Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 61/619,482 filed April 3, 2012, the contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[002] The invention relates generally to sanitary equipment and more particularly to an integrated, multi-functional sanitary system and controller therefor.

Background of the Invention

[003] Automatic faucets that control the flow of water by sensing the presence of an object close to the faucet have been available in the market for many years. Such devices operate without the need to touch the device and provide a more hygienic means for washing hands. The flow of water stops automatically as soon as one removes one's hands away from the device, this feature reduces the amount of water used.

[004] Similar devices for dispensing liquid soap and hot air for drying hands have also existed for many years. However, each of these devices occupies significant counter and/or floor space and requires independent installation, and power sources if applicable.

[005] Maintaining sanitary conditions in public or private washrooms, and at other locations where a user's hands are being washed is an common requirement. To this end, the fewer times a user has to touch a piece of equipment or permanent item, which would also come into contact with another user's hands, the better. This helps prevent the spread of communicable diseases, most notably the flu. In some circumstances, such touchless environments may be mandated. Thus far, prior art solutions have focused on independently acting devices such as water, soap and air dispensers. These arrangements are acceptable where space is not an issue, but as more and more locations require this type of touchless environment, prior art devices are not readily adaptable to smaller spaces, and the functioning of each of the devices is not integrated.

[006] As will now be understood, there is a need in the art for improved sanitary systems that address one or more of the aforementioned problems with the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[007] The invention provides for a system including an automatic faucet, soap dispenser, hand dryer, and optionally dispensers for other liquids. It provides a touch-less and hence more hygienic procedure for washing, drying hands. The system can optionally dispense disinfectant fluids or cosmetic fluids such as lotions and creams. The system has several openings used as outlet for soap, water, air, disinfectant, and cosmetic fluids. These openings may be shared to release different fluids (including air). The presence of hands in the vicinity of the device by one or more sensors. The sequence of dispensing soap, opening and closing the valve of the faucet, turning the dryer on and off, and dispensing other fluids is controlled by software which is executed on a computing device such as a microprocessor. The system may emit audible or visible signals to provide the user of the system with instructions or other information.

[008] The advantage of such a system among others is lower cost of manufacturing as it uses shared resources such as sensors, power supply, power management system, computer, and housing.

[009] Another advantage of the system is reduced effort for installation and maintenance.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sanitary apparatus for providing a cleaning action to a human hand including a computer processor executing computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable medium; the computer processor in communication with a plurality of functional modules; the functional modules including a means for dispensing water, a means for dispensing a cleaning agent and a means for drying; wherein the computer processor controls the plurality of functional modules to operate for predetermined periods of time to complete a cleaning action.

[0011] According to one aspect, the functional modules further include a voice activation means for providing user input to the computer readable instructions.

[0012] According to another aspect, the functional modules further includes a hologram generating means for generating one or more holographic images representing buttons.

[0013] According to another aspect, the means for dispensing a cleaning agent includes a soap holding container and a pump for pumping the soap out of a soap outlet on the sanitary apparatus; wherein the computer processor is adapted to control the pump to dispense a predetermined amount of soap for a predetermined period of time.

[0014] According to another aspect, the means for dispensing water comprises a water release valve and the computer processor is adapted to open and close the valve for a predetermined period of time following the dispensing of the soap.

[0015] According to another aspect, the means for drying comprises a fan and an air heater for distributing heated air out of an air outlet; wherein the computer processor is adapted to control the fan to output the heated air for a predetermined period of time following the dispensing of water.

[0016] According to another aspect, prior to dispensing the water the computer processor causes a delay for a predetermined period of time prior to providing the heated air out of the air outlet.

[0017] According to another aspect, the computer readable instructions are modifiable locally or via a wireless connection.

[0018] According to another aspect, the voice activation means comprises a speech recognition module implemented on the computer readable medium storing a plurality of known voice commands and a microphone for receiving a voice instruction; wherein the computer processor compares the voice instruction with the plurality of known voice commands to identify a match.

[0019] According to another aspect, the match results in the computer processor executing an instruction to control at least one parameter of at least one of the plurality of functional modules.

[0020] According to another aspect, the at least one parameter comprises one or more of a temperature of water, an amount of soap, a length of drying time and a dispensing of additional water.

[0021] According to another aspect, the hologram generating means comprises a hologram generator adapted to display at least one holographic image button at a predefined space and one or more visual detectors to identify whether a user has positioned a portion of a hand proximate the at least one holographic image button.

[0022] According to another aspect, upon detecting that a user has positioned a portion of a hand proximate the at least one holographic image button, at least one parameter of at least one of the plurality of functional modules is controlled by the computer processor based on the at least one holographic image button.

[0023] According to another aspect, the at least one parameter comprises one or more of a temperature of water, an amount of soap, a length of drying time and a dispensing of additional water.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figure, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic showing one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic of a voice activation module for use with the embodiment of

Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic of a touchless button module for use with the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0025] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown one embodiment of the invention, in which a control system for a sanitary system is depicted schematically. A computer system or computing device having a central processing unit executing instructions stored on a computer readable medium controls the sequencing and operations of the sanitary system. A power management unit 28 receives power from an external power source via connectors 29. Various power sources are contemplated. The power management unit 28 serves to convert external power to a common power supply for all on-board elements of the sanitary system as described herein below.

[0026] The information and control signals are communicated between the computing device 17 and different parts of the system through control wires 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24 and 26, which are illustrated by way of example only. Other ways of wiring the system are also contemplated. The power management unit 28 manages and distributes electric power to different parts of the system via power distribution wires 4, 27, 20, 19 and 22. Again, this arrangement is shown by way of example only and various arrangements for providing power to the functional elements herein described are contemplated.

[0027] Substantively, the system further includes a water valve 15 controlled by the computer system 17 with a control signal communicated via wire 8. The water valve 15 is adapted to be opened for a predetermined period of time when an open signal is communicated to it by the computer system 17. Computer system 17 is also adapted to activate pump 14, which pumps a predetermined amount of soap from soap container 21 via soap outlet pipe 3. Pluralities of containers 21 may be provided that pump other liquids such as soap, hand cream, disinfectant, etc. The computer system 17 is also adapted to control the functioning of fan 25 and heater 23. In combination, fan 25 and heater 23 supplies hot air through air vents 13 to dry a user's hands.

[0028] The computer system 17 is also in communication with one or more sensors 2. Sensor 2 is preferably a motion sensor that detects the presence of a human hand, but is not activated by smaller items, that may accidentally trigger the release of water. Upon detecting the presence of a human hand, a series of predetermined events are triggered that perform a series of sanitary acts. In the preferred embodiment, once a user's hands are detected, a predetermined amount of soap is dispensed via outlet pipe 3, followed by a brief pause permitting the user to distribute the soap over the hand surface. Following this, the water valve 15 is opened to dispense a predetermined amount of water that permits the hands to be washed, and finally the fan 25 and heater 23 are activated to supply hot air that is used to dry the user's hands.

[0029] Other adaptations of this process are also contemplated. For example, hand cream may later be dispensed following the drying process. Additional soaps may also be used.

[0030] As will be appreciated, the computer system 17 as described above, in conjunction with the functional elements of the sanitary system provides for a single point at which a full series of sanitary actions can be automatically performed. In addition, the arrangement of elements and controlling computer system as herein described permits for onsite, or remote programming via a wireless communications. The onboard computer readable medium storing the instructions executed by the computer system may hold multiple sets of instructions for various conditions, including different times of the day. Furthermore, the sensor 2 may be adapted to also detect the size of a human hand being positioned in front of the sensor such that different amounts of soap and water are dispensed. For example, a lesser amount of soap and water can be dispensed for children than for adults. The dryer can also be made to operate during a longer period of time during less busy times of the day.

[0031] These computer readable instructions for controlling the device may be updated on site by a technician or remotely via a wireless interface provided on the computer system. Updates may be required or may be beneficial to modify the predetermined time periods during which each of the elements is functioning.

[0032] The particular hardwire used to implement that various functional elements of the invention, including wires, pipes, water dispensers, soap dispensers, pumps, are generally known and not described in more detail herein. However, their arrangement and control via the computer system herein described is an improvement over the prior art.

[0033] Next, additional functionality may be provided by way of optional user interactions with the system, for example to alter the temperature of the water or to dispense additional soap/water/air beyond those of the predetermined amounts dictated by the settings on the computer system.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a voice control module that may be used to provide additional instructions to the computer system 17. In this embodiment a speech recognition module 31 is connected via an electrical or logical connection to the computing device 17. The speech recognition module 31 is a circuit capable of storing audio data representing commands for the operation of the system of the invention. The speech recognition module 31 receives audible commands via the microphone 32 and compares these audible commands to stored audio data on the computer readable medium. The matched command is communicated with the computing device 17. Such commands may result in turning the water on or off, changing water temperature, dispensing soap, turning the air flow on or off, adjusting air temperature, as well as commands required for device maintenance such as date of installation, status and use reports. Audible signals may also be provided via the speaker 33, for example to indicate particular actions being taken by the system.

[0035] During the execution of the above mentioned tasks and at other times, the computer system 17 may examine the presence, and proper configuration or functionality of the system components and other resources such as water, water pressure, soap level, electrical voltage levels and currents. This may be done by way of a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the system. When maintenance is required, an audible signal may be emitted. Furthermore, a wireless communication may also be sent to indicate that specific maintenance actions are required. These may be implemented, for example, by way of liquid level sensors in a water storage (where a direct water source is not available) and in the soap containers. Such sensors are known in the sensing arts and their teachings may now be adapted here.

[0036] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown another optional feature of the invention by which a user may interact with the system without coming into contact with any surfaces that would be contacted by other users. Holographic images 37 may be generated by a hologram generator 36 and be displayed in a predefined space 43. The predefined space is preferably proximate the device of the invention, but distal from any surfaces that could accidentally be touched. The user of the sanitary device could attempt to touch such images to issue a command to the system in order to execute commands similar to those discussed above with respect to voice activation. Visual detectors such as cameras 38, motion detectors 38, or mechanical sensors together with a source of mechanical waves such as ultrasound 38 can be used to detect the location of the hand of the user while attempting to touch a hologram. This location information can be captured and communicated to the computer 17 for further processing. Another computer processor 41 may be used to manage the operation of hologram generator 36, location detection device(s) 38, and communication with the computer system 17. Elements 39, 40, and 42 represent logical or electrical connections between the system components.

[0037] In use, a user would approach the sanitary system as herein described and position their hands under the faucet, where the hand would be detected by the one or more sensors described above. Upon detecting the presence of a user's hand, the computer system executes the computer readable instructions and carries out a series of predetermined sanitary-related actions. First, a metered amount of soap is dispensed, followed by a brief pause during which the user may further distribute the soap over their hands. Following this predetermined pause, the water valve is opened and water is dispensed, either from a permanent water source or from an on-board water container. Next, the dryer is activated and hot air is blown from the fan such that the user's hands can be dried. [0038] The user may elect to activate certain options via the voice activation module or the hologram projecting module, such as dispensing additional water, dispensing optional items such as hand lotion or adjusting the temperature of the water. Controls may be implemented in the computer system to restrict the options available to a user. When using the holographic projection, the user moves a finger proximate a holographic image of a button and the button is considered depressed when a motion is sensed proximate the button itself.

[0039] As will now be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the system according to the invention provides for an improved sanitary system and faucet that provides no-touch operation in a single unit over a wide range of functions. The aforementioned description has been provided by way of example only, and is not intended to be limited to the examples disclosed.