Dual detection sensor system for washroom device

• US 7,516,939 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masco Canada Limited (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Bailey, Robert William
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr.; John K
• Application Number:
  US11/011,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20060124883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 430/4, 431/3, 462/3, 250/221
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders

Abstract

A detection system for a washroom device evaluates outputs from an active sensor and a passive sensor to determine whether to activate the device (e.g., operate a valve in a sink or a lavatory). The active sensor has a transmitter that directs a light beam to a selected zone and a receiver that detects whether the light beam is reflected back to the sensor. The passive sensor detects changes in a temperature signature around the washroom device. A controller evaluates the outputs from both the active sensor and the passive sensor to determine how to operate the washroom device.

Claims

1. A sensing system for a washroom device, comprising:

an active sensor that detects a reflected beam in a zone;

a passive sensor that monitors a temperature of the zone; and

a controller that generates a sensing decision based on combined states of an active object detection signal from the active sensor and a passive object detection signal from the passive sensor, wherein the sensing decision controls operation of the washroom device, the sensing decision being utilized to actuate the washroom device, and a sensing decision to actuate the washroom device being made under certain conditions if one of the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal is received, and in the absence of the other.

2. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the active sensor is one selected from an active infrared sensor and an active visible light sensor, and wherein the passive sensor is one selected from a passive infrared sensor and a passive visible light sensor.

3. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the controller receives both the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller does not engage the device control system if the controller receives neither the active object detection signal nor the passive object detection signal.

4. The sensing system of claim 3, wherein the controller checks for a change in the active object detection signal if the controller receives the active object detection signal and not the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the active object detection signal is changing, and

wherein the controller checks for a change in the passive object detection signal if the controller does not receive the active object detection signal and receives the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the passive object detection signal is not changing.

5. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the controller checks for a change in the active object detection signal if the controller receives the active object detection signal and does not receive the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the active object detection signal is changing.

6. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the controller checks for a change in the passive object detection signal if the controller does not receive the active object detection signal and receives the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the passive object detection signal is not changing.

7. A touchless washroom device, comprising:

a sensing system having

an active sensor having a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter transmits a beam into a zone,

a passive sensor that monitors a temperature signature of the zone, and

a controller that generates a sensing decision based on combined states of an active object detection signal from the active sensor and a passive object detection signal from the passive sensor, the sensing decision being utilized to actuate the washroom device, and a sensing decision to actuate the washroom device being made under certain conditions if one of the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal is received, and in the absence of the other; and

a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device based on the sensing decision.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is one selected from the group consisting of a lavatory and a faucet.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the device control system controls operation of the washroom device by controlling a valve in the washroom device.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the active sensor is one selected from an active infrared sensor and an active visible light sensor, and wherein the passive sensor is one selected from a passive infrared sensor and a passive visible light sensor.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller engages the device control system if the controller receives both the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller does not engage the device control system if the controller receives neither the active object detection signal nor the passive object detection signal.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the controller checks for a change in the active object detection signal if the controller receives the active object detection signal and not the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the active object detection signal is changing, and

wherein the controller checks for a change in the passive object detection signal if the controller does not receive the active object detection signal and receives the passive object detection signal, and wherein the controller engages the device control system if the passive object detection signal is not changing.

13. A method for detecting a person in a zone of a washroom device, comprising:

transmitting a beam into the zone;

generating an active object detection signal if a reflected beam is detected;

monitoring a temperature signature in the zone;

generating a passive object detection signal if a change in the temperature signature is detected;

generating a sensing decision based on combined states of the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal, the sensing decision being utilized to actuate the washroom device, and a sensing decision to actuate the washroom device being made under certain conditions if one of the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal is received, and in the absence of the other; and

controlling the washroom device based on the sensing decision.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling step engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if both the active object detection signal and the passive object detection signal are generated, and wherein the controlling step does not engage the device control system if neither the active object detection signal nor the passive object detection signal are generated.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

checking for a change in the active object detection signal if the active object detection signal is generated and the passive object detection signal is not generated, wherein the controlling step includes engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the active object detection signal is changing, and

checking for a change in the passive object detection signal if the active object detection signal is not generated and the passive object detection signal is generated, wherein the controlling step includes engaging the device control system if the passive object detection signal is not changing.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising checking for a change in the active object detection signal if the active object detection signal is generated and the passive object detection signal is not generated, wherein the controlling step includes engages a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the active object detection signal is changing.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising checking for a change in the passive object detection signal if the active object detection signal is not generated and the passive object detection signal is generated, wherein the controlling step includes engaging a device control system that controls operation of the washroom device if the passive object detection signal is not changing.