INTELLIGENT, DATA GATHERING AND COMMUNICATING PORTABLE RESTROOMS
First Claim
1. A portable restroom, comprising:
- a plurality of walls, a door in a door frame joined with the walls;
a roof disposed atop the walls and door frame;
a base provided to the plurality of walls and door frame to define a floor of the portable restroom, wherein the plurality of walls, the door in the door frame, the roof and the base together define an enclosed interior space, wherein the base defines a waste tank, a control electronics compartment and a fresh water tank therein;
a commode disposed above the waste tank;
a power source disposed within the control electronics compartment;
a microprocessor disposed within the control electronics compartment and coupled to the power source;
a memory coupled to the microprocessor;
a waste level sensor disposed in the waste tank and coupled to the microprocessor;
a fresh water level sensor disposed in the fresh water tank and coupled to the microprocessor;
a door sensor positioned to sense whether the door is open or closed, the door sensor coupled to the microprocessor;
a door lock sensor positioned to sense whether the door is locked or unlocked, the door lock sensor coupled to the microprocessor;
a light disposed within the enclosed interior space and coupled to the microprocessor; and
an electric pump coupled to the microprocessor and operably coupled to the fresh water tank and to the commode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable restroom includes an automatic continuous flushing feature and a touchless flush request sensor. An automatic light provides welcome lighting in darker locations. An electric fan increases ventilation and reduces odor and temperature in the restroom. Sensors monitor various levels and usage of consumables. A processor monitors the sensed data and wirelessly alerts a service provider when the restroom needs service. A flushing bowl is placed in the commode opening to hide the waste within the tank. The flushing bowl includes a relatively small opening in a forward portion of the inner bowl surface for waste to pass through. A spray nozzle for directing water over the interior of the bowl is provided to minimize the chance that waste sticks to the inner bowl.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable restroom, comprising:
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a plurality of walls, a door in a door frame joined with the walls; a roof disposed atop the walls and door frame; a base provided to the plurality of walls and door frame to define a floor of the portable restroom, wherein the plurality of walls, the door in the door frame, the roof and the base together define an enclosed interior space, wherein the base defines a waste tank, a control electronics compartment and a fresh water tank therein; a commode disposed above the waste tank; a power source disposed within the control electronics compartment; a microprocessor disposed within the control electronics compartment and coupled to the power source; a memory coupled to the microprocessor; a waste level sensor disposed in the waste tank and coupled to the microprocessor; a fresh water level sensor disposed in the fresh water tank and coupled to the microprocessor; a door sensor positioned to sense whether the door is open or closed, the door sensor coupled to the microprocessor; a door lock sensor positioned to sense whether the door is locked or unlocked, the door lock sensor coupled to the microprocessor; a light disposed within the enclosed interior space and coupled to the microprocessor; and an electric pump coupled to the microprocessor and operably coupled to the fresh water tank and to the commode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a portable restroom, the method comprising:
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monitoring a door sensor to determine whether a door of the portable restroom is open; monitoring a door lock sensor to determine whether the door of the portable restroom is locked within a set window of time beginning with a door opening event; turning on a light in the portable restroom automatically when the door is opened; turning an exhaust fan on automatically when the door is opened; turning on an electric pump automatically to create a continuous flow of water through a bowl of a commode upon determining that the door has been opened and then locked within the set window of time; and adjusting a speed setting of the electric pump to temporally increase a flow rate of the water through a bowl of a commode upon a user actuating a touchless flush request sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification