BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

At least one example in accordance with the present disclosure relates generally to contactless feedback.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Providers of goods and services may seek to obtain customer feedback in order to better understand customers’ experiences. For example, providers of goods and services may solicit feedback via surveys, and may offer promotions (for example, discounts or other benefits) in exchange for customer feedback. Providers of goods and services may use feedback to adjust inventory levels, hours of operation, the manner by which goods and/or services are provided, and so forth.

SUMMARY

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a feedback device is provided comprising one or more input devices each corresponding to a user-input option, a storage configured to store information indicative of one or more user inputs, and a controller coupled to the one or more input devices and the storage, the controller being configured to receive input data indicative of a first user input corresponding to a first user-input option from a first input device of the one or more input devices, determine, based on the input data, that the first user input has been received, determine, responsive to determining that the first user input has been received, whether one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied, determine, responsive to determining that the one or more user-input criteria have been satisfied, whether the first user input is a valid user input, and store, in the storage responsive to determining that the first user input is a valid user input, an indication of the first user-input option being selected.

In various examples, the one or more input devices include one or more pairs of infrared emitters and infrared sensors, and the first input device includes a first infrared emitter and a first infrared sensor. In some examples, receiving the input data includes receiving data indicative of infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor. In at least one example, determining that the first user input has been received includes determining, based on the data indicative of the infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor, that a magnitude of the infrared radiation is above a threshold value. In various examples, determining whether the one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied includes determining whether the magnitude of the infrared radiation has been above the threshold value for at least a threshold period of time.

In some examples, the one or more input devices further include a second input device, and in determining whether the first user input is a valid user input, the controller is further configured to receive input data from the second input device, and determine whether the input data received from the second input device indicates that a second user input has been received. In at least one example, the controller is further configured to determine that the first user input is invalid responsive to determining that the second user input has been received. In various examples, the feedback device further comprises one or more output devices configured to output an indication of the first user input being received responsive to determining that the first user input is a valid user input. In some examples, the one or more output devices include one or more light-emitting components.

According to at least one example of the disclosure, a method of controlling a feedback device including one or more input devices each corresponding to a user-input option and a storage configured to store information indicative of one or more user inputs is provided, the method comprising receiving, from a first input device of the one or more input devices, input data indicative of a first user input corresponding to a first user-input option, determining, based on the input data, that the first user input has been received, determining, responsive to determining that the first user input has been received, that one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied, determining, responsive to determining that the one or more user-input criteria have been satisfied, that the first user input is a valid user input, and storing, in the storage responsive to determining that the first user input is a valid user input, an indication of the first user-input option being selected.

In various examples, the first input device includes a first infrared emitter and a first infrared sensor, and receiving the input data includes receiving data indicative of infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor. In some examples, determining that the first user input has been received includes determining, based on the data indicative of the infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor, that a magnitude of the infrared radiation is above a threshold value. In at least one example, determining that the one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied includes determining that the magnitude of the infrared radiation has been above the threshold value for at least a threshold period of time.

In various examples, the one or more input devices further include a second input device, and determining that the first user input is a valid user input includes receiving input data from the second input device, and determining that the input data received from the second input device does not indicate that a second user input has been received. In some examples, the method further comprises determining that the first user input is valid responsive to determining that the second user input has not been received.

According to at least one example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing thereon sequences of computer-executable instructions for controlling a feedback device including one or more input devices each corresponding to a user-input option and a storage configured to store information indicative of one or more user inputs is provided, the sequences of computer-executable instructions including instructions that instruct at least one processor to receive, from a first input device of the one or more input devices, input data indicative of a first user input corresponding to a first user-input option, determine, based on the input data, that the first user input has been received, determine, responsive to determining that the first user input has been received, whether one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied, determine, responsive to determining that the one or more user-input criteria have been satisfied, whether the first user input is a valid user input, and store, in the storage responsive to determining that the first user input is a valid user input, an indication of the first user-input option being selected.

In various examples, the first input device includes a first infrared emitter and a first infrared sensor, and receiving the input data includes receiving data indicative of infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor. In some examples, determining that the first user input has been received includes determining, based on the data indicative of the infrared radiation sensed by the first infrared sensor, that a magnitude of the infrared radiation is above a threshold value. In at least one example, determining whether the one or more user-input criteria of the first user input have been satisfied includes determining whether the magnitude of the infrared radiation has been above the threshold value for at least a threshold period of time. In various examples, the one or more input devices further include a second input device, and determining whether the first user input is a valid user input includes receiving input data from the second input device, determining whether the input data received from the second input device indicates that a second user input has been received, and determining that the first user input is invalid responsive to determining that the second user input has been received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide an illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of any particular embodiment. The drawings, together with the remainder of the specification, serve to explain principles and operations of the described and claimed aspects and embodiments. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a feedback device according to an example;

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of operating a feedback device according to an example; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a feedback system according to an example.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the methods and systems discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods and systems are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, components, elements and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, embodiments, components, elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment, component, element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. In addition, in the event of inconsistent usages of terms between this document and documents incorporated herein by reference, the term usage in the incorporated features is supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable differences, the term usage in this document controls.

As discussed above, providers of goods and/or services (“providers”) may seek to obtain customer feedback such that the providers may understand and enhance a customer experience. To obtain feedback, providers may provide a feedback device that is co-located with goods, services, or placed in certain locations or facilities on which feedback is desired. A feedback device may enable customers to provide an indication of a level of satisfaction with the customer’s experience. For example, the feedback device may include a first user-input option corresponding to a “Satisfied” response, a second user-input option corresponding to an “Unsatisfied” response, and so forth. In various examples, the feedback device may enable a customer to select a user-input option without the customer physically touching the feedback device, such that customer hygiene is promoted. The feedback device may enable customers to provide feedback in substantially real-time or near-real-time when goods and/or services are received.

In various examples of the disclosure, a feedback system including a feedback device is provided. The feedback device may include one or more input devices, such as infrared (IR) sensors, each capable of identifying a user input. Each input device may correspond to a feedback option, such as “Very Satisfied,” “Somewhat Satisfied,” “Somewhat Unsatisfied,” and so forth. The user may be capable of providing an input to an input device corresponding to a desired feedback option. The feedback device may store an indication of the user feedback and provide output information indicative of the user feedback. For example, the feedback device may transmit information indicative of received user feedback to the provider of goods and/or services which the user feedback relates to. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a feedback device 100 according to an example. The feedback device 100 includes one or more input devices 102 (“input devices 102”), one or more output devices 104 (“output devices 104”), one or more communication interfaces 106 (“communication interface 106”), a storage and/or memory 108 (“storage 108”), one or more controllers 110 (“controller 110”), and one or more power supplies 112 (“power supply 112”). It is to be appreciated that the feedback device 100 may include additional, different, or fewer components in other examples, and that the example provided in FIG. 1 is for purposes of explanation.

The input devices 102 are electrically coupled to the power supply 112 and are communicatively coupled to the controller 110. The input devices 102 are configured to receive a user input indicative of user feedback. For example, each of the input devices 102 may correspond to a respective feedback option, such as “Satisfied,” “Unsatisfied,” and so forth. The input devices 102 may include one or more sensors capable of receiving a contactless input, such as one or more IR sensors, acoustic sensors, capacitive sensors, a combination thereof, and so forth. In some examples, the input devices 102 further include one or more output devices configured to emit a signal corresponding to an input sensor, such as an IR-radiation emitter where the input devices 102 include IR sensors, as discussed in greater detail below. As used herein, “a contactless input” may describe an input that is received from a user without physical contact between the user and the feedback device 100. In some examples, the input devices 102 may alternately or additionally include one or more devices capable of receiving contact-based inputs, such as toggle switches, buttons, dials, and so forth.

The output devices 104 are electrically coupled to the power supply 112 and are communicatively coupled to the controller 110. The output devices 104 are configured to provide an output to a user. The output devices 104 may include one or more devices configured to provide an output to a user indicating that the user’s feedback has been successfully received by the input devices 102. In some examples, the output devices 104 may alternately or additionally be configured to provide an output to a user indicating that the user’s feedback has not been successfully received. The output devices 104 may include one or more light- and/or sound- emitting components configured to output light and/or sound responsive to the feedback device 100 successfully receiving a user input (for example, via the input devices 102). For example, the output devices 104 may include one or more light-emitting diodes, speakers, buzzers, a combination thereof, and so forth.

In one example, each of the input devices 102 corresponds to a respective one of the output devices 104, which may include a light-emitting component. For example, when one of the input devices 102 receives a user input, a corresponding one of the output devices 104 may output visible electromagnetic radiation to indicate to a user that the input has been received successfully. The corresponding one of the output devices 104 may be located proximate to the corresponding one of the input devices 102 such that the user is made aware that the corresponding one of the input devices 102 detected the input, rather than another one of the input devices 102. In another example, the output devices 104 include a single light-emitting component configured to output visible electromagnetic radiation to a user when a user input is received by any of the input devices 102. In still other examples, the output devices 104 may include one or more additional or alternate components configured to provide an output to a user.

The storage 108 is electrically coupled to the power supply 112, and is communicatively coupled to the controller 110. The storage 108 may include one or more storage devices and/or one or more memory devices configured to store data, which may include one or more computer- readable, non-transitory media. For example, the storage 108 may be configured to store data indicative of user feedback received via the input devices 102. The storage 108 may receive data from, and provide data to, the controller 110 in various examples.

The controller 110 is electrically coupled to the power supply 112 and is communicatively coupled to the input devices 102, the output devices 104, the communication interface 106, and the storage 108. In some examples, the controller 110 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more devices external to the feedback device 100 via the communication interface 106. The controller 110 is configured to receive data from, provide data to, and/or control the input devices 102, output devices 104, communication interface 106, and storage 108. For example, the controller 110 may receive data indicative of user feedback from the input devices 102, and may control the output devices 104 to provide an output based on the received user feedback. In various examples, the controller 110 may include one or more non- ihustrated components including, for example, one or more processors, a storage and/or memory, a clock and/or oscillator, and so forth. The power supply 112 is electrically coupled to the input devices 102, the output devices 104, the communication interface 106, the storage 108, and the controller 110, and is communicatively coupled to the controller 110. The power supply 112 is configured to store energy, such as electrical energy, and provide power derived from the stored energy to the input devices 102, the output devices 104, the communication interface 106, the storage 108, and the controller 110. The power supply 112 may include one or more batteries, capacitors, flywheels, or other devices capable of storing energy, and may be rechargeable. In various examples, the power supply 112 may include, or be coupled to, a charging interface through which the power supply 112 may receive power. For example, the charging interface may include a wired or wireless charging interface for receiving a charging current via a wired or wireless medium.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process 200 of operating a feedback device according to an example. The process 200 may include a process of operating the feedback device 100, for example. The process 200 may be executed by the controller 110 in isolation, or in addition to one or more components of the feedback device 100 and/or one or more external components. Although acts of the process 200 are described with reference to the feedback device 100 for purposes of explanation, it is to be appreciated that the process 200 may be executed in connection with one or more devices in addition to, or in lieu of, the feedback device 100.

At act 202, the process 200 begins.

At act 204, the controller 110 receives input data from the input devices 102. The input data may be indicative of one or more sensed parameters. For example, where the input devices 102 include one or more pairs of IR emitters and IR sensors, the input data may be indicative of a magnitude of IR radiation sensed by the IR sensors. In one example, the input devices 102 include an IR-emitter-and-sensor pair for each input option a user is capable of selecting. A user may hold a finger in front of an IR-emitter-and-sensor pair corresponding to an option that the user wishes to select. The user’s finger may reflect IR radiation emitted by the IR emitter back to the IR sensor. The input devices 102 send input data indicative of the magnitude of the IR radiation sensed by the IR sensor to the controller 110, which indicates an increase in sensed IR radiation in this example. The controller 110 may identify the increase in sensed IR radiation as being indicative of a user input, as discussed below.

At act 206, the controller 110 determines whether a user input has been received based on the input data received at act 204. The controller 110 and/or input devices 102 may be calibrated to identify a value or values of data that indicate a user input. For example, the controller 110 may be calibrated to identify a magnitude of IR radiation equal to or greater than a certain threshold value as being indicative of a user input, and to identify a magnitude of IR radiation below the threshold value as not indicating a user input. If the controller 110 determines that no user input has been received (206 NO), then the process 200 returns to act 204. Otherwise, if the controller 110 determines that a user input has been received (206 YES), then the process 200 continues to act 208.

At act 208, the controller 110 determines whether an input criterion or criteria (“input criteria”) have been satisfied. Input criteria may include conditions that must be satisfied before a user input is acknowledged as a user input. For example, an input criterion may include determining whether the user input received at act 204 has been received for at least a threshold period of time. Even if a user input is determined to have been received, it may not be acknowledged until the user input has been determined to be continuously present for at least the threshold period of time, which may be a duration of time (for example, half a second, or a different duration of time), a number of clock cycles (for example, two clock cycles, or a different number of clock cycles), and so forth. As discussed above, the controller 110 may include a clock and/or oscillator such that the controller 110 may determine whether the threshold period of time has elapsed.

Executing act 208 may beneficially enable false-positive user inputs to be identified as such. For example, where a user quickly swipes a hand in front of the input devices 102 without meaning to select any particular feedback option, it may be beneficial to identify this user input as a false-positive. If the input criteria have not been satisfied (208 NO), then the process 200 returns to act 204 without storing an indication of the user input. Otherwise, if the input criteria have been satisfied (208 YES), then the process 200 continues to act 210.

At act 210, the controller 110 determines whether the user input is valid. The controller 110 may determine whether the user input, despite having been received and satisfying the input criteria to qualify as a user input, should nonetheless be disregarded as invalid. For example, a user input may be identified as invalid if it is received simultaneously or in close succession with another, inconsistent user input. If a first feedback option corresponds to “Satisfied,” for example, and immediately following that a second feedback option corresponds to “Unsatisfied,” then receiving a user input indicating a selection of both the first feedback option and second feedback option may be identified as invalid because the selections are inconsistent. If the controller 110 determines that the user input is invalid (210 NO), then the process 200 returns to act 204. Otherwise, if the controller 110 determines that the user input is valid (210 YES), then the process 200 continues to act 212.

At act 212, the controller 110 stores the user input. For example, the controller 110 may acknowledge that the user input has been received by providing data indicative of the user input to the storage 108. The storage 108 may subsequently store the data.

At act 214, the controller 110 provides feedback acknowledging the user input to the user. The controller 110 may control the output devices 104 to provide an output to the user. For example, where each of the input devices 102 includes an IR-emitter- and- sensor pair, each of the output devices 104 may include a visible-light-emitting device corresponding to a respective one of the IR-emitter-and-sensor pairs. In this example, the controller 110 may control a light- emitting device corresponding to an IR-emitter-and-sensor pair of a feedback option selected by a user to emit visible electromagnetic radiation to the user to acknowledge the user’s selection. In another example, the output devices 104 may include a single light-emitting device configured to output electromagnetic radiation when any one of the input devices 102 receives a user input. In still other examples, the output devices 104 may include one or more sound-emitting devices (for example, speakers, buzzers, and so forth) configured to output one or more sounds responsive to a user input being received.

At act 216, the controller 110 initiates a delay period. The delay period may include a period of time after receiving a user input during which no additional user inputs may be received, such that a single user input is not incorrectly identified as multiple inputs. A delay period may be, for example, half a second, one second, two seconds, five seconds, a number of clock cycles, and so forth. As discussed above, the controller 110 may include a clock and/or oscillator to determine whether the delay period has elapsed. The delay period may be determined so as to avoid receiving multiple user inputs from a single user in a short period of time, which may have a tendency to skew the results. The delay period may be constant in some examples, and variable in other examples. For example, the delay period may be longer when one user input is received, and shorter when another user input is received. The process 200 then returns to act 204. To illustrate the foregoing, FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a feedback system 300 according to an example. The feedback system 300 includes one example of the feedback device 100 and further includes a user 302. The feedback device 100 includes a first user-input option 304, a second user-input option 306, and a third user-input option 308. Each of the user- input options 304-308 may be, or correspond to, a respective one of the input devices 102 and/or output devices 104. For example, each of the user-input options 304-308 may include a respective IR-emitter-and-sensor pair, and may include a respective light-emitting component. Each IR-emitter-and-sensor pair may be located at a respective one of the user-input options 304- 308, such that each pair is capable of detecting a finger of the user 302 that is proximate to a corresponding one of the user-input options 304-308. As discussed in greater detail below, the feedback device 100 may include one or more covers, each covering a respective one of the pairs of IR emitters and sensors.

An example of operation of the example feedback device 100 of the feedback system 300 is provided with respect to the process 200. In this example, the user 302 is selecting the first user-input option 304, which corresponds to a “Satisfied” feedback option. To select the first user-input option 304, the user 302 holds a finger proximate to the first user-input option 304 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

At act 202, the process 200 begins.

At act 204, the controller 110 receives input data from the input devices 102 corresponding to the user-input options 304-308. As illustrated by FIG. 3, the user 302 has positioned a finger proximate to the first user-input option 304. Accordingly, the input data received at act 204 may indicate that the user 302 is attempting to select the first user-input option 304. The feedback device 100 includes an IR-emitter-and-sensor pair (not illustrated) located proximate to the first user-input option 304. For example, the pair may be located behind a cover at the first user-input option 304.

At act 206, the controller 110 determines whether a user input has been received. For example, where the first user-input option 304 includes an IR-emitter-and-sensor pair, the controller 110 may determine whether the IR radiation received by the IR sensor is above a threshold value. The threshold value may be calibrated such that the user 302 is to be within a minimum distance of the first user-input option 304 in order for the user input to be identified. If the controller 110 determines that the user input has been received at the first user-input option 304 (206 YES), then the process 200 continues to act 208.

At act 208, the controller 110 determines whether input criteria have been satisfied. For example, the controller 110 may determine whether the input data received at act 204 has indicated that the user 302 is selecting the first user-input option 304 for at least a threshold amount of time. If the controller 110 determines that the user 302 has not selected the first user- input option 304 for the threshold amount of time, the process 200 returns to act 204. Acts 204- 208 may be repeated until the controller 110 determines that the user 302 has been selecting the first user-input option 304 for the threshold amount of time (208 YES), at which point the process 200 continues to act 210. As discussed above, the user 302 may select the first user-input option 304 for the threshold amount of time by holding a finger in front of the first user-input option 304 for the threshold amount of time.

At act 210, the controller 110 determines whether the user input is valid. As discussed above, determining that the user input is valid may include determining that the feedback device 100 has not received multiple, inconsistent user inputs. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user 302 has selected only the first user-input option 304. Accordingly, the controller 110 may determine that the user input is valid (210 YES), and the process 200 continues to act 212.

At act 212, the controller 110 stores data indicative of the user input. For example, the controller 110 may store data indicative of the user input by providing the data to the storage 108. As discussed above, the controller 110 may provide data to the storage 108 indicating that the user 302 provided a “Satisfied” feedback response. The storage 108 may store information indicative of a number of times that the first user-input option 304 has been selected, a number of times that the second user-input option 306 has been selected, and a number of times that the third user-input option 308 has been selected.

At act 214, the controller 110 controls the output devices 104 to provide input feedback to the user 302. For example, where the output devices 104 include several light-emitting components, each corresponding to a respective one of the user-input options 304-308, then an output device corresponding to the first user-input option 304 may emit visible electromagnetic radiation to the user 302. The output device may be located proximate to the first user-input option 304 to indicate to the user that the first user-input option 304 has been selected. At act 216, the controller 110 initiates a delay period. During the delay period, user inputs may be disregarded even if the user 302 positions a finger in front of one of the user-input options 304-308 for the threshold period of time discussed above with respect to act 208. The delay period may be a configurable duration of time such as, for example, five seconds, ten seconds, 30 seconds, or another duration of time. After the delay period has expired, the process 200 returns to act 204, and acts 204-216 are repeatedly executed, as appropriate, to determine whether a user has selected any of the user-input options 304-308.

As discussed above, in some examples, each of the input devices 102 may include a respective IR-emitter-and-sensor pair. In various examples, the feedback device 100 may include a housing and/or one or more covers encapsulating the IR-emitter-and-sensor pairs. For example, the feedback device 100 may include a housing that houses the components 102-112, and may also include several covers, each corresponding to a respective IR-emitter-and-sensor pair. In these examples, the housing and/or covers may not transmit a significant amount of electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, but may transmit IR radiation such that IR radiation emitted by the IR emitter is capable of passing through the housing and/or covers to a user, and such that IR radiation reflected off of a user is capable of passing back through the housing and/or covers to the IR sensor. In some examples, IR radiation emitted by an IR emitter may be at least partially reflected by the housing and/or cover back to the IR sensor. The controller 110 and/or input devices 102 may be calibrated such that the IR radiation reflected off of the housing and/or cover is not improperly identified as a user input. For example, in executing act 206, a threshold magnitude of electromagnetic radiation may be set to a value that is higher than the magnitude of electromagnetic radiation reflected off of the housing and/or cover.

Although examples have been provided in which the input devices 102 include one or more IR sensors and one or more IR emitters, it is to be appreciated that the input devices 102 may include additional and/or different components in other examples, such as acoustic sensors, capacitive sensors, magnetic sensors, electromagnetic emitters and/or sensors configured to output and/or sense electromagnetic radiation outside of the IR spectrum, and so forth. As discussed above, the input devices 102 may include a single device in some examples, and may include multiple devices in other examples. Similarly, although examples have been provided in which the output devices 104 include one or more visible-light-emitting components, it is to be appreciated that the output devices 104 may include additional and/or different components in other examples, such as sound-emitting components. As discussed above, the output devices 104 may include a single device in some examples, and may include multiple devices in other examples.

The storage 108 may store information indicative of received user inputs in some examples. The controller 110 may output information indicative of the received user inputs to one or more external devices via the communication interface 106. For example, the communication interface 106 may include a wired or wireless interface configured to enable the feedback device 100 to communicate with one or more external devices via a wired or wireless medium. In some examples, the controller 110 may output the information indicative of the received user inputs to one or more external devices in addition to, or in lieu of, providing the information to the storage 108. In some examples, the feedback device 100 may not include the storage 108, and the controller 110 may provide the information indicative of the received user inputs directly to one or more external devices.

In some examples, the controller 110 may output information to one or more external devices in response to the nature and content of the responses received, including any trends or patterns identified in the responses. For example, where the controller 110 detects a greater number of “Dissatisfied” responses than expected or typical during a given time period, or exceeding a predetermined threshold for such responses, the controller 110 may send an alert to an entity responsible for the goods, services, or facilities on which feedback is being solicited. For example, where a controller 110 located in a public restroom determines that a relatively high number of “Dissatisfied” responses has been received, a custodian or other entity may be notified to maintain the facilities.

The power supply 112 may store energy and provide power derived from the stored energy to the components 102-110. In some examples, the power supply 112 may be rechargeable. The feedback device 100 may further include one or more charging components configured to charge the power supply 112 using power received from another power supply. In other examples, the feedback device 100 may not include the power supply 112. For example, the feedback device 100 may include a power interface configured to receive electrical power from an external power supply (for example, a utility mains connection) and to distribute the received electrical power to the components 102-110.

As discussed above, the feedback device 100 may be configured to receive a user input by detecting the presence or absence of a user’s finger. It is to be appreciated that examples have been provided with respect to a user’s finger for purposes of explanation only. In various examples, the feedback device 100 may be capable of detecting a user’s hand, arm, or any other body part. In various examples, the feedback device 100 may be capable of detecting the presence or absence of other objects, such as a gloved hand, a wallet, a purse, a wand or pointer, or any other object that a user wishes to use to provide an input to the feedback device 100. In other examples, the feedback device 100 may be configured only to detect a user’s body part, which may be a specific body part, such as a user’s finger or hand.

In various examples, the feedback device 100 may perform additional functions or operations. For example, the feedback device 100 may be capable of entering a configuration mode in which functions of the feedback device 100 may be configured. In various examples, the feedback device 100 may enter the configuration mode in response to determining that certain user inputs have been received. For example, where the input devices 102 include three user- input options, the feedback device 100 may enter the configuration mode responsive to determining that two of the user-input options have detected a user input for at least a threshold amount of time. The threshold amount of time may be different than the threshold amount of time discussed above with respect to act 208. For example, the threshold amount of time to enter the configuration mode may be approximately eight seconds. In various examples, entering the configuration mode may require a specific combination of the user-input options to be selected. For example, where the input devices 102 include three user-input options arranged in a substantially straight line, the configuration mode may be entered by a user selecting only the first and third user-input options, that is, not the user-input option in the center of the three-user- input-option line.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of, and within the spirit and scope of, this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.