Water dispensing apparatus with activation and/or deactivation means

• US 8,893,320 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2012
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Original Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANE, LAUREN ASHLEY
• Application Number:
  US13/491,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20120234409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 461/5, 459/7, 460/1
• US Class Current: 4/615
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/008 integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/075 using electrically-operated integrating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

The present invention is a display apparatus for affixation to a shower or bath water supply piping or incorporated within a shower, or bath or faucet head that has an authorization means for activating water flow. In a second embodiment, the present invention comprises a dispensing apparatus that has authorization means for activating and/or deactivating water flow. The display and dispensing apparatuses include a power generation, a microprocessor, water flow sensors, timing circuits and a display means and optional wireless communication technology and optional temperature sensors. The display means can be an analog or digital display or combination of display means. The authorization means can comprise a key pad located as soft keys on the display apparatus, a remote key pad, an identification or electronic card means, a bar code or RFTD means, or a biometric means.

Claims

1. A water dispensing apparatus located in close proximity to or incorporated within a shower, bath or faucet head, comprising:

a shower, bath or faucet head;

a housing that contains a display means, said a display means having the capability to visually display one or more water parameters, said housing also contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing in engaged or in close proximity to said shower, bath or faucet head;

at least one water flow sensor that is in close proximity to, or in hydraulic communication with, said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

an identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader, said identification or electronic card, bar formatted, card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader designed to communicate with an corresponding identification or electronic card, bar formatted card or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means; and

said identification or electronic card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, said remote computer system monitoring the timing parameter and/or the water use parameter, said remote computer designed to execute computer instructions to activate or deactivate the water flow using said first water control means, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means.

2. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said water dispensing apparatus has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use when said identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag has activated the water flow.

3. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said water flow is activated when the identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag is located or engaged with the identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader and the water flow is deactivated when said identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag is removed or not in close proximity to said identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader.

4. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein said software instructions are designed to measure and display temperature parameter on said display means.

5. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader is located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

6. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

7. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.

23. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization additionally requires a key pad apparatus which is located on the apparatus or is located in a soft button format on the display means.

8. A water dispensing apparatus for attaching to the water supply line, comprising:

a housing which contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing engaged or in close proximity to a water supply line;

at least one water flow sensor that is in close proximity to, or in hydraulic communication with, said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated, a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

an identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card or radio frequency identification RFID card or tag reader, said identification or electronic card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) card or tag reader designed to communicate with an corresponding identification or electronic card, bar formatted card or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means; and

said identification or electronic card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, said remote computer system monitoring the timing parameter and/or the water use parameter, said remote computer designed to execute computer instructions to activate or deactivate the water flow using said first water control means, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means.

9. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said water dispensing apparatus has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use when said identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag has activated the water flow.

10. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) card or tag reader is located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

11. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

12. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.

25. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said housing is in communication with water control means the that supplies shower, sinks, faucets and toilets.

27. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said water flow is activated when the identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag is located or engaged with the identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader and the water flow is deactivated when said identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag is removed or not in close proximity to said identification or electronic card barcode card, radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader.

28. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein said software instructions are designed to measure and display temperature parameter on said display means.

13. A water dispensing apparatus located in close proximity to or incorporated within a shower, bath or faucet head, comprising:

a shower, bath or faucet head;

a housing that contains first display means, said first display means having the capability to visually display one or more water parameters, said housing also contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing in engaged or in close proximity to said shower, bath or faucet head;

at least one water flow sensor that is in close proximity to, or in hydraulic communication with, said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated, a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

a biometric technology reader, said biometric technology reader designed to communicate with a biometric finger, face, eye or other form of biometrics used to identify individuals that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means; and

said biometric reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, said remote computer system monitoring the timing parameter and/or the water use parameter, said remote computer designed to execute computer instructions to activate or deactivate the water flow using said first water control moans, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means.

14. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the biometric technology reader is located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

15. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

16. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.

21. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 13, said water dispensing apparatus has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use when said identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag has activated the water flow.

17. A water dispensing apparatus for attaching to the water supply line, comprising:

a housing which contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing engaged or in close proximity to a water supply line;

at least one water flow sensor in hydraulic communication with said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated, a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

biometric technology reader, said biometric technology reader designed to communicate with a biometric finger, face, eye or other form of biometrics used to identify individuals that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means; and

said biometric reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, said remote computer system monitoring the timing parameter and/or the water use parameter, said remote computer designed to execute computer instructions to activate or deactivate the water flow using said first water control means, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means.

18. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the biometric technology reader is located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

19. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

20. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 17 further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.

22. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 17, said water dispensing apparatus has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use when said identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag has activated the water flow.

24. A water dispensing apparatus located in close proximity to or incorporated within a shower, bath or faucet head, comprising:

a shower, bath or faucet head;

a housing that contains a display means, said a display means having the capability to visually display one or more water parameters, said housing also contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing engage or in close proximity to said shower, bath or faucet head;

at least one water flow sensor that is in close proximity to, or in hydraulic communication with, said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated, a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

an identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card or radio frequency identification (REID) chip or tag reader, said identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card, or radio frequency identification (REID) chip or tag reader designed to communicate with an corresponding identification or electronic card, bar formatted card or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means;

said identification or electronic Card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, and upon encoding the unique data, said reader initiates an activation process, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means, and

a key pad apparatus designed, upon the proper entry of one or more key strokes, to complete, the activation process, said remote computer system monitoring the volume of water used and/or the timing parameter to execute computer instructions for activating or deactivating said first water control means, said key pad in electronic communication with said reader or said remote computer system, and said electronic communication being wireless, wired and/or internet means.

26. A water dispensing apparatus for attaching to the water supply line, comprising:

a housing which contains electrical circuitry, a timing circuit, a microprocessor and power supply, said housing engaged or in close proximity to a water supply line;

at least one water flow sensor that is in close proximity to, or in hydraulic communication with, said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

said microprocessor having software instructions designed to measure and simultaneously display, when water flow is initiated, a water use parameter and a timing parameter in a cumulative format;

an identification or electronic card, barcode formatted card or radio frequency identification RFID card or tag reader, said identification or electronic card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) card or tag reader designed to communicate with an corresponding identification or electronic card, bar formatted card or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that encodes unique authorization data;

a first water control means; and

said identification or electronic card, bar formatted card, or radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or tag reader in electronic communication with a remote computer system, and upon encoding the unique data, said reader initiates an activation process, said electronic communication being wireless, wired, and/or internet means and

a key pad apparatus designed, upon the proper entry of one or more key strokes, to complete, the activation process, said remote computer system monitoring the volume of water used and/or the timing parameter to execute computer instructions for activating or deactivating said first water control means, said key pad in electronic communication with said reader or said remote computer system, and said electronic communication being wireless, wired and/or internet means.