CAPACITIVE SENSING FOR WASHROOM FIXTURE
First Claim
1. A hand-washing lavatory system comprising:
- a receptacle defining a hand washing area;
a fixture configured to deliver water to the hand washing area;
a first sense electrode coupled to the receptacle and configured to measure a first capacitive value;
a second sense electrode coupled to the receptacle spaced apart from the first sense electrode and configured to measure a second capacitive value; and
a circuit configured to control operation of the fixture in response to a change in the first capacitive value relative to the second capacitive value.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A capacitive sensing system and method for a hand washing lavatory system is disclosed. The lavatory system comprises a receptacle defining a hand washing area, a fixture configured to deliver water to the receptacle, and a capacitive sensing system configured to detect the presence of a user and actuate the fixture. The capacitive sensing system comprises a first sense electrode coupled to the receptacle and configured to measure a first capacitive value, a second sense electrode coupled to the receptacle spaced apart from the first sense electrode and configured to measure a second capacitive value, and a circuit configured to control operation of the fixture in response to a change in the first capacitive value relative to the second capacitive value.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A hand-washing lavatory system comprising:
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a receptacle defining a hand washing area; a fixture configured to deliver water to the hand washing area; a first sense electrode coupled to the receptacle and configured to measure a first capacitive value; a second sense electrode coupled to the receptacle spaced apart from the first sense electrode and configured to measure a second capacitive value; and a circuit configured to control operation of the fixture in response to a change in the first capacitive value relative to the second capacitive value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A hand-washing lavatory station comprising:
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a deck having one or more receptacles providing one or more hand washing stations, and a sink line defining the top of the one or more receptacles; at least one fixture located at least partially above the sink line and configured to deliver water to one or more of the hand washing areas; a first sense electrode integrated with the deck and located below the sink line, the first electrode configured to measure a first capacitive value in the one or more hand washing area; a second sense electrode integrated with the deck and located adjacent to the first electrode and below the sink line, the second electrode configured to measure a second capacitive value in the one or more hand washing area; a valve movable between an open position wherein water is permitted to flow through the fixture and a closed position wherein water is prevented from flowing through the fixture; a circuit coupled to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the valve, and configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position in response to a change in the first capacitive value relative to the second capacitive value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a hand washing lavatory station comprising a deck, a first sense electrode, and a second sense electrode, the deck includes one or more hand-washing receptacles and a sink line defining the top of the one or more receptacles, the first sense electrode is integrated with the deck and located below the sink line and is configured to measure a first capacitive value in the one or more hand washing area, the second sense electrode is integrated with the deck and located adjacent to the first electrode and below the sink line and is configured to measure a second capacitive value in the one or more hand washing area, a method of operating the hand washing lavatory station comprising:
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operating within a non-activated loop wherein the fixture is waiting to be used; detecting a first capacitive value with a first sense electrode and a second capacitive value with a second sense electrode; calculating a difference between the first capacitive value and the second capacitive value over a predetermined time period; returning to the non-activated loop if an activation event has not occurred; operating within an activated loop and activating a fixture for a hand washing operation if an activation event has occurred; detecting a third capacitive value with the first sense electrode and a fourth capacitive value with the second sense electrode; calculating a difference between the third capacitive value and the fourth capacitive value over a predetermined time period; resetting the run time if a reactivation activation event has occurred the system; decrementing the run time if the reactivation event has not occurred; deactivating the fixture after expiration of the run time and returning to the delay period to check for further activation of the system. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification