Electronically-controlled water dispensing system

• US 8,847,727 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Alan Shapiro
• Original Assignee: David Alan Shapiro
• Inventors: Pandey, Pavitra Raj, Shapiro, David Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): POINT, RUFUS C
• Application Number:
  US12/964,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20110260827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/573.1, 340/3.1, 340/572.1, 340/539.13, 340/521
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 1/04 for domestic or like local supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic shower system or other water dispensing system used for personal hygiene that incorporates both electronic access control technology and electronic water flow control means and, optionally, stored value monitoring technology.

Claims

1. A water dispensing system for personal hygiene comprising:

one or more electronic access control devices;

two or more electronically-controlled water delivery devices each comprising an electronic access card reader;

a stored value access card;

at least one central control unit executing computer code to control valves in response to verification of credentials; and

said computer code, wherein said computer code verifies credentials, communicates a result of verification of credentials to the valves;

measures time or volume of said water flow, records said measured time or volume of said water flow for each credential, and adds and subtracts stored value associated with a credential.

2. The water dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said central control unit communicates wirelessly with said two or more electronically-controlled water delivery devices.

3. The water dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said electronic access control device comprises a key pad.

4. The water dispensing system of claim 1, wherein each of said two or more electronically-controlled water delivery devices comprises a solenoid valve.

5. A water dispensing system for personal hygiene comprising:

one or more stored value access cards comprising credentials;

two or more electronically-controlled water delivery devices each comprising an electronic access card reader that communicates with at least one central control unit;

at least one central control unit that communicates wirelessly with said one or more access card reader; and

computer code executed by the at least one central control unit, wherein said computer code verifies said credentials received from the electronic access card readers, activates water flow to the two or more water delivery devices, measures time or volume of said water flow, records said measured time or volume of said water flow for said credentials, and adds and subtracts stored value associated with said credentials.

6. A method of controlling a water dispensing system for personal hygiene comprising:

presenting credentials to an electronic access control device comprising a stored value access card and an electronic access card reader;

communicating information about said credentials from said electronic access card reader to a central control unit; and

executing computer code on the central control unit that;

determines whether permission to use said water dispensing system should be granted to said credentials;

activates a valve controlled by the central control unit coupled to said water dispensing system if permission is granted and does not activate a valve controlled by the central control unit coupled to said water dispensing system if permission is not granted;

activates a time or volume meter associated with said activated valve;

deactivates said time or volume meter when said valve is deactivated;

records said time or volume;

associates said recorded time or volume with said credential; and

debits an amount of money for the water used from said stored value access card.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said electronic access control device comprises a key pad.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said valve is a solenoid valve.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said deactivation is accomplished automatically by said water dispensing system after a pre-determined time or volume of water has been dispensed.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said deactivation is accomplished by a user presenting credentials to said electronic access control device.