AUTOMATED WASHING SYSTEM WITH COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION

• US 20090084407A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritech Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Resurgent Health & Medical LLC
• Inventors: Barnhill, Paul R., Glenn, James, Prodanovich, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,110,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A system is provided for providing automated washing and verifying compliance of use. The system provides for identifying individual users of one or more cleaning stations through various technologies, such as RFID. Individual'"'"'s use of cleaning stations is monitored to determine compliance with hand-washing requirements. A compliance report may be generated based on data associated with one or more individuals'"'"' use of the cleaning station(s). Educational and/or entertainment content may be displayed to the user when he or she is using the cleaning station. Additionally, the cleaning station may identify containers having authorized consumables such as soap or disinfectant.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A method of monitoring user compliance with a washing requirement, the method comprising:

automatically identifying a user of at least a first cleaning station, the cleaning station including an apparatus for automatically washing at least a portion of the user;

recording by a computer at least an identity of the user of the first cleaning station; and

automatically washing at least the portion of the user.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising monitoring by the computer the use of the first cleaning station by the user.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising preparing a compliance report listing the identity of the user and a data generated from monitoring the use of the first cleaning station.

22. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising authenticating a container associated with the first cleaning station.

23. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising using a user identifier to determine at least one of:

(a) a substance type to be used by the first cleaning station; and

(b) a duration of a cleaning station function.

24. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising compiling a compliance report using data from a plurality of cleaning stations, including the first cleaning station.

25. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising conveying information to the user during the washing step.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the information is conveyed by a video display located on or near the first cleaning station.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the information comprises at least one of entertainment, news, sports, a user compliance statistic, and training.

28. A method of monitoring user compliance with a washing requirement, the method comprising:

(a) providing at least a first cleaning station operable to automatically wash at least a portion of a user;

(b) automatically identifying through an identification apparatus at least one of;

(1) the user, and

(2) a consumables container associated with the first cleaning station;

(c) causing a cleaning station operations monitor operatively associated with the first cleaning station and the identification apparatus to operate, the cleaning station operations monitor including a memory, the memory comprising at least one of;

(1) a compliance module operable to record data associated with the user;

(2) an information module operable to provide the user with at least one segment of information about at least one of entertainment, cleaning history statistics, and training;

(3) a consumables-authentication module operable to verify that the first cleaning station is operating with a particular substance; and

(4) a solutions selection module operable to direct the first cleaning station to perform at least one of the following;

(A) based on a user identifier, administer at least one of;

(i) a predetermined mixture; and

(ii) a substance; and

(B) operate a function for a predetermined period of time based on a history of washing compliance for the user; and

(d) automatically washing at least the portion of the user.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising preparing a compliance report listing the identity of the user and data generated from monitoring the use of the first cleaning station.

30. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising compiling a compliance report using data from a plurality of cleaning stations, including the first cleaning station.