Dispensing control system

• US 6,279,777 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerenraich Family Trust
• Original Assignee: Woodward Laboratories, Inc.
• Inventors: Pribonic, Edward M., Goodin, John W., Gerenraich, Kenneth B., Regla, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US09/395,488
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/63, 222/504, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism

Abstract

A system for controlling operation of a device in response to the presence of a human body part includes a theremin for detecting the presence of a human body part in an area and producing a first output signal in response to the detection. A second sensor separately detects the presence of a human body part in the area and produces a second output signal in response to the separate detection. A processor determines the presence of both the first and second output signals and in response thereto provides a control signal to the device.

Claims

1. A system for the dispensing of a fluid in response to the presence of a human hand, the system comprising:

a fluid dispensing device for releasing a measured amount of fluid in response to a control signal;

a theremin means for detecting the presence of the hand proximate the fluid dispenser and producing a first output signal in response to the detection;

sensor means for independently detecting the presence of the hand proximate the fluid dispenser and producing a second output signal in response to the independent detection; and

a processor for determining the simultaneous presence of both the first and second output signals and in response thereto producing the control signal.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said theremin means includes two closely spaced but separated antenna panel means for establishing a capacitance therebetween independent of any ground connection, said capacitance changing due to the presence of the human body part to provide the first output signal.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 further comprising first oscillator means connected between the two antenna panels for providing the output corresponding to the capacitance between the two antenna panels.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 further comprising a second oscillator and comparator means for matching an output from the second oscillator with the first oscillator means output and providing a control current for the device in response thereto.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a theremin.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises an infrared detector.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises an ultrasonic detector.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a heat sensor.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a visible light detector.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a proximity detector.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises an audio detector.