Patent Application
20140259337
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to automatic hygienic toilet seats and more specifically to automatic hygienic toilet seats having controllers operated by wireless proximity sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of automated toilet devices are known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,448 is directed to an electro-mechanical assembly for advancing a sanitary tubular protective covering around a toilet seat. The covering is stored on a reel, and pulled off from the reel as it is replaced, and the used covering is taken up on a second reel. An activation button can be depressed to actuate a switch assembly which, in turn, actuates a drive mechanism. By actuating the drive mechanism, the cover is moved through a predetermined distance in such a manner that when it is in the mounted position, the toilet seat body is completely surrounded by the sanitary tubular cover. An upper housing portion has an integral pressure blade for exerting a constant downward force on the advancing protective covering. The pressure ensures adequate contact between the covering and a counter shaft assembly which communicates magnetically with internal electronic circuitry.
Interaction with an activation button in a high-traffic public restroom can lead to exposure to germs, unless the activation button is regularly cleaned. Therefore, it is desirable to have a touch-less activator, such as an infrared proximity sensor, activate the automatic hygienic toilet seat controller. However, since the automatic hygienic toilet seat controller is intended for use in an area containing flowing water, various building code regulations may apply. Therefore, there is a need for a wireless connection between a proximity sensor and an automatic hygienic toilet seat controller.
Various embodiments solve the above-identified problems by providing a system that can include at least one wireless proximity sensor, at least one wireless seat controller, and at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat. The at least one wireless proximity sensor can include an infrared sensor comprising an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared detector, a first microcomputer controller, and a radio receiver-emitter. The first microcomputer controller can include a processor configured to communicate with and to control the infrared sensor and the radio receiver-emitter. The at least one wireless proximity sensor can be configured to detect an object within a predetermined proximity to the infrared sensor and to emit a signal to the wireless seat controller. The at least one wireless seat controller can include a motor interface, a second microcomputer controller, and a radio receiver-emitter. The second microcomputer controller can include a processor configured to communicate with and to control the motor interface. The at least one wireless seat controller can be configured to receive a signal from the at least one wireless proximity sensor and to activate a motor assembly of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat to dispense a sanitary tubular material to cover the seat portion of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat. According to various embodiments, the at least one wireless proximity sensor, and the at least one wireless seat controller can establish a bidirectional data link with each other to transmit data.
The at least one wireless proximity sensor can include a power supply and a battery to provide power thereto. The power supply can provide the at least one wireless proximity sensor with an operating time of more than 450 days. Similarly, the at least one wireless seat controller can include a power supply and a battery to provide power thereto. The power supply can provide the at least one wireless seat controller with an operating time of about 60 days.
The automatic hygienic toilet seat system can further include at least one visual indicator, and the automatic hygienic toilet seat system can be configured to prompt the at least one visual indicator to display an indication of the operational status of the at least one wireless proximity sensor, and/or the at least one wireless seat controller. The at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat assembly can also include a backup activation button configured to activate the motor assembly of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat assembly to dispense the sanitary tubular material to cover the toilet seat.
According to certain embodiments, each wireless seat controller is paired to a single wireless proximity sensor to form a unique local area network. According to various other embodiments, the system can include a wireless access point. Each wireless proximity sensor can be paired to the wireless access point, and each wireless seat controller can be paired to the wireless access point. According to some embodiments, the wireless proximity sensor and the wireless seat controllers do not communicate directly to each other, but rather each wireless proximity sensor is paired only to the wireless access point, and each wireless seat controller is paired only to the wireless access point.
According to various other embodiments, the wireless access point can be connected to the internet, and the system can further include at least one end user device adapted to access the wireless access point via the internet.
The wireless access point can automatically send an alert message to the at least one end user device upon occurrence of at least one predetermined criterion. The alert message can be an indication of a current state of the at least one wireless proximity sensor, and/or the at least one wireless seat controller. The at least one predetermined criterion can be a proximity of the at least one end user device to the wireless access point, an occurrence of an error condition in the at least one wireless proximity sensor, an occurrence of an error condition in the at least one seat controller, and/or a termination of a predetermined time period. The error condition in the at least one wireless proximity sensor can be a low battery condition. The error condition in the at least one seat controller can be a low battery condition, and/or a low remaining amount of the sanitary tubular material.
The wireless access point can be configured to send a message to a plurality of wireless seat controllers to which it is paired to prompt each of the plurality of wireless seat controllers to activate the motor assembly of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat to dispense the sanitary tubular material to cover the seat portion of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat.
The first microcomputer controller is configured to put the at least one wireless sensor into a sleep state. While in the sleep state, the at least one wireless proximity sensor has an average current consumption of approximately 30 μA. The second microcomputer controller can be configured to put the at least one wireless seat controller into a sleep state. While in sleep the at least one wireless seat controller has an average current consumption of approximately 1 mA.
The at least one wireless proximity sensor can further include a water-resistant cover, and the water-resistant cover can house all components of the at least one wireless proximity sensor. The water-resistant cover can include a clear lens disposed adjacently to the infrared sensor to allow infrared light to pass through. Similarly, the at least one wireless seat controller can further include a water-resistant cover, and the water-resistant cover can house all electronic components of the wireless seat controller.
According to various embodiments, a system can include a plurality of wireless proximity sensors, a plurality of wireless seat controllers, and a plurality of automatic hygienic toilet seats. One of the plurality of wireless proximity sensors, one of the plurality of wireless seat controllers, and one of the plurality of automatic hygienic toilet seats can be disposed in a plurality of adjacent restroom stalls. Each of the plurality of wireless proximity sensors can include an infrared sensor comprising an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared detector, a first microcomputer controller, and a radio receiver-emitter. The first microcomputer controller can include a processor configured to communicate with and to control the infrared sensor and the radio receiver-emitter. Each of the plurality of wireless proximity sensors can be configured to detect an object within a predetermined proximity to the infrared sensor and to emit a signal to one of the plurality of wireless seat controllers. Each of the plurality of wireless seat controllers can include a motor interface, a second microcomputer controller, and a radio receiver-emitter. The second microcomputer controller can include a processor configured to communicate with and to control the motor interface. Each of the plurality of wireless seat controllers can be configured to receive a signal from one of the plurality of wireless proximity sensors and to activate a motor assembly of one of the plurality of automatic hygienic toilet seats to dispense a sanitary tubular material to cover a seat portion of the one automatic hygienic toilet seat. Each of the plurality of wireless seat controllers can be uniquely paired to a single one of the plurality of wireless proximity sensors.
The automatic hygienic toilet seat system can also include at least one visual indicator. The automatic hygienic toilet seat system can be configured to prompt the at least one visual indicator to display an indication of the operational status of the wireless access point, the at least one wireless proximity sensor, and/or the at least one wireless seat controller. According to various embodiments, upon a failure of either the at least one wireless proximity sensor or the at least one wireless seat controller to establish a connection with the wireless access point, the at least one wireless proximity sensor and the at least one wireless seat controller can be configured to establish a bidirectional data link with each other to transmit data. As another fail-safe, the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat assembly can also include a backup activation button configured to activate the motor assembly of the at least one automatic hygienic toilet seat assembly to dispense the sanitary tubular material to cover the toilet seat.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Some of the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments. The functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or a block or random access memory, hard disk or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand-alone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed imagining software package, and the like.
It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as well as to the examples included therein. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
Structurally, components of the improved seat assembly are designed to provide improved mechanical strength. For instance, seat 24 has ribs extending completely around its underside. In particular, the ribs extend from end 24a to end 24b. Referring briefly to
The improved seat assembly will now be described in more detail. Base member 1 preferably comprises a unitary molded plastic having a number of integrally molded support structures. In addition, the new seat assembly incorporates drain holes 57 extending through the bottom of the base member 1 to allow removal of fluids which could potentially accumulate in the housing and deteriorate internal components. Base member 1 includes partitions 30 and 31 for supporting a dispense roll shaft 54. Opposite ends of the dispense roll shaft are supported on recesses 32 formed in partitions 30 and 31. The improved seat assembly also incorporates integral stop mechanisms 33 for limiting horizontal movement of the dispense roll shaft.
The sanitary tubular cover material fits over free seat end 24a, which is not attached to the assembly. The cover material extends completely around the seat 24, over the counter shaft 4, and is ultimately rewound on a take-up shaft 37. The take-up shaft is supported at one end by spring plate 11 attached to the outer surface of partition 38. The opposite end of the take-up roll mates with drive motor hub 8 which is attached to a drive shaft (not shown) extending from an end of motor 13.
Toilet seat 24 has a slot 26 formed at one end for attachment of plate 34 and razor subassembly 25. Threaded studs 23 extending from attachment plate 9 pass through openings in base member 1 and plate 34. Attachment plates 9 and 34 are mechanically fastened to the base member. A portion of attachment plate 34 is integrally molded into slot 26 of seat 24.
Razor subassembly 25, which fits into a wider section of slot 26, has an integrally molded raised bump formed on its surface for mating with an opening in plate 34. This feature of the improved assembly provides a means for releasably locking the razor blade assembly in place. The razor extends at an obtuse angle in relation to the advancing covering material, and serves to slit the edge of the cover material in order to allow it to be pulled off and wound up on the take-up shaft. Referring briefly to
Referring back to
Magnet wheel 6 has a magnet 20 attached to an outer wheel surface. The magnet 20 faces and communicates with electronic circuitry mounted on a printed circuit board assembly 56. The electronic circuitry of the improved assembly precisely monitors the number of rotations of wheel 6. Rotation of wheel 6 is a direct result of rotation of counter shaft 4. Consequently, resistance in the advancement of cover material, which affects the rotation of shaft 4, is detected by the electronic circuitry. In contrast to known devices, the circuitry of the present invention is designed to halt operation of motor 13 in instances where a specified resistance level is encountered. Motor subassembly 13 is preferably supplied approximately 12 volts dc which can be supplied via a 12 v dc converter or, alternatively, the assembly can be operated with batteries.
According to various embodiments the counter shaft 4 serves to provide a consistent feedback on the amount of sanitary tubular material 40 that is dispensed. While the speed at which the tubular material is affected by the amount of material present on the take-up shaft 37, the amount of dispensed material 40 is uniformly provided by the counter shaft 4. Another key feature of the counter shaft 4 is that the shaft is equipped with sharp, tooth-like serrating blades which pierce the tubular material. The openings generated by the serration blades allow air to escape from the tubular material as it is taken up by the take-up reel. This prevents the entrapment of air within the tubular material and the bloating of the material as it is taken up.
The assembly of the present invention can incorporate an activation button 5 operating independently of internal mechanical components, including the dispense and take up roll shafts. Consequently, activation of the assembly is not dependent upon the mechanical integrity of other assembly components. Furthermore, the button 5 has an improved ergonomic design which is less prone to damage by external forces. In a released state, the upper surface of activation button 5 lies substantially flush with the upper surface of top cover 2 and the sides of the button are bounded by the periphery of the opening in the top cover through which the button is exposed. As a result, activation button motion is limited to vertical displacement upon contact. The activation button 5 also has an integrally molded guide leg 42 which is received in an opening in push switch assembly support plate 10 to prevent rotation of activation button 5 as it is being depressed. Support plate 10 is mechanically fastened to support plate mounting structure 19 integrally formed in base member 1. The improved structural integrity has resulted in an assembly having a corresponding reduction in required maintenance.
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The wireless proximity sensor 100 can measure battery voltage via an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). The wireless proximity sensor 100 can provide ultra-low power consumption. The microcomputer controller 204 can be reprogrammable via a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test/debug interface and can include a modifiable firmware application program stored on a computer readable medium to implement the required logic and radio operations.
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Specifically, rotations can be computed by the wireless seat controller 200, which can tracks the rotation of magnet 20 on magnet wheel 6 using a reed switch 214, as shown in
According to various other embodiments, activation button 5 can be pushed to actuate switch assembly 15 for activating motor assembly 13 or for sending a signal 212 to the I/O interface 210. The I/O interface 210 can, in turn, communicate with motor interface 208 to send a signal 209 to switch ON the motor assembly 13. According to various other embodiments, a wired proximity sensor can be implemented to send a signal 213 directly to the I/O interface 210 to prompt the motor interface 28 to send a signal 209 to switch ON the motor assembly 13.
Photographs of a single circuit card assembly (CCA) implementation of a wireless seat controller 200 are shown in
The wireless seat controller 200 can measure battery voltage via an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) and can also measure the current of motor assembly 13 via ADC. The wireless seat controller 200 can operate an input voltages within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, and 15 Volts DC. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the wireless seat controller 200 can operate an input voltages of from 6-14 Volts DC. The wireless seat controller 200 can include a back electromotative force (EMF) snubber and a load dump tolerant power supply 205 to prevent damage due to DC motor back EMF. The wireless seat controller 200 can provide ultra-low power consumption. The microcomputer controller 204 can be reprogrammable via a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test/debug interface and can include a modifiable firmware application program stored on a computer readable medium to implement the required logic and radio operations.
The initialized timers can include a poll time and a timeout timer. The poll timer can be set to expire after a time period within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000, 12000, 13000, 14000, 15000, 16000, 17000, 18000, 19000, and 20000 ms. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the poll timer can be set to expire after a time period of about 500 ms. The operating time for the wireless seat controller 200 using standard 2.5 AH battery pack can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, and 120 days. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the operating time for the wireless seat controller 200 using standard 2.5 AH battery pack can be about 60 days.
The timeout timer can be set to expire after a time period within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 seconds. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the timeout timer can be set to expire after a time period of about 10 seconds. Initializing the timers can comprise programmatically instantiating and activating the timers with a predefined expiration time or activating one or more physical timers.
Still referring to
If the timeout timer expires as shown at item in 313 then the motor assembly 13 can be switched off as shown at item 314. Alternatively, a reed switch interrupt can be provided as shown at item 316. The reed switch 214 can provide a count of the number of rotations of the counter shaft 4. A running tally of the rotation of counter shaft 4 can be kept as shown at item 315 and when a predetermined number of rotations is reached the motor assembly 13 can be shut off as shown at item 314.
As has been discussed the wireless proximity sensor 100 and the wireless seat controller 200 can be designed to operate with extremely low power consumption. Attention to power consumption is required due to the fact that, according to various embodiments, batteries can be used to energize both the sensor and controller. The wireless proximity sensor 100 has the most acute sensitivity to power consumption, since frequent battery maintenance would undermine its usefulness. The innovative state machine design according to various embodiments of the wireless proximity sensor 100 can minimize battery consumption by only entering the high-power receive mode when activated by the IR proximity detector 18. The wireless seat controller 200 can periodically enter an active mode and poll for its paired wireless proximity sensor 100. The frequency of this polling can be related to the frequency of the proximity sensing used by the wireless proximity sensor 100 and can be frequent enough to allow for easy and natural human operation.
Additionally, when in a sleep or idle state at item 405, the wireless proximity sensor 100 is not completely switched OFF, and remains able to poll any initialized timers. More specifically, the IR LED 109 can pulse infrared light at a regular interval. The regular interval can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, and 300 ms. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the regular interval can be approximately every 200 ms. Any IR LED 109 pulses infrared light, the IR detector 108 can sense the amount of IR energy reflected from a detected objects 111. When the reflected energy exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating that an object 111 is within the sensors proximity, the IR detector 108 Interrupt the microcomputer controller 104. As shown in the state diagram 400, this proximity detector interrupt as shown in item 406 can cause the sensors to enter an active received mode and wait for a poll message from the wireless seat controller 200. Upon receipt of the poll message, the sensor can respond with a data message, indicating that I proximity detector event has occurred. Should the controller not poll the sensor with you receive state timeout, the sensor returns to a low-power sleep state. More generally, upon detecting an object 111 as shown at item 406 the wireless proximity sensor 100 can enable radio receiver 101 as shown at item 407 and can also start a reception timeout timer. The reception timeout timer can be set to expire after a time period within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000, 12000, 13000, 14000, 15000, 16000, 17000, 18000, 19000, and 20000 ms. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, the reception timeout timer can be set to expire after a time period of about 500 ms. if the reception timeout timer expires prior to establishing a data link (103, 203) with the wireless seat controller 200, then as shown in item 411 the wireless proximity sensor 100 can enter into a sleep state as shown at item 405. On the other hand is a data link (103, 203) is established between the wireless proximity sensor 100 and the wireless seat controller 200, then the wireless proximity sensor 100 can transmit data to the wireless seat controller 200 as shown in item 410. Thereafter, the wireless proximity sensor 100 can enter into a sleep state as shown at 405.
The wireless seat controller 200 and the wireless proximity sensor 100 can be designed to allow for future expansion. The use of flexible, extensible packet data network topology allows for the eventual inclusion of other sensor types, access points, and cloud-based server supporting subscription services. The existing sensor/controller design can be used within the future network/service offerings.
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Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph.
