GB2607581A

GB2607581A - Touch free actuator

Info

Publication number: GB2607581A
Application number: GB2107908.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryant Simon
Original assignee: DANIEL LYON
Current assignee: DANIEL LYON
Priority date: 2021-06-02
Filing date: 2021-06-02
Publication date: 2022-12-14
Also published as: GB202107908D0; GB2609293A; GB202208121D0; GB2609293B

Abstract

An actuator using at least one light projector 14 and at least one time-of-flight (TOF) sensor 12. Each light projector 14 projects light onto a surface S, e.g. an icon-style image. The light 24 from each projector 14 approximately overlaps with the detection area 22 of the respective TOF sensor 12. In use, an object may be placed in a detection zone 22. A controller receives a signal from each TOF sensor 12 and provides an actuation signal to a device, according to which detection zone 22 sees the object. In this way, that mode of the device is actuated which corresponds to the detection zone 22 in which an object was detected. The device may be a water dispenser and projected icons 24 may represent hot and cold water; if an object is detected in the corresponding detection zone 22, hot or cold water is dispensed respectively.

Description

Touch free actuator

Field of the invention

The present inventive concept relates to touch free actuators.

Background to the invention

Button or switch actuated devices are known. Usually a physical push-button or a portion of a touch screen can associated with activating a function of a device.

However there is a desire for various reasons, such as hygiene and efficient use of available space, to avoid the need to push buttons, touch screens and the like. -2 -

Summary of invention

The present inventive concept provides apparatus for actuating a device, the device having at least one mode of operation, wherein the apparatus has at least one time of flight sensors, the or each time of flight sensor being adapted to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone corresponding to that time of flight sensor, the apparatus further comprising at least one light projector each adapted to project Eight onto a projection surface corresponding to that Eight projector, the or each portion of the said projection surface being approximately co-terminus with a respective detection zone, the apparatus further comprising a controller adapted to receive a signal from the or each time of flight sensor and to provide an actuation signal to the device according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected so that the mode of operation of the device is actuated according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected.

When an actuation signal is not provided to the device, the apparatus can be described as being in a standby mode. When an actuation signal is provided, the apparatus can be described as being in an actuation mode.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted to provide an actuation signal to the device only if an object is detected which occupies more than a pre-determined proportion of the respective detection zone. Thus the apparatus can be set to avoid an inadvertent actuation.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted to provide an actuation signal to the device only if an object is detected within a respective detection zone for a pre-determined minimum period of time. Thus the apparatus can be arranged to avoid an inadvertent actuation of the device.

A pre-determined buffer period may be set After the device is actuated in one mode, and before the buffer period has passed, the apparatus may be adapted to not provide a further actuation signal. Thus the apparatus can be arranged to avoid an inadvertent subsequent actuation of the device. -3 -

Preferably in a standby mode the apparatus is adapted to project Light from all light projectors. Preferably in an actuation mode the apparatus is adapted to project light from none of the projectors. This arrangement provides a visual cue or feedback that the device is being actuated.

The apparatus may further comprise a sound generator. An audible sound may also be provided when the actuation mode is initiated.

The device may have two or more modes of operation. The apparatus may have a number of time of flight sensors, corresponding detection zones and light projectors which at least corresponds to the number of modes of operation of the device. Thus, the apparatus can be adapted to provide an actuation signal to the device according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected so that the mode of operation of the device is actuated according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected.

Preferably, where there are more than one detection zones they are discrete and do not overlap with one another. Where there are more than one light projectors and time of flight sensors they should ideally have enough separation space between them so each detection zone and respective portion of the surface onto which Light is projected do not intersect and thus minimise the chances of one single object such as a shoe or hand to active more than a single time of flight sensor.

The Light may comprise an image.

The light and/or image may include a visual representation of the mode of operation associated with that detection zone.

The present inventive concept is envisaged to provide actuation for a wide range of devices. One kind of device which is especially suitable for actuation by the present inventive concept is a water dispenser which is adapted to dispense water in a range of states from a single tap or outlet.

Such a water dispenser may, for example, provide cold still water, cold sparkling water, and hot still water from a single tap. A dispensing action of water in a particular state would be said to be a mode of operation. Water dispensers of this kind are known, but -4 -are generally actuated to a desired mode of operation by a physical selection by a user by pressing a button for example.

The present inventive concept provides for a touch-free selection of an mode of operation. A touch-free seIection has various advantages, especialEy hygiene.

Further features of the inventive concept provide additional safety advantages. For example, the features of requiring the object to occupy a pre-determined proportion of the detection zone before an actuation signal, the described minimum time and buffer time etc. can prevent an inadvertent actuation. That might be especialEy important if hot water is to be dispensed because unexpected provision of hot water may lead to scalding or the like.

The projection surfaces may be part of a larger surface such as a counter top or a floor. The detection zones may be arranged adjacent and above the projection surfaces. Thus the apparatus can project light or an image onto a part of a surface, and the apparatus can detect the presence of an object such as a hand or a foot in the region above that part of a surface and actuate a device accordingly.

One or more of the light projectors may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). One or more light projectors may comprise a mask adapted to form an image from incident light Time of flight sensors can typically measure a distance to approximately 2 to 5 mm accuracy, enabling them to detect a change in distance between the sensor and an object in its path greater than around 5 mm. This enables a change, such as an insertion of an object into such a path, to be detected.

The apparatus may be adapted to determine the distance between each time of flight sensor and its respective detection zone when power is first supplied to the apparatus.

When power is first supplied to the apparatus and such a determination is being made, the apparatus can be described as being in an initiation mode. During that initiation mode, the apparatus may be adapted to compare the distance between each time of flight sensor and its respective detection zone. If the respective distances are not approximately equal to one another, the apparatus can be adapted to provide an audible alarm sound. The apparatus may further be adapted to not provide an actuation signaI -5 -until the respective distances are approximately equal to one another. Thus in the said initiation mode the apparatus check determine if it is arranged in a suitable situation for safe and effective operation.

In the aforementioned standby mode, when an object is placed within a detection zone of one of the time of flight sensors, above a respective projection surface then the time of flight sensor will provide a signal to the controller.

Preferably each of the time of flight sensors has a limited angle of view, so it can only detect an object within a certain angle in relation to a front face of the sensor. Thus for each time of flight sensor there would be a circular detection zone, preferably substantially co-terminus with a corresponding portion of the projection surface.

The apparatus preferably comprises a printed circuit board upon which are mounted a controller, a plurality of time of flight sensors space apart from one another and a plurality of light projectors spaced apart from one another and corresponding to each respective time of flight sensor.

The apparatus can be further adapted to comprise a safety mechanism in order to avoid accidental actuation, for instance when someone is cleaning the surface. If two or more time of flight sensors are activated within a very short time, that could indicate the presence of an object that is Large or moving too fast, such as a cleaning mop. In that case the device will not be actuated and an audible signal could be produced to alert the person.

The actuation signal may be conveyed to the device by a wired or wireless connection (such as via a Bluetooth (RTM) connection).

Detailed description of the invention

An exemplary embodiment will now be described in further detail, with reference to Figures 1 to 4 which show an exemplary arrangement of time of Hight sensors, light projectors and a surface. Figure 1 shows a representation of the exemplary arrangement, and Figures 2 to 4 show different perspective views of the said exemplary arrangement. -6 -

In Figure 1, a printed circuit board 10 is shown, upon which are mounted three time of flight sensors 12 spaced apart along the length of the printed circuit board 10. Located close to each of the three time of flight sensors 12, three light projectors 14 are mounted along the printed circuit board 10. For each time of flight sensor 12 there is a sensor detection zone 22 within which the respective time of flight sensor can measure a distance from the sensor 12 to a surface S or object (none present in Figure 1). The light projectors 14 can each project light and/or an image onto a respective portion 24 of the surface S. Each detection zone 22 is approximately co-terminus with the respective portion 24 of the surface S. Thus each Light projector 14 can illuminate or project an image onto a portion 24 of the surface S which approximately corresponds to the size and position of the respective detection zone 22.

In use, if an object is detected in a detection zone?? by a time of flight detector 12 then the time of flight sensor 12 will send a signal to the controller. The controller can in turn then send a signal to a connected device to actuate the device in a mode of operation according to which detection zone 22 the object has been detected in.

In an envisaged scenario using the exemplary apparatus described, the modes of operation of the device are to dispense water in a particular state (such as cold still water) cold sparkling water or hot still water) according to a selection of a user. Without actuation (such as in a standby mode), the device does not dispense any water. The Light projectors 14 each project an icon-style image, visually representing the state of the water linked to the mode of operation associated with the respective detection zone 22. For example the left-hand light protector projects an icon representing cold still water and if an object is detected in the left-hand detection zone then the controller sends a signal to the device to dispense cold still water. The other light projects and detection zones are associated with other states of water dispensing.

In an initiation mode the apparatus can be adapted use all time of flight sensors 12 to read the respective distances to the nearest surface in front of them, for instance the surface S. If the distances measured are not the same (within a certain margin, normally 5mm to 10mm), either the apparatus is not parallel to the surface S or there is already an unexpected object in front of one of the time of flight sensors -for example by a user accidentally placing the foot underneath the apparatus. In either case the apparatus 7 -is adapted to alarm the user that the startup was not successful and need clear up or adjusted, for example by producing an audible alarm If all the distances are approximately the same the startup will be successful and the apparatus will use the said distance as a reference distance for future object detection.

When an object is placed in front of the time of flight sensor in a detection zone 22 the distance measured will be shorter than the reference distance. If smaller than a programmed threshold distance, it can indicate the presence of an object such as a foot or hand in front of the time of flight sensor 22.

In Figure 2, a printed circuit board 10 is shown, upon which are mounted time of flight sensors (not visible in Figure 2) spaced apart along the Length of the printed circuit board 10. Located dose to each of the three time of flight sensors, Light projectors 14 are mounted along the printed circuit board 10. For each time of flight sensor 1 there is a sensor detection zone (not marked in Figure 2) within which the respective time of flight sensor can measure a distance from the sensor to a surface S or object (none present in Figure 2). The light projectors 14 can each project light and/or an image onto a respective portion of the surface S. Each detection zone is approximately co-terminus with the respective portion of the surface S. Thus each light projector 14 can illuminate or project an image onto a portion of the surface S which approximately corresponds to the size and position of the respective detection zone.

In Figure 3, the same arrangement is shown as in Figure 2, with the light projectors 14 shown projecting images P onto respective portions of the surface S. In Figure 4, the same arrangement is shown as in Figure 3 from a different perspective. In Figure 4 three light projectors 14 are shown projecting three respective images P onto respective portions of the surface S. -8 -

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for actuating a device, the device having at least one mode of operation, wherein the apparatus has at least one time of flight sensors, the or each time of flight sensor being adapted to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone corresponding to that time of flight sensor, the apparatus further comprising at least one light projector each adapted to project light onto a projection surface corresponding to that light projector, the or each portion of the said projection surface being approximately co-terminus with a respective detection zone, the apparatus further comprising a controller adapted to receive a signal from the or each time of flight sensor and to provide an actuation signal to the device according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected so that the mode of operation of the device is actuated according to the detection zone in which an object has been detected.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide an actuation signal to the device only if an object is detected which occupies more than a pre-determined proportion of the respective detection zone.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide an actuation signal to the device only if an object is detected within a respective detection zone for a pre-determined minimum period of time.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is adapted so that after the device is actuated in one mode, and before a buffer period has passed, the apparatus does not provide a further actuation signal.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein in a standby mode the apparatus is adapted to project Light from all Light projectors.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein in an actuation mode the apparatus is adapted to project Light from none of the projectors.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a sound generator and the apparatus is adapted to provide an audible sound when an actuation mode is initiated.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus has a plurality of time of flight sensors, corresponding detection zones and Eight projectors.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the number of time of time of flight sensors, corresponding detection zones and light projectors at least corresponds to a number of modes of operation of the device.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the detection zones are discrete and do not overlap with one another.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the said device is a water dispenser adapted to dispense water in a range of states from a single tap or outlet.