METHOD OF CONTROLLING A VALVE
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a valve having a first arrangement wherein fluid is provided from an inlet of the valve to an outlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein fluid is not provided from the inlet of the valve to the outlet of the valve;
- the method comprising the steps of;
emitting a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy into a detection zone;
receiving through a multi-element sensor optical energy reflected from the detection zone;
determining a presence of an object in the detection zone based in part on the received optical energy and at least one characteristic of the plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; and
automatically configuring the valve in the first arrangement when it is determined that the object is present.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor may be incorporated as part of a water delivery device. A holder which aligns an optical source and sensor of the proximity sensor is disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a valve having a first arrangement wherein fluid is provided from an inlet of the valve to an outlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein fluid is not provided from the inlet of the valve to the outlet of the valve;
- the method comprising the steps of;
emitting a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy into a detection zone; receiving through a multi-element sensor optical energy reflected from the detection zone; determining a presence of an object in the detection zone based in part on the received optical energy and at least one characteristic of the plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; and automatically configuring the valve in the first arrangement when it is determined that the object is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- the method comprising the steps of;
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12. A method of controlling a valve having a first arrangement wherein fluid is provided from an inlet of the valve to an outlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein fluid is not provided from the inlet of the valve to the outlet of the valve;
- the method comprising the steps of;
establishing a baseline position for a detection zone; emitting a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy into the detection zone; receiving with a sensor optical energy reflected from the detection zone; determining a presence of an object in the detection zone based in part on the received optical energy and at least one characteristic of the plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; and automatically configuring the valve in the first arrangement when it is determined that the object is present and located at a position less than the baseline position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- the method comprising the steps of;
Specification