Patent ID: 8408517
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: E03C

Abstract:
1. A water delivery system which is coupled to a source of water; the water delivery system comprising: a valve including an inlet in fluid communication with the source of water and an outlet, the valve having a first arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve to receive water from the valve when the valve is in the first arrangement; an illumination module which emits optical energy into a detection zone in a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; a multi-element sensor which receives optical energy reflected from an object positioned in the detection zone, the received optical energy having a plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks; and a controller which determines both a spacing between at least two of the plurality of spaced apart peaks of the received optical energy and an intensity of at least two of the plurality of spaced apart peaks and causes the valve to move from the second arrangement to the first arrangement based on at least one of the spacing between at least two of the plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks of the received optical energy and the intensity of at least two of the plurality of spaced apart peaks.