Patent Publication Number: US-2009235869-A1

Title: Precision Watering Method and Apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of the U.S. non-provisional patent application entitled “Precision Watering Method and Apparatus” having Ser. No. 12/139,660, filed on Jun. 16, 2008, which claims the benefit of the U.S. non-provisional patent application entitled “Precision Watering Method and Apparatus”, 11/295,709, filed Dec. 6, 2005, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to aids for efficiently and effectively dispensing liquids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accurately dispensing, monitoring, quantifying, and controlling liquids provided to one or more animals. 
     Many systems and methods have been created to provide water and feed to animals such as livestock. Some such systems are designed to dispense predetermined quantities of feed or liquids at daily predetermined times. In one form, a quantity of animal feed is measured based upon criteria such as weight or volume. After measurement, the feed is transferred to an intermediate hopper, which then transfers the feed to the animal. Other similar systems allow an animal to access feed through an opening in a hopper that is sized such that the feed is larger than the opening, thereby restricting the amount of feed available to the animal. In such a system, the animal gnaws the feed accessible through the opening, and, upon consumption of a desired amount of feed, the opening is closed to prevent further consumption. Some such systems are activated or controlled manually by one or more users, while others automatically dispense food at pre-programmed times. In addition, some such systems are designed to feed a single animal, whereas others are designed for several animals. 
     Similarly, feeding and watering systems have been designed for large herds of animals such as cattle. In some such systems, each animal of the herd has an electronic tag or collar for identification. At feeding time, the cattle are herded into stalls. Individual stall gates close after one of the animals enters the respective stall, forcing the remaining cattle to continue into other unoccupied stalls. Once an animal is contained in a stall and the gate is closed, a feeder dispenses a specific, predetermined quantity of feed based upon the electronic information provided by the animal&#39;s electronic tag or collar. 
     In addition to dry food such as feed, systems and methods are available for dispensing water or other liquids to animals. In its most simplistic form, a water reservoir is connected to a valve that is accessible to the animal. When the animal actuates the valve, typically by pressing on the valve with its mouth, water is released. Examples range from individual water bottles for gerbils or similar rodents to more complex, networked drinking systems for animals such as poultry or cattle. Some such systems are equipped with manual or automatic purge cycles to remove stale or contaminated water from the drinking lines. 
     Distinct from animal watering systems, many other systems and methods have been created to control water flow. Some of these systems and methods have been designed to terminate water flow based on various user-determined parameters. In one such system, water flow is terminated when a hazardous or wasteful condition occurs. Some examples include water flow termination due to broken pipes or water mains, leaking pipes or water mains, and continuously running toilets. These systems include a water flow meter for detection of the hazardous or wasteful condition and an electronic shut-off valve for termination of water flow. 
     Similarly, products have been created to terminate water flow before a hazardous or wasteful situation occurs. For example, some systems terminate water flow upon the occurrence of a pressure increase in a pipe, hose, or water main. Other such systems terminate water flow when continuous flow occurs beyond a predetermined time period. Other similar systems totalize water flow and indicate the need for replacement of a water treatment filter or the like when totalized water flow exceeds a predetermined value. 
     In addition to systems and methods for terminating water flow, systems and methods have also been created to supply water to a variety of elements such as nozzles and the like in predetermined quantities and at predetermined times. Some such systems include supermarket produce and lawn sprinkler systems. Such systems are typically pre-programmed with a time schedule for systematically supplying water to each nozzle in the system simultaneously or to individual nozzles at corresponding dedicated times. 
     However, what is needed is a more effective system and method for accurately quantifying and controlling liquids provided to one or more individual, manually-actuated valves that may be optimized, at a user&#39;s discretion, to simultaneously perform multiple functions including, but not limited to: providing liquids to one or more animals simultaneously, monitoring each individual animal&#39;s liquid consumption, controlling the quantity of liquid consumed by each individual animal during one drinking event, controlling the quantity of liquid consumed by each individual animal during a predetermined time period, controlling time lapse between consecutive drinking events, allowing one or more users to alter each individual animal&#39;s drinking parameters, preventing wasteful liquid flow, accurately quantifying each animal&#39;s liquid consumption, and providing alarms to all system users simultaneously. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for quantifying at least one liquid consumed by at least one animal via an animal watering system, the animal watering system including at least one control unit, at least one flow measurement device, and at least one flow control device. The method includes the steps of: activating at least one algorithm for performing said quantifying, said algorithm performed via said at least one control unit; activating an air purge timer to begin an air purge mode; opening said at least one flow control device; maintaining said at least one flow control device open until said air purge time expires; closing said at least one flow control device upon expiration of said air purge timer, said closing ending said air purge mode; adjusting a flow quantity parameter to account for liquid dispensed through said animal watering system while said air purge timer is active, said adjusting increasing an accuracy of said quantifying; opening said at least one flow control device to provide said at least one liquid to said at least one animal; monitoring said at least one liquid provided to said at least one animal via said at least one measurement device; and quantifying said at least one liquid provided to said at least one animal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the exterior of a watering apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, inlet and outlet couplings, a user interface, and an interlock sensor. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cutaway, front view of the watering apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including a schematic interconnection of the internal and external components of the watering apparatus, as well as interlock of the watering apparatus with an independent, external drinking assembly. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  depict a flowchart of the steps in a process for monitoring, quantifying, and controlling liquid flow in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a networked watering system in accordance with a networked embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, multiple watering apparatuses, multiple specimen cages, a liquid source, and a remote monitoring station. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a main user interface panel coupled to eight non-intelligent local panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an internal view of a non-intelligent local panel in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5  including coupling of the non-intelligent local panel to a liquid source and a drinking assembly. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cutaway, front view of the main user interface panel in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5  including a schematic interconnection of the internal and external components of the main user interface panel, as well as the coupling of the main user interface panel with each non-intelligent local panel. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a networked watering system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a user workstation, main user interface panel, multiple non-intelligent local panels, an Internet interface, and a modem. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an independent user interface in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention and including a cable for connection of the independent user interface to a control unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A watering apparatus for distributing water or other liquids to one or more animals is provided in one aspect of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the watering apparatus contains a control unit that is coupled to one or more flow control device(s), one or more flow measurement device(s), one or more totalizer(s), and one or more user interface(s) via hardwired or wireless connections or some combination thereof. 
     The watering apparatus is connected to a liquid source and a drinking assembly via couplings such as a quick disconnect fittings or quick connect couplings. In some embodiments, the watering apparatus is designed for compatibility with readily available couplings that are commonly known and used in the field of animal watering. Such compatibility facilitates use of the present invention with a user&#39;s existing animal watering equipment (e.g., drinking assemblies, hoses, etc.), thereby, minimizing the cost of implementing the present invention in pre-existing environments such as vivariums. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the watering apparatus performs a process that actuates the flow control device(s) and receives data from sensors such as flow measurement devices, totalizers, interlock sensors, etc. In some embodiments, such processes are performed by processors and electrical or electronic components under the control of computer-readable and computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable and computer-executable instructions reside, for example, in data storage features, memory, registers, and other components of a computer system, microprocessor, control unit, or the like. 
     Preferably, the aforementioned process is customizable based upon a user&#39;s requirements and downloaded to a control unit or the like. However, other methods of loading the control unit such as burning or programming an interchangeable Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (“EPROM”), re-programming an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), or programming a microprocessor may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The process of the present invention monitors the various inputs and sensors, actuates the flow control device(s) and other outputs (e.g., alarm lamps), and provides and receives data to and from a system user, respectively, via a user interface. An animal&#39;s liquid consumption is calculated from data received from high accuracy devices such as flow meters. Such calculated liquid consumption is further analyzed by the process of the present invention to determine the appropriate steps for controlling the respective animal&#39;s current or future liquid intake. Based upon the predetermined and/or pre-programmed requirements, the process determines whether to inhibit or increase the liquid provided for the animal&#39;s consumption and, if necessary, actuates the flow control device(s) (e.g., valves) accordingly. 
     In one embodiment, the quantity of liquid consumed by an animal during a dispensational period (e.g., twenty-four hours, forty-eight hours, etc.) is limited. In this scenario, the animal&#39;s access to the liquid source is terminated (e.g., the flow control device(s) close the liquid pathway) upon exceeding the predetermined allowed liquid quantity. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention limits the quantity of liquid available for the animal&#39;s consumption during individual drinking events, as well as the required time lapse between consecutive drinking events. In such a system, the flow control device(s) close the liquid pathway in the event that the animal continuously consumes liquid and said consumed quantity of liquid exceeds a preset or predetermined per event limit. Thereafter, the flow control device(s) shall remain closed until a predetermined time period (e.g., one hour, thirty minutes, etc.) elapses. Upon expiration of the time period, the flow control device(s) reopen the liquid pathway, and the animal may again consume the liquid. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, an automatic air purge is envisioned. Automatic control of a drinking port is included to allow air to be automatically purged from the liquid pathways until liquid is sensed at the discharge of the drinking port. In the automatic purge embodiment, the drinking port may be controlled as discussed herein for a flow control device, however, an animal may also manually activate such drinking port. In this embodiment, water sensors located in the vicinity of the drinking port may be incorporated to indicate that all air has been completely purged. In an alternate embodiment, a second flow measurement device is located in the drinking assembly liquid pathway. In either embodiment, the water flow or flow measurement data is transmitted to the control unit wherein the automatically controlled drinking port terminates water flow when all air is purged. However, embodiments other than those discussed herein for detecting air purge completion may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The user receives and inputs data and commands for the process via one of the available user interfaces. In some embodiments of the present invention, the user interface contains alarm indicators and a totalizer display to indicate status, alarms, and totalized liquid consumption for each animal to the system user. Such alarms may include, but are not limited to, per event consumption alarms, per dispensational period consumption alarms, system disabled alarms, flow control device malfunction alarms, control unit malfunction alarms, communication failure alarms, measured flow out-of-range alarms, and alarms for disconnection of the watering apparatus from the drinking assembly and/or liquid source. In some embodiments, the totalizer display is a light emitting diode (“LED”) or liquid crystal display (“LCD”) that displays the amount of liquid consumed by each animal in a given period to a viewer. 
     The watering apparatus may further include one or more interlock sensors and associated interlock mating devices that indicate to the user whether the drinking assembly is attached to the watering apparatus. Preferably, the interlock sensor(s) would be magnetic sensors designed to mate with a corresponding magnetic plate, but other embodiments are envisioned such as mechanically activated switching contacts or infrared receivers and transmitters. 
     If the drinking assembly becomes detached from the watering apparatus, the respective indicator may cease illumination on the user interface. Indication of detachment of the drinking assembly from the watering apparatus and, therefore, the liquid source, may indicate the presence of a liquid leak. Consequently, such an indication can alarm the user of the leak detection to allow remedial actions to be performed. Alternatively, leak detection sensors may be employed in a variety of locations (e.g., at the watering apparatus inlets or outlets, at the location of the drinking assembly, at the specimen holding area, etc.) to detect such an event. In yet another embodiment, high or low liquid flow may be monitored and alarmed to indicate a block in the liquid pathway or a liquid leak, respectively. 
     A networked watering system for distributing water or other liquids to one or more animals is provided in another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, several watering apparatuses are networked to each other, to a user workstation, and to a central control unit. One watering apparatus is provided for each drinking assembly, which may be contained in a specimen cage such as a vivarium or terrarium, and a user may accurately quantify and control each watering apparatus either locally from the respective local user interface or remotely from a central monitoring station. Each individual watering apparatus performs as described herein. However, the networking of each watering apparatus to one or more user workstations and to one or more central control units via one or more communication buses allows bi-directional communication to occur between all networked components. Such bi-directional communication enhances the safety and ease with which watering apparatuses may be monitored and controlled, allowing one or more watering apparatuses to be monitored and controlled quickly, safely, and easily by a single remote user. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the provided network comprises an open protocol such as BACnet™, LonWorks®, or the like. Such open protocols maximize the possibility and ease with which the network of the present invention may be interfaced to other existing or future networks. This interface allows data and control functions to be shared between the interfaced networks, thereby providing a more global method of using the present invention at a lower initial cost. For example, the network of a networked watering system of the present invention may be interfaced to a new or existing building management system (“BMS”) network to allow the operator workstations or other user interfaces available on the BMS to access and/or control the data and devices available in the networked watering system. Such access and control may be performed without the addition of operator workstations or other user interfaces specific to the networked watering system. 
     In some embodiments, a modem or Internet interface may be a component of the networked watering system. A modem would allow a user that is remote from both the user workstations and local watering apparatus panels to connect to the watering system by placing a telephone call with a personal computer to the networked watering system via the modem. Upon a successful connection, a user may perform all monitoring and control of the watering system as if the user were seated at a user workstation. 
     Internet interfaces such as cable modems, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) modems, wireless routers, or Ethernet cables also allow a user that is remote from both the user workstations and watering apparatuses to connect to the watering system by accessing a web site pre-programmed to access the networked watering system. Upon successful connection to the watering system via the web site, a user may perform all monitoring and control as if the user were seated at a user workstation. 
     A centralized, non-networked watering system for distributing water or other liquids to several animals simultaneously is provided in another aspect of the present invention. In this embodiment, the watering apparatus contains one main user interface panel connected to several non-intelligent local panels. The main user interface panel contains a control unit hardwired to a user interface and individual totalizer displays (e.g., one totalizer display for each non-intelligent local panel). 
     In one embodiment, each non-intelligent local panel contains at least one flow control device and at least one flow measurement device that are hardwired to a control unit located in the main user interface panel. Further, each non-intelligent local panel is coupled to a liquid source and a drinking assembly via couplings such as a quick disconnect fittings or quick connect couplings. The control unit executes a process that actuates the flow control device(s) and receives data from the flow measurement device(s) and/or totalizer(s). Similar to the process described above for individual watering apparatuses, the process uses the received data to quantify and control the liquid consumption of each animal while simultaneously displaying the consumption and alarms to a user via the main user interface panel. 
     Each non-intelligent local panel may also include one or more interlock sensors that are also wired to the control unit in the main user interface panel. Such interlock sensors are compatible with interlock mating devices and upon connection to same, a signal is sent to the main user interface panel to indicate that the drinking assembly is coupled to its respective non-intelligent local panel. If one of the drinking assemblies becomes detached from its respective non-intelligent local panel, an indicator will cease illumination on the face of the main user interface panel. 
     In an enhanced version of the previously discussed embodiment, multiple main user interface panels are networked to each other and, optionally, to a user workstation or central control unit. In this embodiment, any data present at any main interface panel or non-intelligent local panel may be accessed and/or controlled from a user workstation, central control unit, Internet website, dial in from a remote computer over standard telephone lines, etc. via communication of such data via the bi-directional communication bus. 
     Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, the non-intelligent local panel is replaced with an intelligent local panel having its own local control unit while still reporting data to a remote main user interface panel. In this embodiment, a communication bus networks one or more control units in the main user interface panel to each of the intelligent local panels and information is transmitted therebetween via the communication bus. In this embodiment, networking of the panels eliminates the need to hardwire the flow measurement device(s), flow control device(s), interlock sensor(s), and any other devices present in the non-intelligent local panel to the main interface panel. However, additional control units are required since each intelligent local panel must be equipped with the ability to send and receive data from the communication bus. 
     In still another embodiment, a networked watering apparatus is provided without a local or remote user interface panel. In this scenario, the networked watering apparatus is controlled and accessed via a user workstation or central control unit only. However, such user workstation and central control unit may be resident on either or both of the networked watering system(s) or a third-party system interfaced to the networked watering system(s) (e.g., a BMS). 
     One aspect of the present invention includes the ability to trend each individual animal&#39;s instantaneous liquid consumption. Such trending may be performed via a variety of methods including, but not limited to: locally at the control unit, remotely at the main user interface panel&#39;s control unit, remotely at a networked central control unit, remotely at one or more user workstation(s), and remotely at the user workstation and/or central control unit of a system interfaced to the watering apparatus of the present invention. This trended data may be sampled at intervals selected by a user (e.g., every five minutes, every fifteen minutes, etc.) and may be saved to the memory of a control unit, central control unit, or user workstation. Such trend data may also be periodically printed to create a hard copy of trend data. Furthermore, this trend data may be exported to popular, commonly available software packages (e.g., Microsoft® Excel®) capable of tabulating and graphing such data to facilitate statistical or other analysis of said data. 
     Another aspect of the present invention includes the ability to schedule varying programmable parameters of the watering apparatus in advance. Such programmable parameters may include, but are not limited to, dispensational period and per event quantity limitations. Using this feature, a watering apparatus user may schedule varying liquid quantity limits for each animal and for each day or hour of a larger time cycle (e.g., one month). This feature provides more flexibility for the user by allowing differing consumption limits to be determined and programmed in advance without instantaneous manipulation of the system by the user. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , depicted is watering apparatus  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, watering apparatus  100  includes, inter alia, enclosure  128 , user interface  120 , inlet coupling  122 , outlet coupling  124 , and interlock sensor  126 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, user interface  120  includes totalizer display  106 , system status indicator  108 , enable and reset buttons  110  and  112 , respectively, interlock status indicator  114 , alarm status indicator  116 , and air purge button  118 . User interface  120  allows a user to provide input to and receive output from watering apparatus  100  as described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     In many embodiments of the present invention, enclosure  128  is a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (“NEMA”) 4-rated panel-style enclosure rated for wet environments or the like. Furthermore, enclosure  128  is provided with ground fault interruption (“GFI”) protection to prevent system users from experiencing electrical shocks or death. 
     Prior to use of watering apparatus  100 , a user connects it to a liquid source such as liquid source  202  ( FIG. 2 ) and a drinking assembly (e.g., a water drinking line with nozzle, a feeding bottle, etc.) such as drinking assembly  212  ( FIG. 2 ). The liquid source is detachably connected to watering apparatus  100  via inlet coupling  122 . After attachment, a liquid (e.g., water, nutrient-fortified water, juice, etc.) is controllably flowed through watering apparatus  100  from the liquid source through inlet coupling  122  to outlet coupling  124 , the latter being detachably connected to a drinking assembly such as drinking assembly  212  ( FIG. 2 ). Interlock sensor  126  is also detachably connected to the drinking assembly and provides status indication to watering apparatus  100 . Interlock sensor status allows watering apparatus  100  to prevent spillage upon a determination that a drinking assembly is not attached to outlet coupling  124 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cutaway, front view of watering apparatus  100  in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  is illustrated including, inter alia, user interface  120 , inlet coupling  122 , outlet coupling  124 , interlock sensor  126 , flow control device  200 , flow measurement device  204 , and control unit  206 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, control unit  206  performs the monitoring and control associated with watering apparatus  100  based upon execution of a process such as process  300  ( FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C). In some embodiments, such processes are performed by processors and electrical or electronic components under the control of computer-readable and computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable and computer-executable instructions reside, for example, in data storage features, memory, registers, and other components of a computer system, microprocessor, control unit, or the like. 
     Preferably, the process is an algorithm programmed based upon a user&#39;s requirements and downloaded to control unit  206  or a portion thereof. However, other methods of loading control unit  206  (e.g., burning or programming an interchangeable EPROM, re-programming an EEPROM, programming a microprocessor, etc.) may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thereafter, parameter changes, calibration values, and the like may be implemented via re-downloading or re-burning control unit  206 , or a portion thereof, with a revised process, entering the data via an independent user interface such as independent user interface  902  ( FIG. 9 ), or entering the data via a networked computer located in a user workstation such as user workstation  406  ( FIG. 4 ) or  806  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     Preferably, the process executed by control unit  206  receives input data from devices that are hardwired to control unit  206 . More specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 2 , control unit  206  receives binary inputs from air purge button  118  and enable and reset buttons  110  and  112 , respectively, and interlock sensor  126 , as well as analog inputs from totalizer  232  and flow control device  200 . For example, a user presses enable button  110  to enable or disable watering apparatus  100 , which in turn causes enable button  110  to send a binary input of “1” for enable or a binary input of “0” for disable to control unit  206 . Or, alternatively, watering apparatus  100  may be wired or programmed such that a binary input of “1” received from enable button  110  equates to disable and a binary input of “0” equates to enable. Reset and air purge button,  112  and  118 , respectively, are programmed and wired to operate in a similar fashion. 
     Interlock sensor  126  also transmits a binary signal of “1” or “0” to indicate whether a drinking assembly, such as drinking assembly  212 , is interlocked to watering apparatus  100 . Interlock sensor  126  may be any one of a variety of devices without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, interlock sensor  126  is a magnetic sensor designed to mate with a magnetic plate, which is preferably affixed at or near the inlet of the drinking assembly. The inclusion of an interlock sensor  126  such as a magnetic interlock sensor allows watering apparatus  100  to be cleaned using a chemical wash or the like without adversely affecting the sensor. Upon manual attachment of interlock sensor  126  to its corresponding interlock mating device  208 , a binary input of either “1” or “0” is sent to control unit  206  to indicate that a drinking assembly is interlocked with watering apparatus  100 , and, consequently, liquid flow may occur through flow control device  200 . Although the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2  depicts an interlock sensor for connections to outlet coupling  124  only, alternate embodiments are envisioned having similar interlocks for connections to inlet coupling  122 , or other forms of feedback signals, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In these embodiments, control unit  206  may require positive confirmation of connections at both the inlet and outlet couplings  122  and  124 , respectively, prior to allowing flow control device  200  to operate. 
     A variety of devices may be incorporated in watering apparatus  100  to achieve the purpose and function of interlock sensor  126  without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, interlock sensor  126  may be an infrared receiver and interlock-mating device  208  may be an infrared transmitter, or vice versa. In this scenario, flow control device  200  shall be enabled whenever interlock sensor  126  aligns with interlock mating device  208  such that an interlock signal is received. 
     In another embodiment, interlock sensor  126  is a mechanically activated switching contact integral to outlet coupling  124 . In this embodiment, the switching contact changes state whenever a liquid carrier, such as outlet liquid carrier  210 , is physically attached to outlet coupling  124 . For example, embodiments are envisioned in which outlet liquid carrier  210  is inserted into the interior of a cylindrical outlet coupling  124  causing a spring-loaded cylindrical device to change position, thereby mechanically changing the state of the switching contact and changing the input signal transmitted to control unit  206  from “0” to “1”, or vice versa. Upon withdrawal of outlet liquid carrier  210  from outlet coupling  124 , the spring-loaded cylindrical device returns to its unloaded position, causing the switching contact to return to its non-interlocked state and causing the input signal transmitted to control unit  206  to revert to its pre-programmed, non-interlocked value. In some embodiments, one or more similar interlock sensors may also be incorporated for inlet coupling  122 . 
     If drinking assembly  212  becomes detached from watering apparatus  100 , interlock status indicator  114  ceases illumination. Indication of detachment of drinking assembly  212  from watering apparatus  100  and, therefore, liquid source  202 , may indicate the presence of a liquid leak. Consequently, such an indication at user interface  120 , user workstations  406  ( FIG. 4 ) or  806  ( FIG. 8 ), and/or independent user interface  902  can alarm the user of the leak detection to allow remedial actions to be performed. Alternatively, leak detection sensors may be employed in a variety of locations (e.g., at inlet coupling  122  and/or outlet coupling  124 , at drinking assembly  212 , at specimen holding area  226 , etc.) to detect such an event. In yet another embodiment, high or low liquid flow, as sensed by flow measurement device  204 , may be monitored and alarmed to indicate a block in liquid pathway  218  or a liquid leak, respectively. 
     In contrast to the “0” or “1” binary signals received from the aforementioned devices, totalizer  232 , in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 2 , transmits analog signals to control unit  206 . These analog signals are generated by totalizer  232  based upon information received from flow measurement device  204 . In one embodiment, flow measurement device  204  includes an integral paddle wheel capable of sensing the liquid flow rate with an accuracy of plus or minus one and a half percent. The electronics of flow measurement device  204  then convert the data sensed by the paddle wheel to electrical pulses that vary in frequency in correlation to the variance in the flow rate. These frequency signals are sensed by control unit  206  or totalizer  232  and converted to liquid consumption data. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned having flow measurement devices having varying types of sensing mechanisms and output signals. Virtually any method of sensing flow may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. The electric pulses generated by flow measurement device  204  are transmitted to totalizer  232 , which converts them into real time flow and total flow data. 
     In the present embodiment, the total flow data, as calculated by totalizer  232 , is transmitted to control unit  206  via a scaled 4-20 milliampere (“mA”) signal, or, alternatively, any signal compatible with control unit  206  (e.g., a zero to ten volt direct current signal, a zero to twenty mA signal, a pulsed binary contact, etc.). In addition to sending totalized data to control unit  206 , totalizer  232  also displays the totalized result on totalizer display  106 , such as an integral LED or LCD, mounted through the face of watering apparatus  100  such that totalizer display  106  forms a part of user interface  120 . At the end of a watering period, as discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C , control unit  206  resets totalizer  232  and totalizer display  106  to zero. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, totalizer  232  is eliminated. In this embodiment, flow measurement device  204  transmits data directly to control unit  206 , which totalizes the data and, optionally, transmits the totalized result to a standalone display (i.e., a display that is not integral to a totalizer or totalizing device) via analog or binary signals generated by control unit  206 . In this embodiment, the totalized data may be reset to zero as a function, or software interlock, of a process programmed into control unit  206  rather than via a hardwired input. Alternatively, control unit  206  may transmit the totalized data to standalone user interface  902  ( FIG. 9 ) which may also be mounted in the face of enclosure  128  and connected to control unit  206  via a cable such as cable  920  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     The process executed by control unit  206  receives the analog and binary input data discussed above and uses such data to generate and transmit output signals to actuate flow control device  200 , to reset totalizer  232 , and to illuminate system status indicator  108 , interlock status indicator  114 , and alarm status indicator  116  as discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Flow control device  200  may be virtually any flow control device capable of receiving an analog or binary signal from control unit  206 . For example, flow control device  200  may be a modulating or two-position valve equipped with an automatically controlled actuator. In preferred embodiments, the actuator of flow control device  200  is equipped with a binary or analog feedback signal that transmits actual valve position data to control unit  206 . Such feedback data may be compared to the command signal being transmitted to flow control device  200  to determine if a valve failure has occurred. For example, if flow control device  200  has been commanded to fifty percent open and, after a predetermined time period that allows the valve to modulate, the feedback signal indicates that flow control device  200  is twenty percent open, it is likely that flow control device  200  has jammed or failed. In such a scenario, an alarm indicator  116  shall be illuminated and alarms may be optionally transmitted to user workstations  406  ( FIG. 4 ) or  806  ( FIG. 8 ) and independent user interface  902   
     Prior to operation, a user must connect watering apparatus  100  to a liquid source such as liquid source  202  and a drinking assembly such as drinking assembly  212 . Liquid source  202  typically includes a hose or similar device, such as inlet liquid carrier  214 , attached at a first end to liquid source  202  and attached either removably or permanently at a second end to a liquid source coupling  216 , such as a quick disconnect fitting or a quick connect coupling. Inlet coupling  122  is designed for compatibility with intended liquid source couplings  216  to allow liquid source coupling  216  to be simply “plugged in” to inlet coupling  122 . Liquid then flows from liquid source  202  to outlet coupling  124  through inlet liquid carrier  214 , liquid source coupling  216 , inlet coupling  122 , and watering apparatus liquid pathway  218 , the latter of which contains flow control device  200  and flow measurement device  204 . 
     Outlet coupling  124  is designed for attachment to a drinking assembly such as drinking assembly  212 . In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 2 , drinking assembly  212  includes drinking assembly coupling  220 , drinking assembly liquid pathway  222 , and drinking port  224 . In some embodiments, the drinking assembly is an integral part of, or is coupled to, an animal holding cage such as a vivarium or terrarium. 
     Outlet liquid carrier  210 , having outlet liquid carrier inlet and outlet couplings  228  and  230 , respectively, at each end, connects watering apparatus liquid pathway  218  to drinking assembly liquid pathway  222  via connection of outlet liquid carrier inlet coupling  228  to outlet coupling  124  and connection of outlet liquid carrier outlet coupling  230  to drinking assembly coupling  220 . Such a connection allows liquid flowing from liquid source  202  to flow though watering apparatus liquid pathway  218  and drinking assembly liquid pathway  222  to drinking port  224  under the regulation of flow control device  200 . 
     In this embodiment, liquid flow may be initiated by pressing drinking port  224  from a closed position to an open position. Also, interlock sensor  126  is manually coupled to interlock mating device  208  upon successful connection of outlet liquid carrier  210  to watering apparatus  100  and drinking assembly  212  to toggle the interlock status binary input of control unit  206 , thereby notifying control unit  206  and its associated process that drinking assembly  212  is properly coupled to watering apparatus  100 . Such a notification allows liquid flow to occur if all other conditions are met and causes control unit  206  to illuminate interlock status indicator  114 . 
     After connection of watering apparatus  100  to both a liquid source and a drinking assembly, watering apparatus  100  may be enabled. When enable button  110  is in the disabled position, flow control device  200  remains closed preventing liquid flow from liquid source  202 . Prior to initial enablement, the user must press drinking port  224  to the open position and depress air purge button  118 . Upon depression of air purge button  118 , flow control device  200  opens for a predetermined time period such that all air is removed from inlet liquid carrier  214 , liquid source coupling  216 , inlet coupling  122 , watering apparatus liquid pathway  218  including flow control device  200  and flow measurement device  204 , outlet coupling  124 , outlet liquid carrier inlet coupling  228 , outlet liquid carrier  210 , outlet liquid carrier outlet coupling  230 , drinking assembly coupling  220 , and drinking assembly liquid pathway  222 . As air is purged from the aforementioned pathway, this pathway fills with liquid derived from liquid source  202 . Flow control device  200  closes after the preset time period has expired and all of the air has been removed from the pathway. The user must then press drinking port  224  to the closed position and depress enable button  110 . When a user depresses enable button  110 , thereby changing it to the enabled position, and interlock sensor  126  is coupled to interlock mating device  208 , control unit  206  opens flow control device  200  and illuminates system status indicator  108 . 
     Although the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 2  requires a manual air purge, varying embodiments are envisioned having automatic air purge. In these embodiments, automatic control of drinking port  224  is included allowing air to be purged until liquid is sensed at the discharge of drinking port  224 . In the automatic purge embodiment, drinking port  224  is controlled as discussed herein for flow control device  200 . Such control may be binary or analog and feedback signals may optionally be included to determine failure of drinking port  224 . In this embodiment, water sensors located in the vicinity of drinking port  224  may be incorporated to indicate that the air has been purged. Such sensors transmit water detection data to control unit  206  via analog or binary signals as discussed herein. In an alternate embodiment, a second flow measurement device is located in drinking assembly liquid pathway  222 . This device determines whether the air has been purged based upon the instantaneous flow sensed in drinking assembly liquid pathway  222 . Similar to the water detection sensors, the instantaneous flow data is transmitted to control unit  206  via analog or binary signals. However, embodiments other than those discussed herein for detecting air purge completion may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     After either a manual or automatic air purge, drinking port  224  returns to its closed position after the liquid reaches drinking port  224 . After an automatic purge, control unit  206  is automatically notified that the liquid passing through flow measurement device  204  was not consumed by an animal, but was simply used to fill liquid and drinking assembly pathways  218  and  222 , respectively. Alternatively, after a manual purge, the user must manually send notification to control unit  206  by pressing reset button  112 . This notification ensures that the liquid used to fill the liquid pathways is not incorrectly included as part of the respective animal&#39;s liquid consumption. 
     When the animal in specimen holding area  226  opens drinking port  224 , liquid from liquid source  202  flows to drinking port  224  via the aforementioned pathway and the quantity of liquid consumed by the animal is accurately quantified by watering apparatus  100  as discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Furthermore, the quantity of liquid consumed during one drinking event or over a predetermined time period (e.g., twenty-four hours), as well as the elapsed time between drinking events, may also be controlled or limited by watering apparatus  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , illustrated is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for controlling liquid flow and quantifying an animal&#39;s liquid consumption in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, the values for control parameters such as dispensational period consumption limit, per event consumption limit, consumption limit offset, purge time limit, and per event time limit are entered into control unit  206  prior to operation of watering apparatus  100  using one of a variety of methods including, but not limited to, downloading the parameters to control unit  206  or a portion thereof, entering the data via independent user interface  902  ( FIG. 9 ), and entering the data via a standalone, networked, or interfaced user workstation such as user workstation  406  ( FIG. 4 ) or user workstation  806  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     In an embodiment incorporating process  300  as depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the dispensational period consumption limit is the maximum quantity of liquid allowed to be consumed by a specific animal during an individual dispensational period. Similarly, the per-event time limit is the maximum quantity of liquid that may be consumed by a specific animal during one drinking event. The-per event time limit is the minimum amount of time that must elapse between consecutive drinking events (i.e., the minimum amount of time that must elapse after a drinking event but before the animal is allowed to drink again). The air purge time limit is the amount of time that the flow control device remains open to remove all air from the system. If the user does not enter these values, control unit  206  will use default values preprogrammed in process  300  by the manufacturer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , process  300  begins at  301 . For example, at  301  a user may attach watering apparatus  100  to liquid source  202  and drinking assembly  212  as described above with respect to  FIG. 2 . At  301 , all flow control device(s) are closed and the enable point such as enable button  110  is in the disabled position. At  302 , process  300  queries the air purge point and, if it is in a disabled position, process  300  proceeds to  310 . However, if at  302 , the air purge point is in an enabled position, process  300  proceeds to  303 . At  303 , process  300  begins purging the air from the system by activating an air purge timer. Immediately after the timer is activated at  303 , all flow control devices such as flow control device  200  open at  304 . Process  300  then proceeds to  305 . At  305 , the timer is read and process  300  proceeds to  306 . At  306 , if the air purge limit has not expired, process  300  returns to  305 . However, if the per event time limit has expired, process  300  proceeds to  307 , whereupon the flow control device(s) are closed and process  300  proceeds to  308 . At  308 , the cumulative flow total and register value are set to zero and process  300  proceeds to  309 . At  309 , the cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database. Process  300  then proceeds to  310 . 
     At  310 , process  300  queries the enable point and, if it is in an enabled position, process  300  proceeds to  312 . However, if, at  310 , the enable point is in a disabled position, process  300  proceeds to  311 . At  311 , a system status indicator such as system status indicator  108  is turned off and process  300  returns to  302 . 
     At  312 , the system status indicator indicates that the system is enabled and process  300  proceeds to  313 . At  313 , if the interlock sensor(s) sense that one or more of a liquid source and a drinking assembly are connected to the watering apparatus, process  300  proceeds to  315 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , attachment of watering apparatus  100  to drinking assembly  212  is sensed whenever interlock sensor  126  is connected to interlock mating device  208  and confirmation of attachment of watering apparatus  100  to liquid source  202  is not required. If, at  313 , the connection statuses required for the specific embodiment are not sensed, process  300  proceeds to  314 . At  314 , an interlock status indicator such as interlock status indicator  114  is turned off and process  300  returns to  302 . 
     At  315 , the interlock status indicator indicates that interlock has been sensed and process  300  proceeds to  316 . At  316 , all flow control devices such as flow control device  200  opens and process  300  proceeds to  317 . At  317 , the control unit queries the reset point. If the reset point, such as reset button  112 , is disabled, process  300  returns to  316 . However, if, at  317 , the reset point is enabled indicating that air has been either manually or automatically purged from the liquid pathways and the user wishes to begin monitoring the animal&#39;s water consumption, process  300  proceeds to  318 . At  318 , the cumulative flow total and register value are set to zero and process  300  proceeds to  319 . At  319 , the cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database. Process  300  then proceeds to  320 . At  320 , the current time is read and process  300  proceeds to  321 . At  321 , if the dispensational period has not ended, process  300  proceeds to  327  ( FIG. 3B ). 
     Alternatively, if, at  321 , the dispensational period has ended, process  300  proceeds to  322 . At  322 , the cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database and process  300  proceeds to  323 . At  323 , if the flow control device(s) such as flow control device  200  and any automatic drinking ports  224  are closed, process  300  proceeds to  325 . However, if, at  323 , the flow control device(s) are open, process  300  proceeds to  324  and closes the flow control device(s) before proceeding to  325 . At  325 , if an alarm status indicator such as alarm status indicator  116  does not indicate an alarm, process  300  proceeds to  302 . However, if, at  325 , an alarm status indicator indicates an alarm, process  300  proceeds to  326  and enables the alarm status prior to proceeding to  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , depicted is an extension of process  300  depicted in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3B  begins at  327 , where if the interlock sensor(s) sense that one or more of a liquid source and a drinking assembly are connected to the watering apparatus, process  300  proceeds to  333 . If, at  327 , the interlock statuses required for the specific embodiment are not sensed, process  300  proceeds to  328 . At  328 , the cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database and process  300  proceeds to  329 . At  329 , if the flow control device(s) such as flow control device  200  and automatic drinking port  224  are closed, process  300  proceeds to  331 . However, if, at  329 , any of the flow control device(s) are open, process  300  proceeds to  330  and closes the flow control device(s) before proceeding to  331 . At  331 , if the interlock status indicator such as interlock status indicator  114  indicates the loss of the interlock status, process  300  proceeds to  302 . However, if, at  331 , the interlock status indicator does not indicate loss of interlock status, process  300  proceeds to  332  and turns on the interlock status indicator prior to proceeding to  302 . 
     At  333 , the cumulative flow total is compared to the register value. At  333 , if the cumulative flow total is not greater than the register value, process  300  proceeds to  355 . However, if the cumulative flow total is greater than the register value, this indicates that the animal has started to drink liquid, and process  300  proceeds to  334 . At  334 , the cumulative flow total is saved to the register and process  300  proceeds to  335 . At  335 , process  300  determines whether the consumption limit for the dispensational period has been or is about to be exceeded. 
     If, at  335 , the cumulative flow total is greater than or equal to the dispensational period consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset, process  300  will close flow control device  200  to prevent the animal from drinking any liquid beyond that contained in the liquid pathway downstream of flow control device  200 . In addition, process  300  records the quantity of liquid consumed. The offset may be entered by a user, or may be pre-programmed during manufacturing based upon the characteristics of the watering apparatus. Such offset is equal to the quantity of liquid contained downstream of the flow control device and may therefore be dependent on the drinking assembly and outlet liquid carrier coupled to the watering apparatus. In one embodiment, offsets are selected from a menu based upon the length of the outlet liquid carrier and the type of drinking assembly. 
     At  336 , the flow control device(s) close and process  300  proceeds to  337 . At  337 , the alarm status indicator such as alarm status indicator  116  is activated to indicate that the animal has exceeded its dispensational period consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset, and process  300  proceeds to  338 . At  338 , process  300  calculates the event consumption by subtracting the saved cumulative flow total as recorded at the end of the previous drinking event from the current cumulative flow total to determine the quantity of liquid consumed by the animal since the last drinking event, and process  300  proceeds to  339 . At  339 , the event consumption, cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database and process  300  proceeds to  340 . At  340 , the cumulative flow total is saved to the register, and process  300  proceeds to  355 . 
     Alternatively, if the animal has not consumed a quantity of liquid in excess of the dispensational period consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset, process  300  proceeds from  335  to  341  at which point process  300  calculates the event consumption by subtracting the saved cumulative flow total as recorded at the end of the previous drinking event from the current cumulative flow total. At  342 , the quantity of liquid consumed by the animal in the current drinking event is compared to the per event consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset. If the event consumption is greater than or equal to the per event consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset, the per event consumption has been exceeded by the animal, and process  300  proceeds to  343 . If, at  342 , the animal has not exceeded its per event drinking limit minus the consumption limit offset, process  300  proceeds to  351  ( FIG. 3C ). 
     At  343 , the flow control device(s) close and process  300  proceeds to  344 . At  344 , the alarm status indicator such as alarm status indicator  116  is activated to indicate that the animal has exceeded its per event consumption limit minus the consumption limit offset, and process  300  proceeds to  345 . At  345 , the event consumption, cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database and process  300  proceeds to  346  at which the cumulative flow total is saved to the register. At  347 , process  300  prevents the animal from further consumption of the liquid until a minimum time period has expired by activating a per event consumption timer. At  348 , the timer is read and process  300  proceeds to  349 . At  349 , if the per event time limit has not expired, process  300  returns to  348 . However, if the per event time limit has expired, process  300  proceeds to  350 , whereupon the flow control device(s) are re-opened and process  300  proceeds to  355 . 
     Continuing now to  FIG. 3C , depicted is an extension of process  300  depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIG. 3C  begins at  351  at which the cumulative flow total is compared to the register total. If the cumulative flow total is greater than the register total, this indicates that the animal continues to consume liquid, and process  300  proceeds to  355 . In the alternative, if, at  351 , the cumulative flow total is not greater than the register total, this indicates that the animal has ceased liquid consumption, and process  300  proceeds to  352 . At  352 , process  300  calculates the event consumption by subtracting the saved cumulative flow total as recorded at the end of the previous drinking event from the current cumulative flow total to determine the quantity of liquid consumed by the animal since the last drinking event, and process  300  proceeds to  353 . At  353 , the event consumption, cumulative flow total, time, and date are saved to the database and process  300  proceeds to  354 . At  354 , the cumulative flow total is saved to the register and process  300  proceeds to  355 . 
     At  355 , process  300  queries the enable point, such as enable button  110 , to determine whether a user has disabled the watering apparatus. If the watering apparatus is still enabled, process  300  returns to  320  ( FIG. 3A ). However, if enable button  110  is in a disabled position, process  300  proceeds to  356  at which the flow control device(s) are closed and process  300  returns to  302  ( FIG. 3A ). 
     Turning next to  FIG. 4 , depicted is networked watering system  401  including multiple watering apparatuses  400  networked to each other, to user workstation  406  and to central control unit  434 . In this embodiment, one watering apparatus  400  is provided for each specimen cage  404  (e.g., a vivarium, terrarium, etc.) and a user may monitor and control each watering apparatus  400  either locally from the respective local user interface  418  or remotely from central monitoring station  430 , the latter of which may include one or more of user workstation  406 , central control unit  434 , modem  436 , and internet interface  428 . 
     Each watering apparatus  400  has features and characteristics similar to watering apparatus  100  described in detail herein. In this scenario, each watering apparatus  400  is connected to liquid source  402  which is piped, or otherwise distributed, to individual specimen cages  404  located throughout the specimen holding area  414 . Each watering apparatus  400  intercepts the liquid supplied to the respective specimen cage  404  by coupling liquid source  402  to its respective inlet coupling  422 . Also, each watering apparatus  400  provides a controlled liquid supply to the respective specimen cage  404  via individual, respective liquid carriers  410  coupled to outlet couplings  424  and cage couplings  420 . Individual interlock sensors  426  on each specimen cage  404  are also wired to its respective watering apparatus  400  to provide feedback regarding the connection of specimen cage  404 , or its internal drinking assembly, to liquid carrier  410 . Through these interconnections, watering apparatuses  400  accurately quantify and control the liquid supplied to specimen cages  404  as described herein with respect to watering apparatus  100 . 
     However, in addition to the features and characteristics of watering apparatus  100 , the networking of each watering apparatus  400  to one or more user workstations  406  and to one or more central control units  434  via one or more communication buses  432  allows bi-directional communication to occur between all networked components. Such bi-directional communication enhances the safety and ease with which watering apparatuses  400  may be monitored and controlled. 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, one or more watering apparatuses  400  may be monitored and controlled quickly, safely, and easily by a single user. This aspect of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in an environment housing a large quantity of animals and having limited personnel to patrol individual watering apparatuses  400 . A single user located at a user workstation  406  may monitor all alarms for all watering apparatuses  400  while simultaneously monitoring each animal&#39;s liquid consumption and adjusting or overriding individual parameters for each watering apparatus  400 . Such alarms may include, but are not limited to, per event consumption alarms, per dispensational period consumption alarms, system disabled alarms, flow control device malfunction alarms, control unit malfunction alarms, communication failure alarms, measured flow out-of-range alarms, and alarms for disconnection of watering apparatus  400  from liquid source  402 , specimen cage  404 , or its internal drinking assembly. 
     Additionally, one or more of the aforementioned alarms may be programmed for automatic disposition. For example, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for automatic printing at any one or more user workstations  406  or central control units  434 . Or, alternatively, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for automatic transmission via electronic mail from a user workstation  406  to a device such as a remote personal computer, handheld personal digital assistant (“PDA”), cellular telephone, alphanumeric pager, digital pager, etc. Or, in yet another alternate embodiment, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for transmission via a short haul modem to a non-electronic mail paging system. Many other methods of alarm disposition other than those specifically enumerated herein may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In addition to receiving alarms, users of watering apparatuses  400  may perform all monitoring and control from any user workstation  406  for a specific watering apparatus  400  as if the user were standing at its local user interface  418 . For example, a user may override the pre-programmed consumption limits for each individual animal as necessary to achieve the objectives of the experiments. Or, a user may modify the permanent programmed data such as the length of the dispensational periods, the per event time limits, and the per event and dispensational period consumption limits. Users may also override or control watering apparatus  400  devices. For example, users may remotely enable, disable, or reset a watering apparatus  400 . In addition, users may override all outputs including, but not limited to, the flow control device. Furthermore, calibration values may also be entered via user workstation  406 . 
     In some embodiments, modem  436  is included. Modem  436  may be coupled to any one of watering apparatus  400 , user workstation  406 , or central control unit  434 . A telephone line is also coupled to modem  436  to connect it to a public telephone system. This connection allows a user that is remote from both the user workstations  406  and watering apparatuses  400  to connect to the latter by placing a telephone call with a personal computer to the networked watering system  401 . Upon a successful connection, a user may perform all monitoring and control as if the user were seated at a user workstation  406 . 
     Similarly, embodiments are envisioned that include Internet interfaces  428  (e.g., cable modem, DSL modem, wireless router, Ethernet cable, etc.). Internet interface  428  may be coupled to any one of watering apparatus  400 , user workstation  406 , or central control unit  434 . This connection allows a user that is remote from both the user workstations  406  and watering apparatuses  400  to connect to the latter by accessing a web site programmed to access networked watering system  401 . Upon successful connection to the web site, a user may perform all monitoring and control as if the user were seated at a user workstation  406 . 
     In yet another embodiment, networked watering apparatus  401  includes a network having an open protocol such as BACnet™, LonWorks®, or the like. Such open protocols maximize the possibility and ease with which networked watering apparatus  401  may be interfaced to other existing or future networks. This interface allows data and control functions to be shared between the interfaced networks, thereby providing a more global method of using the present invention at a lower initial cost. For example, the network of a networked watering apparatus  401  may be interfaced to a new or existing building management system (“BMS”) network to allow the operator workstations or other user interfaces available on the BMS to access and/or control the data and devices available in networked watering system  401 . Such access and control may be performed without the addition of operator workstations or other user interfaces specific to networked watering system  401 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , depicted is watering apparatus  500  including, inter alia, main panel  530 , non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h , user interface  520 , inlet couplings  522   a - 522   h , outlet couplings  524   a - 524   h , and interlock sensors  526   a - 526   h . In this embodiment, one main user interface panel  530  provides a single user interface capable of entering and receiving data for the monitor and control of multiple drinking assemblies via their respective non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h.    
     User interface  520  contains totalizer displays  506   a - 506   h , specimen holding area indicators  532   a - 532   h , system status indicator  508 , interlock status indicator  514 , alarm status indicator  516 , air purge button  518 , selector button  528 , and enable and reset buttons  510  and  512 , respectively. User interface  520  allows a user to provide input and receive output from watering apparatus  500  as described in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Watering apparatus  500  has features and characteristics similar to watering apparatus  100  as described in detail herein. In this embodiment of the present invention, liquid source  502  is piped, or otherwise distributed, to individual non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  by coupling liquid source  502  to the respective inlet coupling  522   a - 522   h . Non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  control the liquid supplied to drinking assemblies of individual specimen holding areas, having features and characteristics similar to drinking assemblies  212  and specimen holding areas  226 , via individual, respective liquid carriers coupled to respective outlet couplings  524   a - 524   h.    
     Individual interlock sensors  526   a - 526   h  are wired through the housings of their respective non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  to main panel  530  to provide feedback regarding interlock of the respective specimen holding area, or its drinking assembly, to the associated non-intelligent local panel  504   a - 504   h . Interlock sensor status allows watering apparatus  500  to prevent spillage upon a determination that a drinking assembly is not attached to the respective outlet coupling  524   a - 524   h . Through these interconnections, watering apparatus  500  accurately quantifies and controls the liquid supplied to the individual specimen holding areas as described herein with respect to watering apparatus  100 . 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, one or more non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  may be monitored and controlled quickly, safely, and easily by a single user. Similar to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , this embodiment of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in an environment housing a large quantity of animals and having limited personnel to patrol individual non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h . A single user located at user interface  520  may monitor all alarms for all non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h , and the respective specimen holding area or drinking assembly, while simultaneously monitoring each animal&#39;s liquid consumption and adjusting or overriding individual parameters for each non-intelligent local panel  504   a - 504   h . Such alarms may include, but are not limited to, per event consumption alarms, per dispensational period consumption alarms, system disabled alarms, flow control device malfunction alarms, control unit malfunction alarms, communication failure alarms, measured flow out-of-range alarms, and alarms for disconnection of watering apparatus  500  from liquid source  502 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a cutaway, front view of non-intelligent local panel  504   a  of watering apparatus  500  in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5  is illustrated including, inter alia, flow control device  600   a  and flow measurement device  604   a . Although  FIG. 6  depicts non-intelligent local panel  504   a , non-intelligent local panels  504   b - 504   h  have identical characteristic and features as non-intelligent local panel  504   a.    
     Prior to operation of watering apparatus  500 , a user connects non-intelligent local panel  504   a  to liquid source  502  and drinking assembly  612   a . Liquid source  502  typically includes a hose or similar device, such as inlet liquid carrier  614   a , attached at a first end to liquid source  502  and attached either removably or permanently at a second end to liquid source coupling  616   a , such as a quick disconnect fitting or a quick connect coupling. Inlet coupling  522   a  is designed for compatibility with commonly available liquid source couplings  616   a  to allow liquid source coupling  616   a  to be simply “plugged in” to inlet coupling  522   a . After connection, liquid is capable of flowing from liquid source  502  to outlet coupling  524   a  through inlet liquid carrier  614   a , liquid source coupling  616   a , inlet coupling  522   a , and watering apparatus liquid pathway  618   a , the latter of which contains flow control device  600   a  and flow measurement device  604   a.    
     Outlet coupling  524   a  is designed for attachment to a drinking assembly such as drinking assembly  612   a . In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6 , drinking assembly  612   a  includes drinking assembly coupling  620   a , drinking assembly liquid pathway  622   a , and drinking port  624   a . In some embodiments, the drinking assembly is an integral part of, or is coupled to, an animal holding cage such as a vivarium or terrarium. 
     Outlet liquid carrier  610   a , having outlet liquid carrier inlet and outlet couplings  628   a  and  630   a , respectively, at each end, connects watering apparatus liquid pathway  618   a  to drinking assembly liquid pathway  622   a  via connection of outlet liquid carrier inlet coupling  628   a  to outlet coupling  524   a  and connection of outlet liquid carrier outlet coupling  530   a  to drinking assembly coupling  620   a . Such a connection allows liquid flowing from liquid source  502  to flow though watering apparatus liquid pathway  618   a  and drinking assembly liquid pathway  622   a  to drinking port  624   a  under the regulation of flow control device  600   a.    
     In this embodiment, liquid flow may be initiated by pressing drinking port  624   a  from a closed position to an open position. Also, upon successful connection of outlet liquid carrier  610   a  to non-intelligent local panel  504   a  and drinking assembly  612   a , interlock sensor  526   a  is manually coupled to interlock mating device  608   a  to toggle the interlock status binary input of control unit  706  ( FIG. 7 ), thereby notifying control unit  706  that drinking assembly  612   a  is properly coupled to non-intelligent local panel  504   a . Such a notification allows liquid flow to occur if all other conditions are met and causes control unit  706  to illuminate interlock status indicator  514 . Interlock sensor  526   a  serves the same purpose and function as interlock sensor  126  ( FIG. 1 ). Consequently, interlock sensor  526   a  may be any of the interlock sensor embodiments discussed with respect to interlock sensor  126  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Upon manual attachment of interlock sensor  526   a  to interlock mating device  608   a , a binary input of either “1” or “0” is sent to control unit  706  to indicate that a drinking assembly is interlocked with non-intelligent local panel  504   a , and, consequently, liquid flow may occur through flow control device  600   a . Although the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  depicts an interlock sensor for connection to outlet coupling  524   a  only, alternate embodiments are envisioned having similar interlocks for connection to inlet coupling  522   a , or other forms of feedback signals, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In these embodiments, control unit  706  may require positive confirmation of connections at both inlet and outlet couplings  522   a  and  524   a , respectively, prior to allowing flow control device  600   a  to operate. 
     After connection of non-intelligent local panel  504   a  to both a liquid source and a drinking assembly, the user depresses reset button  512  and non-intelligent local panel  504   a  may be enabled. A user enables non-intelligent local panel  504   a  from user interface  520  ( FIG. 5 ) by pressing selector button  528  as many times as necessary to cause specimen holding area indicator  532   a  to illuminate. After such illumination, all buttons and indicators present on user interface  520  pertain to non-intelligent local panel  504   a  as discussed below with respect to  FIG. 7 . Therefore, at this point, a user simply presses enable button  510  to enable non-intelligent local panel  504   a.    
     When non-intelligent local panel  504   a  is disabled, flow control device  600   a  remains closed preventing liquid flow from liquid source  502 . Upon initial enablement, the user must press drinking port  624   a  to the open position and depress air purge button  518 . Upon depression of air purge button  518 , flow control device  600   a  opens for a preset time period such that all air is removed from inlet hose  614   a , liquid source coupling  616   a , inlet coupling  522   a , watering apparatus liquid pathway  618   a  including flow control device  600   a  and flow measurement device  604   a , outlet coupling  524   a , outlet liquid carrier inlet coupling  628   a , outlet liquid carrier  610   a , outlet liquid carrier outlet coupling  630   a , drinking assembly coupling  620   a , and drinking assembly liquid pathway  622   a . As air is purged from the aforementioned pathway, this pathway fills with liquid derived from liquid source  502 . Flow control device  600   a  closes after the preset time period has expired and all of the air is removed from the pathway. The user must then press drinking port  624   a  to the closed position and depress enable button  510 . When non-intelligent local panel  504   a  is enabled and interlock sensor  526   a  is coupled to interlock mating device  608   a , control unit  706  opens flow control device  600   a  and illuminates system status indicator  508 . 
     Although the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6  requires an automatic air purge, varying embodiments are envisioned having alternative automatic air purges or manual air purges. In these embodiments, automatic or manual air purge may be performed as discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     After either a manual or automatic air purge, drinking port  624   a  returns to its closed position after the liquid reaches drinking port  624   a . After an automatic purge, control unit  706  is automatically notified that the liquid passing through flow measurement device  604   a  was not consumed by an animal, but was simply used to fill liquid and drinking assembly pathways  618   a  and  622   a , respectively. Alternatively, after a manual purge, the user must manually send notification to control unit  706  by pressing reset button  512 . 
     When the animal in specimen holding area  626   a  opens drinking port  624   a , liquid from liquid source  502  flows to drinking port  524   a  via the aforementioned pathway and the quantity of liquid consumed by the animal is accurately measured by watering apparatus  500  as per a process such as the process discussed in greater detail above with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3B . Furthermore, the quantity of liquid consumed during one drinking event or over a predetermined time period (e.g., twenty four hours), as well as the elapsed time between drinking events, may be controlled or limited by watering apparatus  500 . 
     Although the present embodiment depicts one control unit  706  located in main user interface  520  to serve all non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h , alternate embodiments are envisioned in which each non-intelligent local panel  504   a - 504   h  is an intelligent local panel having its own dedicated control unit. In this embodiment, flow control device  600   a , flow measurement device  604   a , and interlock sensor  526   a  are wired to the local control unit. In this alternate embodiment, the local control units are connected to each other and to control unit  706  located in the main user interface panel via a communication bus. Flow data received by the local control units from the flow measurement devices  604   a - 604   h  is read locally by the control unit and transmitted to control unit  706  via the communication bus. In this scenario, control unit  706  transmits the flow data to the respective totalizer  506   a - 506   h.    
     In an extension of this alternate embodiment, each intelligent local panel also contains a local totalizer that is wired to the local control unit. This aspect of this embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows the user to read totalized flow data both locally at the intelligent local panels and remotely at the main user interface panel  530 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cutaway, front view of main panel  530  of watering apparatus  500  in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5  is illustrated including, inter alia, user interface  520  and control unit  706 . Control unit  706  monitors and controls watering apparatus  500 , which includes non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h , based upon the execution of a process such as process  300  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ). Preferably, the processes are one or more algorithms programmed based upon a user&#39;s requirements and downloaded to control unit  706  or a portion thereof. However, other methods of loading control unit  706  (e.g., burning or programming an interchangeable EPROM, re-programming an EEPROM, programming a microprocessor, etc.) may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thereafter, parameter changes, calibration values, and the like may be implemented via re-downloading or re-burning control unit  706 , or a portion thereof, with a revised process or entering the data via an independent user interface such as independent user interface  902  ( FIG. 9 ) or via a user workstation such as user workstation  406  ( FIG. 4 ) or user workstation  806  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     Preferably, the process executed by control unit  706  receives input data from devices that are hardwired to control unit  706 . More specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 5-7 , control unit  706  receives binary inputs from selector, enable, and reset buttons  528 ,  510 , and  512 , respectively, and interlock sensors  526   a - 526   h , as well as analog inputs from totalizers  702   a - 702   h  and flow control device(s)  600   a - 600   h  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Selector button  528  allows the user to select the specimen holding area to be monitored or controlled by depressing selector button  528  continually until the desired specimen holding area indicator  532   a - 532   h  is illuminated. Once the desired specimen holding area is selected, the user may depress enable or reset buttons  510  and  512 , respectively, to enable or reset the selected non-intelligent local panel  504 . System status indicator  508 , interlock status indicator  514 , and alarm status indicator  516  also indicate the status of the selected non-intelligent local panel  504 . 
     For example, a user presses selector button  528  continually until a specific non-intelligent local panel  504   a - 504   h  is selected. Each time selector button  528  is pressed, control unit  706  receives a binary input signal that causes it to send a binary signal to the respective selector lamp  532   a - 532   h . This sent signal causes the respective selector lamp of selector lamps  532   a - 532   h  to be illuminated, thereby indicating to the user which of the non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  has been selected. Similarly, when the user presses enable button  510  to enable or disable the selected non-intelligent local panel  504 , enable button  510  sends a binary input of “1” for enable or a binary input of “0” for disable to control unit  706 . Or, alternatively, watering apparatus  500  may be wired or programmed such that a binary input of “1” received from enable button  510  equates to disable and a binary input of “0” equates to enable. Upon receipt of the enable signal from enable button  510 , the process executed by control unit  706  indexes the respective non-intelligent local panel  504  to enable via software. Reset button  512  is programmed and wired to operate in a similar fashion. 
     In contrast, each interlock sensor  526   a - 526   h  is wired to an independent binary input located at control unit  706 . Therefore, each binary signal received from an interlock sensor  526   a - 526   h  is automatically associated with the respective non-intelligent local panel  504  based upon the binary input at control unit  706  that receives the signal. For example, interlock sensor  526   a  may be wired to binary input one, interlock sensor  526   b  may be wired to binary input two, interlock sensor  526   c  may be wired to binary input three, and so on. Therefore, the process executed by control unit  706  is programmed such that an input received on a specific binary input is automatically associated with one of the non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h.    
     In contrast to the “0” or “1” binary signals received from the aforementioned devices, totalizers  702   a - 702   h , in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 7 , transmits analog signals to control unit  706 . These analog signals are generated by totalizers  702   a - 702   h  based upon information received from flow measurement device(s) such as flow measurement device  600   a  depicted in  FIG. 6 . These flow measurement device(s) have similar functions and features as those discussed with respect to  FIG. 2 . The electric signals generated by the flow measurement device(s) are transmitted to totalizers  702   a - 702   h , which convert them into real time flow and total flow data. 
     The individual total flow values, as calculated by totalizers  702   a - 702   h , are transmitted to control unit  706  via individual, scaled 4-20 mA signals, or, alternatively, any signals compatible with control unit  706  (e.g., a zero to ten volt direct current signal, a zero to twenty mA signal, a pulsed binary contact, etc.). In addition to sending totalized flow data to control unit  706 , totalizers  702   a - 702   h  also display the individual totalized result on the respective totalizer display  506   a - 506   h . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , totalizer displays  506   a - 506   h  are integral LED or LCD displays mounted through the face of main user interface panel  530  such that totalizer displays  506   a - 506   h  form a part of user interface  520 . At the end of a watering period for a specific non-intelligent local panel  504   a - 504   h , as discussed in greater detail above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , control unit  706  resets the respective totalizer  702   a - 702   h  and the respective totalizer display  506   a - 506   h  to zero. 
     In an alternate embodiment, totalizers  702   a - 702   h  are eliminated. In this embodiment, the flow measurement devices transmit data directly to control unit  706 , which totalizes the data and, optionally, transmits the totalized result to one or more standalone displays (i.e., a display that is not integral to a totalizer or totalizing device) via analog or binary signals generated by control unit  706 . In this embodiment, the totalized data may be reset to zero as a function, or software interlock, of a process programmed into control unit  706  rather than via a hardwired input. 
     The process executed by control unit  706  receives the analog and binary input data discussed above and uses such data to generate and transmit output signals to actuate flow control devices  600   a - 600   h , to reset totalizers  702   a - 702   h , and to illuminate system status indicator  508 , interlock status indicator  514 , and alarm status indicator  516 . Such process is performed similar to the process discussed in greater detail above with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , depicted is networked watering system  801  including multiple non-intelligent local panels  804  networked to main panel  830  and to user workstation  806 . In this embodiment, one non-intelligent local panel  804  is provided for each specimen cage  808  (e.g., a vivarium, terrarium, etc.) and a user may monitor and control all non-intelligent local panels  804  remotely from main user interface panel  830 . 
     Each non-intelligent local panel  804  has features and characteristics similar to non-intelligent local panels  504   a - 504   h  described in detail herein with respect to  FIGS. 5-7 . In this scenario, each non-intelligent local panel  804  is connected to liquid source  802  which is piped, or otherwise distributed, to individual specimen cages  808  located throughout the specimen holding area  814  by coupling liquid source  802  to the respective inlet couplings  822 . Each non-intelligent local panel  804  provides a controlled liquid supply to the respective specimen cage  808  via individual, respective liquid carriers  810  coupled to outlet couplings  824  and cage couplings  820 . Individual interlock sensors  826  are also wired through its respective non-intelligent local panel  804  to a control unit located in main user interface panel  830  to provide feedback regarding the connection of specimen cage  808 , or its internal drinking assembly, to liquid carrier  810 . Through these interconnections, non-intelligent local panels  804  accurately quantify and control the liquid supplied to specimen cages  808  as described herein with respect to non-intelligent local panel  502   a.    
     However, in addition to the features and characteristics of non-intelligent local panel  504   a , the networking of one or more main user interface panels  830  to one or more user workstations  806  allows bi-directional communication to occur between all networked components. Such bi-directional communication enhances the safety and ease with which non-intelligent local panels  804  may be monitored and controlled. 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, one or more non-intelligent local panels  804  may be monitored and controlled quickly, safely, and easily by a single user. This aspect of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in an environment housing a large quantity of animals and having limited personnel to patrol individual non-intelligent local panels  804 . A single user located at user workstation  806  may monitor all alarms for all non-intelligent local panels  804  while simultaneously monitoring each animal&#39;s liquid consumption and adjusting or overriding individual parameters for each non-intelligent local panels  804 . Such alarms may include, but are not limited to, per event consumption alarms, per dispensational period consumption alarms, system disabled alarms, flow control device malfunction alarms, control unit malfunction alarms, communication failure alarms, measured flow out-of-range alarms, and alarms for disconnection of non-intelligent local panels  804  from liquid source  802  and/or specimen cage  808  or its internal drinking assembly. 
     Additionally, one or more of the aforementioned alarms may be programmed for automatic disposition. For example, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for automatic printing at any one or more user workstations  806 . Or, alternatively, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for automatic transmission via electronic mail from a user workstation  806  to a device such as a remote personal computer, handheld PDA, cellular telephone, alphanumeric pager, digital pager, etc. Or, in yet another alternate embodiment, one or more specific alarms may be programmed for transmission via a short haul modem to a non-electronic mail paging system. Many other methods of alarm disposition other than those specifically enumerated herein may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In addition to receiving alarms, users of non-intelligent local panels  804  may perform all monitoring and control from any user workstation  806  for a specific non-intelligent local panel  804 . For example, a user may override the pre-programmed consumption limits for each individual animal as necessary to achieve the objectives of the experiments. Or, a user may modify the permanent programmed data such as the length of the dispensational periods, the per event time limits, and per event and dispensational period consumption limits. Users may also override or control non-intelligent local panels  804  devices. For example, users may remotely enable, disable, or reset a non-intelligent local panel  804 . In addition, users may override all outputs including, but not limited to, the flow control device. Furthermore, calibration values may also be entered via user workstation  406 . 
     In some embodiments, modem  836  is included. Modem  836  may be coupled to either main user interface panel  830  or user workstation  806 . A telephone line is also coupled to modem  836  to connect it to a public telephone system. This connection allows a user that is remote from both user workstation  806  and main user interface panel  830  to connect to the latter by placing a telephone call with a personal computer to the networked watering system  801 . Upon a successful connection, a user may perform all monitoring and control as if the user were seated at a user workstation  806 . 
     Similarly, embodiments are envisioned that include Internet interfaces  828  (e.g., cable modem, DSL modem, wireless router, Ethernet cable, etc.). Internet interface  828  may be coupled to main user interface panel  830 , user workstation  806 , or directly to communication bus  832 . This connection allows a user that is remote from both user workstation  806  and main user interface panel  830  to connect to the latter by accessing a web site programmed to access networked watering system  801 . Upon successful connection to the web site, a user may perform all monitoring and control as if the user were seated at a user workstation  806 . 
     Turning next to  FIG. 9 , depicted is independent user interface  902  in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention. User interface  902  connects to control unit  906  via cable  910 . Control unit  906  has similar functions and features as described herein with respect to control unit  206  ( FIG. 2) and 706  ( FIG. 7 ). A user may enter or modify control parameters or other data by pressing the buttons on keypad  904  to toggle through the various parameters displayed on independent user interface display  908  until the desired parameter is displayed. New or modified data may then be entered for the parameter via keypad  904 . In addition to modifying control parameters, independent user interface  902  allows a user to perform all of the actions available at a local user interface such as user interfaces  120 ,  418 , and including, but not limited to, enabling and disabling the attached watering apparatus, viewing status and alarm points, viewing consumption data, etc. 
     Although embodiments have been discussed herein in which devices are hardwired to control units and network communication buses are hardwired between networked devices, any such wiring discussed herein may be replaced with a wireless connection and associated transmitters and receivers without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.