Apparatus and method for wireless data reception

• US 6,964,404 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geberit International Ag (Geberit AG)
• Original Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
• Inventors: Watson, Thomas J., Patterson, Wade C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US10/035,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 250/338.1, 250/339.2, 250/349, 462/3, 455/92
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof

Abstract

A remotely managed electronic dispensing apparatus having a transmitter for transmitting a detection signal and a receiver for receiving a reflected signal and a communication signal is disclosed. When the detection signal is reflected from an object, the dispensing apparatus opens a valve allowing fluid to flow. The communication signal may contain software update or other information for the dispensing apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electronic control of fluid flow which enables fluid flow when an object is in proximity with the apparatus and for communicating with a communication device, said apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting signals;

a receiver for receiving signals of the type transmitted by said transmitter, wherein when an object is located in proximity with said apparatus the object will reflect said signals transmitted by said transmitter to said receiver where said reflected signals will be received;

a logic controller which is configured to control fluid flow based on said reflected detection signals;

wherein said logic controller is configured to cause said transmitter to send signals relating to the performance of said apparatus to an external portable communication device, and wherein said logic controller is configured to implement instructions relating to the operation of said apparatus based upon signals received by said receiver from the external portable communications device.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said signals transmitted by said transmitter and received by said receiver are infrared signals.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said signals transmitted by said transmitter and received by said receiver are sequences of pulses.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said logic controller is configured to detect, in said signals transmitted by said transmitter and received by said receiver, information for updating said logic controller.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a detection photo detector and a communication photo detector.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said logic controller is configured to cause a latching solenoid valve to open when said reflected signal exceeds a threshold value.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a single photo detector coupled to said logic controller.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said single photo detector is coupled to said logic controller by a low pass filter for passing the frequencies of said reflected signal and a high pass filter passing the frequencies of said signals received by said receiver from the external portable communications device.

9. An apparatus for electronic control of fluid flow which enables fluid flow when an object is in proximity with the apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal;

a receiver for receiving a signal of the type transmitted by said transmitter, wherein when an object is located in proximity with said apparatus the object will reflect said signal transmitted by said transmitter to said receiver where said reflected signal will be received;

a logic controller which is configured to control fluid flow based on said reflected detection signal, wherein when the object is in sufficient proximity to said apparatus, said logic controller will enable fluid flow, said logic controller being configured to cause said transmitter to send signals relating to the performance of said apparatus to an external portable communication device, said logic controller being configured to implement instructions relating to the operation of said apparatus based upon signals received by said receiver from the external portable communications device;

wherein said logic controller is configured to cause said transmitter to send signals relating to the performance of said apparatus to an external portable communication device.