Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to devices utilized to sanitize hands; more specifically; the present invention relates to devices that sanitize users at an electronically controlled dispensing station.

Background of the invention

[0002] As a result of the pandemic that has hit the world, people have become more aware of the need to maintain cleanliness in high traffic areas. Also, masks have been temporarily mandated across various jurisdictions and mechanical hand sanitizing pumps have become widespread in high traffic areas.

[0003] However, the hand sanitizing pumps carry their own risk in that by touching the top of the pump to sanitize their own hands, a user is thereby adding any bacteria or viruses on their hands to the top thereof. Additionally, any bacteria that others have added to the top of the pump easily expose the user, even if he or she is wearing a mask, there is potential that it gets on his or her clothes, briefcase, book bag, purse, satchel or other carried items. Thus, the user would unknowingly carry these back to their place of residence, furthering the risk of disease for those they encounter.

[0004] A workaround seems to be an automated pump that has limited utility, in that the pump does sanitize users, but these are standalone units that tend to be few and far between all of the necessary locations that need this service. Thus, the current method of distribution of sanitizer suffers from the lack of sanitizers at convenient locations which can easily assist users in sanitizing their hands for prevention of disease.

[0005] Further, automatic sanitizers also fall short in that they do not guarantee all users will sanitize before use of the product or service at the particular location of the automatic sanitizer. This has the unfortunate result that users who decide to sanitize their hands are susceptible to picking up bacteria or viruses left behind from previous users that did not sanitize before use.

[0006] Accordingly, there needs to be some solutions to overcome the aforementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing as described herein and in the accompanying drawings.

[0008] A sanitizer comprising: a housing having a controller mounted therein; a proximity sensor attached to the housing of the sanitizer and in association with the controller; a pump actuator for disposition of materials from the sanitizer; and an access actuator.

In another aspect, further comprising: an authentication access actuator.

In another aspect, wherein the authentication access actuator further comprises: a retina scan actuator. In another aspect, wherein the authentication access actuator further comprises: a voice authentication actuator.

In another aspect, wherein the authentication access actuator further comprises: a visual authentication actuator.

In another aspect, further comprising: a memory attached to the controller and to the power source wherein the memory stores a log of authenticated users.

In another aspect, wherein the memory further comprises: a visual identification file.

In another aspect, wherein the memory further comprises: an auditory identification file.

In another aspect, wherein the memory further comprises: a retina identification file. [0009] A sanitizer comprising: a housing having a controller mounted therein; a proximity sensor attached to the housing of the sanitizer and in association with the controller; a pump actuator for disposition of materials from the sanitizer; and an access actuator.

In another aspect, further comprising: a standalone access control administrator application;

In another aspect, wherein the standalone access control administrator application further comprises: a mobile standalone access control administrator application;

In another aspect, wherein the standalone access control administrator application further comprises: a desktop workstation standalone access control administrator application.

[0010] A Sanisense sanitizer comprising: a housing having a controller mounted therein; a proximity sensor attached to the housing of the sanitizer and in association with the controller; a pump actuator for disposition of materials from the sanitizer; and an access actuator authenticating a user for accessing of a utility.

In another aspect, further comprising: an authentication actuator.

In another aspect, wherein the authentication actuator is from a group: retinal scan, face scan, visual, auditory, passphrase.

In another aspect, wherein authentication is made between an existing file and a current file.

In another aspect, wherein authentication is made between a local file currently produced and a server based existing file.

In another aspect, wherein authentication is made between a local file currently produced and a local based existing file.

In another aspect, whereupon authentication of user data permission is given to use a utility. [0011] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 presents a front view of a sanitizer integrally disposed within an existing structure at a distribution point in an embodiment taught herein.

[0014] FIG. 2 presents closeup views of various types of Sanisense System deployments in an embodiment taught herein.

[0015] FIG. 3 presents a system level view of the hardware necessary to operate a Sanisense System in an embodiment taught herein.

[0016] FIG. 4A presents a view of the various types of controllers possible in a Sanisense System in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0017] FIG. 4B presents a bank system of operating the Sanisense system in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0018] FIG. 4C presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in an extra ozone wash and or soap wash embodiment disclosed herein.

[0019] FIG. 4D presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in a door opening / closing embodiment disclosed herein.

[0020] FIG. 4E presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in a door bell embodiment disclosed herein

[0021] FIG. 5 presents a log file of various type of information stored locally or on a server in embodiments disclosed herein. [0022] FIG. 6 presents a mobile app menu page for an authority in a Sanisense System in an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0023] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

[0024] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.

[0025] Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0026] The following disclosed embodiments teach a Sanisense System that prevents access to connected point of access until hands are sanitized. This helps guarantee bacteria will not be transferred from users’ hands to gas pumps, door handle, ATMs, self serve kiosks and many other types of locations where people need to gain entry or tend to gather. [0027] FIG. 1 presents a front view of a sanitizer integrally disposed within an existing structure at a distribution point in an embodiment taught herein. Here a hand sanitizer is mounted within a structure at a particular distribution point. The list of distribution points are most generally where people concentrate at a common location or at the entry of their residence. Additionally, another factor in determining a high value distribution point would be whether or not individuals were compelled to associate with a mechanical or electromechanical device in order to perform the functions necessary at that distribution point. Some examples include but are not limited to: a bank ATM, a point of sale POS terminal, a gasoline station pump, a POS terminal, an entry doorway, a hotel passageway, a security door, a door ringer and many more.

[0028] It should be understood that the Sanisense System is integrally associated with a wall (by appropriate mounting using screws, welds and or other fasteners) near the distribution point, adjacent thereto but physically separate from the wall (on its own stand for example), or integrally associated with the distribution point housing. In the latter situation, the housing of an ATM has a specific support built into the housing for attachment of the Sanisense System by bolts and screws, tongue and groove attachments, welding, or similar types of fastening modalities.

[0029] FIG. 2 presents a closeup views of various types of Sanisense System deployments in an embodiment taught herein. Here are shown various examples of distribution points for the sanitizer provided by the Sanisense System. Here are shown an ATM, a gas pump and POS terminal, a doorway, and a house ringer. The list of other distribution points is large including but not limited to: a hotel passageway, hospital room/door, office entry/door, POS terminal in a store, fast food self serve kiosks, government facility entry/door, tight passageways in various buildings and more. Most generally, and as described above, a distribution point would be any location in a building, house or similar structure where people tend to touch frequently used items or areas. However, a preferable location would be any location in a building, house or similar structure where people tend to concentrate and where there is an electronic device or structure or a manual actuation device such as a pen, door knob or handle as these tend to be where people are prone to leave contaminants such as bacteria or viruses.

[0030] FIG. 3 presents a system level view of the hardware necessary to operate a Sanisense System in an embodiment taught herein. It should be understood that the Sanisense system has a main hardware controller 6 having a power source 7 which is a rechargeable or disposable battery, an inductive charging system or a wired connection to a main power hub within a specific facility. The inductive charging system would be disposed in a convenient structural housing at the distribution point (or on a separate pole nearby if desired) in a wall nearby or within the housing of the distribution point itself such that the convenient structural housing has access to a central power supply; this is where the inductive charging system is adjacent to an inductive portion integral with the Sanisense System to thereby recharge the Sanisense system inductively.

[0031] Another component is the pump actuator 8 also powered by power source 7 and communicating with the controller 6. To effect a pumping action, a user places his or her hand(s) near infrared sensor 9 which detects the proximity of the user’s hand(s) and this is communicated to the controller 6. Upon this notification, the controller 6 transmits a command to pump actuator 8 to dispense sanitizer onto the user hand(s) and upon reception of this command at pump actuator 8 the sanitizer is dispensed onto the user hand(s). A memory 10 attached to the controller and powered by power source 7 has bootup commands for the Sanisense System and has optional recorded controls for optional system components as more fully discussed below.

[0032] Next there are shown an optional actuator(s) generally described as 12 that are not present in every Sanisense System but which are present depending upon the unique needs of the user. Amongst these are retinal scan sensor and dedicated micro- controller, a voice authentication system and dedicated micro-controller, a camera authenticator and its dedicated controller, a fingerprint scanner and dedicated micro controller, ozone sanitizer controller and or soap wash and micro-controller. Any combination of the aforementioned is possible depending upon the requirements of the user. Thus, one might want the extra ozone sanitization and not the security tests of retinal scan, nor voice authentication, nor camera authorization and its dedicated controller, soap wash dedicated controllers. Alternatively, one might want all three security types alone or in combination with the ozone sanitization. Another alternative is that a user might want one of the security extra type or two extra security types with the ozone sanitizer or without the ozone sanitizer; or you could have an extra nozzle dispenser reservoir, pump, tubing and so forth with the soap wash and a separate for ozone sanitizer as well as a separate one for the regular sanitizer. Thus, any combination or permutation of the aforementioned variables is possible alone or in multiple orders.

[0033] It should be apparent that the addition of an ozone sanitizer would require an ozone generator and associated control circuitry or dedicated controller. This would be powered by the same power source already described. A visual indicator 11 such as a small LED display panel or LCD panel is situated (powered by power source 7 and controlled by controller 6) within a dedicated mounting point within the Sanisense System and provides users with a visual indication of what is occurring. The controller 6 communicates this information to the Visual Display 11 thereby effecting messages such as “DISPENSING SANITIZER”, “OZONE” “KEEP HANDS UNDER” and similar such messages to notify the user as to what is happening. Various other messages are possible depending upon the other types of combinations possible such as for a retina scan: “INFRARED SCAN - HOLD EYE NEAR CAMERA;” or for visual authentication such as “FACE NEAR CAMERA PLEASE;” or speak into the microphone for voice authentication such as the following phrases “GOOD DAY” “GOOD MORNING” “HOW ARE YOU TODAY” or prompts a user to say there name. Thus, these options provide visual and auditory assistance for the visually impaired and those hard of hearing.

[0034] FIG. 4A presents a view of the various types of controllers possible in a Sanisense System in an embodiment disclosed herein. There are various types of optional actuators present with the Sanisense System including but not limited to a POS or bank hardware, software or firmware controller 13; an ozone sanitizer pump controller 14, a door controller 15, a doorbell micro-controller 16, a retinal scan dedicated controller 17, a voice authentication controller 18, a camera visual controller 19. Any combination or permutation of the above is possible depending upon the user needs. These are implemented in software, firmware or hardware as appropriate to the needs of the embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 4B presents a bank system of operating the Sanisense system in an embodiment disclosed herein. In a POS or bank system having existing electronic financial transaction hardware and software 13 A, the Sanisense system interfaces with the aforementioned through wired or wireless communication (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared or other type of electromagnetic communication). The interface is through modification of the existing software (or hardware or firmware) so as to receive a signal or group of signals (as necessary) from the Sanisense System indicating that the user has received sanitizer and that the transaction should proceed 13 A. Otherwise, in the event that no dispensing has taken place, the machine will not permit 13B the actuation of the terminal keyboard, pad, or touchscreen display until sanitizer has been dispensed from the system by user placing hands underneath the dispenser nozzle near a sensor. A warning signal can appear at the bank terminal video such as “PLEASE SANITIZE” before use. Of course, there is a time limit from when the dispensing takes place to how long the POS or bank terminal will remain activated for use by the consumer.

[0036] FIG. 4C presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in an extra ozone wash and or soap wash embodiment disclosed herein. When using the extra step of sanitizing the user hands through an ozone sanitizer pump and controller 14, the user is invited through the use of the display 11 to place his or her hands under a dedicated nozzle different from the one used for the ordinary sanitizer. Additionally, there is a separate reservoir, pump, valves and plastic tubing from the reservoir to the nozzle and dedicated molded locations for all of this including the extra nozzle found within the Sanisense System housing. It should be appreciated that this ozone sanitizer is different from the ordinary type of gel, alcohol or similar types of antibacterial sanitizer used prevalently and thereby provides unique sanitizing qualities not present with other types of sanitizer substances.

[0037] FIG. 4D presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in a door opening / closing embodiment disclosed herein. In a Door Actuation micro-controller 15, a doorway such as a hotel room, front door, hallway door, or general secure door has an actuation sensor that has a wired or wireless connection to the Sanisense system. In the event, of wireless communication (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared or other type of electromagnetic communication) there is an appropriate antenna in the Sanisense system with appropriate glue logic to effect communication using the antenna and a corresponding antenna in the door itself or in a wall, or wall panel adjacent to the door (in an appropriate plastic or metal housing having molded recess for the hardware and software necessary, battery powered or wired to a power source). In this regard, the sensing of disbursement of the sanitizer fluid at a door way would be sensed by the controller 6, or alternatively an active notification would be transmitted directly from the sanitizer pump actuator 8 (if equipped with a dedicated controller itself or signal line for this purpose) so as to inform the controller 6 of this fact.

[0038] As a result, the controller 6 sends a wired or wireless signal to the doorway to unlock the door. The door actuation micro-controller 15 thereby unlocks the door permitting entry. This door actuation micro-controller 15 is typically located adjacent to the door electro- mechanicals 15A when a wireless communication is effected and has its own power supply, antenna and glue logic to perform this function and is typically wired to a solenoid or motor control actuator for the door opening. In the event that it is a wired communication then the micro-controller 15 would be typically located in the Sanisense system itself or at a separate box in wired communication therewith for this specific purpose. This presumes it has appropriate battery or wired power, and wired signal communication between the Sanisense System and the necessary components for this purpose as well as to the actual solenoid or motor actuator for the door opening.

[0039] FIG. 4E presents a system of operating the Sanisense system in a door bell embodiment disclosed herein. In a door bell micro-controller 16 design, the door bell will not sound unless the user uses the sanitizer. Thus, the doorbell has an actuation micro controller that has a wired or wireless connection to the Sanisense system. In the event, of wireless communication (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared or other type of electromagnetic communication) there is an appropriate antenna in the Sanisense system with appropriate glue logic to effect communication using the antenna and a corresponding antenna in the door itself or in a wall, or wall panel adjacent to the door (in an appropriate plastic or metal housing having molded recess for the hardware and software necessary, battery powered or wired to a power source). In this regard, the sensing of disbursement of the sanitizer fluid near the door bell would be sensed by the controller 6, or alternatively an active notification would be transmitted directly from the sanitizer pump 8 (or infrared sensor 9 both modified with a dedicated chip or circuitry for this purpose) so as to inform the controller 6 of this fact (also useable in other embodiments discussed previously). As a result the controller, 6 sends a wired or wireless signal (if equipped with corresponding antenna power supplies or battery or wired power and so forth) to the doorbell micro controller 16 to actuate the doorbell and so it rings. Thus, the sanitizer is dispensed and so the user can hear the door bell.

[0040] There are various security options that are possible as have been previously described herein. First there is the Retinal Scan, then there is the Camera Visual Authentication and then there is the Voice Authentication. In all three, memory 10 connected to the Sanisense controller 6 is used to receive a current user’s Retinal Image, a current user’s Visual Image or a Current User’s Voice Authentication sound file. These are transmitted from a unique focussing camera for the Retinal scan, a general cellphone camera for face identification and a microphone for the voice authentication options all attached to the controller 6 and power source 7. Here the user has had to have been previously signed up with an authority that has accepted the user for authentication purposes maintaining a log file as shown in FIG. 5 having a user name, address and ID information such as Password, Pass Phrase, and Retina FILE, Face ID FILE, and or VOICE PRINT FILE.

[0041] FIG. 5 presents a log file of various type of information stored locally or on a server in embodiments disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that these log files would be stored locally on a HDD or SSD (or similar memory) for those specific users commonly using the system. In the event that all data is available locally, a comparison is made between a stored file and a newly inputted file from a camera, a microphone, retinal focussing camera, representing the face, sound, or retina of the user; the comparison is accomplished using memory 10 or similar associated memory (not shown). When comparison is made locally, the result immediately permits or denies access to a POS terminal, ATM, gas or other types of product or service; thus, a signal is sent through wired or wireless communication to the micro-controller or through software to the software of the local devices of the product or service at the aforementioned forbidding access until dispensing has occurred. Alternatively, some or all users are stored remotely from the SaniSense System and a local file is made in memory 10 of the current user visual or auditory information that is compared against files downloaded from a wired or wireless communication from a locally networked or internet database server (not shown); or the request transmits the current user visual or auditory information to a remote server for remote comparison at the remote server with a dedicated remote server-stored user existing visual or auditory file.

[0042] The database request is to be made by the Sanisense System controller 6 across a wired or wireless communication onto a secure LAN or network such as the internet using the user ID, password, or passphrase for the request. Once received at a central server housing this information a search is made by the server processor for the user matching the ID, password, or passphrase and a comparison is made with the file(s) transmitted from Sanisense system. If the authentication is validated and dispensing has occurred then a signal i sent to the specific product or service, entryway and so forth to effect operation at the ATM, terminal; gas, doorway and so forth. If however, the authentication fails then the aforementioned is blocked from operation.

[0043] An alternative procedure is to transmit the user’s auditory or visual information on file at the remote server, back across a network to the Sanisense System, where the comparison is made and access to a POS terminal, ATM, or other product or service is thereby authorized. These files are useable together for maximum authentication of a user. Any two options may be used together or only one type of authentication can be used. Further, a maximum Sanisense authentication System would have all types of optional authentication systems that permit actuation through wired or wireless communication authentication of a POS terminal, a doorway, a transaction system, or other type of user desired product, service, electronic transaction or application only if the sanitizer has been dispensed and the authentication protocol(s) has been verified.

[0044] FIG. 6 presents a mobile application menu page also useable as a standalone computer station application for an authority in a Sanisense System in an embodiment disclosed herein. When a camera is used to authenticate a user through manual authorization, a mobile app can be used by an authorized user having administration privileges to grant access to a secure location, access a product or service only available to those known to the administrator having authority to do so. Here the administrator can use a mobile application to communicate through wired or wireless (internet, intranet, LAN, WAN, NFC, WIFI, Bluetooth, or other type of electromagnetic communication using antenna at receiving and transmitting locations) to a protected service or product that is being serviced by a Sanisense System. The Sanisense System provides a camera and / or microphone housed therein for communication of information to the administrator user. The administrative user can permit (AUTHORIZE ACTIVITY 18 A) or forbid (BLOCK ACTIVITY 18D) access by receiving a signal transmitted across a network from the Sanisense System that dispensing of sanitizer has been made. The administrator can view visuals / audio of user from a camera Sanisense machine to determine whether or not to allow Sanisense to proceed allowing entry / use. This can be useful for door bells in hotel rooms, houses, apartments, offices etcetera.

[0045] Finally, the administrator user has the right to request 18B more by using 1 or 2-way audio or video feed showing a request on the LED PANEL 11 for stating name and password or other type of auditory or visual info such as driver’s license at camera, subdivision ID or similar types of visual ID to camera. It should be apparent that the mobile application is also similarly available to desktop or mainframe computers that have the need for such systems. Also, the administrator can request that a user RETRY activity 18C by transmitting a signal to the Sanisense system received at the controller 6 via an antenna attached thereto. The LED at the Sanisense system would then light up with a request to resanitize his or her hands for example, or restate his passphrase or reposition his eye for retinal scan and so forth.

[0046] Next, the Sanisense System is available in banks of multiple dispensers housed individually next to or integrally mounted in an appropriate housing mount or attached via screw-bolt attachment or welded to a doorway, a blocking gate or other type of access device for sports location, theaters, metro stations or similar location.

[0047] Also, as an add-on, a dispenser is created for disposable towels, masks, gloves, wipes or similar types of cleansing materials. This is useful for hotels with items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner or washcloths can be stored in an attached container storage. For home use, items like spare house keys can be stored securely and only accessible by proving authority using added security functions.

[0048] Also, it should be apparent that the authentication embodiments considered herein is bound to the use of a Sanisense sanitizer, ozone wash, or the ozone wash and also a separate dispenser integral with the primary housing as a soap wash, or the soap wash with the regular sanitizer (separate dispenser integral with the primary housing) instead of the ozone wash. In a non-authentication scenario, once the controller 6 is advised of dispenser activity or senses it independently, the controller 6 sends a wired or wireless signal to a utility (i.e., distribution point) to permit access use thereof.

This signal is received at a local controller (or software or circuitry) at the utility thereby permitting user access thereto. Therefore, when an authentication embodiment is considered one has to realize that once sanitized and understood by the controller 6 it waits for a user to authenticate. As the authentication protocol is carried out using the visual or auditory devices (retinal camera, regular camera for a FacelD such as Apple Face Recognition, microphone for recording of wav, mp3 or other type files), the user is not permitted access even though he or she has sanitized. However, once providing a visual or auditory cue that matches an existing data file, then access to the utility is permitted. This because they must also authenticate to gain access to a utility such as ATM, Gas pump, door bell, POS, secure door and so forth. Thus, this adds a level of security to innumerable utilities. Of course, in all of the above embodiments, there is a time limit from when the dispensing takes place to how long the local utility will remain activated for use by the consumer. After this time period elapses the system will reset waiting for another indication that it a subsequent sanitizer dispensing action has occurred.

[0049] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.