DELIVERING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED WATER

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Application Serial Number 63/194,299, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED WATER” by Saleem, et al, which was filed on May 28, 2021 and to United States Non-Provisional Application Serial Number 16/786,909, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED WATER” by Saleem, et al, which was filed on February 10, 2020 and to United States Non-Provisional Application Serial Number 17/126,550, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED WATER” by Saleem, et al, which was filed on February 10, 2020 and to Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US21/17086, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED WATER” by Saleem, et al, which was filed on February 8, 2021, the text and drawings of which are incorporated by reference into this application in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Modern surgical techniques are highly successful due in no small part to effective control of infection. Controlling infection, in turn, requires sterilization of surgical instruments before an operation takes place. Also, it is important that stray infectious matter is neutralized, or the potential of infection from such stray infectious matter is substantially eliminated. Collectively, all of the techniques used in mitigating the potential for infection are generally referred to as “infection control”.

[0003] Most people outside of the medical community realize that is important to sterilize instruments. Also, laypersons appreciate that everyone in the surgical theater is attired in substantially sterile garments and wear gloves that form a protective barrier between the surgeon and the patient. Laypersons also understand that, as a result of fictional depictions in movies and television, the surgeon and other staff entering the surgical theater “scrub up” before putting on their sterilized gloves.

[0004] A surgical scrub is performed in order to remove resident and transient microorganisms from the hands. It is also important to inhibit the re-growth of flora for the duration of the surgical procedure. By inhibiting such re-growth, there is an added safety for the patient in the event that the glove is somehow compromised during surgery. In other words, should the glove be torn, or accidentally cut, there is less likelihood of transfer of microbial infection to the patient when flora normally resident on the hands is substantially prevented from multiplying. And, according to the World Health Organization’s guidelines for hand hygiene, 35% of all gloves have been punctured after just two hours of surgery. Certainly, there is great motivation in inhibiting regrowth of flora.

[0005] Amazingly, what is an effective washing of the hands prior to performing a surgical procedure is still widely debated. For example, there are proponents of antimicrobial surgical scrub solutions. In an ordinary environment, these are typically known as hand sanitizers. Amongst the community of surgical professionals, such surgical scrub solutions are known as handrub formulations. As one might expect, proponents of antimicrobial surgical scrub solutions also include the manufacturers of such products. In general, it is the persisting effect that antimicrobial surgical scrub solutions purportedly offered by such products is a compelling argument for preventing resurgence of flora on a surgeon’s hands, especially when the hands are in a warm environment formed between the glove and the skin itself. [0006] As compelling as the arguments may be, most people, including professional hospital practitioners and surgeons, still see the need for a prolonged agitation of the skin under running water. In other words, surgeons do and will continue to prefer aggressive washing of the hands using antibacterial soap and hot running water. Commonly used antisepsis agents include chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine.

[0007] In its guidelines for hand hygiene, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) indicates that has previously recommended various hand formulations. It also admits that these handrub formulations, as tested by two independent laboratories, failed to pass antisepsis requirements. Accordingly, the WHO acknowledges that further research is necessary because there is still not enough information or antidotal data regarding the use of the handrub formulations that it itself has recommended. So, the use of water and antibacterial soaps and antisepsis agents will continue to be a mainstay of surgical hand preparation.

[0008] The proper technique for the use of water and soap in preparing for surgery has also evolved over the years. For example, in 1834, preparation for surgery included three steps. First, the hands were to be washed with hot water and medicated soap for at least five minutes. Then, a 90% ethanol solution was to be applied for a period of 3 to 5 minutes and finally, the hands are to be rinsed with an antiseptic liquid. In 1939, a seven-minute hand wash with soap and water was to be followed by a 70% ethanol mixture for three minutes, but after drying the hands with a towel. Today, most healthcare institutions require a five-minute handwashing regimen. Even still, there is wide variation in the amount of time dedicated to a particular washing practice and even the temperature of the water that must be used.

[0009] Surgeons are just as prone to error as any ordinary human being. However, when ordinary people fail to wash their hands properly, patients are not placed at risk. However, should a surgeon be distracted during “scrubbing”, a patient stands the risk of severe infection as a result of what would ordinarily be a simple surgical procedure. And, it is also interesting to appreciate that the exact technique for handwashing can vary based on the type and duration of surgical procedure intended. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Several alternative embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings and figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram that depicts one example method for delivering temperature controlled water;

Figs. 2 through 4 are flow diagrams that depict various alternative example methods for establishing a delivery-directive;

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates one alternative example method wherein a cleaning agent and/or sanitizing agent is delivered to a user;

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative example methods for ascertaining how much of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent should be dispensed to a user;

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another variation of the present method wherein at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent is dispense according to a local dispense command;

Fig. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for receiving material from a canister;

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates alternative methods for ensuring a canister has sufficient material stored therein;

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method for maintaining a usage counter using block-chain technology;

Fig. 11 is a flow diagram that depicts one example alternative methods for augmenting blended water with at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent;

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative methods for delivery of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent; Fig. 13 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for confirming the quality of material included in a canister;

Fig. 14 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method which includes steps for determining when a canister requires replacement;

Figs. 15 and 16 are flow diagrams that the big alternative example methods for determining when the supply of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent requires replenishment;

Figs. 17 through 19 are flow diagrams that illustrate additional method steps applied for managing scrub protocols for different types of clinical procedures;

Fig. 20 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for delivering temperature controlled water;

Fig. 21 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for analyzing video received in a scrub-log server;

Fig. 22 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another alternative example method for analyzing video received in a scrub-log server;

Fig. 23 is a block diagram of one example embodiment of a water delivery unit;

Fig. 24 is a system- level diagram that depicts a remote installation of a canister receptacle;

Fig. 25 is a pictorial diagram of an alternate delivery path for at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent;

Figs. 26A and 26B are pictorial diagrams that represent the operation of a valve which is used to prevent at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent from escaping from a canister;

Fig. 27 A and 27B are pictorial diagrams that illustrates a wireless transponder included in a canister and the internal makeup thereof, respectively, at least according to one illustrative embodiment; Figs. 28A and 28B are block diagrams that collectively depict the internal structure of several example embodiments of a controller;

Fig. 29A and 29B are data flow diagrams that depict the internal operation of several example embodiments of a controller. ; Fig. 30 is a block diagram that depicts a high level perspective of a system for delivering temperature controlled water to a user;

Fig. 31 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example embodiment of a scrub- protocol table and a scrub-protocol detail table; and

Fig. 32 is a pictorial representation of one example embodiment of a scrub-user table and one example embodiment of a scrub-user history table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Today, surgical infection control is made more effective using new methods for controlling the application of water and/or antimicrobial agents during surgical scrub procedures. These new methods, along with variations thereof, are augmented by application of hand-washing profiles. Also, other variations of the present method provide for confirmation that surgeons and other surgical staff have properly washed their hands and/or have properly applied antimicrobial agents before putting on gloves and entering the surgical theater.

[0012] In the interest of clarity, several example alternative methods are described in plain language. Such plain language descriptions of the various steps included in a particular method allow for easier comprehension and a more fluid description of a claimed method and its application. Accordingly, specific method steps are identified by the term “step” followed by a numeric reference to a flow diagram presented in the figures, e.g. (step 5). All such method “steps” are intended to be included in an open- ended enumeration of steps included in a particular claimed method. For example, the phrase “according to this example method, the item is processed using A” is to be given the meaning of “the present method includes step A, which is used to process the item”. All variations of such natural language descriptions of method steps are to be afforded this same open-ended enumeration of a step included in a particular claimed method.

[0013] Unless specifically taught to the contrary, method steps are interchangeable and specific sequences may be varied according to various alternatives contemplated. Accordingly, the claims are to be construed within such structure. Further, unless specifically taught to the contrary, method steps that include the phrase “...comprises at least one or more of A, B, and/or C...” means that the method step is to include every combination and permutation of the enumerated elements such as “only A”, “only B”, “only C”, “A and B, but not C”, “B and C, but not A”, “A and C, but not B”, and “A and B and C”. This same claim structure is also intended to be open-ended and any such combination of the enumerated elements together with a non-enumerated element, e.g. “A and D, but not B and not C”, is to fall within the scope of the claim. Given the open-ended intent of this claim language, the addition of a second element, including an additional of an enumerated element such as “2 of A”, is to be included in the scope of such claim. This same intended claim structure is also applicable to apparatus and system claims.

[0014] In many cases, description of various alternative example methods is augmented with illustrative use cases. Description of how a method is applied in a particular illustrative use case is intended to clarify how a particular method relates to physical implementations thereof. Such illustrative use cases are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a flow diagram that depicts one example method for delivering temperature controlled water. According to this example method, delivering temperature controlled water is achieved by applying a method that includes receiving a stream of cold water (step 5), receiving a stream of hot water (step 10), establishing a delivery-directive (step 15), blending the cold water stream and the hot- water stream according to the delivery-directive and providing a flow of the blended water to a user when a flow-directive is received. It should be appreciated that, according to this example illustrative method, the delivery-directive includes a specification for at least one or more of a target flow rate and/or a target temperature.

[0016] Fig. 23, which is introduced infra, depicts one illustrative use case of the example method herein described. According to this illustrative use case, the method is applied in a system 400 that includes a hydraulic unit 401 and a control unit 402. According to one alternative example embodiment, the hydraulic unit 401 includes a controller 601. The controller 601, according to one illustrative alternative embodiment, comprises a processor-based device that includes a wide area network interface 585. In one alternative example embodiment, the control unit 402 includes a computer readable media (“CRM”) interface 420. The CRM interface 420 is capable of accepting computer readable medium 425. In one alternative illustrative use case, the CRM 425 has stored thereon a scrub-protocol. [0017] According to yet another alternative example method, establishing a delivery- directive is accomplished by receiving a scrub protocol from a scrub-management server (step 55) and extracting from the scrub protocol received from the scrub- management server at least one or more of a target flow rate (step 60), a target temperature (step 65) and/or an LOT value (step 70). It should be appreciated that, according to one illustrative application of the present method, a controller 330 interacts with a scrub-management server in order to obtain a scrub protocol therefrom. In this illustrative application, the controller 330 interacts with the scrub-management by way of the wide area network interface 545.

[0018] Figs. 2 through 4 are flow diagrams that depict various alternative example methods for establishing a delivery-directive. According to one alternative example method, a delivery-directive is established by receiving a scrubber protocol (step 35) and defining according to the received scrub protocol at least one or more of a target flow rate (step 40), a target temperature (step 45) and/or a delivery length-of-time (step 50) (“LOT”).

[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates that one alternative example variation of the present method comprises receiving a scrub protocol from a scrub management server (step 55). It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative use cases, a scrub management server is used to keep track of various clinical procedures and stores appropriate scrub protocols according thereto. As in other variations of the present method, additional steps include at least one or more of defining a target flow rate (step 60), defining a target temperature (step 65), and/or defining a target delivery length of time (step 70).

[0020] Fig. 4 shows one alternative example method which comprises a step for retrieving a scrub protocol from a computer readable media (step 75) and one or more of steps for finding a target flow rate (step 80), defining a target temperature (step 85), and defining a target length of time (step 90). It should be appreciated that, according to one embodiment of this variation of the present method, a scrub protocol is received from a computer readable media which is attached by way of an input/output port. One example of such an input/output port comprises a universal serial bus (“USB”). It should be appreciated that any such example input/output port is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[0021] In all of the various example methods described with reference to Figs. 2 through 4, defining a particular aspect of a scrub protocol comprises extracting values for at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a target delivery length of time from the retrieved scrub protocol.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates one alternative example method wherein a cleaning agent and/or sanitizing agent is delivered to a user. According to one alternative example method, additional method steps include receiving by way of a canister a receptacle having stored therein a cleaning agent (step 95). The blended water is an augmented with the received cleaning agent (step 97). Should be appreciated that, according to yet another alternative example method, a step is included for receiving via a canister receptacle a sanitizing agent (step 100) and then adding the sanitizing agent to the blended water (step 102). It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative embodiments that incorporate this variation of the present method, a canister receptacle is included in a system and is capable of receiving a canister or in such canister includes therein at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent.

[0023] Fig. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative example methods for ascertaining how much of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent should be dispensed to a user. As in other variations of the present method, this variation includes a step for receiving a scrub protocol (step 105). In one alternative example method, a value reflecting the amount of cleaning agent to be dispensed is extracted from the scrub protocol (step 110). This extracted amount, according to various embodiments of the present method, is used to receive a quantity of cleaning agent from a canister, which is installed in a canister receptacle (step 120). [0024] In yet another alternative example method, a value reflecting the amount of sanitizing agent to be dispensed is extracted from the scrub protocol (step 115). Accordingly, this value is used to retrieve an amount of sanitizing agent from a canister, where in such canister is installed in a canister receptacle (step 125).

[0025] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another variation of the present method wherein at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent is dispense according to a local dispense command. As described in the incorporated references, a user is allowed to use air gestures to command the delivery of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. In this variation of the present method, a step is included for receiving a local dispense command (step 130). It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative embodiments of the present method, the dispense command is received by way of an air gesture sensor, as described in one or more of the incorporated references.

[0026] Once a local dispense command is received, one alternative variation of the present method includes a step for receiving a pre-established amount of cleaning agent from a canister, said receptacle being installed in a canister receptacle (step 135). In yet another variation of the present method, a step is included for receiving a pre-establish amount of sanitizing agent from a canister, where the canister is installed in a canister receptacle (step 140).

[0027] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates one example method for receiving material from a canister. It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative use cases, a canister will include at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. In this variation of the present method, a step is included for ensuring that the canister is fully seated in the canister receptacle (step 150). If the canister is not fully seated, then on included method step provides for disabling flow from the canister (step 145). Accordingly, a method step is included for enabling flow from the canister (step 155) when such canister is properly and fully seated in the canister receptacle.

[0028] [0029] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates alternative methods for ensuring a canister has sufficient material stored therein. According to one illustrative embodiment of the present method, a system keeps track of the amount of material, for example at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. This alternative example method includes a step four retrieving a usage counter from a quality assurance (“QA”) device which is included in a canister (step 160). The usage counter is then utilized in an additional includes step four determining if the canister is empty (step 165). It should likewise be appreciated that, according yet another variation of the present method, this step determines if the canister does not have sufficient material and must be replaced.

[0030] So long as there is sufficient material in a canister, one alternative example method provides for receiving an amount of cleaning agent from a canister, where in the canister is seated in a canister receptacle (step 170). In another variation of the present method, a step is included for receiving by way of the canister receptacle an amount of sanitizing agent (step 175). A new usage counter is then created according to the retrieve counter and the amount of material retrieved from the canister (step 180). The newly created usage counter is then stored back into the QA device included in the canister (step 185).

[0031] Fig. 10 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method for maintaining a usage counter using block-chain technology. Lock-chain technology is well understood and shall not be described herein. This alternative example method includes a step four retrieving a usage counter from a block-chain which is stored in a QA device included in a canister (step 190). The retrieved usage counter is used to determine whether the canister is empty or is running low (step 195). It should be appreciated that, various illustrative embodiments will still provide material from the canister so long as the canister is not completely empty. However, other embodiments will not provide material when the canister is running low on material.

[0032] So long as there is sufficient material in a canister, one alternative example method provides for receiving an amount of cleaning agent from a canister, where in the canister is seated in a canister receptacle (step 200). In another variation of the present method, a step is included for receiving by way of the canister receptacle an amount of sanitizing agent (step 205). A new usage counter is then created according to the retrieve counter and the amount of material retrieved from the canister (step 210). The newly created usage counter is then appended to the block-chain, which is stored in the QA device included in the canister (step 215).

[0033] Fig. 11 is a flow diagram that depicts one example alternative methods for augmenting blended water with at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. It should be appreciated that, according to this alternative example method, a step is included for receiving a measured amount of cleaning agent from a canister (step 200). The measured amount of cleaning agent is then injected into blended water (step 210). In an alternative method, a step is included for receiving a measured amount of sanitizing agent from a canister (step 205), which is then injected into the blended water (step 210). It should be appreciated that, according to these variations of the present method, a measured amount of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent is either injected into the blended water, or it is passed along a separate channel and dispensed to a user by way of a separate channel, as described infra.

[0034] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative methods for delivery of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. According to these variations of the present method, a separate delivery channel is provided for a cleaning agent (step 215). The output of this separate channel is positioned proximate to the output of the blended water, where such blended water is delivered to a user. In yet another alternative method, a separate delivery channel for sanitizing agent is provided (step 220). In this alternative method, the output of the separate channel for the sanitizing agent is also disposed proximate to the output of the blended water.

[0035] Fig. 13 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for confirming the quality of material included in a canister. According to this alternative example method, a step is included for receiving and you canister into the canister receptacle (step 230). It should be appreciated that, according to various alternative methods, the canister that is received into the receptacle comprises at least one or more of a canister that includes a cleaning agent and/or a canister that includes a sanitizing agent.

[0036] According to these variations of the present method, a QA device is included in the canister and, according to one alternative example method, a source indicator is retrieved from a the quality assurance device (step 235). If the source indicator is incorrect (step 240), then a canister error is indicated (step 265).

[0037] In another variation of the present method, a concentration indicator is retrieved from the QA device (step 245). It should be appreciated that various materials are available in various concentrations and/or viscosities. The concentration indicator retrieved from the canister is intended to reflect at least one or more of a concentration and/or viscosity of the material stored in the canister. If the concentration indicator is not correct (step 250), a canister error is again indicated (step 265).

[0038] It should be appreciated that, in various illustrative use cases, a canister receptacle may have more than one receptacle bay. In these illustrative use cases, each receptacle bay is capable of identifying the type of material stored in a canister by retrieving from a QA device a type indicator (step 255). If the type indicator is not correct (step 260), then again a canister error is indicated (step 265). It should be appreciated that and all of these variations of the present method, a canister error comprises at least one or more of a visual indicator and/or a termination of operation of the system. For example, if any of the source indicator, the concentration indicator or the type indicator is not in conformance then the system will simply not retrieve material from a new canister introduced into the canister receptacle.

[0039] Fig. 14 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method which includes steps for determining when a canister requires replacement. It should be appreciated that, especially in clinical situations, it is important that sufficient material is included in canisters that supply one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. Accordingly, this variation of the present method includes a step four determining if a canister that has stored therein a cleaning agent requires replenishment (step 270). In such case, a request is sent for more cleaning agent (step 275). It should likewise be appreciated that, such a request, is sent by means of a wide area network by way of a wide area network interface included in the system. Once the server receives the request, software therein issues a supply ticket (step 287). Supply ticket is used by delivery personnel to dispatch additional cleaning agent and/or sanitizing agent to the appropriate location.

[0040] In yet another alternative example method, a determination is made as to whether or not a canister that has stored therein a sanitizing agent requires replenishment (step 280). Analogously, the request is sent for more sanitizing agent (step 285) by means of a wide area network, again by way of a wide area network interface included in the system. It should likewise be appreciated that replenishment, as described herein, means replacement of a canister that has run low or is empty.

[0041] Figs. 15 and 16 are flow diagrams that the big alternative example methods for determining when the supply of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent requires replenishment. In one variation of the present method, energy is emitted toward the canister (step 290). According to one illustrative hardware embodiment, this is done by a meeting light energy toward the canister. Should sufficient light pass through the canister to a detector, the system will infer that replenishment is required (step 295).

[0042] In yet another alternative example method, a usage counter is incremented (step 305) based upon a known quantity of material being dispensed from a canister (step 300). Upon such increment operation for the usage counter, a usage threshold is compared to the value of the usage counter in order to determine if replenishment is necessary (step 310).

[0043] Figs. 17 through 19 are flow diagrams that illustrate additional method steps applied for managing scrub protocols for different types of clinical procedures. It should be appreciated that, according to one illustrative embodiment, the system includes a control portion that is mounted proximate to the user and applies the techniques and teachings herein presented to provide temperature controlled water to a user. In other illustrative embodiments, the system further includes a scrub management server. In such other illustrative embodiments, the control portion is in communication with the scrub management server by way of a wide area network connection. The particulars of such communications are well-established in the industry, and include such techniques as applying transfer control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) messaging.

[0044] In this variation of the present method, the scrub management server also receives from a user, for example by way of a web interface, a procedure type identifier (step 315). The procedure type identifier is augmented by at least one or more of a target flow rate (step 320), a target temperature (step 325) and a delivery length of time indicator (step 330). It should be appreciated that, this additional information is entered by a user, again by way of a web interface. It should be appreciated that a web interface is only one means by way this type of information is received by the scrub management server. Such information can be simply digitally stored into a database that is compatible with the formatting requirements of the scrub management server. In any case, this information is stored in association with a procedure& identifier (step 335).

[0045] Fig. 18 illustrates that according to yet another variation of this example method, a target cleansing agent amount (step 340) is also received in the scrub management server. The target cleansing agent amount is then stored in association with the procedure type identifier (step 345).

[0046] Fig. 19 illustrates that according to yet another variation of this example method, a target sanitizing agent amount (step 350) is also received in the scrub management server. The target sanitizing agent amount is then stored in association with the procedure type identifier (step 355).

[0047] Fig. 20 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for delivering temperature controlled water. According to this alternative example method, an included method step provides for perceiving a user identifier (step 360). According to one alternative example method, a user identifier is perceived wirelessly. For example, according to one illustrative use case, wireless perception of a user identifier is accomplished by way of radiofrequency identification (“RFID”) badges. It should be appreciated that this is merely one illustrative use case and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. An additional included method step provides for receiving a video signal by way of a video input port (step 365).

[0048] The video signal is then conveyed to a scrub-log server by way of a wide area network (step 370). It should be appreciated that, according to this alternative example method, the video is conveyed in association with a perceived user identifier. According to this alternative example method, additional includes step provides for storing the video in the scrub I can log server, again in association with the user identifier.

[0049] Fig. 21 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative example method for analyzing video received in a scrub-log server. In this alternative example method, once the video is received in a scrub-log server, it is subject to analysis to determine an efficacy factor (step 380). An additional included method step provides for storing the efficacy factor in association with the user identifier (step 385). In this way, the efficacy of surgical scrub by any particular medical practitioner is monitored and reported. It should likewise be appreciated that, according to one illustrative use case, the efficacy factor is also stored in association with a particular video received in a scrub-log server.

[0050] Fig. 22 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another alternative example method for analyzing video received in a scrub-log server. In this alternative example method, once the videos received in a scrub-log server, is subject to a neural network (step 390). It should be appreciated that, according to this alternative example method, the neural network is previously trained to recognize efficacious scrubbing techniques. Accordingly, the neural network will generate an efficacy factor based on such prior training of the neural network. The efficacy factor is then stored in association with the user identifier (step 395). It should likewise be appreciated that, according to one illustrative use case, the efficacy factor is also stored in association with a particular video received in a scrub-log server. [0051] Fig. 23 is a block diagram of one example embodiment of a water delivery unit. According to this example embodiment, a system for delivery of temperature controlled water comprises such a delivery unit 400. In one alternative example embodiment, the delivery unit 400 comprises a hydraulic unit 401 and a control-unit 402. The control unit 402 should not be confused with a controller 601, which is included in the drought unit 401. The control unit 402 comprises various elements for interacting with a human user. Whereas, controller 601 included in the hydraulic unit 401 is capable of establishing a delivery directive and generating hot-side and cold-side control signals in accordance therewith.

[0052] The hydraulic unit 401 comprises a cold water input port 460, and a hot water input port 430. The cold water input port 460 allows the hydraulic unit 401 to receive a stream of cold water, whereas the hot water input port 430 allows the hydraulic unit 401 to receive a stream of hot water. It should be appreciated that the hot-side of the hydraulic unit 401 is intended to process a hot water stream arriving at the hot water input 430. Correspondingly, the cold-side of the hydraulic unit 401 is intended to process a cold water stream arriving of the cold water input 460.

[0053] The hot water stream is subject to a hot-side graduated valve 365, which is used to regulate the hot water stream according to a hot-side control signal 530 generated by the controller 601. Likewise, the cold water stream is subject to a cold- side graduated valve 505, which is used to regulate the cold water stream according to a cold-side control signal 525, which is also generated by the controller 601. It should be appreciated that, the hot-side graduated valve, according to one alternative embodiment, is controlled by an actuator 490 which is responsive to the hot-side control signal 530. It should also be appreciated that, according to some alternative embodiments, the cold- side graduated valve 505 is controlled by a cold-side actuator 500, which is itself responsive to the cold-side control signal 525.

[0054] The output of the hot-side graduated valve 495 and the output of the cold-side graduated valve 505 are fed into a mixing volume 445, wherein the hot-side and cold- site water streams are mixed together to result in blended water. It should be appreciated that another alternative example embodiment of the hydraulic unit 401 includes a hot-side solenoid 435. And in yet another alternative example embodiment, the hydraulic unit 401 farther includes a cold-side solenoid valve for 85. These are intended as emergency overrides as described in the incorporated references. There is included, in at least one alternative example embodiment, an output solenoid valve 550, which is used to instantaneously enable or disable the flow of blended water from the mixing volume 445 to a delivery output 403.

[0055] According to one alternative example embodiment, controller 601 is capable of determining at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a delivery length-of-time (“LOT”) according to a received scrub protocol. It should be appreciated that, in one alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 comprises a processor-based device as described below.

[0056] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 includes a wide area network interface 545, which is capable of communicating with a wide area network. In this alternative example embodiment, the network interface 545 is used to receive a scrub protocol by way of a network from a scrub management server. Again, the processor-based controller 330 is capable of extracting at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a delivery length-of-time from a received scrub protocol.

[0057] In yet another alternative example embodiment, control unit 402 includes a computer readable media interface 420. One such alternative example embodiment, a computer readable media interface 420 comprises a USB interface, which is coupled to the controller 601. According to one alternative embodiment, the computer readable media interface 420 is included in the control unit 402 and is coupled to the controller 601, which is included in the hydraulic unit 401. In this alternative example embodiment, the controller 601, under processor control, retrieves a scrub protocol from a computer readable media 425, which is communicatively attached to the computer readable media interface 420. [0058] Again under processor control, the controller 601 extracts from a retrieved scrub protocol at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a delivery length-of-time. It should be appreciated that in all of these alternative example embodiments, the controller 601 uses the target flow rate and the target temperature to control the graduated valves (495, 505) to establish a desired flow rate and a desired temperature. As described in the incorporated references, the temperature of the blended water is sensed by the controller 601 by way of a temperature sensor 510 included in the hydraulic unit 401 and disposed proximate to the mixing volume 445. The desired flow rate is set according to feedback from a flow sensor 560, which is included in the hydraulic unit 401, and is disposed to sense flow of blended water as it exits toward the mixed output 403 and provides a signal to the controller 601 according to an actual flow rate.

[0059] It should be appreciated that various alternative example embodiments include a cold-water flow rate sensor 465, a cold-water temperature sensor 470 and a hot water temperature sensor 480, all of which are coupled to the controller 601 which, in one alternative example embodiment, operates in reliance of these signals as described in the incorporated references.

[0060] Fig. 24 is a system- level diagram that depicts a remote installation of a canister receptacle. Fig. 23 also illustrates that, according to one example embodiment, the system further includes a canister receptacle 545. In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 23, the canister receptacle 545 is integral to the hydraulic unit 401. In other example embodiments, as shown in Fig. 24, the canister receptacle is remote from the hydraulic unit 401. According to one illustrative use case, a hydraulic unit 401 is mounted underneath a sink for easy installation relative to water supply and mixed output delivery. However, in this illustrative use case, the canister receptacle 545 is mounted on top of the sink to facilitate easy replacement of receptacles that are seated in the canister receptacle 545.

[0061] According to one illustrative use case, a canister 542 has stored therein at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. In several alternative embodiments, the canister receptacle 545 is capable of receiving at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent and introducing it into the blended water in response to a signal 575 from the controller. It should be appreciated that, according to this alternative example embodiment, the signal 575 generated by the controller operates a pump 570, which draws material from the canister receptacle 545 and introduces it into the flow of blended water. In such embodiments, a one-way valve 565 is introduced into the flow of blended water to prevent material introduces into the blended water from contaminating upstream water sources.

[0062] In yet another alternative example embodiment, a scrub protocol received by the controller 601 is included therein an indicator that specifies the amount of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent to be added to the blended water. In these embodiments, controller 601 uses this indicator to control the pump 570 in a manner consistent with the amount of material to be added to the blended water. In one alternative example embodiment, the pump comprises a peristaltic metering pump, which meters the amount of material drawn from a canister 542, which is seated in the canister receptacle 545. And in yet another alternative example embodiment, the hydraulic unit 401 includes a plurality of pumps, each of which is fed by a separate canister 542, which are seated in a multi-canister canister receptacle 545.

[0063] Fig. 25 is a pictorial diagram of an alternate delivery path for at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. It should also be appreciated that, according to yet another alternative example embodiment, the hydraulic unit 401 includes a separate output 582, which allows at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent to be delivered to a remote point, proximate to an output 403 for blended water. In this alternative example embodiment, a more precise measurement of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent was actually delivered.

[0064] Figs. 26A and 26B are pictorial diagrams that represent the operation of a valve which is used to prevent at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent from escaping from a canister. As depicted in these figures, a certain level of material 437 is included in a canister 542. In order to ensure that material is only dispensed when the canister 542 is properly seated in the canister receptacle 545, the canister 542 includes a valve, which comprises a pliable seal 442 and a. When the canister 542 is not fully seated in the canister receptacle 545, as depicted in Fig. 26 A, a spring 448 operates into the pliable seal 442. It should be appreciated that the plunger provides a channel for egress of material 437 from the canister 542. When the canister 542 is fully seated in the canister receptacle 545, an actuator 452 pushes the plunger 447 beyond the pliable seal 442 causing an orifice 457 to be exposed to the material 437. This allows material 437 to enter the channel and migrate toward the pump, which is included in various embodiments of the hydraulic unit 401.

[0065] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the canister receptacle 545 includes a detector 432, which is disposed in a manner in order to determine when the level of material 437 falls below a pre-established minimum level. Accordingly, this level detector 432 provides a “LOW” signal 546 to the controller 601. It should be appreciated that this signal 546 is included in various other signals 540 which are communicatively coupled with the controller 601.

[0066] And in yet another alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 response to a local dispense command, which it receives from a user input device 410 included in the control unit 402. It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative embodiments, the user input device 410 comprises an air gesture sensor, which is more thoroughly described in the incorporated references. In such case, the controller 601 manipulates the pump 570 to dispense a pre-established amount of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent to the blended water.

[0067] Fig. 27A and 27B are pictorial diagrams that illustrates a wireless transponder included in a canister and the internal makeup thereof, respectively, at least according to one illustrative embodiment. In one alternative example embodiment, the canister receptacle 545 includes a wireless transponder 467, which is disposed to interact with the quality assurance device 462 included in the canister 542. There are numerous varieties of wireless transponders, for example radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. It should be appreciated that the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited to a particular form or technology upon which a transponder and the quality assurance device are based. What is important, as illustrated in Fig. 27B, the transponder 467 interacts wirelessly 471 with an analog radio frequency interface 469, included in the quality assurance device 462. The analog interface 469 is communicatively coupled with a digital communications controller 437, which is also included in the quality assurance device 462. Based upon the interaction between the analog RF interface 469 and the transponder 467, the digital communications interface 437 manipulates a nonvolatile memory 482, which is also included in the quality assurance device.

[0068] In this illustrative example embodiment, quality assurance device 462 is used to store a usage counter in its nonvolatile memory 482. One example embodiment comprises electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”). It should be appreciated that any form of memory can be used at any example presented here to is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. In this embodiment, whenever an amount of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent is received from the canister 542, the retrieved uses counter is updated according to the amount of material dispensed from the canister 542 and then the updated usage counter is stored in the quality assurance device 462. It should be appreciated that all of this interaction occurs by way of a communications connection between the wireless transponder 467 and the controller 601.

[0069] According to yet another alternative example embodiment, the memory 482 included in the quality assurance device 462 is organized as a block-chain. Accordingly, one or more block-chain elements 488 are provided for in the memory 482. In accordance with normal block-chain operation, this illustrative alternative embodiment provides for retrieving a usage counter which is stored in a block-chain element, creating a new usage counter according to the retrieved usage counter and according to the amount of at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent received from the canister, and then appending a new usage counter to the block-chain, where the new usage counter is stored in a fresh block-chain element.

[0070] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the system for delivering temperature controlled water further comprises a canister that includes a quality assurance device. In one alternative example embodiment, the canister 542 that includes the quality assurance device 462 interacts with the wireless transponder 467 manages a usage counter either directly in the memory 482 or in a block-chain element 488, as heretofore described.

[0071] According to yet another alternative example embodiment, the quality assurance device included in the canister has programmed therein at least one or more of a canister source indicator, an agent concentration indicator and/or an agent type indicator. According to this alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 will not dispense material in the event that at least one or more of the canister source indicator, the agent concentration indicator and the agent type indicator do not substantially conform to a pre-established value. In this matter, the system maintains quality assurance over at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent.

[0072] In order to ensure that a counterfeit canister has not been introduced into the system, the controller 601 retrieves from the quality assurance device an encryption key and uses asymmetric decryption in order to confirm the validity of any quality assurance indicator retrieved from the quality assurance device 462. In this manner, all systems for delivering temperature controlled water include in their memory a public key, which can be used to decrypt the indicators stored in the quality assurance device 462. It should be appreciated that the private key is maintained in secrecy by the manufacturer of the canister 542.

[0073] Figs. 28A and 28B are block diagrams that collectively depict the internal structure of several example embodiments of a controller. Fig. 29A and 29B are data flow diagrams that depict the internal operation of several example embodiments of a controller. [0074] These figures show that, according to these alternative example embodiments, the controller 601 also includes a memory 605 and also includes one or more instruction sequences stored in the memory 605 including a temperature acquisition module 675, a flow rate module 680 and a control module 685. Also included in these alternative example embodiments is an output port for generating control signals and a processor for executing instruction sequences stored in the memory. It should be appreciated that the memory 605, the output port and the processor 600 are all communicatively coupled to each other by way of a bus 610. It should also be appreciated that the output port includes various channels including at least one or more of a cold solenoid valve output port 640, a hot solenoid valve output port 645, a cold graduated valve output port 650, a hot graduated valve output port 655, a mixed solenoid valve output port 660, and/or a pump control output port 663.

[0075] The reader is advised that the term “minimally causes the processor” and variants thereof is/are intended to serve as an open-ended enumeration of functions performed by the processor 600 as it executes a particular functional module (i.e. instruction sequence). As such, an embodiment where a particular functional module causes the processor 600 to perform functions in addition to those defined in the appended claims is to be included in the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[0076] The functional processes (and their corresponding instruction sequences) described herein enable delivery of temperature controlled water in accordance with the techniques, processes and other teachings of the present method. According to one alternative embodiment, these functional processes are imparted onto computer readable medium. Examples of such medium include, but are not limited to, random access memory, read-only memory (ROM), Compact Disk (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVD), floppy disks, flash memory, and magnetic tape. This computer readable medium, which alone or in combination can constitute a stand-alone product, can be used to convert a general or special purpose computing platform into an apparatus capable of delivering temperature controlled water according to the techniques, processes, methods and teachings presented herein. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are to include such computer readable medium imparted with such instruction sequences that enable execution of the present method and all of the teachings afore described.

[0077] According to this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600, as it executes the temperature acquisition module 675, is minimally caused to receive into the memory from the temperature input port 630 a current output temperature value. It should be appreciated that, according to this alternative example embodiment, the temperature input port 630 comprises an analog to digital (“A/D”) converter 630. Accordingly, the analog-to-digital converter 630 receives the mixed temperature signal 632 and generates a digital representation thereof. As such, the processor 600, as it continues to execute the temperature acquisition module 675, stores the output temperature value in an output temperature memory location 685. It should be appreciated that the output temperature memory location 667, as well as other memory locations, are stored in the memory 605 and are also referred to as variables.

[0078] The included flow rate module 680 stored in the memory 605 of this variation of this alternative example embodiment, when executed by the processor, minimally causes the processor 600 to calculate and store in the memory a cold-side flow value and a hot-side flow value. It should be appreciated that, according to this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600 stores the cold-side flow value in a cold flow variable 652 and the processor 600 stores the hot-side flow value in a hot flow variable 657. The processor 600, as it executes the flow rate module 680 stored in the memory 605 of this variation of this alternative example embodiment calculates the hot-side flow value and the cold-side flow value in accordance with a target temperature value, which it obtains from the memory 605, and which is stored in a target temperature variable 642.

[0079] It should also appreciated that the processor 600 calculates the hot-side flow value and the cold-side flow value based on the mixed temperature value, which is stored in in the memory 605 in an output temperature variable 667. It should be appreciated that the processor 600 calculates the cold-side flow value and the hot-side flow value in accordance with the control law here in described, including a proportional-integral-derivative (“PID”) control structure. It should be appreciated that such PID control structures are commonly known and understood in the art and are not further described herein.

[0080] Once the processor 600 calculates the hot-side flow value and the cold-side flow value, the processor 600 then begins executing the control module 685. When executed by the processor 600, the control module 685 minimally causes the processor to retrieve a cold flow value and a hot flow value from the memory 605, wherein these values are stored in a cold flow variable 652 any hot flow variable 657. The processor 600 and then directs the cold flow value to the cold graduated valve control port 650 and directs the hot flow value to the hot graduated valve control port 655. The cold graduated valve control port 650 generates a cold graduated valve control signal 525 and the hot graduated valve port 655 generates a hot graduated valve control signal 530. These control signals are then directed to the hot-side graduated-valve 495 and the cold- side graduated-valve 505, respectively.

[0081] According to yet another variation of this alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 includes a user interface port 635 and a command parser module 625, which is stored in the memory 605. It should be appreciated that the user interface port 635 interacts with the control unit 402, including elements therein including at least one or more of a user identification device 405, a user input device 410, a graphical display 415, and/or a computer readable media interface 420.

[0082] In this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600, as it executes the command parser module 625, is minimally caused to receive into the memory a temperature directive from a user input device 410. The processor 600 adjusts the target temperature value stored in the target temperature variable 642 according to the received temperature directive. In this manner, temperature directives, including at least one or more of an increase temperature directive and/or decrease temperature directive, is received by the processor 600 by way of the user interface port 635 and are used to affect changes in the target temperature value maintained in the memory 605, for example in the target temperature variable 642.

[0083] According yet another variation of this alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 includes a flow rate module 680 stored in the memory 605 which, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to calculate and store in the memory a cold-side flow value and a hot-side flow value. It should be appreciated that, according to this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600 stores the cold-side flow value in a cold flow variable 652 and the processor 600 stores the hot-side flow value in a hot flow variable 657. In this variation of the controller 601, the flow rate module 680 also minimally causes the processor 600 to calculate the hot side flow value and the cold-side flow value on the target temperature value stored in the target temperature variable 642 and according to the target flow rate value, which is stored in the target flow rate variable 647, and according to the output temperature value stored in the output temperature variable 667.

[0084] Fig. 27 also illustrates that, according to yet another variation of this alternative example embodiment, the 601 controller 330 farther comprises a command parser 690, which is also stored in the memory 605. The command parser 690, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to receive by way of the control unit port 635 a user directive. It should be appreciated that, in this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the user directive is received from a user input device 410, as depicted in Fig. 23. When the processor 600 receives the user directive as it continues to execute the command parser 625, the processor 600 stores the user directive in a user directive variable 703, which is stored in the memory 605. The user directive variable 703 is available for access by the processor 600 as it executes other functional modules stored in the memory 605.

[0085] It should be appreciated that, according to various illustrative embodiments herein described, the water delivery apparatus 400 includes a user input device 410 which is capable of receiving at least one or more of a start- flow-directive, a stop-flow- directive, an increase-flow-directive and/or a decrease-flow-directive. It should likewise be appreciated that, according to various illustrative example embodiments herein described, when the controller 601 receives a stop-flow-directive, the controller 601 generates a hot shut off signal 520 in conjunction with a cold shut off signal 525. The hot shut off signal 520 is directed to the hot-side solenoid- valve 435 and the cold shut off signal 525 is directed to the cold-side solenoid-valve 485. Accordingly, this causes disruption of water flow and discontinuance of water delivery at the mixed output, for example by way of a faucet 399. Conversely, when the controller 601 receives a start- flow-directive, the controller 601 deactivates, in a substantially contemporaneous manner, the hot shut off signal 520 and the cold shut off signal 525. It should be appreciated that this restores water flow and water delivery to the mixed output by way of the faucet 403.

[0086] In yet another variation of this alternative example embodiment, the user directive received by the processor 605 as it continues to execute the command parser 625 comprises a flow rate directive. When the processor 600 receives such a flow rate directive, the processor 600 adjusts the value of the target flow rate variable 647 as it continues to execute the command parser 625.

[0087] According to yet another variation of this alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 further comprises an emergency shut off module 695. It should be appreciated that the emergency shut off module 695 is stored in the memory 605. The emergency shut off module 695 of this variation of this alternative example embodiment, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor 600 to compare a maximum temperature value, which is stored in a maximum temperature variable 662, which is itself stored in the memory 605, to the output temperature value stored in the output temperature variable 667. It should be appreciated that, according to this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600 executes the emergency shut off module 695 on a periodic basis. When the output temperature value stored in the output temperature variable exceeds the maximum temperature value, the processor 600, as it continues to execute the emergency shut off module 695, is further minimally caused to substantially reduce the hot-flow rate. The processor 600, as it continues to execute this variation of the emergency shut off module 695, accomplishes this by directly changing the value stored in the hot-flow variable 657, which is stored in the memory 605.

[0088] According to one alternative example embodiment, the water delivery apparatus further includes a hot-side solenoid-valve, which is installed between the hot- side input port 345 and the hot-side graduated valve 365. In this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the memory 605 further includes and has stored there in an emergency shut off module 695. In this variation of this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600 also executes the emergency shut off module 695 on a periodic basis. Akin to other embodiments herein described, this variation of the emergency shut off module 695, when executed by the processor 600, further minimally causes the processor to compare the maximum temperature value, which is stored in the maximum temperature variable 662 included in the memory 605, to a current output temperature, which is stored in an output temperature variable 667 included in the memory 605. When the comparison indicates that the current output temperature is greater than the maximum temperature, this variation of the emergency shut off module 695 further minimally causes the processor to activate the hot solenoid shut off valve 435, which the processor 600 accomplishes by sending a command to the hot solenoid valve output port 645. This generates a hot shut off signal 520, which is directed to the hot- side solenoid valve 435.

[0089] According to yet another alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 further includes a network interface 615, which is used by the processor 600 to communicate to a wide area network 585. This alternative example embodiment further includes a protocol stack 620, which is stored in the memory 605. The protocol stack, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes of the processor to interact with the network interface 615 in order to communicate with the wide area network 585 according to a protocol defined by said protocol stack 620. This alternative example embodiment also includes a scrub protocol module 665 , which is stored in the memory 605. The scrub protocol module 665, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor 600 to receive a scrub protocol by way of the network interface 615 and store the scrub protocol in a scrub protocol memory location 669.

[0090] According to this and other embodiments, scrub protocol includes at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a delivery length of time. In this embodiment, the processor 600 extracts such information from the scrub protocol memory location 669 stored in the memory. Accordingly, the flow rate module 680 of this alternative example embodiment, minimally causes the processor to utilize at least one or more of the target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a delivery length of time in order to control delivery of temperature controlled water to user by manipulating variables stored in memory, including the target temperature variable 642, the target flow rates temperature 647 and a length of time variable 668.

[0091] And in yet another alternative example embodiment, the scrub protocol module 665, when executed by processor 600, minimally causes the processor to receive from a computer readable media 425 a scrub protocol. It should be appreciated that, in this alternative example embodiment, the scrub protocol module 665, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to retrieve information from the computer readable media interface 420, which is included in the control unit 402, and which is accessible to the processor by way of the control unit port 635. The scrub protocol module 665 farther minimally causes the processor to store the scrub protocol in the scrub protocol memory location 669. It should be appreciated that, according to various alternative example embodiments, the scrub protocol includes at least one or more of a target flow rate, a target temperature and/or a target delivery length-of-type.

[0092] In this alternative example embodiment, the flow rate module 680, as it is further executed by the processor 600, retrieves from the scrub protocol memory location 669 at least one or more of a target flow rate and a target temperature in order to establish a cold-flow value, which is stored in a cold-flow variable 652, and a hot flow value, which is stored in a hot-flow variable 657. These values are then used by the processor 600 is it executes a control module 685, which is included in this example embodiment is stored in the memory 605, in order to control the hot side graduated valve 495 and the cold side graduated valve 505. This is accomplished by use of the cold graduated valve output port six and 50 and the hot graduated valve output port 655. These output ports result in control signals 525 and 530, which control the cold side graduated valve and the hot side graduated valve, respectively.

[0093] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 further includes a dispense module 687, which is also stored in the memory 605. In this alternative example embodiment, the dispense module, when executed by a processor, minimally causes the processor to retrieve from the memory six and five a scrub protocol, which is stored in a variable 669, and extract there from a length-of-time indicator for at least one or more of a cleaning agent and/or a sanitizing agent. The dispense module 687, as it is further executed by the processor 600, farther minimally causes the processor to generate a control signal 575 by way of the pump control output port 663. The processor 600 generates this control signal according to the length-of- time indicator retrieved from the memory 605. It should be appreciated that, in this alternative example embodiment, the processor enables the pump control signal 575 in accordance with an amount of time during which dispensing of at least one or more of the cleaning agent and/or the sanitizing agent is specified in a particular scrub protocol.

[0094] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the system for delivering temperature controlled water 400 further includes the canister receptacle 545. As already described, the canister receptacle 545 is, according to various alternative embodiments, included as part of the hydraulic unit 401, or in the alternative is mounted outside of the hydraulic unit 401. In either case, the canister receptacle is communicatively coupled 542 the controller 601 by a canister report 709 included in the controller 601. In this alternative example embodiment, the canister report 709 is used to interact with a quality assurance detector (i.e. transponder) as depicted in Figs. 27A and 27B. It should be appreciated that the transponder 467 is disposed in the canister receptacle 545, and is connected 627 to the canister port 709. [0095] According to this alternative example embodiment, a quality assurance device 462 is included in a canister 542, which is seated in the canister receptacle 545. When the processor 600 executes the quality module 707, it is minimally caused to interact with the quality assurance device 462 in order to retrieve there from a usage counter. As the processor 600 continues to execute a quality module 707, it notifies the dispense module 687 that it is safe to generate a dispense signal 575 by way of the pump control output port 663. It should be appreciated that the quality module 707 is included in this alternative example embodiment and is stored in the memory 605. The criteria utilized by the processor 600 is that the usage counter retrieved from the quality assurance device 432 indicates that there is still sufficient material left in the canister 542. After the processor 600 as it continues to execute the dispense module 687 issues a signal 575 to dispense material from the canister 542, it updates the usage counter according to the amount of material dispensed and then stores the usage counter back into the quality assurance device 462. It does so by interacting with the canister port 709 as it continues to execute the quality module 707.

[0096] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the quality assurance device 462 is configured to store a usage counter in a block-chain structure. Accordingly, this alternative example embodiment of a quality module, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to receive a usage counter from the quality assurance device 462, and then confirm the validity of the usage counter by comparing the information stored therein to a consistency indicator associated therewith. It should be appreciated that this is a typical block-chain validation mechanism that is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be further discussed herein. When the retrieved and validated usage counter indicates that there is sufficient material in the canister 542, the processor 600 will execute the dispense module 687 in order to issue a signal 575 to dispense material from the canister 542. As depicted in the figures, this is accomplished by way of manipulating the pump control output port 663.

[0097] In this alternative example embodiment, the quality module 707, as it is further executed by the processor 600, further minimally causes the processor to create a new usage counter according to the amount of material dispensed and according to the prior usage counter. Processor 600, in accordance with known block-chain techniques, generates a consistency indicator for the new usage counter and appends to the original usage counter the updated usage counter and its associated consistency indicator.

[0098] Fig. 27B also illustrates that, according to one alternative example embodiment of a canister 542, the canister 542 includes a quality assurance device 462 that comprises an analog radiofrequency (“RF”) interface 469, a digital communications control circuit 437 and a nonvolatile memory 482. According to one alternative example embodiment the nonvolatile memory comprises an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. In other embodiments, the nonvolatile memory comprises a flash memory. It should be appreciated that, in yet another alternative example embodiment, the memories organized into a block-chain, which includes block-chain elements 488.

[0099] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the quality module 707, when executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to retrieve a “canister- low” signal 546 from the canister receptacle 542 by way of the canister port 709. It should be appreciated that, as depicted in Figs. 26A and 26B, the canister receptacle 545 includes the therein a level sensor 432. In this alternative example embodiment, the level sensor 432 detects the level 437 of material in the canister 542 by way of a transparent region 433 disposed in the canister receptacle 545 between the level sensor 432 and the canister 542. When the level detector 432 detects that there is insufficient material 437 in the canister 542, it asserts the “canister-low” signal 546.

[0100] In this example embodiment, the dispense module 687, when executed by the processor 600, responds to a canister-low signal 546 by causing the processor 600 to execute the replenish module 672. In yet another alternative example embodiments, the dispense module 687, when executed by the processor 600, will also cause the processor 600 to execute the replenish module 672 when a dispense count variable 682 exceeds a pre-established. Accordingly, there are at least two mechanisms by which the processor 600 will execute the replenish module 672. In one embodiment, the processor 600 will execute the replenish module 672 in response to a “canister-low” signal 546. In another embodiment, the processor 600 will execute the replenish module 672 when the dispense count variable 682 reaches a pre-established thresholds. It should be appreciated that the processor 600, as it executes the dispense module of various alternative example embodiments, will update the dispense count variable 682 in accordance with the amount of material provided by a canister 542.

[0101] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the quality module 707, as it is executed by the processor 600, minimally causes the processor to retrieve from the quality assurance device 462 at least one or more of a source indicator, an agent type indicator and/or an agent concentration indicator. The dispense module 687 will cause the processor 600 to issue a control signal 575 so long as any of the available at least one or more of a source indicator, an agent type indicator as less for an agent concentration indicator conform to a pre-established value. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, not all such indicators are available. For example, a canister of one embodiment includes only a source indicator. In yet another embodiment, a canister 542 includes only an agent type indicator. Again, a particular canister 542, according to alternative example embodiments, includes at least one or more of a source indicator, an agent type indicator as lessor an agent concentration indicator.

[0102] In yet another alternative example embodiment, the controller 601 includes a video input 612. The video input 612, according to various alternative embodiments, is configured to receive a digital video signal 625. It should be appreciated that this is merely an example and the video input 612 and the video signal 625 can be of any other form. Accordingly, the fact that one embodiment utilizes a digital video signal is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[0103] In this alternative example embodiment, a video transfer module 670 is included and is stored in the memory 605. In this alternative example embodiment, the processor 600 responds to a user identification signal from the control unit port 635. In such case, the processor 600 begins executing the video transport module 670, which causes the processor 600 to send the video signal to a server by way of the network interface 615. As a processor 600 since the video signal to the server, it associates the user identifier received by way of the control unit port 635.

[0104] Fig. 30 is a block diagram that depicts a high level perspective of a system for delivering temperature controlled water to a user. It should be appreciated that, according to one alternative example embodiment, the system further includes a scrub management server 801. The scrub management server 801 includes therein a processor 800, a memory 805 and a wide area network interface 815. Also included in the management server 801 or one or more instruction sequences stored in the memory 805 including a network protocol stack 320 a scrub management module 830. The processor 800, as it executes the scrub management module 830, maintains a scrub protocol table 840 and a scrub detail table 845.

[0105] Fig. 31 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates one example embodiment of a scrub-protocol table and a scrub-protocol detail table. In this alternative example embodiment, the scrub-protocol table 840 includes one or more records, each of which includes a scrub protocol identifier field 842, a pseudonym field 844 to identify a particular scrub protocol and a scrub protocol description field 846. The scrub-protocol detail table 845 is relationally coupled 842 to the scrub-protocol table 840 and supports one or more records, each of which includes the scrub protocol identifier field 852, which is used to relate a particular record back to an individual scrub protocol record stored in the scrub-protocol table 840.

[0106] In one alternative example embodiment, multiple records in the scrub-protocol detail table 845 are distinguished by an ordinal field 854. A start field 856 and an end field 858 are used to define the beginning and end of segment of a scrub-protocol. A type field 860 is used to define a particular type of entry in the scrub-protocol detail table 845. The values stored in the type field 864 used to represent various types of entries including, but not limited to a water temperature entry 868, a flow rate entry 870, a cleaner entry 872, a sanitizer entry 874 and an authorized user identification 876. It should be appreciated that a particular segment, as defined by a start field 856 and an end field 858, depicts a “length-of-time” for a particular action to be undertaken by the controller 601. Accordingly, at least one or more of a target flow rate 870, a target temperature 868 and/or a delivery link-of-time are stored for each segment of a scrub protocol.

[0107] In yet another alternative example embodiment, a system further includes a scrub-log server 901. In this alternative example embodiment, the scrub-log server 901 includes a processor 900, a memory 905 and a wide area network interface 915. In some embodiments, a neural network processing engine 917 is also included in the scrub-log- server 901. In this example alternative embodiment, the scrub-log server 901 maintains a scrub-user table 940 in the memory 905. In this example alternative embodiment, scrub-log server 901 also maintains a user scrub history table 970, which is stored in the memory 905 as well.

[0108] Fig. 32 is a pictorial representation of one example embodiment of a scrub- user table and one example embodiment of a scrub-user history table. It should be appreciated that, according to various alternative example embodiments, the processor 900 included in the scrub-log server 901, as it executes the scrub-log module 930, is minimally caused to receive into the memory information pertaining to a particular scrub-user. According to one alternative example embodiment, the processor 900 establishes and maintains a scrub-user table 940, which includes one or more records. Each such record, according to one alternative example embodiment, includes a scrub user identification field 942. In this alternative example embodiment the scrub user identification field 942 is used to relate 960 a particular record in the scrub-user table 942 a collection of one or more scrub-user records stored in the scrub-user history table 970.

[0109] According to one alternative example embodiment, the processor 900, receives into the memory 900 in stores such information in the scrub-user table 940 including at least one or more of a user last name 944, a user First name 946, a user middle name 948, the user address 950, a user city 952, a user’s state 956, a postal code for the user might hundred and 54, and/or a phone number for the user 958. It should be appreciated that such user information is associated with a scrub user identifier 942. [0110] When the scrub-log server 900 receives information pertaining to a scrub event, such information is stored according to a user identifier field 968 and an ordinal field 972, which collectively uniquely identify a particular record in the scrub-user history table 970. Each such record includes a start indicator 974 and an end indicator 976 and a type indicator 978. A type of detail field is also included in each of such records. When the scrub-log server 900 receives a particular type of scrub history indication, it stores a start in the form of a start date and a start time and it also stores an end in the form of an end date and an end time. For every particular type of scrub event indicator, a detail is stored in a detail field 980 included in a particular record. In various alternative example embodiments, the detail will be used to store at least one or more of a water temperature 982, a flow rate 984, a cleaner type 986, a sanitizer type 988, a user identification sense 990, a video clip 992, and/or an efficacy factor 994.

[0111] In one alternative example embodiment, the processor 900, upon receiving a video clip in association with a particular scrub user identification, will subject the video clip to a neural network engine 917, which was previously trained to recognize effective scrubbing techniques in a video clip. The output of the neural network engine 917 is then stored as the efficacy factor in the efficacy factor field 994 of a record included in the scrub-user history table 970.

[0112] It should be appreciated that, were various tables are maintained in the memory of a particular server, the database engine in said servers maintains coherency between a table that is stored in memory and the table as it is reflected in a database. According to one alternative example embodiment, the database engine manages all record locking to ensure such data coherency. All such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art of distributed/multi-user database management.

[0113] Aspects of the method and system described herein, such as the logic, may also be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety of circuitry, including programmable logic devices ("PLDs"), such as field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs"), programmable array logic ("PAF") devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices and standard cell-based devices, as well as application specific integrated circuits. Some other possibilities for implementing aspects include: memory devices, microcontrollers with memory (such as EEPROM), embedded microprocessors, firmware, software, etc. Furthermore, aspects may be embodied in microprocessors having software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices, and hybrids of any of the above device types.

[0114] While the present method and apparatus has been described in terms of several alternative and exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the true spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto include all such alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents. When the claims refer to “material”, this means at least one or more of a cleansing agent and/or a sanitizing agent.