Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Dispenser and Detecting a User
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic product dispenser comprising:
- a housing adapted to receive a dispensable product;
an electrically-powered dispensing mechanism adapted to dispense the product from the dispenser; and
a proximity detector operable to;
generate a first digital signal which changes at a first rate responsive to a user proximate the dispenser;
convert the first digital signal to a second digital signal which changes at a second rate responsive to the user;
difference the signals; and
trigger operation of the dispensing mechanism when the difference attains a threshold.
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Abstract
Automatic dispensers, proximity detectors and user-detection methods. A proximity detector can be used to trigger operation of the dispenser to dispense products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products.
204 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An automatic product dispenser comprising:
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a housing adapted to receive a dispensable product;
an electrically-powered dispensing mechanism adapted to dispense the product from the dispenser; and
a proximity detector operable to;
generate a first digital signal which changes at a first rate responsive to a user proximate the dispenser;
convert the first digital signal to a second digital signal which changes at a second rate responsive to the user;
difference the signals; and
trigger operation of the dispensing mechanism when the difference attains a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A proximity detector comprising:
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an oscillator which generates an oscillator signal which changes responsive to a user proximate the detector;
an analog-to-digital converter adapted to receive the oscillator signal and to generate a first digital signal comprising a first stream of digital numerical values; and
a processing device programmed with instructions that, when executed, perform a method for detecting the user, the method comprising;
filtering the first digital signal with a low-pass filter to generate a second digital signal comprising a second stream of digital numerical values;
differencing the first and second streams of digital numerical values; and
generating a signal representing detection of the user when the difference attains a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for controlling operation of an automatic product dispenser comprising:
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generating a first digital signal which changes at a first rate responsive to a user proximate the dispenser;
low-pass filtering the first digital signal to produce a second digital signal which changes at a second rate responsive to the user;
differencing the signals; and
triggering dispenser operation when the difference attains a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification