Control for a sanitary fixture
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a sanitary fixture comprising the steps of:
- (a) periodically activating a proximity sensor capable of detecting presence of a potential user of a sanitary fixture at intervals with a certain cycling period, whereby detection of the presence of a user initiates an operation of said sanitary fixture;
(b) detecting an ambient brightness at least during periodic activation of the proximity sensor; and
(c) upon the detected ambient brightness reaching a threshold brightness, altering said cycling period to decrease said cycling period upon an increased probability of use of the sanitary fixture and to increase said cycling period upon a decreased probability of use of the sanitary fixture.
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Abstract
An infrared proximity sensing circuit for use with sanitary fixtures to control water flow can have an ambient light proximity sensor which can control the period at which the circuit and the sensor are activated or the amplitude of the transmitted infrared power to conserve battery power when the circuit is a battery powered one. The ambient light sensor detects the ambient brightness and the time period of the circuit and the proximity sensor is changed upon the detected ambient brightness falling below the threshold brightness.
83 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of operating a sanitary fixture comprising the steps of:
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(a) periodically activating a proximity sensor capable of detecting presence of a potential user of a sanitary fixture at intervals with a certain cycling period, whereby detection of the presence of a user initiates an operation of said sanitary fixture; (b) detecting an ambient brightness at least during periodic activation of the proximity sensor; and (c) upon the detected ambient brightness reaching a threshold brightness, altering said cycling period to decrease said cycling period upon an increased probability of use of the sanitary fixture and to increase said cycling period upon a decreased probability of use of the sanitary fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating a sanitary fixture comprising the steps of:
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(a) activating an infrared proximity sensor emitting infrared light and receiving reflected infrared light and positioned to detect presence of a potential user of a sanitary fixture whereby detection of the presence of a user initiates an operation of said sanitary fixture; (b) detecting an ambient brightness at least during periodic activation of the proximity sensor; and (c) upon the detected ambient brightness falling below a threshold value of ambient brightness, changing a power of said emitted infrared light for energy conservation.
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8. A sanitary fixture comprising:
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at least one sanitary fixture mechanism operable upon use of the sanitary fixture; an electrically operable proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a user for activating said mechanism; a control and evaluation circuit connected to said sensor for activating said sensor and responding to detection of proximity of said user by said sensor, said circuit having a timing network for periodically activating said proximity sensor at intervals with a certain cycling period, whereby detection of the presence of a user initiates an operation of said sanitary fixture mechanism; and means for detecting ambient brightness at least during periodic activation of the proximity sensor connected to said circuit for altering said cycling period upon detected ambient brightness falling to a threshold brightness to decrease said cycling period in an energy conservation mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification