Patent ID: 8836790

Claim:
A computer-implemented process for controlling and monitoring a valve including: (a) establishing a communication path between a valve control system at a valve site and a remote information processing unit through a secure internet site; (b) actuating the valve from a closed state to an open state in response to communication received by the valve control system from the remote information processing unit, wherein actuating the valve to the open state comprises: (i) entering a valve user security code and a valve identification number into the valve control system; (ii) matching the entered valve user security code and valve identification number with an authorized user on an authorized user list residing on the remote information processing unit; (iii) signaling, upon receipt of a match notification from the remote information processing unit, the authorized user to activate a valve open signaling device within a specified time period; and (iv) activating the valve open signaling device to automatically activate: (i) an actuator associated with the valve, and (ii) a camera to photograph the authorized user; and (c) updating the remote information processing unit, through the established communication path, with a record of a time when the valve was opened, the name of the authorized user, and a photograph of the authorized user into a historical database of all actuator activity residing on the remote information processing unit.