Method and apparatus for enhancing hygiene
First Claim
1. An apparatus for enhancing hygiene, comprising:
- first monitoring means for automatically and simultaneously monitoring each of a plurality of preselected individuals upon entry of same into a washroom, to automatically determine whether each of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands;
second monitoring means for automatically detecting that any one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and
alert indicator means operatively connected to said first monitoring means and said second monitoring means for automatically generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being, upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for enhancing hygiene comprises a sensor for generating a first signal upon automatically sensing that an individual has entered a washroom and for generating a second signal upon automatically sensing that the individual has exited the washroom. The hygiene enhancing apparatus further comprises a monitoring device for automatically monitoring an individual upon his entry into the washroom, to automatically determine whether the individual has cleaned his hands. The monitoring device includes a generator for producing a third signal upon a detection by the monitoring device that the individual has cleaned his hands. An alert signal generator is provided for generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being. The alert signal generator is operated or activated by a control unit which is operatively connected to the sensor, the monitoring device, and the alert signal generator. The control unit activates the alert signal generator to issue the alert signal upon reception of the first signal and the second signal by the control unit and failure of the control unit to receive the third signal prior to receiving the second signal.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for enhancing hygiene, comprising:
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first monitoring means for automatically and simultaneously monitoring each of a plurality of preselected individuals upon entry of same into a washroom, to automatically determine whether each of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands; second monitoring means for automatically detecting that any one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and alert indicator means operatively connected to said first monitoring means and said second monitoring means for automatically generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being, upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for enhancing hygiene, comprising:
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sensor means for generating a first signal upon automatically sensing that an individual has entered a washroom and for generating a second signal upon automatically sensing that said individual has exited said washroom; monitoring means for automatically monitoring said individual upon entry of same into said washroom, to automatically determine whether said individual has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands, said monitoring means including means for generating a third signal upon detecting that said individual has executed said predetermined action; alert means for generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being; control means operatively connected to said sensor means, said monitoring means, and said alert means for activating said alert means to issue said alert signal upon reception of said first signal and said second signal by said control means and failure of said control means to receive said third signal prior to receiving said second signal; and transmitter means carried on the person of said individual for emitting a wireless signal identifying said individual, said sensor means including detector means for detecting said wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for enhancing hygiene comprising the steps of:
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automatically identifying each of a plurality of preselected individuals upon entry of same into a washroom; monitoring each of said individuals upon entry of same into said washroom, to determine whether each of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands; detecting that any one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being, upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for enhancing hygiene, comprising:
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identification means for identifying each of a plurality of preselected individuals and distinguishing said individuals from one another; first monitoring means operatively connected to said identification means for automatically monitoring any one of said individuals upon entry of said one of said individuals into a washroom, to automatically determine whether said one of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands; second monitoring means operatively connected to said identification means for automatically detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and alert indicator means operatively connected to said first monitoring means and said second monitoring means for automatically generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being, upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An apparatus for enhancing hygiene, comprising:
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first monitoring means for automatically and simultaneously monitoring each of a plurality of individuals upon entry of same into a washroom, to automatically determine whether each of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands; second monitoring means for automatically detecting whether any one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and alert indicator means operatively connected to said first monitoring means and said second monitoring means for automatically generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being;
upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom.
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24. A method for enhancing hygiene, comprising the steps of:
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automatically and simultaneously monitoring each of a plurality of individuals upon entry of same into a washroom, to determine whether each of said individuals has executed a predetermined action for cleaning his hands; detecting whether any one of said individuals has exited said washroom; and generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being, upon detecting that said one of said individuals has exited said washroom and has not executed said predetermined action while in said washroom. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification