CA2548044A1 - Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers - Google Patents
Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2548044A1 CA2548044A1 CA002548044A CA2548044A CA2548044A1 CA 2548044 A1 CA2548044 A1 CA 2548044A1 CA 002548044 A CA002548044 A CA 002548044A CA 2548044 A CA2548044 A CA 2548044A CA 2548044 A1 CA2548044 A1 CA 2548044A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- control circuit
- light
- valve
- constructed
- optical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract 30
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 14
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 9
- 238000005276 aerator Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/48—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00
- G01S7/481—Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
- E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
- E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
- E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
- E03D5/10—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
- E03D5/105—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl touchless, e.g. using sensors
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
- G01S17/02—Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
- G01S17/04—Systems determining the presence of a target
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
- Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
Abstract
An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitiv e to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets (9, 9A,10, 10A, 1 OB, 1 OC) or automatic bathroom flushers (100, 100A). The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers , including control electronics (250) and flow valves (38, 140) and require on ly very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambie nt light, the controller executes novel algorithms (300, 600, 900 or 1300).</SD OAB>
Claims (40)
1. A system for controlling a valve of an electronic faucet or bathroom flusher, comprising:
a first light detector optically coupled to a first input port and constructed to detect ambient light arriving to said first detector from a first field of view;
a second light detector optically coupled to a second input port and constructed to detect ambient light arriving to said second detector from a second field of view;
a control circuit for controlling opening and closing of a flow valve, said control circuit being constructed to receive first data from said first light detector corresponding to the detected ambient light from said first field of view, and to receive second data from said second light detector corresponding to the detected ambient light from said second field of view, said control circuit being constructed to determine each said opening and closing of said flow valve based on a background level of said ambient light and a light level caused by a user.
a first light detector optically coupled to a first input port and constructed to detect ambient light arriving to said first detector from a first field of view;
a second light detector optically coupled to a second input port and constructed to detect ambient light arriving to said second detector from a second field of view;
a control circuit for controlling opening and closing of a flow valve, said control circuit being constructed to receive first data from said first light detector corresponding to the detected ambient light from said first field of view, and to receive second data from said second light detector corresponding to the detected ambient light from said second field of view, said control circuit being constructed to determine each said opening and closing of said flow valve based on a background level of said ambient light and a light level caused by a user.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit is further constructed to control said opening and closing by executing a detection algorithm employing detection of increase and decrease of said ambient light due to the presence of a user within at least one of said fields of view.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said detection algorithm processes detection of said increase of ambient light in said fields of view due to the presence of the user.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein said detection algorithm processes detection of said decrease of ambient light in said fields of view due to the presence of the user.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein said detection algorithm processes detection of said increase of ambient light in one of said fields of view and detection of said decrease of ambient light in the other of said fields of view due to the presence of the user.
6. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 further including an optical element located at one of said input ports associated with one of said light detectors, said optical element being arranged to partially define said field of view of said light detector.
7. The system of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 further including two optical elements located at said input ports associated with said light detectors, said optical elements being arranged to partially define said field of view of said light detector.
8. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element includes an optical fiber.
9. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element includes a lens.
10. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element includes a pinhole.
11. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element includes a slit.
12. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element includes a mirror.
13. The system of any one of the above claims, wherein said light detector is constructed to detect light in the range of 400 to 1000 nanometers.
14. The system any one of the above claims wherein said control circuit is constructed to sample periodically said detector based on the amount of previously detected light.
15. The system of claim any one of the above claims wherein said control circuit is constructed to open and close said flow valve based on first detecting arrival of a user and then detecting departure of said user.
16. The system any one of the above claims wherein said control circuit is constructed to open and close said flow valve based on detecting presence of a user.
17. The system of any one or the above claims wherein said flow valve is included in an electronic faucet system.
18. The system of any one or the above claims wherein said flow valve is included in a bathroom flusher system.
19. The system of any one or the above claims wherein said light detector includes a photodiode.
20. The system of claim any one or the above claims wherein said light detector includes a photoresistor.
21. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein said optical element and said optical input port are constructed so that said light detector receives light in the range of 1 lux to 1000 lux.
22. A system for controlling a valve of an electronic faucet or bathroom flusher, comprising a light detector optically coupled to an input port and constructed to detect ambient light arriving to said detector from a field of view; and a control circuit for controlling opening and closing of a flow valve, said control circuit being constructed to receive signal from said light detector corresponding to the detected ambient light and to determine each said opening and closing of said flow valve based on detected levels of said ambient light measured over several time intervals, said control circuit being further constructed to control said opening and closing by executing a detection algorithm employing detection of increase and decrease of said ambient light due to the presence of a user within said field of view.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein said detection algorithm includes determining a transition from background data to target data.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein said determination is performed by differentiating optical data from said light detector.
25. The system of claim 23 wherein said determination is performed using a stochastic algorithm on optical data from said light detector.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein said stochastic algorithm includes Kalman filter.
27. The system of claim 23 wherein said determination is performed using a predictive algorithm on optical data from said light detector.
28. The system of claim 23 wherein said predictive algorithm includes Jacobi algorithm.
29. A method of controlling a valve of an electronic faucet or bathroom flusher using an optical sensor, comprising providing an optical element located at an optical input port and arranged to partially define a detection field;
providing a light detector optically coupled to said optical element and said input port, detecting ambient light arriving at said light detector;
providing a signal corresponding to said detected light from said light detector to a control circuit; and controlling opening and closing of a flow valve using said control circuit and said signal corresponding to the detected light.
providing a light detector optically coupled to said optical element and said input port, detecting ambient light arriving at said light detector;
providing a signal corresponding to said detected light from said light detector to a control circuit; and controlling opening and closing of a flow valve using said control circuit and said signal corresponding to the detected light.
30. The method of controlling a valve according to claim 29 including periodically sampling said light detector using said control circuit.
31. The method of controlling a valve according to claim 29 or 30 including determining by said control circuit said opening and closing of said flow valve based on a background level of said ambient light and a present level of said ambient light.
32. The method of controlling a valve according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said control circuit is constructed to constructed to perform said periodic sampling of said detector based on the amount of the amount of light previously detected.
33. The method of controlling a valve according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said control circuit is constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount of light after determining whether a facility is in use.
34. The method of controlling a valve according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said control circuit is constructed to cycle sleep and measurement periods.
35. A sensor-based faucet system, comprising:
a faucet body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water;
an optical sensor for generating sensor output signals provided to an electronic control circuit; and a main valve controlled by an actuator constructed to receive control signals from said electronic control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and said closed state of said valve preventing water flow from said outlet.
a faucet body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water;
an optical sensor for generating sensor output signals provided to an electronic control circuit; and a main valve controlled by an actuator constructed to receive control signals from said electronic control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and said closed state of said valve preventing water flow from said outlet.
36. The sensor-based faucet system of claim 35 including an aerator for receiving water from said outlet, said sensor being associated with a sensor port located at least partially in said aerator.
37. The sensor-based faucet system of claim 35 or 36 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor optically coupled to said sensor port by an optical fiber.
38. A sensor-based automatic faucet system, comprising:
a faucet body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to an aerator;
an optical sensor;
a control circuit arranged to control operation of said optical sensor, and a main valve controlled by an actuator receiving control signals from said control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
a faucet body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to an aerator;
an optical sensor;
a control circuit arranged to control operation of said optical sensor, and a main valve controlled by an actuator receiving control signals from said control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
39. A sensor-based automatic flusher system, comprising:
a flusher body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to a toilet of a urinal;
an optical sensor;
a control circuit arranged to control operation of said optical sensor, and a main valve controlled by an actuator receiving control signals from said control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
a flusher body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to a toilet of a urinal;
an optical sensor;
a control circuit arranged to control operation of said optical sensor, and a main valve controlled by an actuator receiving control signals from said control circuit for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
40. An optical sensor for an electronic faucet, comprising an optical input port arranged to receive infrared radiation;
an optical detector optically coupled to said input port and constructed to detect infra-red radiation; and a control circuit for controlling opening and closing of a faucet valve, said control circuit being constructed to receive detector signal from said infrared detector.
an optical detector optically coupled to said input port and constructed to detect infra-red radiation; and a control circuit for controlling opening and closing of a faucet valve, said control circuit being constructed to receive detector signal from said infrared detector.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPCT/US03/38730 | 2003-12-04 | ||
| PCT/US2003/038730 WO2004051011A1 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2003-12-04 | Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers |
| PCT/US2003/041303 WO2004061343A1 (en) | 2002-12-26 | 2003-12-26 | Optical sensors and algorithms for controling automatic bathroom flushers and faucets |
| USPCT/US03/41303 | 2003-12-26 | ||
| PCT/US2004/040887 WO2005056938A1 (en) | 2003-12-04 | 2004-12-06 | Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2548044A1 true CA2548044A1 (en) | 2005-06-23 |
| CA2548044C CA2548044C (en) | 2015-12-01 |
Family
ID=34680840
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2548044A Active CA2548044C (en) | 2003-12-04 | 2004-12-06 | Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2548044C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005056938A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1854581B (en) | 2005-03-05 | 2013-07-10 | 仕龙阀门公司 | Electromagnetic apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow |
| US7867172B1 (en) | 2006-11-09 | 2011-01-11 | Dingane Baruti | Combination toothbrush and peak flow meter system |
| US8438672B2 (en) | 2005-11-11 | 2013-05-14 | Masco Corporation Of Indiana | Integrated electronic shower system |
| GB201013393D0 (en) * | 2010-08-10 | 2010-09-22 | Foskett Gerard D | Height adjustable automatic washbasin |
| CN116406978A (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2023-07-11 | 捷普电子电路有限公司 | Apparatus, system and method for connecting, monitoring and controlling biological waste containers |
| FR3085977B1 (en) * | 2018-09-19 | 2020-08-28 | Delabie | CONTROL SYSTEM WITH TRIGGER BY PRESENCE DETECTION |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA963563A (en) * | 1970-05-15 | 1975-02-25 | Norman A. Forbes | Lavatory proximity switching system |
| WO1985005648A1 (en) * | 1984-05-31 | 1985-12-19 | Robotronics Limited | Flush control apparatus |
| DE10054863A1 (en) * | 2000-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | Aquis Sanitaer Ag Rebstein | Sanitary device, particularly a urinal has a sensor placed beneath the urinal so that it is less easily detected and therefore less prone to damage by vandals |
| WO2003087641A1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2003-10-23 | Arichell Technologies, Inc. | Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers |
-
2004
- 2004-12-06 WO PCT/US2004/040887 patent/WO2005056938A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-12-06 CA CA2548044A patent/CA2548044C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2005056938A1 (en) | 2005-06-23 |
| CA2548044C (en) | 2015-12-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |