WATER DELIVERY DEVICE
First Claim
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1. A water delivery system which is coupled to a source of water;
- the water delivery system comprising;
a valve including an inlet in fluid communication with the source of water and an outlet, the valve having a first arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve;
a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve to receive water from the valve when the valve is in the first arrangement;
an illumination module which emits optical energy into a detection zone in a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy;
a multi-element sensor which receives optical energy reflected from an object positioned in the detection zone, the received optical energy having a plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks; and
a controller which causes the valve to move from the second arrangement to the first arrangement based on at least one of a spacing between at least two of the plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks of the received optical energy and an intensity of at least two of the plurality of spaced apart peaks.
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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
23 Claims
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1. A water delivery system which is coupled to a source of water;
- the water delivery system comprising;
a valve including an inlet in fluid communication with the source of water and an outlet, the valve having a first arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve to receive water from the valve when the valve is in the first arrangement; an illumination module which emits optical energy into a detection zone in a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; a multi-element sensor which receives optical energy reflected from an object positioned in the detection zone, the received optical energy having a plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks; and a controller which causes the valve to move from the second arrangement to the first arrangement based on at least one of a spacing between at least two of the plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks of the received optical energy and an intensity of at least two of the plurality of spaced apart peaks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- the water delivery system comprising;
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19. A water delivery system which is coupled to a source of water;
- the water delivery system comprising;
a valve including an inlet in fluid communication with the source of water and an outlet, the valve having a first arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve; a spout having a fluid conduit positioned therein, the fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve to receive water from the valve when the valve is in the first arrangement; an illumination module supported by the spout which includes a grating that directs optical energy into a detection zone in a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; a multi-element sensor which receives optical energy reflected from an object positioned in the detection zone, the received optical energy having a plurality of spatially spaced apart peaks; and a controller which causes the valve to move from the second arrangement to the first arrangement based on the received optical energy. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- the water delivery system comprising;
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21. A water delivery system which is coupled to a source of water;
- the water delivery system comprising;
a valve including an inlet in fluid communication with the source of water and an outlet, the valve having a first arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve and a second arrangement wherein the outlet of the valve is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the valve; a spout having a fluid conduit positioned therein, the fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve to receive water from the valve when the valve is in the first arrangement; a proximity sensor supported by the spout, the proximity sensor providing optical energy into a detection zone in a plurality of spatially spaced apart beams of optical energy; a touch sensor supported by the spout; and a controller which causes the valve to move from the second arrangement to the first arrangement based at least one of the proximity sensor and the touch sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
- the water delivery system comprising;
Specification