WO2005119247A1 - A sensing door handle - Google Patents
A sensing door handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005119247A1 WO2005119247A1 PCT/GB2005/002179 GB2005002179W WO2005119247A1 WO 2005119247 A1 WO2005119247 A1 WO 2005119247A1 GB 2005002179 W GB2005002179 W GB 2005002179W WO 2005119247 A1 WO2005119247 A1 WO 2005119247A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- substance
- operator
- hand
- signal
- sensor
- Prior art date
Links
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 70
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000003899 bactericide agent Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 12
- 108010077641 Nogo Proteins Proteins 0.000 description 11
- 102100029831 Reticulon-4 Human genes 0.000 description 11
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 5
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013474 audit trail Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- -1 i- butyl Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphur dioxide Chemical compound O=S=O RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 125000001449 isopropyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 125000004108 n-butyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 125000004123 n-propyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 125000000999 tert-butyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C(*)(C([H])([H])[H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000006218 1-ethylbutyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 125000006219 1-ethylpentyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- MGWGWNFMUOTEHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine Chemical compound CC1=CC(C)=CC(C=2N=C(N)SC=2)=C1 MGWGWNFMUOTEHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phenol Chemical compound OC1=CC=CC=C1 ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001299 aldehydes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000005233 alkylalcohol group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000002704 decyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000003187 heptyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 125000004051 hexyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000000959 isobutyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])(C([H])([H])[H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- JCXJVPUVTGWSNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen dioxide Inorganic materials O=[N]=O JCXJVPUVTGWSNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001400 nonyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 125000002347 octyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 238000012634 optical imaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000003538 pentan-3-yl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195734 saturated hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004291 sulphur dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010269 sulphur dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B1/00—Knobs or handles for wings; Knobs, handles, or press buttons for locks or latches on wings
- E05B1/0069—Sanitary doorknobs or handles, e.g. comprising a disinfectant
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/26—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
- G01N27/403—Cells and electrode assemblies
- G01N27/404—Cells with anode, cathode and cell electrolyte on the same side of a permeable membrane which separates them from the sample fluid, e.g. Clark-type oxygen sensors
- G01N27/4045—Cells with anode, cathode and cell electrolyte on the same side of a permeable membrane which separates them from the sample fluid, e.g. Clark-type oxygen sensors for gases other than oxygen
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/26—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
- G01N27/403—Cells and electrode assemblies
- G01N27/406—Cells and probes with solid electrolytes
- G01N27/407—Cells and probes with solid electrolytes for investigating or analysing gases
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/26—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
- G01N27/416—Systems
- G01N27/49—Systems involving the determination of the current at a single specific value, or small range of values, of applied voltage for producing selective measurement of one or more particular ionic species
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/90—Selection of catalytic material
- H01M4/92—Metals of platinum group
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/1009—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged
- H01M8/1011—Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/1009—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged
- H01M8/1011—Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
- H01M8/1013—Other direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/18—Status alarms
- G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
- G08B21/245—Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
- Y02P90/40—Fuel cell technologies in production processes
Definitions
- the invention relates to devices, such as door handles which, in use, sense whether a hand of a person operating the handle has been cleaned in a prescribed manner.
- JP 1219439 describes a system in which the hands of a user are cleaned in three stages, with each stage being monitored by a number of sensors to ensure compliance with a prescribed cleaning routine.
- the hands are washed at a washing station, with sensors- being used to determine, inter alia, whether or not the hands are brought into contact with the flowing water and whether sufficient detergent is used.
- the hands are rinsed at a rinsing station, with sensors being used to monitor the rinsing process.
- the hands are dried at a drying station, with sensors being used to monitor the drying process .
- GB 2 337 327 discloses a method of optical imaging that determines whether or not sufficient soap or detergent has been applied to hands. A digitised image of the hands is compared, pixel-by-pixel, with a reference image. The system requires that the soap is distinguishable from the hands in some way, for example by providing coloured soap.
- the system of JP 1219439 requires the use and maintenance of a number of sensors and requires the data obtained from those sensors to be analysed.
- the system of GB 2 337 327 requires some way of distinguishing the soap from the hand of an operator.
- Another problem with some prior art systems is the invasive nature of the monitoring.
- a system such as that of GB 2 337 327 may require an image to be taken before the user washes his hands, as well as after. This may not be acceptable to some users.
- the present invention seeks to address at least some of the problems identified above.
- the present invention provides an apparatus arranged to detect the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator using said apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fuel cell arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
- the present invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator of an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of sensing a signal generated by a fuel cell that is arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
- the substance may be a bacteriacide, such as alcohol.
- the said substance is one of the Cl-6 alkyl alcohols.
- alkyl means both straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon groups. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, i- butyl, sec-butyl pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl groups.
- unbranched alkyl groups there are preferred methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl groups.
- branched alkyl groups there may be mentioned t-butyl, i-butyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1-ethylbutyl and 1-ethylpentyl groups.
- the alcohol used is isopropyl alcohol.
- any substance that acts to clean the hands of a user and that can also be used by the fuel cell to generate a detectable signal in the presence of that substance could be used.
- the fuel cell provided to consume the substance may also consume other substances in a similar manner, or may be targeted to the particular substance.
- An advantage associated with the detection of the use of alcohol as a cleaning agent is that the alcohol cannot typically be detected for very long after the cleaning process has taken place. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention only gives a positive result if the hands of an operator have been suitably cleaned recently. In some forms of the invention, this time may even be as short as 15 seconds. In other words, residual alcohol on the hands an operator that have been wiped using an alcohol wipe an hour earlier should not be detected by the apparatus .
- the apparatus or method of the present invention may be activated by a start signal.
- That start signal may be generated by a capacitance sensor which senses contact with an operator's hand.
- a push switch could be incorporated into the device of th.e invention (such as a handle) , or a micro-switch could be provided that detects movement in the device of the invention. The signal may be measured in response to said start signal.
- An advantage of providing a capacitance sensor or a micro- switch is that the operator is not required to do anything unusual in order to activate the sensor. Where the operator is opening a door using a handle in accordance with the present invention, the user will contact the door in a manner which can be detecting by a capacitance sensor.
- a micro-switch can only be used where there is movement that can be detected.
- the presence of said substance (e.g. alcohol) on the hand of said operator may be indicated by a rise in the said signal. If so, then the method of the invention may be arranged to detect a positive gradient of the signal, since a positive gradient would indicate the presence of said substance on said hand. In addition to, or instead of, measuring the gradient of the signal, a change in the absolute value of the signal may be measured over time in order to determine whether or not the substance is presence. Measuring the absolute signal change (rather than the gradient) may be useful when the background level of the substance is high.
- a memory module may be provided for storing data relating to the use of the apparatus. This may be provided in conjunction with a real time clock that is provided to enable the times of actions to be recorded. Alternatively, or in addition, means for identifying the operator may be provided and may be recorded using the memory module.
- the provision of a memory module that records data relating to the use of the apparatus may be useful in generating an audit trail.
- the apparatus may be arranged to output a first signal in the presence of said substance and to output a second signal in the absence of said substance.
- a GO/NO-GO output may be used in a variety of ways, from a simple pair of LEDs or a buzzer arrangement to a more complex system of recording the data output.
- the first signal may be output on the activation of said method, thereby providing an indication that the method has been initiated.
- a variety of other means for indicating that the method has been initiated may be provided, for example, outputting both the first and the second signal on activation of said method and outputting a third signal on activation of said method.
- the GO/NO-GO signals may be used to activate or release a door lock, or to control the operation of a turnstile to either allow or refuse permission for a user to pass through the turnstile.
- the GO/NO-GO signals could also be used as inputs to an automated voice system which provides a voice message to a user dependent on whether or not the said substance is detected.
- the apparatus of the present invention may be a door handle.
- the door handle may take one of many forms, e.g. a turning handle, a grab handle or a push plate.
- the apparatus of the present invention may be a plate that controls access by individuals into a clean area.
- a corridor station may be separated into clean and dirty areas, with individuals only being allowed to enter the clean area if they are given permission to do so by the apparatus of the present invention.
- Fig. 1 is a flow chart showing the method of the present invention
- Fig. 2 shows a turning handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 3 shows a grab handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 4 shows a push plate handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 5 shows a fuel cell suitable for use with the present invention
- Fig. 6 shows results of the use of an exemplary fuel- cell based sensor suitable for use with the present invention
- Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit for use with the present invention
- Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an algorithm carried out as part of the present invention
- Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing further details of part of the algorithm shown in Fig. 8; Fig.
- Fig. 11 shows a corridor station in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
- the system of the present invention makes use of the fact that alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, can be used as an effective bactericide.
- alcohol-based cleansing products such as wipes, can be used to clean hands with a high degree of effectiveness.
- FIG. 1 is a flow chart that demonstrates, in broad terms, the method of the present invention.
- the method starts at step 2 at which point a user uses an alcohol-based wipe to clean his hands.
- step 4 the user activates the handle of a door in order to exit the room.
- a sensor within the door handle is arranged to detect the presence of alcohol on the hand and this process is carried out at step 6.
- step 8 a GO/NO-GO signal is output at step 8 in dependence on whether or not sufficient alcohol has been detected.
- FIG. 2 shows a door handle, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, that makes use of the present invention.
- the handle 10 includes a turning handle 12 that is turned by a user in order to open a door.
- An indicator panel 14 is provided to form a display to the user.
- the indicator panel 14 might, for example, include a green light emitting diode (LED) and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
- LED green light emitting diode
- the turning handle 12 includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art.
- the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above.
- a sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14 is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
- FIG. 3 shows a door handle, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10' , that makes use of the present invention.
- the handle 10' includes a grab handle 12' that is pulled by a user in order to open a door.
- An indicator panel 14' is provided to form a display to the user.
- the indicator panel 14' might, for example, include a green LED and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
- the grab handle 12' includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art.
- the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above.
- a sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14' is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
- Figures 4 shows a push plate 12'' for a door that makes use of the present invention.
- the push plate 12'' is pushed by a user in order to open a door.
- An indicator panel 14'' is provided to form a display to the user.
- the indicator panel 14'' might, for example, include a green LED and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
- the push plate 12'' includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art.
- the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above.
- a sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14'' is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
- the sensor circuit should normally be in a low power, standby mode in order to conserve power since a sensor that consumes a lot of power will either need to be connected to a mains supply of power (which may be expensive, potentially dangerous and inconvenient) or will require regular maintenance to replace batteries.
- the sensor should be quickly operational once it is activated so that the operator of the handle does not have to wait long for the sensor to be operational. • Once activated, the sensor should sense the level of alcohol in the surrounding atmosphere and provide an accurate reading within a short space of time.
- the sensor should have a short cleaning period, during which the sensor is cleared of alcohol so that the sensor is ready for use again within a short space of time.
- the sensor should be cheap, reliable and durable to avoid the cost of the system being prohibitive.
- the sensor used to carry out step 6 described above is a conventional fuel cell.
- a fuel cell consists of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) that act as catalysts separated by an electrolyte.
- hydrogen is provided at the anode and oxygen is provided at the cathode.
- oxygen is provided at the cathode.
- H + ions that pass through the electrolyte to the cathode
- electrons that pass to the cathode via an electrical connection between the anode and cathode
- the H + ions and the electrons recombine at the cathode, together with oxygen, to form water.
- electricity is generated in the form of electrons passing through the electrical connection can be used, with water being the only waste product.
- FIG. 5 shows a fuel-cell, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, that can be used to generate an electric current from alcohol.
- the fuel-cell 20 comprises a platinum electrode 22 forming an anode, a platinum electrode 24 forming a cathode, an electrolyte 26 between the electrodes 22 and 24, an electrical connection 28 between the electrodes 22 and 24 and an electrical circuit 30.
- alcohol is converted into acetic acid and hydrogen by using a reformer in a manner that is well known in the art.
- the hydrogen molecules split as described above with the H + ions passing through the electrolyte 26 in the direction indicated by the arrow 32 and the electrons passing from the anode to the cathode via the electrical connection 28 and the electrical circuit 30 as indicated by the arrow 34.
- the acetic acid is a waste product.
- the fuel cell 20 can be used to generate an electrical current that is proportional to the concentration of alcohol that it is exposed to.
- the fuel cell 20 can be used as a power source for a sensor circuit of the present invention.
- Fuel-cell technology has been used in breathalyzers to measure the blood alcohol level of a driver in this manner.
- Fuel cells that are suitable for use with the present invention are readily available.
- a suitable sensor is the Dart AQ sensor available from Dart Sensors Limited, Dart Marine Park, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5AL, England.
- the Dart AQ sensor is sensitive to carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, aldehydes, hydrogen, ether, ethylene, phenol and nitrogen dioxide as well as alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol. Accordingly, the Dart AQ sensor is not targeted specifically to the substance that is used to clean the hands of an operator of the handle.
- Figure 6 shows test results obtained by using the Dart AQ sensor.
- the sensor was turned on by pressing the switch 12 for three seconds and then turned off for seven seconds. This ten-second cycle was repeated a number of times. An operator contacted the handle for the three-second period before releasing the handle. The hand of the operator was cleaned after each cycle using an alcohol wipe, with a fresh wipe being used every second application. Initially, the sensor output is zero, and it stays at zero until the sensor is turned on at 15 seconds. When the switch is turned on (at 15 seconds) , the hand of the operator is contacting the handle. Since alcohol is -present on the hand, the sensor consumes that alcohol and a current is generated as electrons flow through the electrical circuit 30. Thus, the sensor output rises.
- the concentration of alcohol reduces, and so the sensor output begins to fall.
- the sensor output does not fall to zero, because the fuel cell 20 is still able to consume the alcohol left in the surrounding atmosphere.
- This consumption of the remaining alcohol in the atmosphere by the sensor is an advantage of the present invention because it reduces the cleaning time of the sensor.
- the switch is activated again at 25 seconds, where the amount of alcohol is increased by the presence of the operator' s hand and therefore the sensor output rises again. The sensor output falls once more after the operator's hand is removed.
- the sensor circuit is turned on once again, but this time a fresh alcohol-based wipe has been used to clean the operator' s hand and so the amount of alcohol present is increased. As a result, the sensor output rises sharply, before falling again after the operator' s hand is removed at 38 seconds.
- the sensor circuit is turned on for a fourth time.
- the background alcohol level is quite high because the fuel cell has not had time to clear the high level of alcohol present around the sensor and that alcohol has not had time to dissipate to the surrounding atmosphere. Accordingly, although the sensor output increases as a result of the operator's hand being present, the increase is small.
- the sensor circuit is turned on again and another sharp rise in the sensor output is seen because a fresh wipe has been used.
- the sensor circuit is turned on, but the rise in the sensor output is very small, due to the high level of background alcohol.
- the sensor circuit is turned on once more. A small rise is seen, despite a fresh wipe having been used. The rise is small because the background level of alcohol is high.
- the sensor circuit is turned on and another small rise is detected.
- the sensor circuit is turned on again, but this time the circuit is turned on for 5 seconds and the operator's hand was held on the handle for 5 seconds. It can be seen that the sensor output rise in increased by the increased contact of the operator' s hand, but that the gradient of the increase is not much different than at 75 or 85 seconds.
- the sensor circuit is turned on again at 105, 115 and 125 seconds. A small rise in the sensor output is detected each time.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit in which the sensor of the present invention is used.
- the circuit indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, comprises a sensor 42, a switch 44, an amplifier 46, a microcontroller 48, a display 50, power source 52 and a real time clock 54.
- the display 50 includes a GO/NO-GO display 56 and a battery display 58.
- the power source 52 includes a battery 60 and a DC-DC converter 62.
- the sensor 42 is a fuel cell sensor, such as the Dart AQ sensor described above.
- An output of the sensor 42 is coupled to the input of the amplifier 46.
- the amplifier 46 amplifies the output of the sensor and passes the amplified sensor signal to an input of the microcontroller 48.
- the switch 44 could take one of many forms. It could, for example, be the conductivity switch described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In other forms of the invention, the switch could be a push button switch.
- the switch output is coupled to an input of the microcontroller 48.
- the microcontroller 48 has an output coupled to a display 50.
- the display 50 includes GO/NO-GO display 56 that displays the GO and NO-GO signals described above and described in more detail below.
- the power source 52 provides power to the switch 44, the amplifier 46 and the microprocessor 48.
- the fuel cell sensor 42 does not itself require a source of power (it can itself be viewed as a power source, as described above) .
- the output of the fuel cell 42 is amplified by the amplifier 46 and provided as an input to the microcontroller 48.
- the microcontroller 48 ignores the data received from the sensor 42 until the switch 44 is activated. Once the switch has been activated, both the NO-GO light and the GO light are lit in the GO/NO-GO display 56, indicating that the sensor is determining whether or not the required alcohol is present.
- the microcontroller 48 determines whether or not alcohol is present on the hand of the operator in a manner described in detail below. If alcohol is detected, the GO light is lit (and the NOGO light is not lit) : if no alcohol is detected, the NOGO light is lit (and the GO light is not lit) .
- the power source 52 includes a battery 60 and a DC-DC converter 62.
- a DC-DC converter enables a low voltage battery to be used to power circuitry that requires a higher voltage by stepping up that voltage using the DC-DC converter 62 in a manner well known in the art .
- the battery display 58 mentioned above may consist of a single LED that is lit when the battery level is sufficient and is off when the battery level is insufficient, thereby providing a visual indicator to an operator regarding whether or not the battery needs to be replaced.
- the battery level indicator could consist of a numbers of LEDs, with the number of LEDs being lit being proportional to the level of power available from the battery 68.
- a battery test switch is provided in order to allow a maintenance engineer to activate the battery level indicator.
- the real time clock 54 is powered by the power source 52 and has an output coupled to an input of the microcontroller 48.
- the real time clock 54 counts the seconds, minutes, hours, months and years since the power source was last interrupted.
- the real time clock is used to monitor the usage of a battery that is used as the power source 52.
- the microcontroller 48 uses the information obtained from the real time clock, together with information relating to the usage of the battery, to determine the likely level of power remaining in the battery, in a manner well known in the art.
- the real time clock 54 is used as part of the battery level indicator circuitry.
- Figure 8 shows a flow chart, indicated generally by the reference numeral 64.
- the flow chart 64 shows the algorithm carried out by the microcontroller 48.
- Step 68 of the flow chart 64 the microcontroller 48 determines whether or not the the handle is being used by an operator. If the handle is not being used, the step 68 simply repeats. If the handle is being used, the algorithm moves on to step 70. Step 68 may be implemented as an interrupt routine, with the output of the switch 44 being connected to an interrupt input of the microcontroller 48 in a manner well known to the person skilled in the art.
- Both the GO and the NO-GO lights are activated at step 70, indicating that the algorithm 64 is operational and that the sensor circuit has not yet determined whether or not the required alcohol is present.
- the algorithm then moves on to step 72, where it is determined whether or not the required alcohol is present.
- the step 72 of the flow chart 64 in which the microprocessor determines whether or not the required alcohol is presence can be implemented in a number of different ways. As described above with reference to
- Figure 6 the present of alcohol is indicated by a positive gradient at the output of the sensor.
- one method of determining the presence of alcohol is to determine whether the gradient is greater than a predetermined level. Nevertheless, in circumstances where the background level of alcohol is high (and hence the sensor output is high) , the presentation of a properly cleaned hand to the sensor will result in only a small rise in the output of the sensor. In such circumstances, the positive gradient can be difficult to distinguish from noise. However, in such circumstance, a significant absolute rise is usually detected over a period of time.
- a second method of determining the presence of alcohol is to determine whether the absolute value of the sensor output rises by more than a predetermined absolute amount in a given time.
- Figure 9 is a flow chart, indicated generally by the reference numeral 82 that can be used to implement the step 72 of the algorithm 64 of Figure 8.
- the algorithm 82 starts at step 84 (which is entered from step 70 of algorithm 64) .
- step 84 it is determined whether or not the output of the sensor has a gradient greater than a predetermined value, X. If the gradient is greater than X, then the algorithm moves to step 74 of algorithm 64, otherwise, the algorithm 82 moves to step 86.
- step 86 it is determined whether the absolute value of the sensor output has risen by more than a predetermined value, Y, since the switch 44 was activated. If the sensor output has risen by more than Y, then the algorithm moves to step 74 of algorithm 64, otherwise the algorithm 82, moves to step 88.
- step 88 it is determined whether a predetermined time, Z, has elapsed since the switch 44 was activated. If so, then it is determined that the required alcohol is not present and the algorithm returns to step 78 of algorithm 64. If not, then the algorithm 82 returns to step 84. Steps 84, 86 and 88 then repeat until the required gradient is detected, the required absolute rise is detected, or the time Z expires.
- the "ready" step 76 described above can be implemented in a number of ways.
- the purpose of the step 76 is to ensure that the sensor is ready to use again, before the algorithm 64 returns to step 66.
- the step 76 ensures that some of the alcohol present around the sensor is consumed before the next operator uses the handle, thereby ensuring that the background level of alcohol does not get too high.
- One way of achieving this is to record the sensor output at step 74, and to wait until that sensor output has fallen by a predetermined amount (either in absolute terms and/or in percentage terms) .
- the step 76 may be repeated until the sensor output has fallen to 5 percent below the level measured at step 74.
- a predetermined amount either in absolute terms and/or in percentage terms
- Figure 10 shows circuit schematic of one implementation of the present invention.
- the sensor 42, switch 44, amplifier 46, microcontroller 48, display 50, power source 52 (including DC-DC converter 62) and real time clock 54 are indicated with dotted lines in the circuit schematic of Figure 10.
- the amplifier 46 is implemented using a LMV2001 rail-to-rail operational amplifier
- the microcontroller 48 is a PIC16F876 microcontroller
- the real time clock 54 is implemented using Serial Alarm Real-Time Clock DS1305
- the DC-DC converter 62 is implemented using a MAX1705/6 step-up DC-DC converter.
- Each of these devices is available from many semiconductor suppliers. Each of these devices may be replaced with other similar devices. Further, the functionality of the devices described above may be implemented in other ways, as would be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
- the output of the microcontroller 48 may be used for a variety of other purposes in addition to, or instead of, activating GO/NO-GO LEDs.
- an audible alarm perhaps in the form of a buzzer, may be activated when the handle is activated by an operator who hasn' t used an alcohol wipe to clean his hands.
- the GO signal described above may be used to release a door lock, so that it is only possible to open the door if the appropriate alcohol level is detected.
- the GO signal may result in a voice message, such as "Thank you for cleaning your hands" to be output and a NOGO signal may result in a voice message, such as "Please clean your hands" to be output.
- a combination of two or more of the options listed above could be used.
- a realtime clock may also be provided so that, at night, the audible output is turned off. This could be useful, for example, if the apparatus were used in a hospital ward, where a spoken output would be disruptive at night.
- Figure 11 shows a corridor, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, that makes use of an aspect of the present invention.
- the corridor 100 includes a "clean" area 102 and a "dirty" area 104.
- An imaginary boundary 106 between the dirty and clean areas is shown.
- a detector pad 108 is positioned at the boundary 106, together with a dispenser 110.
- the detector pad 108 may be similar in form to the push pad 12'' described above with reference to Figurer 4.
- the dispenser 110 may dispense alcohol gel for cleaning hands.
- no mechanism is provided for prevented an individual from entering the clean area without using the detector pad 108.
- a door could be provided having a lock under the control of the detector pad 108.
- a turnstile under the control of the detector pad 108 could be provided.
- the present invention may store data relating to the use of the sensor so that statistics can be determined regarding how often users are identified as having cleaned their hands in the prescribed manner and how often users have not been so identified. Such recordal of data for subsequent analysis may be seen as more acceptable than preventing an operator from opening the door if the hand has not been cleaned in the prescribed manner. Recording data relating to the usage of the system also enables an audit trail to be created, thereby enabling a company, for example a factory owner, to demonstrate that they have met requirements relating to hand cleaning.
- the provision of real time clock 54 also enables the microcontroller to record data relating to the time of use of the door handle.
- a means for identifying an operator of a handle or corridor ' station in accordance with the invention is provided.
- the identifying means may, for example, be a badge detection loop. In this way, individual operators can be identified.
- Data recordal of the type described above may be recorded together with operator identification data, thereby providing a means of recording use of the door handle and the outcome of each use (in terms of GO/NO-GO output) for each operator.
- recording data relating to the usage of the system also enables an audit trail to be created, thereby enabling a company, for example a factory owner, to demonstrate that they have met requirements relating to hand cleaning.
- the capacitance switch described with reference to the handles of Figures 2 to 4 could be replaced with one of many alternative switches.
- Alternatives include a push button switch or a micro-switch that is activated when an operator attempts to open the door. The skilled person would be aware of many alternative arrangements for activating the handle.
- the sensor module including the sensor, the associated electronics and the batteries, are provided within a cylinder that forms the handle of the door.
- the sensor module is designed to be easily removable to allow for regular servicing.
- the sensor module may have a simple GO/NO-GO output pair that is capable of driving a number of different indicator options.
- the form of the output does not need to be part of the sensor module design.
- Outputs other than the GO/NO-GO outputs described herein will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
- the present invention has generally been described in conjunction with the use of an alcohol-based wipe.
- the wipe is not essential.
- the wipe could, for example, be replaced with an alcohol gel that is provided in a bottle or in some other form of dispenser.
- a suitable capacitance sensor for sensing contact between a hand and a door handle or door push plate as indicated above is a charge transfer touch sensor.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the presence of a substance, such as an alcohol, on the hand of an operator of the apparatus. The apparatus may, for example, be a door handle. The apparatus comprises a fuel cell arranged to consume said substance in order to generate a signal indicative of the presence of that substance. If the substance is a bactericide, the system and method can be used to determine whether or not an operator's hand has been cleaned in a prescribed manner.
Description
A sensing door handle
The invention relates to devices, such as door handles which, in use, sense whether a hand of a person operating the handle has been cleaned in a prescribed manner.
There are many environments in which the cleanliness of hands is essential, for example hospitals, factories, food preparation areas and food manufacturing facilities. In environments such as these, it may be deemed necessary to monitor the cleaning of hands, for example after using toilet facilities. Further, such organisations may have a need to demonstrate that they are complying with any relevant requirements.
JP 1219439 describes a system in which the hands of a user are cleaned in three stages, with each stage being monitored by a number of sensors to ensure compliance with a prescribed cleaning routine. First, the hands are washed at a washing station, with sensors- being used to determine, inter alia, whether or not the hands are brought into contact with the flowing water and whether sufficient detergent is used. Second, the hands are rinsed at a rinsing station, with sensors being used to monitor the rinsing process. Third, the hands are dried at a drying station, with sensors being used to monitor the drying process .
GB 2 337 327 discloses a method of optical imaging that determines whether or not sufficient soap or detergent has been applied to hands. A digitised image of the hands is compared, pixel-by-pixel, with a reference image. The
system requires that the soap is distinguishable from the hands in some way, for example by providing coloured soap.
A problem with a number of prior art systems, including the systems described above, is the complexity of the systems. Complicated systems are expensive to install and require regular maintenance. The system of JP 1219439 requires the use and maintenance of a number of sensors and requires the data obtained from those sensors to be analysed. The system of GB 2 337 327 requires some way of distinguishing the soap from the hand of an operator.
Another problem with some prior art systems is the invasive nature of the monitoring. A system such as that of GB 2 337 327 may require an image to be taken before the user washes his hands, as well as after. This may not be acceptable to some users.
Yet another problem with many prior art systems is that they often monitor hand washing steps, such as the application of detergent, rather than determining from the washed hands themselves whether or not the required action has been taken. This problem has been at least partially addressed by GB 2 337 327, but that solution is complicated and likely to be difficult and expensive to implement, as discussed above.
The present invention seeks to address at least some of the problems identified above.
The present invention provides an apparatus arranged to detect the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator
using said apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fuel cell arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
The present invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator of an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of sensing a signal generated by a fuel cell that is arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
The substance may be a bacteriacide, such as alcohol. In one form of the invention, the said substance is one of the Cl-6 alkyl alcohols. As used herein, the term "alkyl" means both straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon groups. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, i- butyl, sec-butyl pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl groups. Among unbranched alkyl groups, there are preferred methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl groups. Among branched alkyl groups, there may be mentioned t-butyl, i-butyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1-ethylbutyl and 1-ethylpentyl groups. In one exemplary form of the invention, the alcohol used is isopropyl alcohol.
In fact, any substance that acts to clean the hands of a user and that can also be used by the fuel cell to generate a detectable signal in the presence of that substance could be used.
The fuel cell provided to consume the substance may also consume other substances in a similar manner, or may be
targeted to the particular substance.
The test for the presence of a substance, such as alcohol, on the hands of an operator provides a clear test. There is no need to monitor the hand-cleaning processing as in some prior art methods, since the presence or absence of alcohol is sufficient evidence of whether or not the hands have been cleaned. Further, there is no need for any testing or imaging of the hands prior to carrying out the steps of Figure 1.
An advantage associated with the detection of the use of alcohol as a cleaning agent is that the alcohol cannot typically be detected for very long after the cleaning process has taken place. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present invention only gives a positive result if the hands of an operator have been suitably cleaned recently. In some forms of the invention, this time may even be as short as 15 seconds. In other words, residual alcohol on the hands an operator that have been wiped using an alcohol wipe an hour earlier should not be detected by the apparatus .
The apparatus or method of the present invention may be activated by a start signal. That start signal may be generated by a capacitance sensor which senses contact with an operator's hand. Alternatively, a push switch could be incorporated into the device of th.e invention (such as a handle) , or a micro-switch could be provided that detects movement in the device of the invention. The signal may be measured in response to said start signal.
An advantage of providing a capacitance sensor or a micro- switch is that the operator is not required to do anything unusual in order to activate the sensor. Where the operator is opening a door using a handle in accordance with the present invention, the user will contact the door in a manner which can be detecting by a capacitance sensor. Of course, a micro-switch can only be used where there is movement that can be detected.
The presence of said substance (e.g. alcohol) on the hand of said operator may be indicated by a rise in the said signal. If so, then the method of the invention may be arranged to detect a positive gradient of the signal, since a positive gradient would indicate the presence of said substance on said hand. In addition to, or instead of, measuring the gradient of the signal, a change in the absolute value of the signal may be measured over time in order to determine whether or not the substance is presence. Measuring the absolute signal change (rather than the gradient) may be useful when the background level of the substance is high.
A memory module may be provided for storing data relating to the use of the apparatus. This may be provided in conjunction with a real time clock that is provided to enable the times of actions to be recorded. Alternatively, or in addition, means for identifying the operator may be provided and may be recorded using the memory module.
The provision of a memory module that records data relating to the use of the apparatus may be useful in generating an audit trail.
The apparatus may be arranged to output a first signal in the presence of said substance and to output a second signal in the absence of said substance. Such a GO/NO-GO output may be used in a variety of ways, from a simple pair of LEDs or a buzzer arrangement to a more complex system of recording the data output. The first signal may be output on the activation of said method, thereby providing an indication that the method has been initiated. A variety of other means for indicating that the method has been initiated may be provided, for example, outputting both the first and the second signal on activation of said method and outputting a third signal on activation of said method.
Alternatively, or in addition, the GO/NO-GO signals may be used to activate or release a door lock, or to control the operation of a turnstile to either allow or refuse permission for a user to pass through the turnstile. The GO/NO-GO signals could also be used as inputs to an automated voice system which provides a voice message to a user dependent on whether or not the said substance is detected.
The apparatus of the present invention may be a door handle. The door handle may take one of many forms, e.g. a turning handle, a grab handle or a push plate.
The apparatus of the present invention may be a plate that controls access by individuals into a clean area. For example, a corridor station may be separated into clean and dirty areas, with individuals only being allowed to enter
the clean area if they are given permission to do so by the apparatus of the present invention.
Apparatuses in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a flow chart showing the method of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a turning handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a grab handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a push plate handle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a fuel cell suitable for use with the present invention; Fig. 6 shows results of the use of an exemplary fuel- cell based sensor suitable for use with the present invention; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit for use with the present invention; Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an algorithm carried out as part of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing further details of part of the algorithm shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 shows a corridor station in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
The system of the present invention makes use of the fact that alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, can be used as an effective bactericide. Thus, alcohol-based cleansing products, such as wipes, can be used to clean hands with a high degree of effectiveness.
Figure 1 is a flow chart that demonstrates, in broad terms, the method of the present invention. The method starts at step 2 at which point a user uses an alcohol-based wipe to clean his hands. Next, at step 4, the user activates the handle of a door in order to exit the room. A sensor within the door handle is arranged to detect the presence of alcohol on the hand and this process is carried out at step 6. Finally, a GO/NO-GO signal is output at step 8 in dependence on whether or not sufficient alcohol has been detected.
Figures 2 shows a door handle, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, that makes use of the present invention. The handle 10 includes a turning handle 12 that is turned by a user in order to open a door. An indicator panel 14 is provided to form a display to the user. The indicator panel 14 might, for example, include a green light emitting diode (LED) and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
The turning handle 12 includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art. When a user contacts the handle in order to open the door, the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above.
A sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14 is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
Figures 3 shows a door handle, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10' , that makes use of the present invention. The handle 10' includes a grab handle 12' that is pulled by a user in order to open a door. An indicator panel 14' is provided to form a display to the user. The indicator panel 14' might, for example, include a green LED and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
In a similar manner to the turning handle 12 described above, the grab handle 12' includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art. When a user contacts the handle in order to open the door, the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above. A sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator
has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14' is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
Figures 4 shows a push plate 12'' for a door that makes use of the present invention. In use, the push plate 12'' is pushed by a user in order to open a door. An indicator panel 14'' is provided to form a display to the user. The indicator panel 14'' might, for example, include a green LED and a red LED. Other indicators could be provided instead of, or in addition to, the red and green LEDs, as described further below.
In a similar manner to the turning handle 12 described above, the push plate 12'' includes a capacitance sensor which detects the presence of a hand on the handle in a manner well known in the art. When a user contacts the handle in order to open the door, the capacitance sensor activates the handle, thereby performing the step 4 described above. A sensor within the handle is then used to determine whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the atmosphere around the handle indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned by using the alcohol based wipes, thereby performing the step 6 described above. If the sensor output indicates that the hand of the operator has been cleaned using alcohol based wipes, the green LED of the indicator panel 14'' is lit; otherwise the red LED is lit. Thus, the step 8 described above is performed.
There are a number of requirements for the design of an ideal sensor circuit. For example:
• The sensor circuit should normally be in a low power, standby mode in order to conserve power since a sensor that consumes a lot of power will either need to be connected to a mains supply of power (which may be expensive, potentially dangerous and inconvenient) or will require regular maintenance to replace batteries.
• The sensor should be quickly operational once it is activated so that the operator of the handle does not have to wait long for the sensor to be operational. • Once activated, the sensor should sense the level of alcohol in the surrounding atmosphere and provide an accurate reading within a short space of time.
• The sensor should have a short cleaning period, during which the sensor is cleared of alcohol so that the sensor is ready for use again within a short space of time.
• The sensor should be cheap, reliable and durable to avoid the cost of the system being prohibitive.
• The sensor should have low maintenance requirements.
The sensor used to carry out step 6 described above is a conventional fuel cell. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) that act as catalysts separated by an electrolyte. In the use of the fuel cell, hydrogen is provided at the anode and oxygen is provided at the cathode. When a hydrogen molecule comes into contact with the catalyst, its splits into two H+ ions (that pass through the electrolyte to the cathode) and two electrons (that pass to the cathode via an electrical connection between the anode and cathode) . The H+ ions and the electrons recombine at the cathode, together with oxygen, to form water. Thus, electricity is generated in the form
of electrons passing through the electrical connection can be used, with water being the only waste product.
Figure 5 shows a fuel-cell, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, that can be used to generate an electric current from alcohol. The fuel-cell 20 comprises a platinum electrode 22 forming an anode, a platinum electrode 24 forming a cathode, an electrolyte 26 between the electrodes 22 and 24, an electrical connection 28 between the electrodes 22 and 24 and an electrical circuit 30.
In the use of the fuel-cell 20, alcohol is converted into acetic acid and hydrogen by using a reformer in a manner that is well known in the art. The hydrogen molecules split as described above with the H+ ions passing through the electrolyte 26 in the direction indicated by the arrow 32 and the electrons passing from the anode to the cathode via the electrical connection 28 and the electrical circuit 30 as indicated by the arrow 34. The acetic acid is a waste product.
The fuel cell 20 can be used to generate an electrical current that is proportional to the concentration of alcohol that it is exposed to. Thus, the fuel cell 20 can be used as a power source for a sensor circuit of the present invention. Fuel-cell technology has been used in breathalyzers to measure the blood alcohol level of a driver in this manner.
Fuel cells that are suitable for use with the present invention are readily available. For example, a suitable
sensor is the Dart AQ sensor available from Dart Sensors Limited, Dart Marine Park, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5AL, England. The Dart AQ sensor is sensitive to carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, aldehydes, hydrogen, ether, ethylene, phenol and nitrogen dioxide as well as alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol. Accordingly, the Dart AQ sensor is not targeted specifically to the substance that is used to clean the hands of an operator of the handle. Sensors that are more targeted are available and could be used instead of the Dart AQ sensor, however, one of the principal advantages of the Dart AQ sensor is that it makes use of fuel cell technology and is therefore itself a power source. This enable the sensor to be used in a low cost, low power application, as described below.
Figure 6 shows test results obtained by using the Dart AQ sensor. The sensor was turned on by pressing the switch 12 for three seconds and then turned off for seven seconds. This ten-second cycle was repeated a number of times. An operator contacted the handle for the three-second period before releasing the handle. The hand of the operator was cleaned after each cycle using an alcohol wipe, with a fresh wipe being used every second application. Initially, the sensor output is zero, and it stays at zero until the sensor is turned on at 15 seconds. When the switch is turned on (at 15 seconds) , the hand of the operator is contacting the handle. Since alcohol is -present on the hand, the sensor consumes that alcohol and a current is generated as electrons flow through the electrical circuit 30. Thus, the sensor output rises.
When the operator releases the handle (at 18 seconds), the concentration of alcohol reduces, and so the sensor output begins to fall. The sensor output does not fall to zero, because the fuel cell 20 is still able to consume the alcohol left in the surrounding atmosphere. This consumption of the remaining alcohol in the atmosphere by the sensor is an advantage of the present invention because it reduces the cleaning time of the sensor.
The switch is activated again at 25 seconds, where the amount of alcohol is increased by the presence of the operator' s hand and therefore the sensor output rises again. The sensor output falls once more after the operator's hand is removed.
At 35 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on once again, but this time a fresh alcohol-based wipe has been used to clean the operator' s hand and so the amount of alcohol present is increased. As a result, the sensor output rises sharply, before falling again after the operator' s hand is removed at 38 seconds.
At 45 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on for a fourth time. By this time, the background alcohol level is quite high because the fuel cell has not had time to clear the high level of alcohol present around the sensor and that alcohol has not had time to dissipate to the surrounding atmosphere. Accordingly, although the sensor output increases as a result of the operator's hand being present, the increase is small.
At 55 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on again and another sharp rise in the sensor output is seen because a fresh wipe has been used.
At 65 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on, but the rise in the sensor output is very small, due to the high level of background alcohol.
At 75 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on once more. A small rise is seen, despite a fresh wipe having been used. The rise is small because the background level of alcohol is high.
At 85 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on and another small rise is detected.
At 95 seconds, the sensor circuit is turned on again, but this time the circuit is turned on for 5 seconds and the operator's hand was held on the handle for 5 seconds. It can be seen that the sensor output rise in increased by the increased contact of the operator' s hand, but that the gradient of the increase is not much different than at 75 or 85 seconds.
The sensor circuit is turned on again at 105, 115 and 125 seconds. A small rise in the sensor output is detected each time.
It can be seen from Figure 6 that the presence of alcohol on an operator' s hand can be determined by a rise in the sensor output when the handle sensor is activated. This rise is most pronounced when the hands have been recently
cleaned with a fresh wipe, but becomes more difficult to observe when the sensor has been repeatedly used. The sensor must be given time to consume the alcohol surrounding the sensor if the sensor is to be reliable. Another feature of the present invention that can be seen in Figure 6 is that when the handle is in regular use, the fuel cell output does not have the chance to return to zero. This causes problems when trying to determine the amount of alcohol on an operator's hand in absolute terms. It can also be seen in Figure 6 that the sensor output tends to continue to rise for a brief period after the user has released the handle, before beginning to fall.
Figure 7 is a block diagram of a circuit in which the sensor of the present invention is used. The circuit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, comprises a sensor 42, a switch 44, an amplifier 46, a microcontroller 48, a display 50, power source 52 and a real time clock 54. The display 50 includes a GO/NO-GO display 56 and a battery display 58. The power source 52 includes a battery 60 and a DC-DC converter 62.
The sensor 42 is a fuel cell sensor, such as the Dart AQ sensor described above. An output of the sensor 42 is coupled to the input of the amplifier 46. The amplifier 46 amplifies the output of the sensor and passes the amplified sensor signal to an input of the microcontroller 48.
The switch 44 could take one of many forms. It could, for example, be the conductivity switch described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In other forms of the invention, the switch could be a push button switch. The
switch output is coupled to an input of the microcontroller 48. The microcontroller 48 has an output coupled to a display 50. The display 50 includes GO/NO-GO display 56 that displays the GO and NO-GO signals described above and described in more detail below.
The power source 52 provides power to the switch 44, the amplifier 46 and the microprocessor 48. As discussed above, the fuel cell sensor 42 does not itself require a source of power (it can itself be viewed as a power source, as described above) .
In use, the output of the fuel cell 42 is amplified by the amplifier 46 and provided as an input to the microcontroller 48. The microcontroller 48 ignores the data received from the sensor 42 until the switch 44 is activated. Once the switch has been activated, both the NO-GO light and the GO light are lit in the GO/NO-GO display 56, indicating that the sensor is determining whether or not the required alcohol is present. The microcontroller 48 then determines whether or not alcohol is present on the hand of the operator in a manner described in detail below. If alcohol is detected, the GO light is lit (and the NOGO light is not lit) : if no alcohol is detected, the NOGO light is lit (and the GO light is not lit) .
As mentioned above, the power source 52 includes a battery 60 and a DC-DC converter 62. The provision of a DC-DC converter enables a low voltage battery to be used to power circuitry that requires a higher voltage by stepping up
that voltage using the DC-DC converter 62 in a manner well known in the art .
The battery display 58 mentioned above may consist of a single LED that is lit when the battery level is sufficient and is off when the battery level is insufficient, thereby providing a visual indicator to an operator regarding whether or not the battery needs to be replaced. Of course, more sophisticated display mechanisms could be used. For example, the battery level indicator could consist of a numbers of LEDs, with the number of LEDs being lit being proportional to the level of power available from the battery 68. In one form of the invention, a battery test switch is provided in order to allow a maintenance engineer to activate the battery level indicator.
The real time clock 54 is powered by the power source 52 and has an output coupled to an input of the microcontroller 48. The real time clock 54 counts the seconds, minutes, hours, months and years since the power source was last interrupted. The real time clock is used to monitor the usage of a battery that is used as the power source 52. The microcontroller 48 uses the information obtained from the real time clock, together with information relating to the usage of the battery, to determine the likely level of power remaining in the battery, in a manner well known in the art. Thus, in the exemplary circuit of Figure 7, the real time clock 54 is used as part of the battery level indicator circuitry.
Figure 8 shows a flow chart, indicated generally by the reference numeral 64. The flow chart 64 shows the algorithm carried out by the microcontroller 48.
At step 66 of the algorithm 64, both the GO and the NOGO lights are off (GO=0 and NOGO=0) indicating that the sensor circuit of the handle is inactive.
At step 68 of the flow chart 64, the microcontroller 48 determines whether or not the the handle is being used by an operator. If the handle is not being used, the step 68 simply repeats. If the handle is being used, the algorithm moves on to step 70. Step 68 may be implemented as an interrupt routine, with the output of the switch 44 being connected to an interrupt input of the microcontroller 48 in a manner well known to the person skilled in the art.
Both the GO and the NO-GO lights are activated at step 70, indicating that the algorithm 64 is operational and that the sensor circuit has not yet determined whether or not the required alcohol is present. The algorithm then moves on to step 72, where it is determined whether or not the required alcohol is present.
If the required alcohol is detected at step 72, then the algorithm 64 moves to step 74, where the GO light is active (GO=l) and the NOGO light is inactive (NOGO=0) . From step 74, the algorithm 64 moves to step 76 where it is determined whether or not the sensor is ready to take a further reading. If the sensor is not ready, the step 76 is repeated. If the sensor is ready, the algorithm returns to the step 66, described above. A delay stage (not shown)
may be provided between steps 74 and 76 to ensure that the GO output is visible to the operator.
If the required alcohol is not detected at step 72, then the algorithm 64 moves to step 78, where the GO light is inactive (GO=0) and the NOGO light is active (NOGO=l) . From step 78, the algorithm moves to delay step 80, which is provided to ensure that the NOGO output is visible to the operator. From step 80, the algorithm returns to the step 66 described above.
The step 72 of the flow chart 64 in which the microprocessor determines whether or not the required alcohol is presence can be implemented in a number of different ways. As described above with reference to
Figure 6, the present of alcohol is indicated by a positive gradient at the output of the sensor. Thus, one method of determining the presence of alcohol is to determine whether the gradient is greater than a predetermined level. Nevertheless, in circumstances where the background level of alcohol is high (and hence the sensor output is high) , the presentation of a properly cleaned hand to the sensor will result in only a small rise in the output of the sensor. In such circumstances, the positive gradient can be difficult to distinguish from noise. However, in such circumstance, a significant absolute rise is usually detected over a period of time. Thus, a second method of determining the presence of alcohol is to determine whether the absolute value of the sensor output rises by more than a predetermined absolute amount in a given time.
Figure 9 is a flow chart, indicated generally by the reference numeral 82 that can be used to implement the step 72 of the algorithm 64 of Figure 8.
The algorithm 82 starts at step 84 (which is entered from step 70 of algorithm 64) . At step 84, it is determined whether or not the output of the sensor has a gradient greater than a predetermined value, X. If the gradient is greater than X, then the algorithm moves to step 74 of algorithm 64, otherwise, the algorithm 82 moves to step 86.
At step 86, it is determined whether the absolute value of the sensor output has risen by more than a predetermined value, Y, since the switch 44 was activated. If the sensor output has risen by more than Y, then the algorithm moves to step 74 of algorithm 64, otherwise the algorithm 82, moves to step 88.
At step 88, it is determined whether a predetermined time, Z, has elapsed since the switch 44 was activated. If so, then it is determined that the required alcohol is not present and the algorithm returns to step 78 of algorithm 64. If not, then the algorithm 82 returns to step 84. Steps 84, 86 and 88 then repeat until the required gradient is detected, the required absolute rise is detected, or the time Z expires.
Of course, there are a number of ways of determining the gradient of the output of the sensor. One simple example is to take two readings of the sensor output, separated by a short period of time. If the second reading is higher than the first, then the slope between them must be
positive. It may be necessary to introduce a threshold rise, below which the slope is considered too small to be indicative of a rise. A more sophisticated approach might take a number of readings to ensure that an apparent rise is not simply caused by the effects of noise. Another approach would be to provide an analogue differentiator between the output of the amplifier 46 and the input of the microprocessor 48. The differentiator would provide an output that indicating the slope of the amplifier output that could simply be read by the microcontroller 48. Other ways of implementing the step 84 will be apparent to the skilled person, as will ways of implementing the steps 86 and 88.
The "ready" step 76 described above can be implemented in a number of ways. The purpose of the step 76 is to ensure that the sensor is ready to use again, before the algorithm 64 returns to step 66. The step 76 ensures that some of the alcohol present around the sensor is consumed before the next operator uses the handle, thereby ensuring that the background level of alcohol does not get too high. One way of achieving this is to record the sensor output at step 74, and to wait until that sensor output has fallen by a predetermined amount (either in absolute terms and/or in percentage terms) . For example, the step 76 may be repeated until the sensor output has fallen to 5 percent below the level measured at step 74. Of course, other values are possible. As shown in Figure 6, it may take a few seconds for the sensor output to fall to five percent below the level measured at step 74 since the sensor output tends to continue to rise for a brief period after the operator has released the handle before it begins to fall.
The values of X, Y and Z used in steps 84, 86 and 88 respectively, and the value used in step 74, are likely to vary from application to application. The likely slope gradients and absolute sensor output rise depends on both the sensor used and the cleaning wipes used. Similarly, the time over which the measurements are taken will vary with the sensor and cleaning wipes used.
Figure 10 shows circuit schematic of one implementation of the present invention. The sensor 42, switch 44, amplifier 46, microcontroller 48, display 50, power source 52 (including DC-DC converter 62) and real time clock 54 are indicated with dotted lines in the circuit schematic of Figure 10.
In the example of Figure 10, the amplifier 46 is implemented using a LMV2001 rail-to-rail operational amplifier, the microcontroller 48 is a PIC16F876 microcontroller, the real time clock 54 is implemented using Serial Alarm Real-Time Clock DS1305 and the DC-DC converter 62 is implemented using a MAX1705/6 step-up DC-DC converter. Each of these devices is available from many semiconductor suppliers. Each of these devices may be replaced with other similar devices. Further, the functionality of the devices described above may be implemented in other ways, as would be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
The output of the microcontroller 48 may be used for a variety of other purposes in addition to, or instead of, activating GO/NO-GO LEDs. For example, an audible alarm,
perhaps in the form of a buzzer, may be activated when the handle is activated by an operator who hasn' t used an alcohol wipe to clean his hands. The GO signal described above may be used to release a door lock, so that it is only possible to open the door if the appropriate alcohol level is detected. The GO signal may result in a voice message, such as "Thank you for cleaning your hands" to be output and a NOGO signal may result in a voice message, such as "Please clean your hands" to be output. A combination of two or more of the options listed above could be used. Furthermore, other uses of the GO/NOGO outputs, such as providing control signals for a turnstile, will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. A realtime clock may also be provided so that, at night, the audible output is turned off. This could be useful, for example, if the apparatus were used in a hospital ward, where a spoken output would be disruptive at night.
The present invention is not limited to use with door handles. For example, Figure 11 shows a corridor, indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, that makes use of an aspect of the present invention. The corridor 100 includes a "clean" area 102 and a "dirty" area 104. An imaginary boundary 106 between the dirty and clean areas is shown. A detector pad 108 is positioned at the boundary 106, together with a dispenser 110. The detector pad 108 may be similar in form to the push pad 12'' described above with reference to Figurer 4. The dispenser 110 may dispense alcohol gel for cleaning hands.
In the use of the system of Figure 11, persons are only allowed to enter the clean area 102 if they have cleaned
their hands using the substance dispensed by the dispenser 110 and have had their hands checked and passed by the detector pad 108.
In the example of Figure 11, no mechanism is provided for prevented an individual from entering the clean area without using the detector pad 108. Of course, such an arrangement could be provided. For example, a door could be provided having a lock under the control of the detector pad 108. Similarly, a turnstile under the control of the detector pad 108 could be provided.
The present invention may store data relating to the use of the sensor so that statistics can be determined regarding how often users are identified as having cleaned their hands in the prescribed manner and how often users have not been so identified. Such recordal of data for subsequent analysis may be seen as more acceptable than preventing an operator from opening the door if the hand has not been cleaned in the prescribed manner. Recording data relating to the usage of the system also enables an audit trail to be created, thereby enabling a company, for example a factory owner, to demonstrate that they have met requirements relating to hand cleaning. The provision of real time clock 54 also enables the microcontroller to record data relating to the time of use of the door handle.
In another aspect of the invention, a means for identifying an operator of a handle or corridor 'station in accordance with the invention is provided. The identifying means may, for example, be a badge detection loop. In this way, individual operators can be identified. Data recordal of
the type described above may be recorded together with operator identification data, thereby providing a means of recording use of the door handle and the outcome of each use (in terms of GO/NO-GO output) for each operator. As noted above, recording data relating to the usage of the system also enables an audit trail to be created, thereby enabling a company, for example a factory owner, to demonstrate that they have met requirements relating to hand cleaning.
The capacitance switch described with reference to the handles of Figures 2 to 4 could be replaced with one of many alternative switches. Alternatives include a push button switch or a micro-switch that is activated when an operator attempts to open the door. The skilled person would be aware of many alternative arrangements for activating the handle.
In one form of the invention, the sensor module including the sensor, the associated electronics and the batteries, are provided within a cylinder that forms the handle of the door. The sensor module is designed to be easily removable to allow for regular servicing.
The sensor module may have a simple GO/NO-GO output pair that is capable of driving a number of different indicator options. In this form of the invention, the form of the output does not need to be part of the sensor module design. Outputs other than the GO/NO-GO outputs described herein will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
The present invention has generally been described in conjunction with the use of an alcohol-based wipe. The wipe is not essential. The wipe could, for example, be replaced with an alcohol gel that is provided in a bottle or in some other form of dispenser.
A suitable capacitance sensor for sensing contact between a hand and a door handle or door push plate as indicated above is a charge transfer touch sensor.
Claims
1. An apparatus arranged to detect the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator using said apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fuel cell arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substance is a bacteriacide.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said substance is an alcohol.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein said apparatus is activated by a start signal.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said start signal is generated by a switch activated by said operator.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said signal is measured in response to said start signal.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an increase in said signal is indicative of the presence of said substance on the hand of said operator.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a memory module for storing data relating to the use of the apparatus.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is arranged to output a first signal in the presence of said substance and to output a second signal in the absence of said substance.
10. A door handle comprising an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.
11. A corridor station comprising an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein access to a clean area is allowed only when the presence of said substance is detected on the hand of the operator.
12. A corridor station as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a turnstile to provide access to said clean area when the presence of said substance is detected and to deny access to said clean area when the presence of said substance is not detected.
13. A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator of an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of sensing a signal generated by a fuel cell that is arranged to consume said substance to generate a signal indicative of the presence of said substance on said hand.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said substance is an alcohol.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the step of sensing said signal is performed in response to a start signal.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of said operator activating said start signal.
17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising the step of measuring the gradient of said signal, wherein a positive gradient is indicative of the presence of said substance on the hand of said operator.
18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising the step of measuring a change in the absolute value of said signal, wherein a change of more than a predetermined amount is indicative of the presence of said substance on the hand of said operator.
19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, further comprising the step of outputting a first signal in the presence of said substance and outputting a second signal in the absence of said substance.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of using said first and second signals so that access to a clean area is only granted when said substance is detected on the hand of the operator.
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, further comprising the step of making a record of the use of said method.
22. A method of controlling the movement of persons from an unclean area to a clean area, the method comprising determining whether one or more hands of a person have been cleaned in a prescribed manner using an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and allowing access to said clean area only when said apparatus determine that said person has clean hands .
23. An apparatus arranged to detect the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator using said apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and shown in, the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a hand of an operator of an apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and shown in, the accompanying drawings .
25. A method of controlling the movement of persons from an unclean area to a clean area substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and shown in, the accompanying drawings .
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623330A GB2430754B (en) | 2004-06-01 | 2005-06-01 | A sensing door handle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0412208.1A GB0412208D0 (en) | 2004-06-01 | 2004-06-01 | Sensing door handle |
| GB0412208.1 | 2004-06-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2005119247A1 true WO2005119247A1 (en) | 2005-12-15 |
Family
ID=32696466
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2005/002179 WO2005119247A1 (en) | 2004-06-01 | 2005-06-01 | A sensing door handle |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0412208D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005119247A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3967478A (en) * | 1975-06-09 | 1976-07-06 | Guinn Stanley G | Door latching apparatus actuated by cleansing agent sensor |
| US4749553A (en) * | 1987-04-08 | 1988-06-07 | Life Loc, Inc. | Breath alcohol detector with improved compensation for environmental variables |
| EP0710835A2 (en) * | 1994-11-02 | 1996-05-08 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for detecting carbon monoxide, organic compound, and lower alcohol, and methods of the same |
| US5952924A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-09-14 | Bennie R. Evans | Method and apparatus for enforcing hygiene |
| WO2000077505A2 (en) * | 1999-06-15 | 2000-12-21 | Dart Sensors Limited | Carbon monoxide sensor |
-
2004
- 2004-06-01 GB GBGB0412208.1A patent/GB0412208D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2005
- 2005-06-01 GB GB0623330A patent/GB2430754B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-06-01 WO PCT/GB2005/002179 patent/WO2005119247A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3967478A (en) * | 1975-06-09 | 1976-07-06 | Guinn Stanley G | Door latching apparatus actuated by cleansing agent sensor |
| US4749553A (en) * | 1987-04-08 | 1988-06-07 | Life Loc, Inc. | Breath alcohol detector with improved compensation for environmental variables |
| EP0710835A2 (en) * | 1994-11-02 | 1996-05-08 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for detecting carbon monoxide, organic compound, and lower alcohol, and methods of the same |
| US5952924A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 1999-09-14 | Bennie R. Evans | Method and apparatus for enforcing hygiene |
| WO2000077505A2 (en) * | 1999-06-15 | 2000-12-21 | Dart Sensors Limited | Carbon monoxide sensor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2430754B (en) | 2008-12-10 |
| GB0623330D0 (en) | 2007-01-03 |
| GB2430754A (en) | 2007-04-04 |
| GB0412208D0 (en) | 2004-07-07 |
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