Ultrasonically operated water faucet
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having fluid outlet comprising:
- detecting the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet;
turning on the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and
turning off the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water faucet is disclosed that is automatically turned on and off in response to the proximity of the user'"'"'s hand or other object to the faucet. An ultrasonic transducer is located in the faucet near the water outlet and transmits bursts of ultrasonic waves. When a wave reflects off a user'"'"'s hand and creates an echo signal, the echo is detected by the ultrasonic transducer. Circuitry connected to the ultrasonic transducer determines when an object is within a predetermined distance of the faucet by measuring the time elapsed between the transmission of the burst and the reception of the echo. Once an object is within this predetermined distance, the circuitry causes a valve to open and water is supplied by the faucet.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having fluid outlet comprising:
-
detecting the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; turning on the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and turning off the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising:
-
measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the object is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the object is not within the predetermined range of distances or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising:
-
measuring the distance of a surface from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the surface is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the surface is not within the predetermined range of distances or the surface is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification