Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments of touch-free devices and systems comprising touch-free devices operating in a concerted effort are disclosed below. An exemplary touch-free device includes a spout, a processor, memory, an object sensor, a communication interface and logic stored on the memory. The logic contains processor readable instructions for causing the touch-free device to communicate with a second touch-free device. Wherein the processor readable instructions coordinate the operation of the touch-free device with respect to the second touch-free device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/834,591 filed on Jun. 13, 2013 and entitled “Systems And Methods For Controlling A Plurality Of Touch-Free Devices In A Coordinated Manner,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to operating methods and systems that include a plurality of touch-free devices in a coordinated manner and more particularly for controlling hand wash stations having a plurality of touch-free devices such as faucets, soap dispensers and hand dryers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Touch-free devices such as faucets, soap dispensers and hand dryers are very popular because they are more hygienic and than their manual counterparts. The touch-free devices typically have an object sensor located proximate the touch-free device. The object sensors may be infrared based, capacitance based, proximity based or the like. When multiple touch-free devices are used in close proximity, such as, for example around a sink bowl, the touch-free devices often falsely trigger, and, for example, the soap dispenser dispenses soap while the user is rinsing her hands. False triggering wastes soap, leaves a mess in the sink and sometimes dispense soap on a users shirt sleeves. Another example of false triggering occurs when the user is trying to obtain a dose of soap and the faucet turns on and soaks the user&#39;s shirt sleeve. Recently, hand dryers have also been located proximate the water faucet and soap dispensers adding to the risk of accidental, or false triggering. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Exemplary embodiments of touch-free devices and systems comprising touch-free devices operating in a concerted effort are disclosed below. An exemplary touch-free device includes a spout, a processor, memory, an object sensor, a communication interface and logic stored on the memory. The logic contains processor readable instructions for causing the touch-free device to communicate with a second touch-free device. The processor readable instructions coordinate the operation of the touch-free device with respect to the second touch-free device. 
         [0005]    An exemplary touch-free dispensing system includes a touch-free faucet, a touch-free soap dispenser and communications circuitry for allowing the touch-free faucet to communicate with the touch-free soap dispenser. The exemplary system includes memory having logic stored on the memory. The logic contains processor readable instructions for coordinating operation of the faucet and operation of the soap dispenser. 
         [0006]    Exemplary methods of controlling a touch-free systems are also disclosed herein. One exemplary system includes a faucet and a touch-free soap dispenser. The method includes providing logic on a processor readable medium for preventing the touch-free faucet and the touch-free soap dispenser from operating at the same time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is prospective view of an exemplary system having a touch-free faucet and a touch-free soap dispenser secured to a sink; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is prospective view of an exemplary system having a touch-free faucet, a touch-free hand dryer and a touch-free soap dispenser secured to a sink; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of exemplary circuitry for three touch-free devices that work together as a system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of exemplary logic for a faucet and soap dispenser system to enable turning on of the water; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of exemplary logic for a faucet and soap dispenser system to enable turning on of the soap dispenser; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of exemplary logic for a faucet, soap dispenser and hand dryer system to enable turning on of the water; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of exemplary logic for a faucet, soap dispenser and hand dryer system to enable turning on of the soap dispenser; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of exemplary logic for a faucet, soap dispenser and hand dryer system to enable turning on of the hand dryer; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are flow charts of exemplary logic for a faucet and soap dispenser having hygiene compliance logic. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    “Circuit communication” as used herein indicates a communicative relationship between devices. Direct electrical, electromagnetic and optical connections and indirect electrical, electromagnetic and optical connections are examples of circuit communication. Two devices are in circuit communication if a signal from one is received by the other, regardless of whether the signal is modified by some other device. For example, two devices separated by one or more of the following—amplifiers, filters, transformers, optoisolators, digital or analog buffers, analog integrators, other electronic circuitry, fiber optic transceivers or satellites—are in circuit communication if a signal from one is communicated to the other, even though the signal is modified by the intermediate device(s). As another example, an electromagnetic sensor is in circuit communication with a signal if it receives electromagnetic radiation from the signal. As a final example, two devices not directly connected to each other, but both interfacing with a third device, such as, for example, a CPU, are in circuit communication. 
         [0018]    Also, voltages and values representing digitized voltages are considered to be equivalent for the purposes of this application, and thus the term “voltage” as used herein refers to either a signal, or a value in a processor representing a signal, or a value in a processor determined from a value representing a signal. 
         [0019]    “Signal,” as used herein includes, but is not limited to one or more electrical signals, analog or digital signals, one or more computer instructions, a bit or bit stream, or the like. 
         [0020]    “Logic,” synonymous with “circuit” includes, but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s). For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor or microcontroller, discrete logic, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmed logic device. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. The circuits identified and described herein may have many different configurations to perform the desired functions. 
         [0021]    Values identified in the detailed description are exemplary and they are determined as needed for a particular system. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are not limited to the particular values or ranges of values used to describe the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system  100  having a plurality of touch-free devices that operate in a coordinated fashion. The first touch-free device is a faucet  110 . Faucet  110  is secured to sink  102  and includes an object sensor  112 . Object sensor  112  has a viewing window  114 . In some embodiments, viewing window  114  has a conical shape. System  100  includes a second touch-free device that is a soap dispenser  120 . Soap dispenser  120  is secured to sink  102  and includes an object sensor  122 . Object sensor  122  has a viewing window  124 . In some embodiments, viewing window  124  has a conical shape. 
         [0023]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , viewing windows  114  and  124  overlap one another. Accordingly, if a user&#39;s hand is located within the overlapping area, both object sensor  112  and object sensor  122  will detect the user&#39;s hand. In such instances, prior art faucets would turn on and prior art soap dispensers would dispense soap. However, as described in detail below, in embodiments of the present invention, faucet  110  and soap dispenser  120  are in circuit communication with a controller that determines which touch-free device should operate. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system  200  having three touch-free devices that operate in a coordinated fashion. The first touch-free device is a faucet  210 . Faucet  210  is secured to sink  202  and includes an object sensor (not shown). The object sensor has a viewing window  214 . In some embodiments, viewing window  214  has a conical shape. System  200  also includes a pair of cylindrical hand dryers  216  extending outward from faucet  210 . Cylindrical hand dryers  216  include one or more object sensors that have a viewing window  218 . In addition, system  200  includes a second touch-free device that is a soap dispenser  220 . Soap dispenser  220  is secured to sink  202  and includes an object sensor  222 . Object sensor  222  has a viewing window  224 . In some embodiments, viewing window  224  has a conical shape. 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , viewing windows  214 ,  218  and  224  overlap one another. Accordingly, if a user&#39;s hand is located within the overlapping area, multiple object sensors will detect the user&#39;s hand. In such instances, prior art faucets, hand dryers and prior art soap dispensers might be activated at the same time. However, as described in detail below, in embodiments of the present invention, faucet  210 , hand dryers  216  and soap dispenser  220  are in circuit communication with a controller that determines which touch-free device should operate 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a system  300  having a plurality of touch-free devices in circuit communication with one another. First touch-free device  301  is a faucet. Touch-free device  301  includes control circuitry  302 , which includes a processor and memory. An object sensor  304  is in circuit communication with control circuitry  302 . Object sensor  304  detects when objects within its viewing range. Touch-free device  301  includes water temperature controller  308 , water on-off circuitry  310 , an indicator light  314 , power supply  316  and communication circuitry  306 . All of which are in circuit communication with control circuitry  302 , and/or one another. Power supply  316  may be any power supply, such as, for example, one or more batteries. In some embodiments, power supply  316  receives power from a power source, such as, for example, 120 VAC, and power supply  316  may include a transformer, rectifier, power conditioning circuitry or other required circuitry known to those in the art. 
         [0027]    Communication circuitry  306  is a wireless transmitter/receiver. The wireless transmitter/receiver may use radio frequency (RF), infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical coupling or the like. In addition, the transmitter/receiver may use any communication protocol. In some embodiments, multiple touch-free devices may be paired with one another to prevent confusions between multiple systems located in near proximity of one another. Thus, the touch-free devices may be grouped into relevant systems. In addition, in some embodiments, the touch-free devices may be connected to one another through one or more cables, i.e. “hardwired.” 
         [0028]    Second touch-free device  341  is a soap dispenser. Touch-free device  341  includes control circuitry  342 , which includes a processor and memory. An object sensor  344  is in circuit communication with control circuitry  342 . Object sensor  344  detects when objects within its viewing range. The soap dispenser includes an actuator  350  for actuating a soap pump, an indicator light  344  for indicating a status of the dispenser, power supply  346  and communication circuitry  346 . All of which are in circuit communication with control circuitry  342 . As described above, power supply  316  may be any type of power supply. Communication circuitry  346  is a wireless transmitter/receiver as described above or may be hardwired to the other touch-free devices in the system. 
         [0029]    Third touch-free device  371  is a hand dryer. Touch-free device  371  includes control circuitry  372 , which includes a processor and memory. An object sensor  374  is in circuit communication with control circuitry  372 . Object sensor  374  detects when objects within its viewing range. The hand dryer includes an actuator  380  for actuating the hand dryer, power supply  376  and communication circuitry  376 . All of which are in circuit communication with control circuitry  372 . Power supply  376  is preferably 120 VAC power source, but may be any type of power supply as described above. Communication circuitry  376  is a wireless transmitter/receiver as described above or may be hardwired to the other touch-free devices in the system. Communications signals  320  allow the three touch-free devices to communicate with one another. 
         [0030]    Logic for controlling the system may be located in separate control circuitry or may be located in memory of any control circuitry in the system. In this exemplary embodiment, the logic described herein is located in the control circuit of the faucet because, although not required to be included in the system, the faucet is included in each of the embodiments of systems described herein. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of logic  400  for controlling a faucet and a soap dispenser. At block  402 , the processor determines whether an object has been detected by the faucet sensor. If no object has been detected, the logic loops back and determines whether an object has been detected by the faucet sensor. If an object is detected, the processor determines if the soap dispenser is activated at block  404 , if the soap dispenser has been activated, the logic returns to block  402 . If the soap dispenser has not been activated, the processor turns on the water at block  406 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of logic  500  for controlling a faucet and soap dispenser. At block  502 , the processor determines whether an object has been detected by the soap detector. If no object has been detected, the processor loops back to block  502  and determines whether an object has been detected. If an object has been detected, the processor determines whether the soap dispenser has previously dispensed at block  504 . If it has previously dispensed, the processor determines if the time since last dispense was within one or more predetermined time limits at block  508 . The predetermined time limits may be used to allow a user to obtain multiple shots of soap in a close period of time, but prevent the soap dispenser from dispensing soap if the time is outside of the time limits to prevent accidental triggering of the soap dispenser. For example, the predetermined time limits may contain a first range, from 0 to 3 seconds. If the object is held under the object sensor for 0-3 seconds, multiple shots will be dispensed. If the time is outside of the time limits, no soap is dispensed and the soap previously dispensed status is reset after a predetermined period of time. If the processor determines that the soap has not been previously dispensed or determines that it is within a predetermined period of time, the processor determines whether the faucet is running at block  506 . If the faucet is not running, soap is dispensed at block  510 . If the faucet is running, the logic loops back to block  502 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of logic  600  for a system having a faucet, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer. At block  602  the processor determines whether an object is detected by the faucet sensor. If no object is detected, the logic loops back to block  602 . If an object is detected, the processor determines whether the soap dispenser is being activated at block  604 . If the soap dispenser is being activated, the logic loops back to block  602 . If the soap dispenser is not being activated, the processor determines whether the hand dryer is activated at block  606 . If the hand dryer is being activated, the logic loops back to block  602 . If the hand dryer is not being activated, the water is turned on at block  608 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of logic  700  for a system having a faucet, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer. At block  702 , the processor determines whether an object is detected by the soap dispenser sensor. If no object has been detected, the processor loops back to block  702  and determines whether an object has been detected. If an object has been detected, the processor determines whether the soap dispenser has previously dispensed at block  704 . If it has previously dispensed, the processor determines if the time since last dispense was within one or more predetermined time limits at block  708 . The predetermined time limits may be used to allow a user to obtain multiple shots of soap in a close period of time, but prevent the soap dispenser from dispensing soap if the time is outside of the time limits to prevent accidental triggering of the soap dispenser. For example, the predetermined time limits may contain a first range, from 0 to 3 seconds. If the object is held under the object sensor for 0-3 seconds, multiple shots will be dispensed. If the time is outside of a time limit, no soap is dispensed and the soap previously dispensed status is reset after a predetermined period of time. If the processor determines that the soap has not been previously dispensed or determines that it is within a predetermined period of time, the processor determines whether the faucet is running at block  706 . If the faucet is running, the logic loops back to block  702 . If the faucet is not running, a determination is made at block  710  to determine whether the hand dryer is running. If it is running, the logic loops back to block  702 . If the hand dryer is not running, soap is dispensed at block  710 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of logic  800  for a system having a faucet, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer. The processor determines whether an object is detected by the hand dryer sensor at block  802 . If no object has been detected, the logic loops back to block  802 . If an object has been detected, the processor determines whether the faucet has been previously run within a predetermined time at block  804 . If the faucet has not been run, the logic loops back to block  802 . If the faucet has previously been run, the processor determines whether the soap dispenser is being activated at block  806 . If the soap dispenser is being activated, the logic loops back to block  802 . If the soap dispenser is not running, the processor determines whether the faucet is running at block  810 . If the faucet is running the logic loops back to block  802 . If the faucet is not running the hand dryer is turned on at block  812 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of compliance logic  900  for a system having a faucet and a soap dispenser. The processor determines whether an object is detected by the faucet sensor at block  902 . If no object is detected, the logic loops back to block  902 . If an object is detected, the processor determines whether the soap dispenser has been activated at block  904 . If no soap has been dispensed within a set time period, a signal is output to the user to indicate to the user that she needs to obtain soap at block  908 . In addition, the logic loops back to block  902 . If at block  904  a determination has been made that soap has been dispensed, the water is turned on at block  906 . In some embodiments, the water may be turned on for a brief time to allow the user to wet her hands prior to obtaining soap. In such an embodiment, the water would turn on for about  1  second and then feedback would be provided to the user to use soap. The feedback provided to the user may be visual, audible, combinations of the two or any other type of sensory feedback. In some embodiments, the feedback is simply the water not turning on. Thus, the compliance logic  900  ensures that a user use soap when washing their hands. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of compliance logic  1000  for a system having a faucet, and a hand dryer. The processor determines whether an object is detected by the hand dryer sensor at block  1002 . If no object is detected, the logic loops back to block  1002 . If an object is detected, the processor determines whether the water has been activated for a minimum required time at block  1004 . If the water has not been activated for the required minimum period of time a signal is output to the user to indicate to the user that she needs to continue washing her hands at block  1006 . If a determination is made that the water has been on for more than the minimum required time, the water is shut off and the dryer is turned on at block  1006 . 
         [0038]    The exemplary logic described above may be used as described, all or portions of the logic may be combined together. In additions, portions of the logic may be used alone or with other logic to arrive at systems wherein two or more touch-free devices operate in a concerted manner. 
         [0039]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Moreover, elements described with one embodiment may be readily adapted for use with other embodiments. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants&#39; general inventive concept.