System and method for monitoring handwashing compliance
First Claim
1. A hand-washing monitoring system for use with a sink comprising:
- a motion detector mounted proximate to a top surface of the sink and configured to detect a scrubbing motion at a location near an outlet of a faucet of the sink;
a processor coupled to the motion detector; and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to;
monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is continuous during a predetermined scrubbing interval;
provide a first output signal when the scrubbing motion is continuously detected during the entire interval;
monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is interrupted during the predetermined scrubbing interval, wherein(i) the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time,(ii) the scrubbing motion is interrupted with a first warning comprising at least one of a buzzer and a light, the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern, when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an extended interruption time that is greater than the acceptable interruption time, and(iii) the scrubbing motion is failed when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for more than the extended interruption time;
provide a second output signal when the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted during the entire interval including during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time;
provide a third output signal when the scrubbing motion is interrupted with the first warning during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to the extended interruption time;
provide a system reset with a second warning comprising the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern when the scrubbing motion is detected before the extended interruption time expires and after being interrupted with the first warning for less than or equal to the extended interruption time, wherein the first warning ceases; and
provide a failed handwashing signal and a system reset without the second warning when the scrubbing motion is failed, wherein the first warning ceases.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-washing monitor and hand washing monitoring system are provided. The hand-washing monitoring system includes a motion detector mounted near, to or in a sink and configured to detect a scrubbing motion near a location of an outlet of a sink faucet. Both the hand-washing monitor and the hand-washing monitoring system include a processor coupled to the motion detector and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is continuous during a predetermined scrubbing interval and to provide signal indicating a successful scrubbing operation when the scrubbing motion is continuously detected during the entire interval. The hand-washing monitor includes a housing containing the processor, the motion detector, the memory and proximity sensors for detecting the application of soap.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A hand-washing monitoring system for use with a sink comprising:
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a motion detector mounted proximate to a top surface of the sink and configured to detect a scrubbing motion at a location near an outlet of a faucet of the sink; a processor coupled to the motion detector; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to; monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is continuous during a predetermined scrubbing interval; provide a first output signal when the scrubbing motion is continuously detected during the entire interval; monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is interrupted during the predetermined scrubbing interval, wherein (i) the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time, (ii) the scrubbing motion is interrupted with a first warning comprising at least one of a buzzer and a light, the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern, when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an extended interruption time that is greater than the acceptable interruption time, and (iii) the scrubbing motion is failed when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for more than the extended interruption time; provide a second output signal when the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted during the entire interval including during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time; provide a third output signal when the scrubbing motion is interrupted with the first warning during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to the extended interruption time; provide a system reset with a second warning comprising the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern when the scrubbing motion is detected before the extended interruption time expires and after being interrupted with the first warning for less than or equal to the extended interruption time, wherein the first warning ceases; and provide a failed handwashing signal and a system reset without the second warning when the scrubbing motion is failed, wherein the first warning ceases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A hand-washing monitoring system for use with a sink having a faucet and a soap dispenser comprising:
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a motion detector mounted to the sink and configured to detect a scrubbing motion near an outlet of the faucet; a proximity detector mounted proximate to the soap dispenser and configured to detect application of soap to an object; one or more display devices; a processor coupled to the motion detector, the proximity detector and the one or more display devices; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program instructions that cause the processor to; display, using one of the one or more display devices, a first prompt to place hands under the faucet; monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the presence of the hands beneath the faucet; display, using one of the one or more display devices, a second prompt to apply soap to the hands; monitor the proximity detector for signals indicative of the application of soap to the hands; display, using one of the one or more display devices, a third prompt to scrub hands; monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion being continuous or acceptably interrupted for a predetermined interval, wherein the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time, and wherein the scrubbing motion is interrupted with a warning comprising at least one of a buzzer and a light, the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern, when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an extended interruption time that is greater than the acceptable interruption time and less than a failed interruption time; display, using one of the one or more display devices, a fourth prompt to rinse the hands after the predetermined interval; monitor the motion detector for the signals indicative of the presence of the hands beneath the faucet; and display a fifth prompt, using one of the one or more display devices, indicating completion of the hand washing.
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24. A hand-washing monitor for use in proximity to a soap dispenser and a sink having a faucet, the hand-washing monitor comprising:
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a housing; at least one proximity sensor; a motion detector including an emitter and a receiver, wherein; the emitter is configured to emit infrared light toward a hand detection; and the receiver is configured to; detect infrared light reflections from the hand detection area, and generate signals indicative of a scrubbing motion in the hand detection area; a controller, including a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing program instructions that when executed by the processor configure the controller to perform functions, including functions to; monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is continuous during a predetermined scrubbing interval; provide a first output signal when the scrubbing motion is continuously detected during the entire predetermined scrubbing interval, monitor the motion detector for signals indicative of the scrubbing motion that is interrupted during the predetermined scrubbing interval, wherein (i) the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time, (ii) the scrubbing motion is interrupted with a first warning comprising at least one of a buzzer and a light, the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern, when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an extended interruption time that is greater than the acceptable interruption time, and (iii) the scrubbing motion is failed when there is a break in the scrubbing motion for more than the extended interruption time; provide a second output signal when the scrubbing motion is acceptably interrupted during the entire interval including during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to an acceptable interruption time; provide a third output signal when the scrubbing motion is interrupted with the first warning during the break in the scrubbing motion for less than or equal to the extended interruption time; provide a system reset with a second warning comprising the light configured to adjust at least one of a color and a pattern when the scrubbing motion is detected before the extended interruption time expires and after being interrupted with the warning for less than or equal to the extended interruption time, wherein the first warning ceases; and provide a failed handwashing signal and a system reset without the second warning when the scrubbing motion is failed, wherein the first warning ceases; wherein the housing is configured to contain the controller, the motion detector, the proximity sensor and the display device. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification