the gas regulator unit is switched OFF

automatically. If the request is not for switching OFF the gas regulator unit, then at step 708 it is determined whether the request is for switching ON the gas regulator unit. If the request is for switching ON the gas regulator unit, then at step 710 the gas regulator unit is switched ON, else the process is terminated.
FIG. 8 is a process flowchart 800 illustrating an exemplary method of providing consumption information to the user, according to one embodiment. At step 802, the amount of LPG consumed by the user is recorded. For example, the amount of the LPG consumed via the gas stove is recorded while the gas regulator unit is in ON state. The amount of the LPG consumed enables the user to keep a check on the usage of the LPG. At step 804 a notification is sent to the user on the handheld device regarding the amount of the LPG consumed for over a period of time. Additionally, the consumption information is displayed on a display unit integrated with the gas regulator unit.
While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments. In view of the present disclosure, many modifications and variations would be present themselves, to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention, as described herein. The scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) for use with a gas storage container (102),
comprising:
a valve (104) connectable to the gas storage container (102) and configured for regulating flow of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) contained in the gas storage container (103) to a gas stove (114), characterized by:
a level sensor (106) configured for sensing level of the LPG contained in the gas storage container (103);
a microprocessor (110) configured for determining the level of the LPG to be less than a pre-determined threshold value; and
a communication module (112) configured for automatically sending one or more notifications to a handheld device (116) of a user of the gas storage container (102).
2. The gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, characterized by a leakage sensor (202) configured for detecting leakage of the LPG contained in the gas storage container (102).
3. The gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, characterized by an actuating unit (108) configured for operating the value (104) to regulate the flow of the LPG.

4. The gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, characterized by a measuring unit (302) configured for recording the amount of the LPG supplied to the gas stove (114) from the gas storage container (102).
5. The gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor (110) is configured for automatically placing an order for a gas refill with a gas refill agency when the level of the LPG falls below the predetermined threshold value.
6. A method of a gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300), comprising:
determining level of the LPG contained in the gas storage container (102), characterized by:
determining whether the level of the LPG in the gas storage container (102) is below a pre-determined threshold level; and
if the level of the LPG is below the pre-determined threshold level, automatically sending a first notification indicating that the level of the LPG is below the predetermined threshold level to a handheld device (116) of a user of the gas storage container (102).
7. The method of claim 6, characterized by:
detecting leakage of the LPG contained in the gas storage container (102); and sending a second notification indicating the leakage of the LPG in the gas storage container (102) to the handheld device (116).

8. The method of claim 6, characterized by:
receiving a request to regulate the flow of the LPG to a gas stove (114) from the handheld device (116);
determining whether the .request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit (100, 200,300);
if the request is for switching OFF the gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300), switching the gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) coupled to the gas stove (114) from ON state to OFF state; and
if the request is not for switching OFF the gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300), switching the gas regulator unit (100, 200, 300) from OFF state to ON state.
9. The method of claim 6, characterized by:
recording amount of the LPG consumed by the user; and
sending consumption data indicating the amount of the LPG consumed by the user to the handheld device (116).

10. The method of claim 1, characterized by:
automatically placing an order for a gas refill with a gas refill agency when the level of the LPG falls below the pre-determined threshold level.