U.S. patent application number 12/798667 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for optical sensors and algorithms for controlling automatic bathroom flushers and faucets.
Invention is credited to Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Nathan E. Parsons, Haiou Wu, Yue Zhang.
Application Number | 20100275359 12/798667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46322158 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100275359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guler; Fatih ; et
al. |
November 4, 2010 |
Optical sensors and algorithms for controlling automatic bathroom
flushers and faucets
Abstract
The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and
novel methods for sensing optical radiation that can be used to
control the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel
sensors and flow controllers require only small amounts of
electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, enabling
battery operation for many years. An electronic system for
controlling fluid flow may include an electromagnetic actuator, a
controller and an optical sensor. Preferred embodiments include a
control circuit constructed to sample periodically the detector
based on the amount of light detected; a control circuit
constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount
of light after determining whether a facility is in use; a detector
optically coupled to the input port using an optical fiber; the
input port may be located in an aerator of the electronic faucet;
the system includes batteries for powering the electronic faucet.
These embodiments may also include a variety of other features. A
passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to
ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic
faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. An active optical sensor
includes a light emitter and a light detector. The detected signals
may be processed using novel algorithms
Inventors: |
Guler; Fatih; (Winchester,
MA) ; Parsons; Nathan E.; (Brookline, MA) ;
Zhang; Yue; (Nashua, NH) ; Mo; Xiaoxiong;
(Lexington, MA) ; Herbert; Kay; (Winthrop, MA)
; Wu; Haiou; (West Roxbury, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IVAN DAVID ZITKOVSKY PH.D PC
5 MILITIA DRIVE
LEXINGTON
MA
02421
US
|
Family ID: |
46322158 |
Appl. No.: |
12/798667 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11159422 |
Jun 22, 2005 |
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12798667 |
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PCT/US03/41303 |
Dec 26, 2003 |
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11159422 |
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PCT/US03/38730 |
Dec 4, 2003 |
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PCT/US03/41303 |
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10421359 |
Apr 23, 2003 |
6948697 |
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PCT/US03/38730 |
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PCT/US02/38757 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
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PCT/US03/41303 |
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PCT/US02/38758 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
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PCT/US02/38757 |
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PCT/US03/20117 |
Jun 24, 2003 |
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PCT/US02/38758 |
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PCT/US02/41576 |
Dec 26, 2002 |
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PCT/US03/20117 |
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60513722 |
Oct 22, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/313 ;
251/129.01; 251/129.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/0675 20130101;
F16K 37/00 20130101; E03C 1/057 20130101; E03D 5/105 20130101; F16K
7/16 20130101; F16K 31/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/313 ;
251/129.01; 251/129.04 |
International
Class: |
E03D 1/24 20060101
E03D001/24; E03D 1/30 20060101 E03D001/30 |
Claims
1-56. (canceled)
57. A sensor-based automatic flusher system, comprising: a flusher
body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for
receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to a
toilet or a urinal; an optical sensor; a control circuit arranged
to control operation of said optical sensor, said control circuit
including a controller executing an algorithm identifying behavior
of a user over a predefined time period within a sensing field of
said optical sensor and based on said behavior issuing a flush
command for a predefined amount of water; and a main valve
controlled by an actuator receiving signals corresponding to said
flush command for switching between an open state of said valve and
a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow
of said amount of water, and a closed state of said valve
preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
58. (canceled)
59. An automatic toilet room flush valve, comprising: a valve body
including an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat inside said body;
and a valve member cooperatively arranged with said valve seat,
said valve member being constructed and arranged to control water
flow between said inlet and said outlet, movement of said valve
member between open and closed positions being controlled by water
pressure inside a pilot chamber; and an external cover designed for
enclosing an electronic control module comprising a battery, and a
sensor and enclosing an actuator for controlling operation of said
flush valve, said external cover including at least two cover parts
separately removable, said external cover being attachable with
respect to said valve body in a manner also removably attaching
said control module.
60. The flush valve of claim 59 wherein said parts of said external
cover enable separate servicing and replacement of said cover
parts.
61. The flush valve of claim 59 wherein said external cover enable
replacement of batteries without closing water.
62. The flush valve of claim 59 wherein said external cover
includes said cover parts forming a main cover body, a front cover
and a top cover, said front cover including a sensor window.
63. The flush valve of claim 59 wherein said main cover body
provides overall rigidity to said external cover.
64. The flush valve of claim 59 wherein said top cover is removable
while maintaining said front cover including a sensor window
located in place with respect to said main cover body.
65. The flush valve of claim 62 wherein said sensor is an optical
sensor and said sensor window in an optical window.
66. The flush valve of claim 63 further constructed to adjust
detection sensitivity of said sensor while maintaining said optical
window located on said main cover body.
67. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 57 wherein
said controller is programmed to execute an algorithm including
several predefined target states based on a possible behavior of
said user over a predefined time period within said sensing field
of said optical sensor.
68. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 67 wherein
said controller algorithm identifying said user initially moving in
and thus entering a first of said predefined target states and
progressing through a succession of said target states and later
moving away from said optical sensor.
69. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 68 wherein
said target states include sitting and standing action of said
user.
70. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 67 wherein
said controller issues said flush command including a half-flush of
said water amount.
71. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 67 wherein
said controller issues said flush command including a full-flush of
said water amount.
72. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 67 wherein
said controller issues said flush command after a predefined time
period regardless of any action by said user.
73. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 72 wherein
said predefined time period is 24 hours.
74. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 67 wherein
said controller includes a microcontroller.
75. The sensor-based automatic flusher system of claim 74 wherein
said microcontroller operates at three frequencies.
76. A method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher,
comprising: providing a flusher body including a water conduit
having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one
outlet for providing water to a toilet or a urinal and being
controlled by a main valve controlled by an actuator; providing an
optical sensor and a control circuit including a controller;
initiating said optical sensor to sense a user; executing an
algorithm for identifying behavior of a user over a predefined time
period within a sensing field of said optical sensor; issuing a
flush command for a predefined amount of water based on said
behavior of said user; and switching between an open state of said
main valve and a closed state of said main valve; said open state
permitting water flow of said amount of water, and a closed state
of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.
77. The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher
according to claims 76 including identifying predefined target
states based on a possible behavior of said user over a predefined
time period within said sensing field of said optical sensor.
78. The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher
according to claim 77 including identifying said user initially
moving in and thus entering a first of said predefined target
states and progressing through a succession of said target states
and later moving away from said optical sensor.
79. The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher
according to claim 78 wherein said target states include sitting
and standing action of said user.
80. The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher
according to claim 76 wherein said issuing said flush command
includes a half-flush of said water amount.
81. The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher
according to claim 76 wherein said issuing said flush command
includes a full-flush of said water amount.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/159,422 filed on Jun. 22, 2005, which is a continuation of
PCT Application PCT/US03/041303, filed on Dec. 26, 2003, which is a
continuation-in-part of PCT Application PCT/US03/38730, entitled
"Passive Sensors for Automatic Faucets and Bathroom Flushers" filed
on Dec. 4, 2003, which claims priority from U.S. Application
60/513,722, "Automatic Faucets with Novel Flow Control Sensors,"
filed on Oct. 22, 2003 and is a continuation-in-part of PCT
Application PCT/US03/20117, "Irrigation Systems and Control
Methods," filed on Jun. 24, 2003; and PCT Application
PCT/US02/41576, "Automatic Bathroom Flushers" filed on Dec. 26,
2002; all of which are incorporated by reference.
[0002] The PCT/US03/041303 application is also a
continuation-in-part of PCT Application PCT/US02/38757, "Electronic
Faucets for Long Term Operation," filed on Dec. 4, 2002; and PCT
Application PCT/US02/38758, "Automatic Bathroom Flushers," filed on
Dec. 4, 2002; both of which are incorporated by reference.
[0003] The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors
and algorithms for controlling automatic bathroom flushers and
faucets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Automatic faucets and bathroom flushers have been used for
many years. An automatic faucet typically includes an optical or
other sensor that detects the presence of an object, and an
automatic valve that turns water on and off, based on a signal from
the sensor. An automatic faucet may include a mixing valve
connected to a source of hot and cold water for providing a proper
mixing ratio of the delivered hot and cold water after water
actuation. The use of automatic faucets conserves water and
promotes hand washing, and thus good hygiene. Similarly, automatic
bathroom flushers include a sensor and a flush valve connected to a
source of water for flushing a toilet or urinal after actuation.
The use of automatic bathroom flushers generally improves
cleanliness in public facilities.
[0005] In an automatic faucet, an optical or other sensor provides
a control signal and a controller that, upon detection of an object
located within a target region, provides a signal to open water
flow. In an automatic bathroom flusher, an optical or other sensor
provides a control signal to a controller after a user leaves the
target region. Such systems work best if the object sensor is
reasonably discriminating. An automatic faucet should respond to a
user's hands, for instance, it should not respond to the sink at
which the faucet is mounted, or to a paper towel thrown in the
sink. Among the ways of making the system discriminate between the
two it has been known to limit the target region in such a manner
as to exclude the sink's location. However, a coat or another
object can still provide a false trigger to the faucet. Similarly,
this could happen to automatic flushers due to a movement of
bathroom doors, or something similar.
[0006] An optical sensor includes a light source (usually an
infra-red emitter) and a light detector sensitive to the IR
wavelength of the light source. For faucets, the emitter and the
detector (i.e., a receiver) can be mounted on the faucet spout near
its outlet, or near the base of the spout. For flushers, the
emitter and the detector may be mounted on the flusher body or on a
bathroom wall. Alternatively, only optical lenses (instead of the
emitter and the receiver) can be mounted on these elements. The
lenses are coupled to one or several optical fibers for delivering
light from the light source and to the light detector. The optical
fiber delivers light to and from the emitter and the receiver
mounted below the faucet.
[0007] In the optical sensor, the emitter power and/or the receiver
sensitivity is limited to restrict the sensor's range to eliminate
reflections from the sink, or from the bathroom walls or other
installed objects. Specifically, the emitting beam should project
on a valid target, normally clothing, or skin of human hands, and
then a reflected beam is detected by the receiver. This kind of
sensor relies on the reflectivity of a target's surface, and its
emitting/receiving capabilities. Frequently, problems arise due to
highly reflective doors and walls, mirrors, highly reflective
sinks, the shape of different sinks, water in the sink, the colors
and rough/shiny surfaces of fabrics, and moving users who are
walking by but not using the facility. Mirrors, doors, walls, and
sinks are not valid targets, although they may reflect more energy
back to the receiver than rough surfaces at the right angle
incidence. The reflection of valid targets such as various fabrics
varies with their colors and the surface finish. Some kinds of
fabrics absorb and scatter too much energy of the incident beam, so
that less of a reflection is sent back to the receiver.
[0008] A large number of optical or other sensors are powered by a
battery. Depending on the design, the emitter (or the receiver) may
consume a large amount of power and thus deplete the battery over
time (or require large batteries). The cost of battery replacement
involves not only the cost of batteries, but more importantly the
labor cost, which may be relatively high for skilled personnel.
[0009] There is still a need for an optical sensor for use with
automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers that can operate
for a long period of time without replacing the standard batteries.
There is still a need for reliable sensors for use with automatic
faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors
and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical
sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for
example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and
flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control
electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical
power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable
battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes
a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling
the operation of automatic faucets or automatic, bathroom flushers.
An active optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light
detector. The detected signals may be processed using novel
algorithms
[0011] According to one aspect an electronic system for controlling
fluid flow includes an electromagnetic actuator, a controller and
an optical sensor. The controller is coupled to a power driver
constructed to provide a drive signal to the actuator and thereby
opening or closing a valve for the fluid flow. The optical sensor
is constructed and arranged to provide a signal to the
controller.
[0012] Preferred embodiments may include one or more of the
following: The electronic system includes a leak detector
constructed to detect the fluid flow across the closed valve. The
leak detector includes at least two electric leads, wherein the
electric leads are coupled to measure electric signal across the
closed valve to determine the fluid flow across the valve in the
closed state. The leak detector includes the electric leads
constructed and arranged to measure resistance, capacitance or
inductance across the closed valve.
The electronic system may further include an indicator constructed
to indicate a leak detected by the leak detector.
[0013] The electronic system may be installed to control water flow
in a faucet. The electronic system may be installed to control
water flow in a bathroom flusher.
[0014] According to another aspect, an optical sensor for
controlling a valve of an electronic faucet or bathroom flusher
includes an optical element located at an optical input port and
arranged to partially define a detection field. The optical sensor
also includes a light detector and a control circuit. The light
detector is optically coupled to the optical element and the input
port, wherein the light detector is constructed to detect ambient
light. The control circuit is constructed for controlling opening
and closing of a flow valve. The control circuit is also
constructed to receive signal from the light detector corresponding
to the detected light.
[0015] The control circuit is constructed to sample periodically
the detector. The control circuit is constructed to sample
periodically the detector based on the amount of previously
detected light. The control circuit is constructed to determine the
opening and closing of the flow valve based on a background level
of the ambient light and a present level of the ambient light. The
control circuit is constructed to open and close the flow valve
based on first detecting arrival of a user and then detecting
departure of the user. Alternatively, the control circuit is
constructed to open and close the flow valve based on detecting
presence of a user.
[0016] The optical element includes an optical fiber, a lens, a
pinhole, a slit or an optical filter. The optical input port is
located inside an aerator of a faucet or next to an aerator of the
faucet.
[0017] According to another aspect, an optical sensor for an
electronic faucet includes an optical input port, an optical
detector, and a control circuit. The optical input port is arranged
to receive light. The optical detector is optically coupled to the
input port and constructed to detect the received light. The
control circuit controls opening and closing of a faucet valve, or
a bathroom flusher valve.
[0018] Preferred embodiments of this aspect include one or more of
the following features: The control circuit is constructed to
sample periodically the detector based on the amount of light
detected. The control circuit is constructed to adjust a sample
period based on the detected amount of light after determining
whether a facility is in use. The detector is optically coupled to
the input port using an optical fiber. The input port may be
located in an aerator of the electronic faucet. The system includes
batteries for powering the electronic faucet.
[0019] According to yet another aspect, an optical sensor for
controlling a valve of an electronic faucet or bathroom flusher
include a light emitter, a light detector and a control circuit.
The light emitter is constructed and arranged to emit light to a
selected direction. The light detector is constructed and arranged
to detect light corresponding to a reflection of the emitted light
from a target. The control circuit for controlling opening and
closing of a flow valve, wherein the control circuit is constructed
to direct light emission from the light emitter and constructed to
receive signal from the light detector corresponding to the
detected light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automatic faucet system
including a control circuit, a valve and a passive optical sensor
for controlling water flow.
[0021] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a spout and a sink of
the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1 using a fiberoptic coupling
to the passive optical sensor.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a spout and a sink of
the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1 using an electric coupling to
the passive optical sensor.
[0023] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of an aerator used in the
automatic faucet system of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the aerator used in the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
aerator used in the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view of the aerator shown in
FIG. 1D.
[0027] FIGS. 2 and 2A show schematically other embodiments of
automatic faucet systems, including another embodiment of a valve
and a passive optical sensor for controlling water flow.
[0028] FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show schematically a faucet and a
sink relative to different optical detection patterns used by
passive optical sensors employed in the automatic faucet systems of
FIGS. 1, 1B, 2, and 2A.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows schematically a side view of a toilet including
an automatic flusher.
[0030] FIG. 4A shows schematically a side view of a urinal
including an automatic flusher.
[0031] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an automatic bathroom
flusher used for flushing a toilet or a urinal, having a flusher
cover removed.
[0032] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the flusher mainly
illustrating an electronic control module and a solenoid actuator
located inside of the flusher cover.
[0033] FIG. 4D is a perspective exploded view of the flusher cover
shown in FIG. 4B.
[0034] FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G show schematically
side and top views of different optical detection patterns used by
passive optical sensors employed in the automatic toilet flusher of
FIG. 4.
[0035] FIGS. 5H, 5I, 5J, 5K and 5L show schematically side and top
views of different optical detection patterns used by passive
optical sensors employed in the automatic urinal flusher of FIG.
4A.
[0036] FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E show schematically optical
elements used to form the different optical detection patterns
shown in FIGS. 3 through 3D and in FIGS. 5 through 5L.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an
automatic flusher using a passive optical sensor for flushing
toilets or urinals.
[0038] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
an automatic flusher using an active optical sensor for flushing
toilets or urinals.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of a valve device used
in the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1, 1A or 1B.
[0040] FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve
device shown in FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 8B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve
device shown in FIG. 8A, but partially disassembled for
servicing.
[0042] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the valve device of FIG. 4,
including a leak detector for detecting water leaks in an automatic
faucet system.
[0043] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a moving
piston-like member used in the valve device shown in FIG. 7 or the
valve device shown in FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B.
[0044] FIG. 9A is a detailed perspective view of the moving
piston-like member shown in FIG. 9.
[0045] FIG. 10 is block diagram of a control system for controlling
a valve operating the automatic faucet systems of FIGS. 1 through
2A, or bathroom flushers of FIGS. 4B and 7.
[0046] FIG. 10A is block diagram of another control system for
controlling a valve operating the automatic faucet systems of FIGS.
1 through 2A, or bathroom flushers of FIGS. 4, 4A and 7A.
[0047] FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a detection circuit used
in passive optical sensor used in the automatic faucet system or
the automatic flusher system.
[0048] FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates various factors
that affect operation and calibration of the active or passive
optical sensor.
[0049] FIGS. 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H and 12I
show a flow diagram of an algorithm for processing optical data
detected by the passive sensor operating the automatic flusher
system of FIG. 4B or FIG. 7.
[0050] FIGS. 13, 13A and 13B show a flow diagram of an algorithm
for processing optical data detected by the passive sensor
operating the automatic faucet system.
[0051] FIGS. 14, 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate flow diagram of an
algorithm for processing optical data detected by the active sensor
operating the automatic flusher system of FIG. 7A.
[0052] FIGS. 15, 15A-I, 15A-II, 15B, 15C-I, 15C-II, 16D-I and
15D-II illustrate a flow diagram of an algorithm for processing
optical data detected by either the active or passive sensor
operating the automatic flusher system delivering water amounts
depending on actual use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0053] FIG. 1 shows an automatic faucet system 10 controlled by a
sensor providing signals to a control circuit constructed and
arranged to control operation of an automatic valve. The automatic
valve, in turn, controls the flow of hot and cold water before or
after mixing.
[0054] Automatic faucet system 10 includes a faucet body 12 and an
aerator 30, including a sensor port 34. Automatic faucet system 10
also includes a faucet base 14 and screws 16A and 16B for attaching
the faucet to a deck 18. A cold water pipe 20A and a hot water pipe
20B are connected to a mixing valve 22 providing a mixing ratio of
hot and cold water (which ratio can be changed depending on the
desired water temperature). Water conduit 24 connects mixing valve
22 to a solenoid valve 38. A flow control valve 38 controls water
flow between water conduit 24 and a water conduit 25. Water conduit
25 connects valve 38 to a water conduit 26 partially located inside
faucet body 12, as shown. Water conduit 26 delivers water to
aerator 30. Automatic faucet system 10 also includes a control
module 50 for controlling a faucet sensor and solenoid valve 38,
powered by batteries located in battery compartment 39.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, in a first preferred
embodiment, automatic faucet system 10 includes an optical sensor
located in control module 50 and optically coupled by a fiberoptic
cable 52 to sensor port 34 located in aerator 30. Sensor port 34
receives the distal end of fiberoptic cable 52, which may be
coupled to an optical lens located at sensor port 34. The optical
lens is arranged to have a selected field of view, which is
preferably somewhat coaxial within the water stream discharged from
aerator 30, when the faucet is turned on.
[0056] Alternatively, the distal end of fiberoptic cable 52 is
polished and oriented to emit or to receive light directly (i.e.,
without the optical lens). Again, the distal end of fiberoptic
cable 52 is arranged to have the field of view (for example, field
of view A, FIG. 1A) directed toward sink 11, somewhat coaxial
within the water stream discharged from aerator 30. Alternatively,
sensor port 34 includes other optical elements, such as an array of
pinholes or an array of slits having a selected size, geometry and
orientation. The size, geometry and orientation of the array of
pinholes or the array of slits is designed to provide a selected
detection pattern (shown in FIGS. 3-3D, for a faucet and FIGS.
5-5L, for a flusher).
[0057] Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a fiberoptic cable 52 is
preferably located inside water conduit 26 in contact with water.
Alternatively, fiberoptic cable 52 could be located outside of the
water conduit 26, but inside of faucet body 12. FIGS. 1C, 1D, and
1E show alternative ways to provide sensor port 34 inside aerator
30 and alternative ways to arrange an optical fiber 52 coupled to
an optical lens 54. In other embodiments, optical lens 54 is
replaced by an array of pinholes or an array of slits.
[0058] FIG. 1B illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the
automatic faucet system. Automatic faucet system 10A includes
faucet body 12 and an aerator 30 including an optical sensor 37
coupled to a sensor port 35. Optical sensor 37 is electrically
connected by a wire 53 to an electronic control module 50 located
inside the body of the faucet. In another embodiment, electronic
control module 50 is located outside of the faucet body next to
control valve 38 (FIG. 1).
[0059] In another embodiment, sensor port 35 receives an optical
lens, located in from of optical sensor 37, for defining the
detection pattern (or optical field of view). Preferably, the
optical lens provides a field of view somewhat coaxial within the
water stream discharged from aerator 30, when the faucet is turned
on. In yet other embodiments, sensor port 35 includes other optical
elements, such as an array of pinholes or an array of slits having
a selected size, geometry and orientation. The size, geometry and
orientation of the array of pinholes, or the array of slits are
designed to provide a selected detection pattern (shown in FIGS.
3-3D, for a faucet and FIGS. 5-5L, for a flusher).
[0060] The optical sensor is a passive optical sensor that includes
a visible or infrared light detector optically coupled to sensor
port 34 or sensor port 35. There is no light source (i.e., no light
emitter) associated with the optical sensor. The visible or near
infrared (NIR) light detector detects light arriving at sensor port
34 or sensor port 35 and provides the corresponding electrical
signal to a controller located in control unit 50 or control unit
55. The light detector (i.e., light receiver) may be a photodiode,
or a photoresistor (or some other optical intensity element having
an electrical output, whereby the sensory element will have the
desired optical sensitivity). The optical sensor using a photo
diode also includes an amplification circuitry. Preferably, the
light detector detects light in the range from about 400-500
nanometers up to about 950-1000 nanometers. The light detector is
primarily sensitive to ambient light and not very sensitive to body
heat (e.g., infrared or far infrared light).
[0061] FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrate alternative embodiments of the
automatic faucet system. Referring to FIG. 2, automatic faucet
system 10B includes a faucet receiving water from a dual-flow
faucet valve 60 and providing water from aerator 31. Automatic
faucet 12 includes a mixing valve 58 controlled by a handle 59,
which may be also coupled to a manual override for valve 60.
Dual-flow valve 60 is connected to cold water pipe 20A and hot
water pipe 20B, and controls water flow to the respective cold
water pipe 21A and hot water pipe 21B.
[0062] Dual flow valve 60 is constructed and arranged to
simultaneously control water flow in both pipes 21A and 21B upon
actuation by a single actuator 201 (See FIG. 8A). Specifically,
valve 60 includes two flow valves arranged for controlling flow of
hot and cold water in the respective water lines. The solenoid
actuator 201 (FIG. 8A) is coupled to a pilot mechanism for
controlling two flow valves. The two flow valves are preferably
diaphragm operated valves (but may also be piston valves, or large
flow-rate "fram" valves described in connection with FIGS. 9 and
9A). Dual flow valve 60 includes a pressure release mechanism
constructed to change pressure in a diaphragm chamber of each
diaphragm operated valve and thereby open or close each diaphragm
valve for controlling water flow. Dual flow valve 60 is described
in detail in PCT Application PCT/US01/43277, filed on Nov. 20,
2001, which is incorporated by reference.
[0063] Referring still to FIG. 2, coupled to faucet body 12 there
is a sensor port 35 for accommodating a distal end of an optical
fiber (e.g., fiberoptic cable 52), or for accommodating a light
detector. The fiberoptic cable delivers light from sensor port 35
to a light detector. In one preferred embodiment, faucet body 12
includes a control module with the light detector and a controller
described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 10A. The controller
provides control signals to solenoid actuator 201 via electrical
cable 56. Sensor port 35 has a detection field of view (shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B) located outside of the water stream emitted from
aerator 31.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 2A, automatic faucet system 10C includes
faucet body 12 also receiving water from dual-flow faucet valve 60
and providing water from aerator 31. Automatic faucet 10C also
includes mixing valve 58 controlled by handle 59. Dual-flow valve
60 is connected to cold water pipe 20A and hot water pipe 20B, and
controls water flow to the respective cold water pipe 21A and hot
water pipe 21B.
[0065] A sensor port 33 is coupled to faucet body 12 and is
designed to have a field of view shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. Sensor
port 33 accommodates the distal end of an optical fiber 56A. The
proximal end of optical fiber 56A provides light to an optical
sensor located in a control module 55A coupled to dual flow valve
60. Control module 55A also includes the control electronics and
batteries. The optical sensor detects the presence of an object
(e.g., hands), or detects a change in the presence of the object
(i.e., movement) in the sink area. Control electronics control the
operation of and the readout from the light detector. The control
electronics also include a power driver that controls the operation
of the solenoid associated with valve 60. Based on the signal from
the light detector, the control electronics direct the power driver
to open or close solenoid valve 60 (i.e., to start or stop the
water flow). The design and operation of actuator 201 (FIG. 8A) is
described in detail in PCT Applications PCT/US02/38757;
PCT/US02/38758; and PCT/US02/41576, all of which are incorporated
by reference as if fully provided herein.
[0066] FIG. 1C shows a vertical cross-section of an aerator 30A
located at the discharge end of the spout of faucet 12. Aerator 30A
includes a barrel 62 attachable to faucet body 12 using threads 63.
Barrel 62 supports a ring 64 which in turn supports wire mesh
screens 65. Barrel 62 also supports an annular member 70, a
jet-forming member 72, and an upper washer 74. Jet forming member
72 includes several elongated slots 76 for providing water
passages. Jet forming member 72 and screens 65 include a passage 36
for optical fiber 52. Water flows through aerator 30A from top to
bottom. In aerator 30A, a water stream flows from water conduit 26
(FIG. 1A) and is broken up by the vertically elongated slots 76 of
the water jet-forming member 72. Then water flows through to wire
mesh screens 65, which are supported by ring 64. Ring 64 also
enables air intake (suction) through gaps 67 (which it forms
between itself and the barrel 62) inside a chamber 66. Just above
wire mesh screens 65, in chamber 66, air mixes with water so that a
mixture of air and water passes through screens 65. The optical
fiber 52 is located in the center of the above described elements
inside a tubular member 36, which holds lens 54.
[0067] FIG. 1D shows a second embodiment of an aerator with a
centrally located port for a passive sensor. In this embodiment,
the aerator 30B includes at least two lenticularly arranged wire
mesh members 86A and 86B, providing a central opening for a passage
88. Aerator 30B also includes an insert member 90 including several
holes 92 and a central hole 88 for accommodating tubular member 52.
Aerator 30B is attached to faucet 12 using threads 83. Water flows
from water conduit 26 to an upper chamber 91 and then through holes
92. Air enters chamber 93 via holes 84. The mixture of water and
air then flows through two screens 86A and 86B assembled in a
lenticular arrangement. Housing 82 has a surrounding support part
oriented inwards, which supports the two screens 86A and 86B.
Optical fiber 52 extends inside water pipe 26 (FIG. 1A) through
aerator 30B from the top and through the wire mesh screens 86A and
86B. As the individual water jets formed by holes 92 enter lower
chamber 93, air is drawn via openings 84 into chamber 93. Inside
chamber 93, water mixes with air and the mixture is forced through
screens 86A and 86B.
[0068] FIGS. 1E and 1F show alternative ways to provide the optical
field aligned with the water stream (i.e., alternative embodiment
of an aerator and a sensor port located therein). FIG. 1E is a
perspective view of an aerator 30C and FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional
view of aerator 30C used in the automatic faucet system of FIG. 1.
Aerator 30C is coupled to faucet body 12 and the water conduit 26
using threads 83. Optical fiber 52 is located outside the water
conduit and introduced via an adapter 97. Alternatively, adapter 97
can include the light detector coupled to a control module using an
electrical cable instead of fiberoptic cable 52. (For simplicity,
the wire mesh members and the air openings are not shown in FIGS.
1E and 1F).
[0069] FIG. 3 shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a first
preferred detection pattern (A) for the passive optical sensor
installed in automatic faucet 12. The detection pattern A is
associated with sensor port 34 and is shaped by a lens, or an
element selected from the optical elements shown in FIGS. 6-6E. The
detection pattern A is selected to receive reflected ambient light
primarily from sink 11. The pattern's width is controlled, but the
range is much less controlled (i.e., FIG. 3 shows pattern A only
schematically because detection range is not really limited).
[0070] A user standing in front of a faucet will affect the amount
of ambient (room) light arriving at the sink and thus will affect
the amount of light arriving at the optical detector. On the other
hand, a person just moving in the room will not affect
significantly the amount of detected light. A user having his hands
under the faucet will alter the amount of ambient (room) light
being detected by the optical detector even more. Thus, the passive
optical sensor can detect the user's hands and provide the
corresponding control signal. Here, the detected light doesn't
depend significantly on the reflectivity of the target surface
(unlike for optical sensors that use both a light emitter and a
receiver). After hand washing, the user removing his hands from
under the faucet will again alter the amount of ambient light
detected by the optical detector. Then, the passive optical sensor
provides the corresponding control signal to the controller
(explained in connection with FIGS. 10, 10A and 10B).
[0071] FIGS. 3A and 3B show schematically a second preferred
detection pattern (B) for the passive optical sensor installed in
automatic faucet 10B. The detection pattern B is associated with
sensor port 35, and again may be shaped by a lens, or an optical
element shown in FIGS. 6-6E. A user having his hands under faucet
10B alters the amount of ambient (room) light detected by the
optical detector. As mentioned above, the detected light doesn't
depend significantly on the reflectivity of the user's hands
(unlike for optical sensors that use both a light emitter and a
receiver). Thus, the passive optical sensor detects the users hands
and provides the corresponding control signal to the controller.
FIGS. 13, 13A, and 13B illustrate detection algorithms used for the
detection patterns A and B.
[0072] FIGS. 3C and 3D show schematically another detection pattern
(C) for the passive optical sensor installed in automatic faucet
10C. The detection pattern C is associated with sensor port 33, and
is shaped a selected optical element. The selected optical element
achieves a desired width and orientation of the detection pattern,
while the range is more difficult to control. In this embodiment, a
user standing in front of faucet 10C will alter the amount of
detected ambient light somewhat more than a user passing by. In
this embodiment, light reflections from sink 11 influence the
detected light only minimally.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows schematically a side view of a toilet including
an automatic flusher 100, and FIG. 4A shows schematically a side
view of a urinal including an automatic flusher 100A. Flusher 100
receives pressurized water from a supply line 112 and employs a
passive optical sensor to respond to actions of a target within a
target region 103. After a user leaves the target region, a
controller directs opening of a flush valve 102 that permits water
flow from supply line 112 to a flush conduit 113 and to a toilet
bowl 116.
[0074] FIG. 4A illustrates bathroom flusher 100A used for
automatically flushing a urinal 120. Flusher 100A receives
pressurized water from supply line 112. Flush valve 102 is
controlled by a passive optical sensor that responds to actions of
a target within a target region 103. After a user leaves the target
region, a controller directs opening of a flush valve 102 that
permits water flow from supply line 112 to a flush conduit 113.
[0075] Bathroom flushers 100 and 100A may have a modular design,
wherein their cover can be partially opened to replace the
batteries or the electronic module. Bathroom flushers with such a
modular design are described in U.S. Patent Application 60/448,995,
filed on Feb. 20, 2003, which is incorporated by reference for all
purposes.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 4B, automatic bathroom flusher 100
includes a flusher body 512 coupled to a water supply line 112 and
also coupled to a water output line 113 providing output to the
connected toilet or urinal. In the automatic flusher design, manual
port 518 is closed off using a cap 519 coupled to port 518 using a
lock ring 517. Automatic bathroom flusher 100 also includes a
flusher cover 102, which is a dome-like outer cover specifically
designed for protection and easy servicing of control module 500.
Flusher cover 100 also includes a manual override button 104 used
to override the flusher's sensor. Furthermore, flusher cover 102 is
designed to protect control module 500 in case of water leaks, as
described below.
[0077] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4D, flusher cover 102 includes a
main cover body 502, a front cover 531, and a top cover 550. The
entire flusher cover 102 is secured in place with respect to the
flusher body using an attachment ring 522 connecting a pilot cap
534 to flusher body 512. Electronic control module 500 is
positioned onto an alignment plate 528, which defines the module's
position and orientation with respect to the front of the flusher.
Electronic control module 500 includes electronic elements that
control the entire operation of flusher 100, including a sensor and
a microcontroller for execution of a detection and flushing
algorithm (described below). The microcontroller provides signals
to a solenoid driver that in turn provides drive signals to a
solenoid actuator 540 (FIG. 4C). Solenoid actuator 540 controls the
operation of the flush valve assembly that opens and closes water
flow from input 112 to output 113. The following description
describes this in more detail.
[0078] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view illustrating flusher 100
including electronic control module 500 and solenoid actuator 540,
all located inside of external cover 102. Flusher body 512 is
designed to receive the flush valve assembly including a flexible
diaphragm 560, and a diaphragm feed-though assembly (which is
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,382,586 and 5,244,179
both of which are incorporated by reference). Electronic control
module 500 includes a plastic housing 526 for enclosing batteries,
electronic circuitry and a sensor. Preferably, the sensor is an
optical active sensor that has a light source (i.e., a transmitter)
and a light detector (i.e., a receiver) operating in the visible to
infrared range. Alternatively, the sensor is an optical passive
sensor operating in the visible to near IR range. FIG. 4B
illustrates a passive optical sensor including a pinhole array 570,
shown in FIGS. 6 and 6B.
[0079] The flushing assembly includes pressure cap (pilot chamber
cap) 534, flexible diaphragm 560, and a pressure relief assembly
coupled to solenoid actuator 540. Flexible diaphragm 560 separates
an annular entrance chamber 530 from pilot chamber 535, both being
located within valve body 512, wherein a bleed passage 552 provides
communication between the two chambers. The pressure relief
assembly includes a piloting button 538 coupled to an input passage
537 and an output passage 539 located inside a top part 536 of
pilot cap 534.
[0080] As described in the PCT application PCT/US02/38758, which is
incorporated by reference, piloting button 538 is screwed onto the
distal part of actuator 540 to create a valve. Specifically, the
plunger of actuator 540 acts onto the valve seat inside piloting
button 538 to control water flow between passages 537 and 543. This
arrangement provides a reproducible and easily serviceable closure
for this solenoid valve. Co-operatively designed with piloting
button 538 and actuator 540, there are several O-rings that provide
tight water seals and prevent pressurized water from entering the
interior of cover 102. The O-rings also seal piloting button 538
within the chamber inside the top part 536 and prevent any leakage
through this chamber into the bore where actuator 540 is partially
located. It is important to note that these seals are not under
compression. The seat member precisely controls the stroke of the
solenoid plunger as mentioned above. It is desired to keep this
stroke short to minimize the solenoid power requirements.
[0081] Inside cover 102, electronic control module 500 is
positioned on alignment plate 528, which in turn is located in
contact with pilot chamber cap 534. Plate 528 includes an opening
designed to accommodate top part 536 of pilot cap 534. Electronic
control module 500 includes two circuit boards with control
electronics (including preamplifiers and amplifiers for operating
the above-mentioned optical sensor), a solenoid driver, and the
batteries, all of which located inside plastic housing 526.
[0082] Referring still to FIG. 4C, supply line 112 communicates
with entrance chamber 530 defined by valve body 512 and a chamber
wall 548 formed near the upper end of flush output 113. Flexible
diaphragm 560 is seated on a main valve seat 556 formed by the
mouth of flush output 113, and has a circularly-shaped outer edge
554 located in contact with the periphery of pilot chamber cap 534.
Retaining ring 522 clamps pilot chamber cap 534 at its periphery
532 with respect to flusher body 512, wherein outer edge 554 of
diaphragm 560 is also clamped between periphery 532 and flusher
body 512.
[0083] In the open state, the water supply pressure is larger in
entrance chamber 530 than water pressure in pilot chamber 535,
thereby unseating the flexible diaphragm 560. When flexible
diaphragm 560 is lifted of seat 556, supply water flows from supply
line 112, through the entrance chamber 530 by valve seat 556 into
flush conduit 113. In the closed state, the water pressure is the
same in entrance chamber 530 and in pilot chamber 535 since the
pressure is equalized via bleed hole 552. The pressure equalization
occurs when went passage 537 is closed by the plunger of solenoid
actuator 540. Then, water pressure in the upper, pilot chamber 535
acts on a larger surface and thus exerts greater force on diaphragm
560 from above than the same pressure within entrance chamber 530,
which acts on a smaller lower surface of diaphragm 560. Therefore,
flexible diaphragm 560 ordinarily remains seated on seat 556 (when
passage 537 is closed for some time and the pressure equalization
occurs).
[0084] To flush the toilet, solenoid-operated actuator 540 relieves
the pressure in pilot chamber 535 by permitting fluid flow between
pilot entrance passage 537 and exit passage 543. The time in which
it takes for the chamber to refill is determined by the stroke of
the diaphragm. Furthermore, actuator 540 controls the pressure
release time (i.e., time for venting pilot chamber 535), which in
turn determines the time during which the flush valve is open for
water to pass. Both actuator 540 and the stroke of the diaphragm
assembly control the duration of the flush (for a selected size of
bleed passage 552) and thus the volume of water passing through the
flush valve. In many regions with a limited water supply, it is
very important to closely control the volume of water that passes
through the flush valve each time the flusher is operated. Various
governments have passed different regulations defining what water
flow is permitted through a flush valve in commercial washrooms. A
novel design of the actuator and the control electronics can
deliver a relatively precise amount of flush water, as described in
PCT applications PCT/US02/38758 or PCT/US02/41576, both of which
are incorporated by reference.
[0085] The design of actuator 540 and actuator button 538 is
important for reproducible, long-term operation of flusher 100.
Actuator 540 may have its plunger directly acting onto the seat of
actuator button 538, forming a non-isolated design where water
comes in direct contact with the moving armature of the solenoid
actuator. This embodiment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,516
or U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,662, both of which are incorporated by
reference. Alternatively, actuator 540 may have its plunger
enclosed by a membrane acting as a barrier for external water that
does not come in direct contact with the armature (and the linearly
movable armature is enclosed in armature fluid. In this isolated
actuator embodiment, the membrane is forced onto the seat of
actuator button 538, in the closed position. This isolated
actuator, including button 538 are described in detail in PCT
application PCT/US 01/51098, which is incorporated by
reference.
[0086] Referring again to FIG. 4D, external cover 102 is designed
for optimal operation and easy servicing of automatic flusher 100.
Main cover body 502 provides overall protection and rigidity. Front
cover 531 and top cover 550 have complementary shapes with main
body 502 to form a dome-like structure and to enable easy
disassembly (as shown in FIG. 4D by the exploded view). The main
body 502, front cover 531 and top cover 550 fit together like a
simple three-dimensional puzzle. In a preferred embodiment, these
elements have surfaces arranged to provide a tight water seal. As
also shown in FIG. 4D, screws 580A and 580B hold in place top cover
550 by tightening against the respective cooperating threads 530A
and 530B located in pilot cap 534 (FIG. 4C). This arrangement holds
in place and attaches together main cover 502 with front cover 531
and top cover 550, which all are coupled to the pilot chamber cover
534. This arrangement also holds control module 500 and plate 528
in place with respect to pilot cap 534, which in turn is attached
to flusher body 512 by a retaining ring 522.
[0087] Importantly, the material of dome cover 102 is selected to
provide protection for electronic control module 500 and actuator
540. Cover 102 is formed of a plastic that is durable and is highly
resistant to the chemicals frequently found in washrooms used for
cleaning purposes. The materials are also highly impact resistant
(depending on the type of installation, i.e., public or private) so
as to resist attempts of vandalism.
[0088] Alternatively, main body 502 is made of a non-corrosive
metal (instead of plastic), while front cover 531 or top cover 550
are still made of plastic. It has been found that polysulfone is a
highly desirable plastic material for this purpose. Front cover 531
includes optical window 533 and can also be made of a polysulfone
plastic that does not impede or interfere with the transmission of
infrared signals from the sensor. Preferably, window 533 masks or
obscures the interior elements in flush valve 100. Preferably, a
pigment is added to the polysulfone so that approximately 70
percent of visible light at all wave lengths will pass through
optical window 533 and approximately 30 percent will be impeded. A
pigment made by Amoco bearing spec number BK1615 provides a dark
(not quite-black), deep lavender window 533, which obscures the
interior components, but yet permits transmission of a very
substantial portion of light at the used wavelengths. Window 533 is
usually made of the same material as other portions of front cover
531, but may be more highly polished in contrast with the somewhat
matte finish of the remaining portions of front cover 531.
[0089] Main body 502 is shaped to provide most of the enclosure
function of cover 102 including structural support for front cover
531 and top cover 550. Front cover 531 includes optical sensor
window 533, a wall member 541, top region 543 and two lips or
slides co-operatively arranged with grooves 503, which are located
in the main body 502. After front cover 531 is attached to main
body 502 using the lips or slides, top cover is placed on the top
surface 516 of main body 502. Top cover 550 includes a curved top
surface 552 cooperatively arranged with a button retainer and a
manual actuation button 104. Top cover 550 also includes side
surfaces 554A and 554B, which are functionally important for
lifting top cover 550 (after loosening screws 580A and 580B)
without any tools. Main body 502 also includes a water passage (or
a bleed hole) located in the rear of main body 502. In the case of
an unlikely malfunction, there may be a water leak, for example,
between passages 537 and 543, which could create water flow into
cover 102. The water passage prevents water accumulation inside the
flusher cover 102 and thus prevents flooding and possibly damaging
to electronic module 500. Water passage, however, does not allow
significant water flow from outside to inside of cover 102 (e.g.,
from the top or the side of cover 102 during cleaning). This is
achieved by the shaped surface of the water passage directed
downward. Cover 102 is designed to withstand high pressure
cleaning, while still providing vent passage (i.e., water bleed
opening). Additional description is provided in U.S. Application
60/448,995, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, which is incorporated by
reference.
[0090] Top cover 550 is designed for accommodating a manual flush
and saving batteries (and other electronic elements) during
shipping and storage. The manual flush is performed by pressing on
top button 104. The saving mode is achieved by holding down top
button 104 in the depressed position using a shipping and storage
strip 555, as described below. Top button 104 is designed
cooperatively with a button insert guide. The button insert guide
includes a cylindrical region designed for a magnet that is
displaced up and down by the movement of button 104. The magnet is
cooperatively arranged with a reed sensor located inside electronic
control module 500.
[0091] When depressing button 104, the reed sensor registers the
magnet and provides a signal to the microcontroller that in turn
initiates a flush cycle, as described in PCT Application
PCT/US02/38758. Upon releasing button 104, a button spring pushes
button 104 to its upper position, and thereby also displaces the
magnet. In the upper position, the magnet is no longer sensed by
the reed sensor. The uniform linear movement of button 104 is
achieved by using a bail wire in cooperation with the spring.
Manual actuation button 104 overrides the flush algorithm (e.g., as
described in FIGS. 14-14C) and initiates a flush.
[0092] FIGS. 5 and 5A show schematically side and top views of an
optical detection pattern used by the passive optical sensor
installed in the automatic toilet flusher of FIG. 4. This detection
pattern is associated with sensor port 108 and is shaped by a lens,
or an element selected from the optical elements shown in FIGS.
6-6E. The pattern is angled below horizontal (H) and directed
symmetrically with respect to toilet 116. The range is somewhat
limited not to be influenced by a wall (W); this can be also done
by limiting the detection sensitivity.
[0093] FIGS. 5B and 5C show schematically side and top views of a
second optical detection pattern used by the passive optical sensor
installed in the automatic toilet flusher of FIG. 4. This detection
pattern is shaped by a lens, or another optical element. The
pattern is angled both below horizontal (H) and above horizontal
(H). Furthermore, the pattern is directed asymmetrically with
respect to toilet 116, as shown in FIG. 5C.
[0094] FIGS. 5D and 5E show schematically side and top views of a
third optical detection pattern used by the passive optical sensor
installed in the automatic toilet flusher of FIG. 4. This detection
pattern is again shaped by a lens, or another optical element. The
pattern is angled above horizontal (H). Furthermore, the pattern is
directed asymmetrically with respect to toilet 116, as shown in
FIG. 5E.
[0095] FIGS. 5F and 5G show schematically side and top views of a
fourth optical detection pattern used by the passive optical sensor
installed in the automatic toilet flusher of FIG. 4. This detection
pattern is angled below horizontal (H) and is directed
asymmetrically across toilet 116, as shown in FIG. 5G. This
detection pattern is particularly useful for "toilet side
flushers," described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/916,468, filed
on Jul. 27, 2001, or U.S. application Ser. No. 09/972,496, filed on
Oct. 6, 2001, both of which are incorporated by reference.
[0096] FIGS. 5H and 5I, show schematically side and top views of an
optical detection pattern used by the passive optical sensor
installed in the automatic urinal flusher of FIG. 4A. This
detection pattern is shaped by a lens, or another optical element.
The pattern is angled both below horizontal (H) and above
horizontal (H) to target ambient light changes caused by a person
standing in front of urinal 120. This pattern is directed
asymmetrically with respect to urinal 120 (as shown in FIG. 5I),
for example, to eliminate or at least reduce light changes caused
by a person standing at a neighboring urinal.
[0097] FIGS. 5J, 5K and 5L, show schematically side and top views
of another optical detection pattern used by the passive optical
sensor installed in the automatic urinal flusher of FIG. 4A. This
detection pattern is shaped by a lens, or another optical element,
as mentioned above. The pattern is angled below horizontal (H) to
eliminate the influence of light caused by a ceiling lamp. This
pattern may be directed asymmetrically to the left or to the right
with respect to urinal 120 (as shown in FIG. 5K or 5L). These
detection patterns are particularly useful for "urinal side
flushers," described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/916,468, filed
on Jul. 27, 2001, or U.S. application Ser. No. 09/972,496, filed on
Oct. 6, 2001.
[0098] In general, the field of view of a passive optical sensor
can be formed using optical elements such as beam forming tubes,
lenses, light pipes, reflectors, arrays of pinholes and arrays of
slots having selected geometries. These optical elements can
provide a down-looking field of view that eliminates the invalid
targets such as mirrors, doors, and walls. Various ratios of the
vertical field of view to horizontal field of view provide
different options for target detection. For example, the horizontal
field of view may be 1.2 wider than the vertical field of view or
vice versa. A properly selected field of view can eliminate
unwanted signals from an adjacent faucet or urinal. The detection
algorithm includes a calibration routine that accounts for a
selected field of view including the field's size and
orientation.
[0099] FIGS. 6 through 6E illustrate different optical elements for
producing desired detection patterns of the passive sensor. FIGS. 6
and 6B illustrate different arrays of pinholes. The thickness of
the plate, the size and the orientation of the pinholes (shown in
cross-section in FIGS. 6A and 6C) define the properties of the
field of view. FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate an array of slits for
producing a detection pattern shown in FIGS. 5B and 5H. This plate
may also include a shutter for covering the top or the bottom
detection field.
[0100] FIGS. 7 and 7A illustrate in detail automatic flush valves
suitable for use with automatic bathroom flusher 100 or automatic
bathroom flusher 100A. Other flush valves are described in the
above-referenced PCT applications. Yet other suitable flush valves
are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,382,586 and 5,244,179, both of
which are incorporated by reference. In each case, the flush valve
is controlled by a passive optical sensor described herein.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 7, an automatic flush valve 140 is a high
performance, electronically controlled or manually controlled
tankless flush valve, which uses a passive optical sensor 130.
Passive optical sensor 130 includes a lens 134 for defining the
detection field and providing ambient light to a light receiver
132. Plastic enclosure 135 includes an optical window 136, which
may also include optical elements described in connection with
FIGS. 6-6E. The controller is located on a circuit board 138.
Plastic enclosure 135 also houses the batteries for powering the
entire flushing system.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 7A, an automatic flush valve 140 A is a
high performance, electronically controlled or manually controlled
tankless flush valve, which uses an active optical sensor 130A.
Active optical sensor 130A includes a light emitter 132A (e.g., a
light emitting diode, LED) and a light receiver 132A (e.g., an IR
diode). The light emitted from LED 132A is focused by a lens 134A
and the reflected signal is collected by s lens 1348 and focused
onto detector 132B. Lenses 134A and 134B are designed for defining
the detection region for the active optical sensor. Plastic
enclosure 135A includes optical windows 136A and 136B, which may
also include optical elements described in connection with FIGS.
6-6E. The control electronics is located on a circuit board.
Plastic enclosure 135A also houses the batteries for powering the
entire flushing system.
[0103] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A, flush valve 140, includes an
input union 112, preferably made of a suitable plastic resin. Union
112 is attached via threads to an input fitting that interacts with
the building water supply system. Furthermore, union 112 is
designed to rotate on its own axis when no water is present so as
to facilitate alignment with the inlet supply line. Union 112 is
attached to an inlet pipe 142 by a fastener 144 and a radial seal
146, which enables union 112 to move in or out along inlet pipe
142. This movement aligns the inlet to the supply line. However,
with fastener 144 secured, there is a water pressure applied by the
junction of union 112 to inlet 142. This forms a unit that is
rigidly sealed through seal 146. The water supply travels through
union 112 to inlet 142 and through the inlet valve assembly 150 an
inlet screen filter 152, which resides in a passage formed by
member 178 and is in communication with a main valve seat 156. The
operation of the entire main valve can be better understood by also
referring to FIGS. 9, and 9A.
[0104] As also described in connection with FIGS. 8, 9, and 9A,
electro-magnetic actuator 201 controls operation of the main valve,
which is a "fram piston valve" 270. In the opened state, water
flows thru a passage 152 and thru passages 158 into passages 159A
and 159B, into main outlet 114. In the closed state, the fram
element 278 (FIGS. 9 and 9A) seals the valve main seat 156 thereby
closing flow through passage 158. Automatic flusher 140 includes an
adjustable input valve 150 controlled by rotation of a valve
element 174 threaded together with valve elements 162 and 164.
Valve elements 162 and 164 are sealed from body 170 via one or
several o-rings 163. Furthermore, valve elements 162 and 164 are
held down by threaded element 160, when element 174 is threaded all
the way. This force is transferred to element 154 and 178. The
resulting force presses down element 180.
[0105] When valve element 160 is unthreaded all the way, valve
assembly 150 and 151 moves up due to the force of spring 184
located on guide element 186 in this adjustable input valve. The
spring force combined with inlet fluid pressure from pipe 142
forces element 151 against the valve seat in contact with O-ring
182 resulting in a sealing action of the O-ring 182. O-Ring 182 (or
another sealing element) blocks the flow of water to inner passage
of 152, which in turn enables servicing of all internal valve
elements including elements behind shut-off valve 150 without the
need to shut off the water supply at the inlet 112. This is a major
advantage of this embodiment.
[0106] According to another function of adjustable valve 140, the
threaded retainer is fastened part way resulting in valve body
elements 162 and 164 to push down the valve seat only partially.
There is a partial opening that provides a flow restriction
reducing the flow of input water thru valve 150. This novel
function is designed to meet application specific requirements. In
order to provide for the installer the flow restriction, the inner
surface of the valve body includes application specific marks such
as 1.6 W.C. 1.0 GPF urinals etc. for calibrating the input water
flow.
[0107] Automatic flush valve 140 is equipped with the
above-described sensor-based electronic system located in housing
135. Alternatively, the sensor-based electronic flush system may be
replaced by an all mechanical activation button or lever.
Alternatively, the flush valve may be controlled by a hydraulically
timed mechanical actuator that acts upon a hydraulic delay
arrangement, as described in PCT Application PCT/US01/43273, which
is incorporated by reference. The hydraulic system can be adjusted
to a delay period corresponding to the needed flush volume for a
given fixture such a 1.6 GPF W.C. etc. The hydraulic delay
mechanism can open the outlet orifice of the pilot section instead
of electro-magnetic actuator 201 for duration equal to the
installer preset value.
[0108] Referring again to FIGS. 7 and 7A, depending on the passive
optical sensor signal (or the active optical sensor signal), the
microcontroller executes a control algorithm and provides ON and
OFF signals to valve actuator 201, which, in turn, opens or closes
water delivery. The microcontroller can also execute a half flush
or delayed flush depending on the mode of use (e.g., a toilet, a
urinal, a frequently used urinal as in a ball park). The
microcontroller can also execute a timed flush (one flush per day
or per week in facilities such as ski resorts in summer) to prevent
drying of the water trap.
[0109] FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B illustrate an automatic valve 38
constructed and arranged for controlling water flow in automatic
faucet 10. Specifically, automatic valve 38 receives water at a
valve input port 202 and provides water from a valve output port
204, in the open state. Automatic valve 38 includes a body 206 made
of a durable plastic or metal. Preferably, valve body 206 is made
of a plastic material but includes a metallic input coupler 210 and
a metallic output coupler 230. Input and output couplers 210 and
230 are made of metal (such as brass, copper or steel) so that they
can provide gripping surfaces for a wrench used to connect them to
water lines 24 and 25, respectively. Valve body 206 includes a
valve input port 240, and a valve output port 244, and a cavity 207
for receiving the individual valve elements shown in FIG. 8.
[0110] Metallic input coupler 210 is rotatably attached to input
port 240 using a metal C-clamp 212 that slides into a slit 214
inside input coupler 210 and also a slit 242 inside the body of
input port 240 (FIG. 8). Metallic output coupler 230 is rotatably
attached to output port 244 using a metal C-clamp 232 that slides
into a slit 234 inside output coupler 230 and also a slit 246
inside the body of output port 244. When servicing the faucet 12,
this rotatable arrangement prevents tightening the water line
connection to any of the two valve couplers unless attaching the
wrench to the designated surfaces of couplers 210 and 230. (That
is, a service person cannot tighten the water input and output
lines by gripping on valve body 206.) This protects the relatively
softer plastic body 206 of automatic valve 38. However, body 206
can be made of a metal in which case the above-described rotatable
coupling is not needed. A sealing O-ring 216 seals input coupler
210 to input port 240, and a sealing O-ring 238 seals output
coupler 230 to input port 244.
[0111] Referring to FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B, metallic input coupler 210
includes an inlet flow adjuster 220 cooperatively arranged with a
flow control mechanism 310 (FIG. 8). Inlet flow adjuster 220
includes an adjuster piston 222, a closing spring 224 arranged
around an adjuster pin 226 and pressing against a pin retainer 218.
Input flow adjuster 220 also includes an adjuster rod 228 coupled
to and displacing adjuster piston 222. Flow control mechanism 310
includes a spin cap 312 coupled by screw 314 to an adjustment cap
316 in communication with a flow control cam 320. Flow control cam
320 slides linearly inside body 206 upon turning adjustment cap
316. Flow control cam 320 includes inlet flow openings 321, a
locking mechanism 323 and a chamfered surface 324. Chamfered
surface 324 is cooperatively arranged with a distal end 229 of
adjuster rod 228. The linear movement of flow control cam 320,
within valve body 206, displaces chamfered surface 324 and thus
displaces adjuster rod 228. Adjuster piston 222 also includes an
inner surface 223 cooperatively arranged with an inlet seat 211 of
input coupler 210. The linear movement of adjuster rod 228
displaces adjuster piston 222 between a closed position and an open
position. In the closed position, sealing surface 223 seals inner
seat 211 by the force of closing spring 224. In the opened
position, adjuster rod 228 displaces adjuster pin 222 against
closing spring 224 thereby providing a selectively sized opening
between inlet seat 211 and sealing surface 223. Thus, by turning
adjustment cap 316, adjuster rod 228 opens and doses inlet adjuster
220. Inlet adjuster 220 controls or closes completely the water
flow from water line 24. The above-described manual adjustment can
be replaced by an automatic motorized adjustment mechanism
controlled by a microcontroller.
[0112] Referring still to FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B, automatic valve 38
also includes a removable inlet filter 330 removably located over
an inlet filter holder 332, which is part of the lower valve
housing. Inlet filter holder 332 also includes an O-ring and a set
of outlet holes 267 shown in FIG. 8. The "fram piston" 270 is shown
in detail in FIGS. 9 and 9A. Referring again to FIG. 8A, water
flows from input port 202 of input coupler 210 through inlet flow
adjuster 220 and then through inlet flow openings 321, and through
inlet filter 330 inside inlet filter holder 332. Water then arrives
at an input chamber 268 inside a cylindrical input element 276
providing pressure against a pliable member 278 (FIG. 9).
[0113] Automatic valve 38 also includes a service loop 340 (or a
service rod) designed to pull the entire valve assembly, including
attached actuator 200, out of body 206, after removing of plug 316.
The removal of the entire valve assembly also removes the attached
actuator 200 (or actuator 201) and the piloting button described in
PCT Application PCT/US02/38757 and in PCT Application
PCT/US02/38757, both of which are incorporated by reference. To
enable easy installation and servicing, there are rotational
electrical contacts located on a PCB at the distal end of actuator
200. Specifically, actuator 200 includes, on its distal end, two
annular contact regions that provide a contact surface for the
corresponding pins, all of which can be gold plated for achieving
high quality contacts. Alternatively, a stationary PCB can include
the two annular contact regions and the actuator may be connected
to movable contact pins. Such distal, actuator contact assembly
achieves easy rotational contacts by just sliding actuator 200
located inside valve body 206.
[0114] FIG. 8C illustrates automatic valve 38 including a leak
detector for indicating a water leak or water flow across valve
device 38. The leak detector includes an electronic measurement
circuit 350 and at least two electrodes 348 and 349 coupled
respectively to input coupler 210 and output coupler 230. (The leak
detector may also include four electrodes for a four-point
resistivity measurement). Valve body 206 is made of plastic or
another non-conductive material. In the closed state, when there is
no water flow between input coupler 210 and output coupler 230,
electronic circuit 350 measures a very high resistance value
between the two electrodes. In the open state, the resistance value
between input coupler 210 and output coupler 230 drops dramatically
because the flowing water provides a conductive path.
[0115] There are various embodiments of electronics 350, which can
provide a DC measurement, an AC measurement including eliminating
noise using a lock-in amplifier (as known in the art).
Alternatively, electronics 350 may include a bridge or another
measurement circuit for a precise measurement of the resistivity.
Electronic circuit 350 provides the resistivity value to a
microcontroller and thus indicates when valve 38 is in the open
state. Furthermore, the leak detector indicates when there is an
undesired water leak between input coupler 210 and output coupler
230. The entire valve 38 is located in an isolating enclosure to
prevent any undesired ground paths that would affect the
conductivity measurement. Furthermore, the leak detector can
indicate some other valve failures when water leaks into the
enclosure from valve 38. Thus, the leak detector can sense
undesired water leaks that would be otherwise difficult to observe.
The leak detector is constructed to detect the open state of the
automatic faucet system to confirm proper operation of actuator
200.
[0116] Automatic valve 38 may include a standard diaphragm valve, a
standard piston valve, or a novel "fram piston" valve 270 explained
in detail in connection with FIGS. 9 and 9A. Referring to FIG. 9,
valve 270 includes a distal body 276, which includes an annular lip
seal 275 arranged, together with pliable member 278, to provide a
seal between input port chamber 268 and output port chamber 269.
The distal body 276 also includes one or several flow channels 267
(also shown in FIG. 8) providing communication (in the open state)
between input chamber 268 and output chamber 269. Pliable member
278 also includes sealing members 279A and 279B arranged to provide
a sliding seal, with respect to valve body 272, between pilot
chamber 292 and output chamber 271. There are various possible
embodiments of seals 279A and 279B (FIG. 9). This seal may be a
one-sided seal or a two-sided seal as 279A and 279B shown in FIG.
9. Furthermore, there are various additional embodiments of the
sliding seal including O-rings, etc.
[0117] The present invention envisions valve device 270 having
various sizes. For example, the "full" size embodiment has the pin
diameter A=0.070'', the spring diameter B=0.310'', the pliable
member diameter C=0.730'', the overall fram and seal's diameter
D=0.412'', the pin length E=0.450'', the body height F=0.2701'',
the pilot chamber height G=0.220'', the fram member size H=0.160'',
and the fram excursion I=0.100''. The overall height of the valve
is about 1.35'' and diameter is about 1.174''.
[0118] The "half size" embodiment of the "fram piston" valve has
the following dimensions provided with the same reference letters.
In the "half size" valve A=0.070'', B=0.30, C=0.560'', D=0.650'',
E=0.34'', F=0.310'', G=0.215'', H=0.125'', and I=0.60''. The
overall length of the 1/2 embodiment is about 1.350'' and the
diameter is about 0.455''. Different embodiments of the "fram
piston" valve device may have various larger or smaller sizes.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9A, the fram piston valve 270
receives fluid at input port 268, which exerts pressure onto
diaphragm-like member 278 providing a seal together with a lip
member 275 in a closed state. Groove passage 288 inside pin 286
provides pressure communication with pilot chamber 292, which is in
communication with actuator cavity 300 via communication passages
294A and 294B. An actuator (described in PCT Application
PCT/US02/38757) provides a seal at surface 298 thereby sealing
passages 294A and 294B and thus pilot chamber 300. When the plunger
of actuator 200 moves away from surface 298, fluid flows via
passages 294A and 294B to control passage 296 and to output port
269. This causes pressure reduction in pilot chamber 292.
Therefore, diaphragm-like member 278 and piston-like member 288
move linearly within cavity 292, thereby providing a relatively
large fluid opening at lip seal 275. A large volume of fluid can
flow from input port 268 to output port 269.
[0120] When the plunger of actuator 200 seals control passages 294A
and 294B, pressure builds up in pilot chamber 292 due to the fluid
flow from input port 268 through "bleed" groove 288 inside guide
pin 286. The increased pressure in pilot chamber 292 together with
the force of spring 290 displace linearly, in a sliding motion over
guide pin 286, from member 270 toward sealing lip 275. When there
is sufficient pressure in pilot chamber 292, diaphragm-like pliable
member 278 seals input port chamber 268 at lip seal 275. The soft
member 278 includes an inner opening that is designed with guiding
pin 286 to clean groove 288 during the sliding motion. That is,
groove 288 of guiding pin 286 is periodically cleaned.
[0121] The embodiment of FIG. 9 shows the valve having a central
input chamber 268 (and guide pin 286) symmetrically arranged with
respect to vent passages 294A and 294B (and the location of the
plunger of actuator 200). However, the valve device may have input
chamber 268 (and guide pin 286) non-symmetrically arranged with
respect to passages 294A, 294B and output vent passage 296. That
is, in such a design, this valve has input chamber 268 and guide
pin 286 non-symmetrically arranged with respect to the location of
the plunger of actuator 200. The symmetrical and non-symmetrical
embodiments are equivalent.
[0122] Automatic valve 38 has numerous advantages related to its
long term operation and easy serviceability. Automatic valve 38
includes inlet adjusted 220, which enables servicing of the valve
without shutting off the water supply at another location. The
construction of valve 38, including the inner dimensions of cavity
207 and actuator 200, enables easy replacement of the internal
parts. A service person can remove screw 314 and spin cap 312, and
then remove adjustment cap 316 to open valve 38. Valve 38 includes
service loop 340 (or a service rod) designed to pull the entire
valve assembly, including attached actuator 200, out of body 206.
The service person can then replace any defective part, including
actuator 200, or the entire assembly and insert the repaired
assembly back inside valve body 206. Due to the valve design, such
repair would take only a few minutes and there is no need to
disconnect valve 38 from the water line or close the water supply.
Advantageously, the "fram piston" design 270 provides a large
stroke and thus a large water flow rate relative to its size.
[0123] Another embodiment of the "fram piston" valve device is
described in PCT applications PCT/US02/34757, filed Dec. 4, 2002,
and PCT/US03/20117, filed Jun. 24, 2003, both of which are
incorporated by reference as if fully reproduced herein. Again, the
entire operation of this valve device is controlled by a single
solenoid actuator that may be a latching solenoid actuator or an
isolated actuator described in PCT application PCT/US01/51054,
filed on Oct. 25, 2001, which is incorporated by reference as if
fully reproduced herein.
[0124] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates control electronics 400,
powered by a battery 420. Control electronics 400 includes battery
regulation unit 422, no or low battery detection unit 425, passive
sensor and signal processing unit 402, and the microcontroller 405.
Battery regulation unit 422 provides power for the whole controller
system. It provides 6.0 V power through 6.0V power 1 to "no
battery" Detector; it provides 6.0 V power to low battery detector;
it also provides 6.0 V to power driver 408. It provides a regulated
3.0 V power to microcontroller 405.
[0125] "No battery" detector generates pulses to microcontroller
405 in form of "Not Battery" signals to notify microcontroller 405.
Low Battery detector is coupled to the battery/power regulation
through the 6.0V power. When power drops below 4.2V, the detector
generates a pulse to the microcontroller (i.e., low battery
signal). When the "low battery" signal is received, microcontroller
will flash indicator 430 (e.g., an LED) with a frequency of 1 Hz,
or may provide a sound alarm. After flushing 2000 times under low
battery conditions, microcontroller will stop flushing, but still
flash the LED.
[0126] As described in connection with FIG. 10B, passive sensor and
signal processing module 402 converts the resistance of a
photoresistor to a pulse, which is sent to microcontroller through
the charge pulse signal. The pulse width changes represent the
resistance changes, which in turn correspond to the illumination
changes. The control circuit also includes a clock/reset unit that
provides clock pulse generation, and it resets pulse generation. It
generates a reset pulse with 4 Hz frequency, which according to the
clock pulse, is the same frequency. The reset signal is sent to
microcontroller 405 through "reset" signal to reset the
microcontroller or wake up the microcontroller from sleep mode.
[0127] A manual button switch may be formed by a reed switch, and a
magnet. When the button is pushed down by a user, the circuitry
sends out a signal to the clock/reset unit through manual signal
IRQ, then forces the clock/reset unit to generate a reset signal.
At the same time, the level of the manual signal level is changed
to acknowledge to microcontroller 405 that it is a valid manual
flush signal.
[0128] Referring still to FIG. 10, control electronics 400 receives
signals from optical sensor unit 402 and controls an actuator 412,
a controller or microcontroller 405, an input element (e.g., the
optical sensor), a solenoid driver 408 (power driver) receiving
power from a battery 420 regulated by a voltage regulator 422.
Microcontroller 405 is designed for efficient power operation. To
save power, microcontroller 405 is initially in a low frequency
sleep mode and periodically addresses the optical sensor to see if
it was triggered. After triggering, the microcontroller provides a
control signal to a power consumption controller 418, which is a
switch that powers up voltage regulator 422 (or a voltage boost
422), optical sensor unit 402, and a signal conditioner 416. (To
simplify the block diagram, connections from power consumption
controller 418 to optical sensor unit 402 and to signal conditioner
416 are not shown.)
[0129] Microcontroller 405 can receive an input signal from an
external input element (e.g., a push button) that is designed for
manual actuation or control input for actuator 410. Specifically,
microcontroller 405 provides control signals 406A and 406B to power
driver 408, which drives the solenoid of actuator 410. Power driver
408 receives DC power from battery and voltage regulator 422
regulates the battery power to provide a substantially constant
voltage to power driver 408. An actuator sensor 412 registers or
monitors the armature position of actuator 410 and provides a
control signal 415 to signal conditioner 423. A low battery
detection unit 425 detects battery power and can provide an
interrupt signal to microcontroller 405.
[0130] Actuator sensor 412 provides data to microcontroller 405
(via signal conditioner 423) about the motion or position of the
actuator's armature and this data is used for controlling power
driver 408. The actuator sensor 412 may be an electromagnetic
sensor (e.g., a pick up coil) a capacitive sensor, a Hall effect
sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure transducer, or any other type
of a sensor.
[0131] Preferably, microcontroller 405 is an 8-bit CMOS
microcontroller TMP86P807M made by Toshiba. The microcontroller has
a program memory of an 8 Kbytes and a data memory of 256 bytes.
Programming is done using a Toshiba adapter socket with a
general-purpose PROM programmer. The microcontroller operates at 3
frequencies (f.sub.c=16 MHz, f.sub.c=8 MHz and f.sub.s=332.768
kHz), wherein the first two clock frequencies are used in a normal
mode and the third frequency is used in a low power mode (i.e., a
sleep mode). Microcontroller 405 operates in the sleep mode between
various actuations. To save battery power, microcontroller 405
periodically samples optical sensor 402 for an input signal, and
then triggers power consumption controller 418. Power consumption
controller 418 powers up signal conditioner 423 and other elements.
Otherwise, optical sensor 402, voltage regulator 422 (or voltage
boost 422) and a signal conditioner 423 are not powered to save
battery power. During operation, microcontroller 405 also provides
indication data to an indicator 430. Control electronics 400 may
receive a signal from the passive optical sensor or the active
optical sensor described above. The passive optical sensor includes
only a light detector providing a detection signal to
microcontroller 405.
[0132] Low battery detection unit 425 may be the low battery
detector model no. TC54VN4202EMB, available from Microchip
Technology. Voltage regulator 422 may be the voltage regulator part
no. TC55RP3502EMB, also available from Microchip Technology
(http://www.microchip.com). Microcontroller 405 may alternatively
be a microcontroller part no. MCU COP8SAB728M9, available from
National Semiconductor.
[0133] FIG. 10A schematically illustrates another embodiment of
control electronics 400. Control electronics 400 receives signals
from optical sensor unit 402 and controls actuator 411. As
described above, the control electronics also includes
microcontroller 405, solenoid driver 408 (i.e., power driver),
voltage regulator 422, and a battery 420. Solenoid actuator 411
includes two coil sensors 411A and 411B. Coil sensors 411A and 411B
provide a signal to the respective preamplifiers 416A and 416B and
low pass filters 417A and 417B. A differentiator 419 provides the
differential signal to microcontroller 405 in a feedback loop
arrangement.
[0134] To open a fluid passage, microcontroller 405 sends OPEN
signal 406B to power driver 408, which provides a drive current to
the drive coil of actuator 410 in the direction that will retract
the armature. At the same time, coils 411A and 411B provide induced
signal to the conditioning feedback loop, which includes the
preamplifier and the low-pass filter. If the output of a
differentiator 419 indicates less than a selected threshold
calibrated for the retracted armature (i.e., the armature didn't
reach a selected position), microcontroller 405 maintains OPEN
signal 406B asserted. If no movement of the solenoid armature is
detected, microcontroller 405 can apply a different (higher) level
of OPEN signal 406B to increase the drive current (up to several
times the normal drive current) provided by power driver 408. This
way, the system can move the armature, which is stuck due to
mineral deposits or other problems.
[0135] Microcontroller 405 can detect the armature displacement (or
even monitor armature movement) using induced signals in coils 411A
and 411B provided to the conditioning feedback loop. As the output
from differentiator 419 changes in response to the armature
displacement, microcontroller 405 can apply a different (lower)
level of OPEN signal 406B, or can turn off OPEN signal 406B, which
in turn directs power driver 408 to apply a different level of
drive current. The result usually is that the drive current has
been reduced, or the duration of the drive current has been much
shorter than the time required to open the fluid passage under
worst-case conditions (that has to be used without using an
armature sensor). Therefore, the control system saves considerable
energy and thus extends the life of battery 420.
[0136] Advantageously, the arrangement of coil sensors 411A and
411B can detect latching and unlatching movement of the actuator
armature with great precision. (However, a single coil sensor, or
multiple coil sensors, or capacitive sensors may also be used to
detect movement of the armature.) Microcontroller 405 can direct a
selected profile of the drive current applied by power driver 408.
Various profiles may be stored in, microcontroller 405 and may be
actuated based on the fluid type, the fluid pressure (water
pressure), the fluid temperature (water temperature), if the time
actuator 410 has been in operation since installation or last
maintenance, a battery level, input from an external sensor (e.g.,
a movement sensor or a presence sensor), or other factors. Based on
the water pressure and the known sizes of the orifices, the
automatic flush valve can deliver a known amount of flush
water.
[0137] FIG. 10B provides a schematic diagram of a detection circuit
used for the passive optical sensor 50. The passive optical sensor
does not include a light source (no light emission occurs) and only
includes a light detector that detects arriving light. As compared
to the active optical sensor, the passive sensor enables reduced
power consumption since all power consumption related to the IR
emitter is eliminated. The light detector may be a photodiode, a
photo-resistor or some other optical element providing electrical
output depending on the intensity or the wavelength of the received
light. The light receiver is selected to be active in the range or
350 to 1,500 nanometers and preferably 400 to 1,000 nanometers, and
even more preferably, 500 to 950 nanometers. Thus, the light
detector is not sensitive to body heat emitted by the user of
faucet 10, 10A, 10B or 10C, or body heat emitted by the user
located in front of flushers 100 or 100A.
[0138] FIG. 10B shows a schematic diagram of the detection circuit
used by the passive sensor, which enables a significant reduction
in energy consumption. The detection circuit includes a detection
element D (e.g., a photodiode or a photo-resistor), two comparators
(U1A, and U1B) connected to provide a read-out from the detection
element upon receipt of a high pulse. Preferably, the detection
element is a photo-resistor. The voltage V.sub.CC is +5 V (or +3V)
received from the power source. Resistors R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are
voltage dividers between V.sub.CC and the ground. Diode D.sub.1 is
connected between the pulse input and output line to enable the
readout of the capacitance at capacitor C.sub.1 charged during the
light detection.
[0139] Preferably, the photo-resistor is designed to receive light
of intensity in the range of 1 lux to 1000 lux, by appropriate
design of optical lens 54 or the optical elements shown in FIGS. 6
through 6E. For example, optical lens 54 may include a
photochromatic material or a variable size aperture. In general,
the photo-resistor can receive light of intensity in the range of
0.1 lux to 500 lux for suitable detection. The resistance of the
photodiode is very large for low light intensity, and decreases
(usually exponentially) with the increasing intensity.
[0140] Referring still to FIG. 10B, upon receiving a "high" pulse
at the input connection, comparator U.sub.1A receives the "high"
pulse and provides the "high" pulse to node A. At this point, the
corresponding capacitor charge is read out through comparator
U.sub.1B to the output 7. The output pulse is a square wave having
a duration that depends on the photocurrent (that charged capacitor
C.sub.1 during the light detection time period). Thus,
microcontroller 34 receives a signal that depends on the detected
light.
[0141] In the absence of the high signal, comparator U.sub.1A
provides no signal to node A, and therefore capacitor C.sub.1 is
being charged by the photocurrent excited at the photo resistor D
between V.sub.CC and the ground. The charging and reading out
(discharging) process is being repeated in a controlled manner by
providing a high pulse at the control input. The output receives a
high output, i.e., the square wave having duration proportional to
the photocurrent excited at the photo resistor. The detection
signal is in a detection algorithm executed by microcontroller
405.
[0142] By virtue of the elimination of the need to employ an energy
consuming IR light source used in the active optical sensor, the
system can be configured so as to achieve a longer battery life
(usually many years of operation without changing the batteries).
Furthermore, the passive sensor enables a more accurate means of
determining presence of a user, the user motion, and the direction
of user's motion.
[0143] The preferred embodiment as it relates to which type of
optical sensing element is to be used is dependent upon the
following factors: The response time of a photo-resistor is on the
order or 20-50 milliseconds, whereby a photo-diode is on the order
of several microseconds, therefore the use of a photo-resistor will
require a significantly longer time form which impacts overall
energy use.
[0144] Furthermore, the passive optical sensor can be used to
determine light or dark in a facility and in turn alter the sensing
frequency (as implemented in the faucet detection algorithm). That
is, in a dark facility the sensing rate is reduced under the
presumption that in such a modality the faucet or flusher will not
be used. The reduction of sensing frequency further reduces the
overall energy consumption, and thus this extends the battery
life.
[0145] FIG. 11 illustrates various factors that affect operation
and calibration of the passive optical system. The sensor
environment is important since the detection depends on the ambient
light conditions. If the ambient light in the facility changes from
normal to bright, the detection algorithm has to recalculate the
background and the detection scale. The detection process differs
when the lighting conditions vary (585), as shown in the provided
algorithms. There are some fixed conditions (588) for each facility
such as the walls, toilet locations, and their surfaces. The
provided algorithms periodically calibrate the detected signal to
account for these conditions. The above-mentioned factors are
incorporated in the following algorithm.
[0146] Referring to FIGS. 12-12I, the microcontroller is programmed
to execute a flushing algorithm 600 for flushing toilet 116 or
urinal 120 at different light levels. Algorithm 600 detects
different users in front of the flusher as they are approaching the
unit, as they are using the toilet or urinal, and as they are
moving away from the unit. Based on these activities, algorithm 600
uses different states. There are time periods between each state in
order to automatically flush the toilet at appropriately spaced
intervals. Algorithm 600 also controls flushes at particular
periods to make sure that the toilet has not been used without
detection. The passive optical detector for algorithm 600 is
preferably a photoresistor coupled to a readout circuit shown in
FIG. 10B.
[0147] Algorithm 200 has three light modes: a Bright Mode (Mode 1),
a Dark Mode (Mode 3), and a Normal Mode (Mode 2). The Bright Mode
(Mode 1) is set as the microcontroller mode when resistance is less
than 2 k.OMEGA. (Pb), corresponding to large amounts of light
detected (FIG. 12). The Dark Mode (Mode 3) is set when the
resistance is greater than 2 M.OMEGA. (Pd), corresponding to very
little light detected (FIG. 12). The Normal Mode (Mode 2) is
defined for a resistance is between 2 k.OMEGA. and 2 M.OMEGA.,
corresponding to ambient, customary amounts of light are present.
The resistance values are measured in terms of a pulse width
(corresponding to the resistance of the photoresistor in FIG. 10B).
The above resistance threshold values differ for different
photoresistors and are here for illustration only.
[0148] The microcontroller is constantly cycling through algorithm
600, where it will wake up (for example) every 1 second, determine
which mode it was last in (due to the amount of light it detected
in the prior cycle). From the current mode, the microcontroller
will evaluate what mode it should go to based on the current pulse
width (p) measurement, which corresponds to the resistance value of
the photoresistor.
[0149] The microcontroller goes through 6 states in Mode 2. The
following are the states required to initiate the flush: An Idle
status in which no background changes in light occur, and in which
the microcontroller calibrates the ambient light; a TargetIn
status, in which a target begins to come into the field of the
sensor; an In8 Seconds status, during which the target comes in
towards the sensor, and the pulse width measured is stable for 8
seconds (if the target leaves after 8 seconds, there is no flush);
an After 8 Seconds status, in which the target has come into the
sensor's field, and the pulse width is stable for more than 8
seconds, meaning the target has remained in front of the sensor for
that time (and after which, if the target leaves, there is a
cautionary flush); a TargetOut status, in which the target is going
away, out of the field of the sensor; an In2Seconds status, in
which the background is stable after the target leaves. After this
last status, the microcontroller flushes, and goes back to the Idle
status.
[0150] When the target moves closer to the sensor, the target can
block the light, particularly when wearing dark, light-absorbent
clothes. Thus, the sensor will detect less light during the
TargetIn status, so that resistance will go up (causing what will
later be termed a TargetInUp status), while the microcontroller
will detect more light during the TargetOut status, so that
resistance will go down (later termed a TargetOutUp status).
However, if the target wears light, reflective clothes, the
microcontroller will detect more light as the target gets closer to
it, in the TargetIn status (causing what will later be described as
a TargetInDown status), and less during the TargetOut status (later
termed a TargetOutDown status). Two seconds after the target leaves
the toilet, the microcontroller will cause the toilet to flush, and
the microcontroller will return to the Idle status.
[0151] To test whether there is a target present, the
microcontroller checks the Stability of the pulse width, or how
variable the p values have been in a specific period, and whether
the pulse width is more variable than a constant, selected
background level, or a provided threshold value of the pulse width
variance (Unstable). The system uses two other constant,
pre-selected values in algorithm 600, when checking the Stability
of the p values to set the states in Mode 2. One of these two
pre-selected values is Stable1, which is a constant threshold value
of the pulse width variance. A value below means that there is no
activity in front of unit, due to the p values not changing in that
period being measured. The second pre-selected value used to
determine Stability of the p values is Stable2, another constant
threshold value of the pulse width variance. In this case a value
below means that a user has been motionless in front of the
microcontroller in the period being measured.
[0152] The microcontroller also calculates a Target value, or
average pulse width in the After 8Sec status, and then checks
whether the Target value is above (in the case of TargetInUp) or
below (in the case of TargetInDown) a particular level above the
background light intensity: BACKGROUND.times.(1+PERCENTAGEIN) for
TargetInUp, and BACKGROUND.times.(1-PERCENTAGEIN) for TargetInDown.
To check for TargetOutUp and TargetOutDown, the microcontroller
uses a second set of values: BACKGROUND.times.(1+PERCENTAGEOUT) and
BACKGROUND.times.(1-PERCENTAGEOUT).
[0153] Referring to FIG. 12, every 1 second (601), the
microcontroller will wake up and measure the pulse width, p (602).
The microcontroller will then determine which mode it was
previously in: If it was previously in Mode 1 (604), it will enter
Mode 1 (614) now. It will similarly enter Mode 2 (616) if it had
been in Mode 2 in the previous cycle (606), or Mode 3 (618) if it
had been in Mode 3 in the previous cycle (608). The microcontroller
will enter Mode 2 as default mode (610), if it cannot determine
which mode it entered in the previous cycle. Once the Mode
subroutine is finished, the microcontroller will go into sleep mode
(612) until the next cycle 600 starts with step 601.
[0154] Referring to FIG. 12A (MODE 1--bright mode), if the
microcontroller was previously in Mode 1 based on the p value being
less than or equal to 2 k.OMEGA., and the value of p now remains as
greater than or equal to 2 k.OMEGA. (620) for a time period
measured by timer 1 as greater than 8 seconds, but less than 60
seconds (628), the microcontroller will cause a flush (640), all
Mode 1 timers (timers 1 and 2) will be reset (630), and the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612) until the next cycle 600
starts at step 601. However, if p changes while timer 1 counts for
more than 8 seconds, or less than 60 (628), there will be no flush
(640). Simply, all Mode 1 timers will be reset (630), the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612), and Mode 1 will continue to
be set as the microcontroller mode until the next cycle 600
starts.
[0155] If the microcontroller was previously in Mode 1, but the
value of p is now greater than 2 k.OMEGA. but less than 2 M.OMEGA.
(622), for greater than 60 seconds (634) based on the timer 1 count
(632), all Mode 1 timers will be reset (644), the microcontroller
will set Mode 2 (646) as the system mode, so that the
microcontroller will start in Mode 2 in the next cycle 600, and the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612). However, if p changes while
timer 1 counts for 60 seconds (134 to 148), Mode 1 will remain the
microcontroller mode and the microcontroller will go to sleep (612)
until the next cycle 600 starts.
[0156] If the microcontroller was previously in Mode 1, and p is
now greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA. (624) while timer 2 counts
(636) for greater than 8 seconds (638), all Mode 1 timers will be
reset (650), the microcontroller will set Mode 3 (652) as the new
system mode, and the microcontroller will go to sleep (612) until
the next cycle 600 starts. However, if p changes while timer 2
counts for 8 seconds, the microcontroller will go to sleep (steps
638 to 612), and Mode 1 will continue to be set as the
microcontroller mode until the start of the next cycle 600.
[0157] Referring to FIG. 12B (MODE 3--dark mode), if the
microcontroller was previously in Mode 3 based on the value of p
having been greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA., but the value of p
is now less than or equal to 2 k.OMEGA. (810) for a period measured
by timer 3 (812) as greater than 8 seconds (814), the
microcontroller will reset timers 3 and 4, or all Mode 3 timers
(816), the microcontroller will set Mode 1 as the state (818) until
the start of the next cycle 600, and the microcontroller will go to
sleep (612). However, if the value of p changes while timer 3
counts for 8 seconds, the microcontroller will go from step 814 to
612, so that the microcontroller will go to sleep, and Mode 3 will
continue to be set as the microcontroller mode until the next cycle
600 starts.
[0158] If the microcontroller was previously in Mode 3 based on the
value of p having been greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA., and the
value of p is still greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA. (820), the
microcontroller will reset timers 3 and 4 (822), the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612), and Mode 3 will continue to
be set as the microcontroller mode until the start of the next
cycle 600.
[0159] If the microcontroller was previously in Mode 3, but p is
now between 2 k.OMEGA. and 2 M.OMEGA. (824), for a period measured
by timer 4 (826) as longer than 2 seconds (828), timers 3 and 4
will be reset (830), Mode 2 will be set as the mode (832) until the
next cycle 600 starts, and the microcontroller will go to sleep
(612). However, if p changes while timer 4 counts for longer than 2
seconds, Mode 3 will remain the microcontroller mode, and the
microcontroller will go from step 828 to step 612, going to sleep
until the next cycle 600 starts. If an abnormal value of p occurs,
the microcontroller will go to sleep (612) until a new cycle
starts.
[0160] Referring to FIG. 12C (MODE 2--normal mode), if the
microcontroller mode was previously set as Mode 2, and now p is
less than or equal to 2 k.OMEGA. (656), for a period measured by
timer 5 (662) as more than 8 seconds (664), all Mode 2 timers will
be reset (674), Mode 1 (Bright Mode) will be set as the
microcontroller mode (676), and the microcontroller will go to
sleep (612). However, if p changes while timer 5 counts for longer
than 8 seconds, the microcontroller will go to sleep (steps 664 to
612), and Mode 2 will remain the microcontroller mode until the
next cycle 600 starts.
[0161] However, if now p is greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA.
(658) for a period measured by timer 6 (668) as longer than 8
seconds (670), the toilet is not in Idle status (i.e., there are
background changes, 680), and p remains greater than or equal to 2
M.OMEGA. while timer 6 counts for over 5 minutes (688), the system
will flush (690). After flushing, timers 5 and 6 will be reset
(692), Mode 3 will be set as the microcontroller mode (694), and
the microcontroller will go to sleep (612). Otherwise, if p changes
while timer 6 counts for longer than 5 minutes, the system will go
from step 688 to 612, and go to sleep.
[0162] If the microcontroller mode was previously set as Mode 2,
now p is greater than or equal to 2 M.OMEGA. (658) for a period
measured by timer 6 (668) as more than 8 seconds (670), but the
toilet is in Idle status (680), timers 5 and 6 will be reset (682),
Mode 3 will be set as microcontroller mode (684), and the
microcontroller will go to sleep at step 612.
[0163] If p is greater or equal to 2 M.OMEGA., but changes while
timer 6 counts (668) to greater than 8 seconds (670), the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612), and Mode 2 will remain as
the microcontroller mode. If p is within a different value, the
microcontroller will go to step 660 (shown in FIG. 12D).
[0164] Referring to FIG. 12D, alternatively, if the microcontroller
mode was previously set as Mode 2, and p is greater than 2 k.OMEGA.
and less than 2 M.OMEGA. (661), timers 5 and 6 will be reset (666),
pulse width Stability will be checked by assessing the variance of
the last four pulse width values (667), and the Target value is
found by determining the pulse width average value (step 669).
[0165] At this point, when the status of the microcontroller is
found to be Idle (672), the microcontroller goes on to step 675. In
step 675, if the Stability is found to be greater than the constant
Unstable value, meaning that there is a user present in front of
the unit, and the Target value is larger than the
Background.times.(1+PercentageIn) value, meaning that the light
detected by the microcontroller has decreased, this leads to step
680 and a TargetInUp status (i.e., since a user came in, towards
the unit, resistance increased because light was blocked or
absorbed), and the microcontroller will go to sleep (612), with
Mode 2 TargetInUp as the microcontroller mode and status.
[0166] When the conditions set in step 675 are not true, the
microcontroller will check if those in 677 are. In step 677, if the
Stability is found to be greater than the constant Unstable value,
due to a user in front of the unit, but the Target value is less
than the Background.times.(1-PercentageIn) value, due to the light
detected increasing, this leads to a "TargetInDown" status in step
681, (i.e., since a user came in, resistance decreased because
light off of his clothes is reflected), and the microcontroller
will go to sleep (612), with Mode 2 TargetInDown as the
microcontroller mode and status. However, if the microcontroller
status is not Idle (672), the microcontroller will go to step 673
(shown in FIG. 12E).
[0167] Referring to FIG. 12E, if the system starts in the
TargetInUp status (683), at step 689 the system will check whether
the Stability value is less than the constant Stable2, and whether
the Target value is greater than Background.times.(1+PercentageIn)
(689). If both of these conditions are simultaneously met, which
would mean that a user is motionless in front of the unit, blocking
light, the microcontroller will now advance to In8SecUp status
(697), and go to sleep (612). If the two conditions in step 689 are
not met, the system will check whether Stability is less than
Stable1 and Target is less than Background.times.(1+PercentageIn)
at the same time (691), meaning that there is no user in front of
the unit, and there is a large amount of light being detected by
the unit. If this is the case, the system status will now be set as
Mode 2 Idle (699), and the microcontroller will go to sleep (612).
If neither of the sets of conditions in steps 689 and 691 is met,
the system will go to sleep (612).
[0168] If the TargetInDown status (686) had been set in the
previous cycle, the system will check whether Stability is less
than Stable2 and Target is less than
Background.times.(1-PercentageIn) at the same time in step 693. If
this is so, which would mean that there is a user motionless in
front of the unit, with more light being detected, the
microcontroller will advance status to In8SecDown (701), and will
then go to sleep (612).
[0169] If the two requirements in step 693 are not met, the
microcontroller will check if Stability is less than Stable1 while
at the same time Target is greater than
Background.times.(1-PercentageIn) in step 698. If both are true,
the status will be set as Mode 2 Idle (703), due to these
conditions signaling that there is no activity in front of the
unit, and that there is a large amount of light being detected by
the unit, and it will go to sleep (612). If Stability and Target do
not meet either set of requirements from steps 693 or 698, the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612), and Mode 2 will continue to
be the microcontroller status. If status is not Idle, TargetInUp or
TargetInDown, the microcontroller will continue as in step 695
(shown in FIG. 12F)
[0170] Referring to FIG. 12F, if In8SecUp had been set as the
status (700), the unit will check whether Stability is less than
Stable2, and at the same time Target is greater than
Background.times.(1+PercentageIn) in step 702. If these conditions
are met, meaning that there is a motionless user before the unit,
and that there is still less light being detected, the timer for
the In8Sec status will start counting (708). If the two conditions
continue to be the same while the timer counts for longer than 8
seconds, timer 7 is reset (712), the microcontroller advances to
After 8SecUp status (714), and finally goes to sleep (612). If the
two conditions change while the timer counts to above 8 seconds
(710), the microcontroller will go to sleep (612). If in step 702
the requirements are not met by the values of Stability and Target,
the In8Sec timer is reset (704), in step 706 the microcontroller
status is set as TargetInUp, and the microcontroller will proceed
to step 673 (FIG. 12E).
[0171] Referring to FIG. 12F, if the microcontroller status was set
as In8SecDown (716), the microcontroller checks whether Stability
is less than Stable2, and at the same time Target is less than
Background.times.(1-PercentageIn) in step 718, to check whether the
user is motionless before the unit, and whether it continues to
detect a large amount of light. If the two values meet the
simultaneous requirement, the In8Sec status timer will start
counting (724). If it counts for longer than 8 seconds while the
two conditions are met (726), timer 7 will be reset (728), the
status will be advanced to After 8SecDown (730), and the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612).
[0172] If the timer does not count for longer than 8 seconds while
Stability and Target remain at those ranges, the microcontroller
will not advance the status, and will go to sleep (612). If the
requirements of step 718 are not met by the Stability and Target
values, the In8SecTimer will be reset (720), and the
microcontroller status will be set to TargetInDown (722), where the
microcontroller will continue to step 673 (FIG. 12E). If the Mode 2
state is none of those covered in FIGS. 12C-F, the system continues
through step 732 (shown in FIG. 12G)
[0173] Referring to FIG. 12G, in step 734, if the system was in the
After 8SecUp status (734), it will check whether Stability is less
than Stable1, that is, whether there is no activity before the
unit. If so, timer 7 will start counting (742), and if Stability
remains less than Stable1 until timer 7 counts for longer than 15
minutes (744), the microcontroller will flush (746), the Idle
status will be set (748), and the microcontroller will go to sleep
(612). If Stability does not remain less than the Stable1 value
until timer 7 counts for longer than 15 minutes, the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612) until the next cycle.
[0174] If Stability was not less than Stable1, the microcontroller
checks whether it is greater than Unstable, and whether Target is
greater than Background.times.(1+PercentageOut) (738). If both
simultaneously meet these criteria, meaning that there is a user
moving in front of the unit, but there is more light being detected
because they are moving away, the microcontroller advances to Mode
2 TargetOutUp as the microcontroller status (740), and the
microcontroller goes to sleep (612). If Stability and Target do not
meet the two criteria in step 738, the microcontroller goes to
sleep (612).
[0175] If the microcontroller was in After 8SecDown (750), it will
check whether the Stability is less than Stable1 at step 752. If
so, timer 7 will begin to count (754), and if it counts for greater
than 15 minutes (756), the microcontroller will flush (758), Idle
status will be set (760), and the microcontroller will go to sleep
(612). If Stability does not remain less than Stable1 until timer 7
counts to greater than 15 minutes, the microcontroller will go to
sleep (612) until the next cycle.
[0176] If the Stability is not found to be less than Stable1 at
step 752, the microcontroller will check whether Stability is
greater than Unstable, while at the same time Target is less than
Background.times.(1-PercentageOut) at step 762. If so, this means
that there is a user in front of the unit, and that it detects less
light because they are moving away, so that it will advance the
status to TargetOutDown at step 764, and will go to sleep (612).
Otherwise, if both conditions in step 762 are not met, the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612). If the Mode 2 state is none
of those covered in FIGS. 12C-G, system continues through step 770
(shown in FIG. 12H).
[0177] Referring to FIG. 12H, if TargetOutUp had been set as the
status (772), the microcontroller will check whether Stability is
less than Stable1 while Target is less than
Background.times.(1+PercentageOut), in step 774. If so, it will set
the status as In2Sec (776), and the microcontroller will go to
sleep (612). However, if Stability and Target do not simultaneously
meet the criteria in step 774, the microcontroller will check if
Stability is greater than Unstable and at the same time Target is
greater than Background.times.(1+PercentageOut) in step 778. If so,
it will set the status as After 8SecUp (780), and it will go to 732
where it will continue (See FIG. 12). If Stability and Target do
not meet the criteria of either step 774 or 778, the
microcontroller will go to sleep (612).
[0178] If the microcontroller is in TargetOutDown status (782), it
will check whether Stability is less than Stable1, and Target
greater than Background.times.(1-PercentageOut) simultaneously
(783). If so, it would mean that there is no activity in front of
the unit, and that there is less light reaching the unit, so that
it will advance status to In2Sec (784), and go to sleep (612).
However, if Stability and Target do not meet both criteria of step
783, the microcontroller will check whether Stability is greater
than Unstable, and Target is less than
Background.times.(1-PercentageOut) simultaneously in step 785. If
so, the microcontroller will set status as After 8SecDown (788),
and go to step 732 where it will continue (See FIG. 12G). If
Stability and Target meet neither set of criteria from steps 783 or
785, the microcontroller will go to sleep (612).
[0179] Referring to FIG. 12I, if the microcontroller set In2Sec
status in the previous cycle (791), it will check whether Stability
is less than Stable1 (792), which is the critical condition: since
the user has left, there are no fluctuations in the light detected
via resistance. It will also check whether the Target value is
either greater than Background.times.(1-PercentageIn), or less than
Background.times.(1+PercentageIn), in step 792. If this is the
case, there is no activity in front of the unit, and the light
detected is neither of the two levels required to signify a user
blocking or reflecting light, which would indicate that there is no
user in front of the unit. The system would then start the In2Sec
status timer in step 794, and if it counts for longer than 2
seconds (796) with these conditions still at hand, the
microcontroller will flush (798), all Mode 2 timers will be reset
in step 799, the status will be set back to Idle in step 800, and
the microcontroller will go to sleep (612). If the Stability and
Target values change while the In2Sec timer counts to greater than
2 seconds (796), the microcontroller will go to sleep (612) until
the start of the next 600 cycle.
[0180] If Stability and Target values do not meet the two criteria
set in step 792, the In2Sec timer is reset (802), the status is
changed back to either TargetOutUp or TargetOutDown in step 804,
and the microcontroller goes to step 770 (FIG. 12H). If the
microcontroller is not in In2Sec status either, the microcontroller
will go to sleep (612), and start algorithm 600 again.
[0181] FIGS. 13, 13A, and 13B illustrate a control algorithm for
faucets 10, 10A and 10B. Algorithm 900 includes two modes. Mode 1
is used when the passive sensor is located outside the water stream
(faucet 10B), and Mode 2 is used when the passive sensor's field of
view is inside the water stream (faucets 10 and 10A). In Mode 1
(algorithm 920) the sensor located outside the water stream detects
the blocking of the light by a nearby user's hands, and checks for
how long the low light remains steady, interpreting it as the user
at the sink, but also excluding a darkening of the room the unit is
placed in as a similar signal. This sensor then will directly turn
off the water once the user has left the faucet, or once it no
longer detects unstable, low levels of light.
[0182] In Mode 2 (algorithm 1000), the photoresistor inside the
water stream also uses the above variables, but takes an additional
factor into consideration: running water can also reflect light, so
that the sensor may not be able to completely verify the user
having left the faucet. In this case, the algorithm also uses a
timer to turn the water off, while then actively checking whether
the user is still there. Modes 1 or 2 may be selectable, for
example, by a dipswitch.
[0183] Referring to FIG. 13, algorithm 900 commences after the
power goes on (901), and the unit initializes the module in step
902. The microcontroller then checks the battery status (904),
resets all timers and counters (906), and closes the valve (shown
in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 4A) in step 908. All electronics are
calibrated (910), and the microcontroller establishes a background
light threshold level, (BLTH), in step 912. The microcontroller
will then determine which mode to use in step 914: In Mode 1, the
microcontroller executes algorithm 920 (to step 922, FIG. 13A) and
in Mode 2, the microcontroller executes algorithm 1000 (to step
1002, FIG. 13B).
[0184] Referring to FIG. 13A, if the microcontroller uses Mode 1,
the passive sensor scans for a target every 1/8 of a second (924).
The scan and sleep time may be different for different light
sensors (photodiode, photoresistor, etc. and their read out
circuits). For example, the scan frequency can be every 1/4 second
or every 3/4 second. Also, just as in the algorithm shown in FIG.
12, the microcontroller will go through the algorithm and then go
to sleep in between the executed cycles. After scanning, the
microcontroller measures the sensor level (SL), or value
corresponding to the resistance of the photoresistor, at step 925.
It will then compare the sensor level to the background light
threshold level (BLTH): if the SL is greater than or equal to 25%
of the BLTH (926), the microcontroller will further determine
whether it is greater than or equal to 85% of the BLTH (927). These
comparisons determine the level of ambient light: if the SL is
higher than or equal to 85% of the BLTH calculated in step 912, it
would mean that it is now suddenly very dark in the room (947), so
that the microcontroller will go into Idle Mode, and scan every 5
seconds (948) until it detects the SL being less than 80% of the
BLTH, meaning there is now more ambient light (949). Once this is
detected, the microcontroller will establish a new BLTH for the
room (950), and cycle back to step 924, at which it will continue
to scan for a target every 1/8 of a second with the new BLTH.
[0185] If SL is smaller than 25% of the previously established
BLTH, this would mean that the light in the room has suddenly
dramatically increased (direct sunlight, for example). The scan
counter starts counting to see if this change is stable (928) as
the microcontroller cycles through steps 924, 925, 926, 928 and
929, until it reaches five cycles (929). Once it does reach the
five cycles under the same conditions, it will establish a new BLTH
in step 930 for the now brightly lit room, and begin a cycle anew
at step 922 using this new BLTH.
[0186] If, however, the SL is between 25% greater than or equal to,
but no greater than 85% of the BLTH (at steps 926 and 927), light
is not at an extreme range, but regular ambient light, and the
microcontroller will set the scan counter to zero at step 932,
measure SL once more to check for a user (934), and assess whether
the SL is between greater than 20% BLTH or less than 25% BLTH (20%
BLTH<SL<25% BLTH) at step 936. If not, this would mean that
there is a user in front of the unit sensor, as the light is lower
than regular ambient light, causing the microcontroller to move on
to step 944, where it will turn the water on for the user. Once the
water is on, the microcontroller will set the scan counter to zero
(946), scan for the target every 1/8 of a second (948), and
continue to check for a high SL, that is, for low light, in step
950 by checking whether the SL is less than 20% of the BLTH. When
SL decreases to less than 20% of BLTH (950), meaning that the light
detected increased, the microcontroller will move on to step 952,
turning on a scan counter. The scan counter will cause the
microcontroller to continue scanning every 1/8 of a second and
checking that SL is still less than 20% of BLTH until over 5 cycles
through 948, 950, 952 and 954 have passed (954), which would mean
that there now has been an increase in light which has lasted for
more than 5 of these cycles, and that the user is no longer
present. At this point the microcontroller will turn the water off
(956). Once the water is turned off, the whole cycle is repeated
from the beginning.
[0187] Referring to FIG. 13B (algorithm 1000 for faucet 10), the
microcontroller scans for a target every 1/8 of a second (1004),
although, again, the time it takes between any of the scans could
be changed to another period, for example, every 1/4 of a second.
Once more, the microcontroller will go through the algorithm and
then go to sleep in between cycles just as in the algorithm shown
in FIG. 12. After scanning, the microcontroller will measure the
sensor level (1006), and compare the SL against the BLTH. Once
again, if the SL is greater than or equal to 25% of the BLTH, the
microcontroller will check whether it is greater than or equal to
85% of the BLTH. If it is, it will take it to mean that the room
must have been suddenly darkened (1040). The microcontroller will
then go into Idle Mode at step 1042, and scan every 5 seconds until
it detects the SL being less than 80% of the BLTH, meaning it now
detects more light (1044). Once it does, the microcontroller will
establish a new BLTH for the newly lit room (1046), and it will
cycle back to step 1004, starting the cycle anew with the new BLTH
for the room.
[0188] If the SL is between greater than or equal to 25% or less
than 85% of the BLTH, the microcontroller will continue through
step 1015, and setting the scan counter to zero. It will measure
the SL at step 1016, and assess if it is greater than 20% BLTH, but
smaller than 25% BLTH (20% BLTH<SL<25% BLTH), at step 1017.
If it is not, meaning there is something blocking light to the
sensor, the microcontroller will turn water on (1024); this also
turns on a Water Off timer, or WOFF (1026). Then, the
microcontroller will continue to scan for a target every 1/8 of a
second (1028). The new SL is checked against the BLTH, and if the
value of SL is not between less than 25% BLTH, but greater than 20%
BLTH (20% BLTH<SL<25% BLTH), the microcontroller will loop
back to step 1028 and continue to scan for the target while the
water runs. If the SL is within this range (1030), the WOFF timer
now starts to count (1032), looping back to the cycle at step 1028.
The timer's function is simply to allow some time to pass between
when the user is no longer detected and when the water is turned
off, since, for example, the user could be moving the hands, or
getting soap, and not be in the field of the sensor for some time.
The time given (2 seconds) could be set differently depending upon
the use of the unit. Once 2 seconds have gone by, the
microcontroller will turn the water off at step 1036, and it will
cycle back to 1002, where it will repeat the entire cycle.
[0189] However, if at step 1017 SL is greater than 20% BLTH, but
smaller than 25% BLTH (20% BLTH<SL<25% BLTH), the scan
counter will begin to count the number of times the microcontroller
cycles through steps 1016, 1017, 1018 and 1020, until more than
five cycles are reached. Then, it will go to step 1022, where a new
BLTH will be established for the light in the room, and the
microcontroller will cycle back to step 1002, where a new cycle
through algorithm 1000 will occur, using the new BLTH value.
[0190] As described above, in general, the active optical sensor
emits light at different light intensities and detects the
corresponding echo from a target. (This intensity scanning is
described in FIGS. 14A and 14B.) The passive optical sensor uses
only a light detector that measures the increase or decrease or
stability (over short times on the order of less than 2 sec.) of
primarily ambient light. This sensor's algorithm executes several
states described above. The state TargetIn is entered when the
target is moving in; the state In8Sec is entered just after the
somewhat stationary target reached the sensor, after which point
the After 8Sec state is entered. Upon the departure of the target,
the algorithm enter the TargetOut state, followed by the In2Sec
state initiating a flush. From each of these states, the algorithm
can enter the idle state (or a ResetWait state) if an error cause
the prior state. The following active sensor detection algorithm
uses similar states.
[0191] FIGS. 14, 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate an active sensor
detection algorithm (ASDA) for detecting an object such as pants
(i.e. "pants" detection algorithm). Algorithm 1100 is designed for
use with an active optical sensor having a light source (e.g., a
light emitting diode 132A and light detector, e.g., IR diode 132B
(FIG. 7A). The microcontroller directs the source driver to provide
an adjustable IR emitter current intensity for light emitting diode
132A while maintaining a fixed amplifier gain for IR receiver
132B.
[0192] In general, algorithm 1100 detects user movement by using up
to 32 different IR beam intensities (emitted from LED 132A) scanned
and reflected IR signals detected in succession. For example, the
IR current needs to be higher when sensing a target far away from
the flusher. On the other hand, algorithm 1100 can identify a user
moving in or out (that is, closer and away from the active optical
sensor) by using a comparison of detected IR current changes. The
IR emitter scans the emitted light intensity from max IR beam to
min IR beam (the LED current is changed form high to low). When
gradually detecting the target (or user) at lower light
intensities, the target is moving toward the flusher. The optical
sensor may use various noise-reduction techniques. For example, the
emitter may emit modulated light (use modulated source current) and
the detector may be "locked" onto the modulation. For example, the
light emitter may use a selected number of pulses and the detector
will "look" for reflected light corresponding to these pulses. If
the selected number of pulses is not detected, the detector
received some outside noise and not a signal corresponding to the
emitted light. Alternatively, the light emitter may use a
sinusoidal excitation current and the light detector may be coupled
to a lock-in amplifier for eliminating the noise.
[0193] As shown in FIG. 14C, the control logic uses different
target states as follows: IDLE (1201), ENTER_STAND (1202),
STAND_SIT (1204), SIT_STAND (1210), STAND_FLUSH_WAIT (1206),
FLUSH_HALF (1208), SIT_FLUSH_FULL (1211), STAND_OUT (1212),
SIT_FLUSH_FULL (1214), RESET_WAIT (1216), and EXIT_RESET (1220).
All the states are based upon a target or user behavior in the IR
sensing field. When a target or user enters the optical field
(emitted from LED and detected IR echo), the state will be set to
ENTER_STAND state. The state will be set into STAND_SIT state while
a target stops moving after an ENTER_STAND state set, that is, the
target is substantially stationary for longer than
"STAND_TIME".
[0194] For example, when a user moves toward the sensing field, the
state will change from IDLE to ENTER_STAND. If a user spends enough
time in front of the flusher, the state will be changed to
STAND_SIT. If the user gets even closer to the flusher, the state
will become SIT_STAND. Each state can proceed to a subsequent "Use"
state or can enter the EXIT_RESET state if the prior state was
entered in error. Thus, the algorithm provides a "self correction".
Then, the unit will turn back to idle state again.
[0195] Referring to FIG. 14, the active sensor detection algorithm
(ASDA) 1100 uses a target sensing sub-routine 1110 that cycles
through up to 32 different levels of light emission intensity
emitted from IR light emitting diode 132A (FIG. 7A). For each
intensity, IR detector 132B detects the corresponding reflected
signal. When using a noise-reduction technique, IR light emitting
diode 132A emits, for example, 4 pulses of equal intensity having a
duration of about 20 .mu.sec and being spaced apart 100 .mu.sec. IR
detector 132B detects the reflected light that should also consist
of 4 pulses. Any other signal corresponds to noise.
[0196] As shown in FIG. 14A, the maximum and minimum light source
powers are selected and stored in temporary buffers (step 1112
through 1118). Light source 132A emits the corresponding optical
signal at the power level stored in a temporary buffer 1, and light
detector 132B detects the corresponding reflected signal. As shown
in step 1122 if no echo is detected, the power level is cycled one
step higher up to maximum power. Alternatively, the power level may
be cycled from maximum value down to a minimum value. The power
increase is performed according to steps 1132 and 1134 and the
entire process is repeated starting with step 1114. In step 1122,
if the corresponding echo signal is detected, the current power
level is assigned the final value (step 1124). The next power level
is averaged as shown in block 1126, and the pointer numbering is
increased (step 1128). Next, the entire cycle is repeated starting
with step 1114. This way, the light source increases the power
values up to a specific power value where the corresponding echo is
detected.
[0197] Referring still to FIG. 14, in steps 1150 through and 1152,
the processor checks the battery status and then proceeds to
accumulating sample data as shown in step 1154. The accumulated
optical data is processed using the algorithm shown in FIG. 14B. In
steps 1162 through 1166, the processor finds the average of the
most recent four IR detection levels. Next, the processors finds
the longest level period in the buffer (Step 1168), and finds the
average of the IR level in the buffer (step 1170)). Before each
data is processed, the processor checks if a manual flush was
actuated by a user (step 1180). If a manual flush was actuated, the
processor exits the present target state as shown in block 1182;
that is, the processor enters EXIT_RESET (1220) and initiates a
flush. The flush will be a full flush unless the prior state was
STAND_FLUSH_WAIT (1206), in which case the processor initiates a
half flush. Alternatively, if no manual flush was actuated, the
processor continues determining the individual target states, as
shown in FIG. 14C.
[0198] Referring to FIG. 14C, the processor is in IDLE (1201) until
a user is detected. The IR emitter scans the IR intensities, and
when at an intensity the IR echo is detected, the sensor moves to a
lower intensity. If a user is detected for five IR values that are
less than IR max, and the target appears in three samples saved in
the roll (explained in connection with FIG. 14A), the processor
moves to ENTER_STAND (1202). Subsequently, if the target is not
detected in three subsequent samples in the roll, the processor
will go to EXIT_RESET (1220). Alternatively, if the stationary
period is larger than 2.5 seconds (i.e., stand time), the processor
enters STAND_SIT (1204). Next, if the IR detected power level is
smaller than the preceding IR power level for five or six
subsequent detection steps (i.e., the detected IR value is less
than the recent 8 second average IR level) and this occurs
repeatedly in two samples in the roll, the processor will enter
SIT_STAND (1210). In this state, the user is likely sitting on the
toilet, or is very close. The IR detection occurs at a very low
intensity level. Otherwise, if the stationary period is less than
the stationary time, the processor will move to EXIT_RESET
(1220).
[0199] In STAND_SIT (1204), if the stationary period is larger than
stationary time and the target moves out, the processor will enter
STAND_FLUSH_WAIT (1206). From this state, the processor may move to
FLUSH_HALF (1208), in which a flush is initiated. Alternatively,
the target may move in and the processor will enter STAND_SIT
(1204). This happens, for example, when a user moves inside a
bathroom stall. When the IR detection level is reduced (as
described above), the processor enters SIT_STAND (1210). In this
state, the user is very close to the flusher. When the target moves
out (detected at a higher IR level) and the stationary period is
larger than stationary time (selected, for example, 6 seconds), the
processor can execute either a half flush or a full flush
algorithm. If the stationary period is larger than a selected
stationary time, and sit time is smaller than selected use time,
the processor enters FLUSH_HALF (1208).
[0200] In FLUSH_HALF, a half flush is initiated, usually after a
user providing a liquid waste. This state saves flush water and
proceeds to EXIT_RESET (1220). If the target stood up and the
stationary period is larger than stationary time, the processor
enters STAND_OUT (1212). From this state, if the sit time is less
than use time (Tu), the processor enters FLUSH_HALF (1208).
Otherwise, the processor enters SIT_FLUSH_FULL (1214), and the
algorithm initiates a full flush usually after the user deposited a
solid waste.
[0201] In SIT_STAND (1210), if the target moves out and the
stationary period is larger than the selected stationary time, and
the sit time is larger than use time (Tu), the processor enters
SIT_FLUSH_FULL (1214). In this state, the processor initiates a
full flush and moves to RESET_WAIT (1216). The flush is initiated
usually after a short delay time to enable the user's movement away
from the toilet. STAND_OUT (1212) is designed for a user who used
the toilet, stood up and was waiting for a flush before leaving the
bathroom stall. In this state, the active sensor still registers
the user, but at a distance.
[0202] The system may determine whether the absolute value of the
difference between the current gain and the gain listed in the top
stack entry exceeds a threshold gain change. If it does not, the
current call of this routine results in no new entry's being pushed
onto the stack, but the contents of the existing top entry's timer
field are incremented. The result is instead that the gain's
changed absolute value was indeed greater than the threshold, then
the routine pushes a new entry onto the stack, placing the current
gain in that entry's gain field and giving the timer field the
value of zero. In short, a new entry is added whenever the target's
distance changes by a predetermined step size, and it keeps track
of how long the user has stayed in roughly the same place without
making a movement as great as that step size.
[0203] The routine also gives the entry's in/out field an "out"
value, indicating that the target is moving away from the flusher
if the current gain exceeds the previous entry's gain, and it gives
that field an "in" value if the current gain is less than the
previous entry's gain. In either case, the routine then performs
the step of incrementing the timer (to a value of "1") and moves
from the stack-maintenance part of the routine to the part in which
the valve-opening criteria are actually applied.
[0204] Applying the first criterion, (i.e., namely, whether the top
entry's in/out field indicates that the target is moving away), if
the target does not meet this criterion, the routine performs the
step of setting the flush flag to the value that will cause
subsequent routines not to open the flush valve, and the routine
returns. If that criterion is met, on the other hand, the routine
performs the step of determining whether the top entry and any
immediately preceding entries indicate that the target is moving
away are preceded by a sequence of a predetermined minimum number
of entries that indicated that the target was moving in. If they
were not, then it is unlikely that a user had actually approached
the facility, used it, and then moved away, so the routine again
returns after resetting the flush flag. Note that the applied
criterion is independent of absolute reflection percentage; it is
based only on reflection-percentage changes, requiring that the
reflection percentage traverse a minimum range as it increases.
[0205] If the system determines that the requisite number of
inward-indicating entries did precede the outward-indicating
entries, then the routine imposes the criterion of determining
whether the last inward-movement-indicating entry has a timer value
representing at least, e.g., 5 seconds. This criterion is imposed
to prevent a flush from being triggered when the facility was not
actually used. Again, the routine returns after resetting the flush
flag if this criterion is not met.
[0206] If it is met, on the other hand, then the routine imposes
the criteria of which are intended to determine whether a user has
moved away adequately. If the target appears to have moved away by
more then a threshold amount, or has moved away slightly less but
has appeared to remain at that distance for greater then a
predetermined duration, then, the routine sets the flush flag
before returning. Otherwise, it resets the flush flag.
[0207] The above described flusher uses a novel algorithm for
delivering variable amounts of water for flushing. The flush
algorithm is executed by the microcontroller, which controls the
operation of the solenoid actuator as described above. The
algorithm causes delivery of a selected amount of water depending
on the use. For example, the algorithm can direct delivery of a
"full" amount of water for a "full flush," 50% of the full amount
of water i.e., "half flush", or any other selected amount of water
for varying pressure levels in the input water pipe. The delivered
amount of water depends on the water pressure, detected by the
actuator, the size of the valve opening, and the open time of the
flusher valve. The following algorithm explains specifically
various important concepts and the logic of the flush system. Each
block in algorithm 1300 may represent one or several steps or
subroutines, or several blocks may be combined into a single step
or subroutine. A person of ordinary skill in the art can use
various ways to write a source code for executing algorithm 1300,
and similarly algorithm 1300 can be illustrated differently while
still embodying the presently described concept and logic of the
flush actuation.
[0208] Algorithm 1300 is used in various toilet and urinal flushers
and includes different modes of operation for different uses and
different amounts of flush water used. Depending on the use, the
various modes may be selected initially at the time of installation
using appropriate dip switches mounted on the flusher.
Alternatively, the various modes may be selected via a user
interface at the time of installation, or subsequently by an
operator. Upon providing power, the entire system powers up (Step
1302) and the electronic module is initialized (step 1304). The
microcontroller receives battery check status data (step 1306), and
the unit resets all timers used in the algorithm described below
(step 1308). The solenoid valve is initially closed (step 1310),
and the unit enters the idle mode (step 1312). Depending on the
mode setting, the algorithm enters mode A, B, C, D, or E, as
described below.
[0209] FIG. 15 illustrates flush algorithm 1300 for delivering
selected water amounts depending on the use. Algorithm 1300
includes several modes that can be selected manually (using a dip
switch upon installation) or automatically (step 1314). Algorithm
1300 can be executed for optical data detected either by the active
optical sensor or the passive optical sensor.
[0210] FIGS. 15A-I and 15A-II illustrate a standard urinal mode
(1320). The algorithm starts the idle timer at step 1322. In step
1324, if the sentinel flag is set (step 1318), the algorithm starts
the sentinel timer (step 1342). After starting the sentinel timer
at step 1342, if the timer counts for longer than 24 hours before
the urinal is flushed or used (step 1344), it is reset at step
1346, and the microcontroller activates a flush after one second
(Step 1365). In Step 1344, if the timer counts for less than 24
hours before the facility is flushed, the flusher will simply scan
for a target (step 1330). The scan for target routine (step 1330)
is also executed when the sentinel flag is not set at step 1324, a
dry trap timer is started (step 1326), and it counts for longer
than 12 hours (step 1328).
[0211] In general, for all modes, the scan for target routine is
executed differently for the passive optical sensor and for the
active optical sensor. The passive optical sensor detects an
approaching target as described in FIGS. 12-12I. The active optical
sensor detects an approaching target as described in FIGS.
14-14C.
[0212] At Step 1332, if a target is found, the algorithm starts a
target timer (Step 1334). If the target timer counts for less than
8 seconds, the algorithm returns to step 1330, and continues
scanning for a target. If the target's timer counts for longer than
8 seconds, the algorithm performs another scan for a target in Step
1338. In Step 1340, if the target is lost, the algorithm checks for
the value of the time counted by the idle timer minus the target
timer (Step 1356). If the difference between the times counted by
the two timers is less than 15 seconds, the algorithm activates the
valve on every third target detected, providing a water amount
equivalent to a half flush (Step 1348). After providing a half
flush (Step 1348), the algorithm resets the idle timer (Step 1370),
resets the target timer (1372), and starts the idle timer once more
to begin the cycle anew at Step 1322.
[0213] If the difference between the times counted by the idle
timer and the target timer is greater than 15 but less than 30
seconds (Step 1358), the flusher executes a half-flush after one
second at Step 1360. It will then restart the algorithm, resetting
the idle and target timers (steps 1370 and 1372), and starting the
idle timer (step 1322).
[0214] If the difference in times counted by the idle timer and the
target timer is also greater than 30 seconds (step 1358), then the
algorithm executes a full flush after one second (Step 1365). After
flushing the toilet or urinal, the idle timer and target timers are
reset (Steps 1370 and 1372), and the system restarts the idle timer
in Step 1322. At this time, the entire Mode A is repeated.
[0215] If a target is not found at step 1332, the algorithm
executes a detect blackout routine (Step 1350), where light in the
bathroom is measured. If there is light in the bathroom, i.e.,
there is no "blackout," the algorithm continues scanning for a
target at Step 1330. If there is a blackout (Step 1352), the
algorithm enters the blackout mode (Step 1354), in which the
flusher enters a "sleep mode" to save battery power. This
subroutine detects no use, for example, at night or on
weekends.
[0216] FIG. 15B illustrates a "Ball Park Urinal Mode" (1400). If
the sentinel flag is set at step 1402, the algorithm starts the
sentinel timer (Step 1404). If this timer counts for less than 24
hours before the toilet is flushed, a target timer is started (step
1406) and the system scans for a target at step 1408. If a target
is found, the target timer is started (step 1412). When the target
timer does not count for longer than 8 seconds at step 1414, if the
target is lost (step 1416), the flush valve will be activated at
step 1435, and the target timer will be reset (step 1440), so the
algorithm can begin anew. If the target is not lost at step 1416, a
new target scan will take place at step 1418.
[0217] Once the sentinel timer counts for longer than 24 hours
before the urinal is flushed, the timer is reset (step 1448), the
flush valve is activated (step 1435), and the target timer is reset
(step 1440), so the whole cycle begins anew.
[0218] If a sentinel flag is not set at step 1402, a dry-trap timer
is started at step 1424. If at step 1426 this timer has counted for
less than 12 hours before the urinal is flushed, the algorithm will
next resume at step 1406, where the target timer will begin to
count. However, if the dry-trap timer has counted for longer than
12 hours without the urinal being flushed, the timer is reset (step
1428), the flush valve is activated (step 1435), and the target
timer is reset (step 1440), so the algorithm can begin once more.
If a target is not found at step 1410, the algorithm executes a
detect blackout routine (Step 1442). If there is no blackout, the
algorithm continues to step 1408, to scan for a target. If a
blackout is detected, the algorithm enters the blackout mode (Step
1446).
[0219] FIGS. 15C-I and 15C-II illustrate a "men's closet mode"
(1450). If the sentinel flag is set at step 1452, a sentinel timer
is started (step 1454), and if it has counted for less than 24
hours (step 1456) before the toilet is flushed, the target timer is
started (step 1464). The flusher scans for the target at step 1465,
and if it lost the target (step 1466), the target-out timer is
started (step 1468). Otherwise, the algorithm resumes at step 1470.
If the target timer counts for less than three seconds (step 1469),
the microcontroller starts intermittent target detection at step
1484. The three second objective has been added to ascertain that
any target found is not simply a passerby. If a target is found
(step 1483), the target-out timer is reset at step 1482, and the
algorithm goes back to step 1466 to check whether the target is
lost once more.
[0220] If the target timer counted for over three seconds (step
1469), the microcontroller checks whether the target timer has
counted for longer than 8 seconds (step 1470) while the target was
lost. If so, it will check whether the period of time counted by
the target timer was less than 90 seconds: that is, how long the
user was in the facility. If use was for longer than 90 seconds, it
will cause a full flush to occur (step 1490). If the timer counted
for less than 90 seconds, it will activate the flush valve and
cause a half flush (step 1474). Once either flush has occurred, the
target timer will be reset at step 1475, and the algorithm will
begin once more.
[0221] However, if after intermittent target detection the target
is still not found at step 1483, the microcontroller checks whether
the target-out timer has counted for greater than 5 seconds. It
will check for a target (cycle from step 1486 through 1483) until
the target-out timer counts for longer than 5 seconds, at which
point the algorithm begins anew.
[0222] If the sentinel timer counts for longer than 24 hours before
flushing occurs (1456), it is reset at step 1458, and a full flush
is initiated at step 1490. The target timer is reset at step 1475,
and the cycle begins once more.
[0223] If the sentinel flag is not set at step 1452, the dry-trap
timer will start (step 1459), and if it counts for a short period
of time before detecting use, it will begin to scan for a target at
step 1462. However, once the timer counts for over one month (step
1460), it will be reset at step 1488, the flush valve will be
activated, causing a full flush (step 1490), and the target timer
will be reset at step 1475. At that point the algorithm will start
once more.
[0224] If no target is found at step 1463, the microcontroller will
check for a blackout (steps 1476 and 1478). If none is detected at
step 1478 it will go back to scanning for a target (step 1462).
However, if one is detected, the algorithm will go to blackout mode
(step 1480).
[0225] FIGS. 15D-I and 15D-II) illustrate a "women's closet mode"
(1500). If the sentinel flag is set (step 1502), the sentinel timer
starts (step 1504). If the sentinel timer counts for less than 24
hours before the toilet is flushed (1506), target scanning will
begin at step 1512. If a target is found (step 1514), the target
timer will start (step 1516), and another target scan will occur
(step 1518). If the target is lost (step 1520), the target-out
timer will be started at step 1525. If in the meantime the target
timer has counted for less than three seconds at step 1530, the
algorithm will determine that it is sensing intermittent target
detection (step 1564), and it will check for a found target once
more at step 1562. If a target is not found at step 1562, and the
target-out timer has counted for less than 5 seconds (step 1555),
the unit will scan for a target once more (step 1560), and move to
step 1562. Once a target is found at step 1562, the algorithm will
go on to step 1570, reset the target-out timer, and go back to step
1518, where it will continue to scan for a target. If the target is
not lost at step 1520, the algorithm will go directly to step
1532.
[0226] If the target timer has counted for longer than three
seconds at step 1530, it will move on to step 1532, where it will
determine if it has counted for greater than 8 seconds. If it has
yet to count for more than 8 seconds, the algorithm will go back to
step 1518. However, once the target timer has counted for longer
than 8 seconds, the microcontroller will go to step 1534, to
determine if any time has passed since it activated the target-out
timer at step 1525. If the target-out timer has counted at all, the
preparation timer will start (step 1536). The algorithm will cause
the preparation timer to count for over 30 seconds (steps 1538 and
1540), at which point the microcontroller will determine whether
the target timer has counted for less than 120 seconds. If so, the
flush valve will be activated, and a half flush will occur (step
1546), after which the target timer and preparation timers will be
reset (steps 1548 and 1550), and the algorithm will begin once
more.
[0227] However, if the target timer has counted for longer than 120
seconds while the preparation timer was counting, the flush valve
will be activated, and a full flush will occur at step 1544, after
which the target and preparation timers will be reset in steps 1548
and 1550, and the algorithm will begin anew.
[0228] If the sentinel flag is not set at step 1502, the dry-trap
timer will start (step 1503). If the dry-trap timer counts for a
short period of time (step 1510), if will begin to scan for a
target at step 1512. However, once the timer counts for over one
month (step 1510), it will be reset at step 1507 or 1508, the flush
valve will be activated, causing a full flush (step 1544), and the
target and preparation timers will be reset at steps 1548 and 1550,
so that the algorithm can start once more.
[0229] If no target is found at step 1514, the microcontroller will
check for a blackout (steps 1572 and 1574). If none is detected at
step 1574 it will go back to scanning for a target (step 1512).
However, if a blackout is detected, the algorithm will go to
blackout mode (step 1576).
[0230] Importantly, algorithm 1300 may use the above-described
states for the passive optical sensor (FIGS. 12-12I) and the
above-described states for the active optical sensor (FIGS.
14-14C). The use of these states significantly reduces errors
arising due to variation in target optical properties and ambient
light.
[0231] Having described various embodiments and implementations of
the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in
the relevant art that the foregoing is illustrative only and not
limiting, having been presented by way of example only. There are
other embodiments or elements suitable for the above-described
embodiments, described in the above-listed publications, all of
which are incorporated by reference as if fully reproduced herein.
The functions of any one element may be carried out in various ways
in alternative embodiments. Also, the functions of several elements
may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer, or a
single, element.
* * * * *
References