Apparatus and method for monitoring compliance with handsink use regimen

• US 5,793,653 A
• Filed: 02/20/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compliance Control, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Noel B. Segal
• Inventors: Segal, Noel B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wachsman, Hal D.
• Application Number:
  US08/603,418
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 364/569, 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/509, 364/510, 364/413.01-413.04, 4/623, 4/624, 4/304, 4/305, 4/DIG. 3, 4/706, 4/626, 4/619, 4/628, 4/668, 340/573, 340/588, 340/589, 340/606, 340/618, 340/622, 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.35, 340/691, 137/624.11-624.13, 137/624.15, 137/624.21, 137/624.27, 222/639, 222/64, 222/52, 222/54, 222/638, 222/146.1, 222/146.2, 222/146.4, 222/146.5, 134/57 R, 134/58 R, 128/917, 128/921, 128/923, 128/924, 128/920
• US Class Current: 702/176
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/10 using counting means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for monitoring use of a handsink to determine compliance with a use regimen by a user, the apparatus including a first data collection device for determining an identity of the user of the handsink during each use for comparison to the use regimen, a second data collection device for determining a time of use of the handsink by the user during each use for comparison to the use regimen, and a device for evaluating compliance with the use regimen by the user based on the determined identity of the user and the determined time of use. Third, fourth, and fifth data collection devices may be provided for determining a completion of use of the handsink during each use for comparison to the use regimen, the determined completion being also employed by the compliance evaluating device. A corresponding method is also disclosed, as is a system for monitoring compliance with a cleansing regimen, the system including a plurality of cleansing stations each including a monitor box, electronic communication links between the monitor boxes, and a central control device located remote from the cleansing stations and electronically connected to at least one of the monitor boxes for receiving downloaded information from the cleansing stations.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring usage of a plurality of handsinks by users, the system comprising:

a plurality of monitoring units respectively located in proximity to the plurality of handsinks and electrically interconnected by wiring, each of the monitoring units including;

a first input device accommodating entry of user ID data by a user,

a second input device for generating time of use data,

a third input device for generating a soap signal upon user actuation of a soap dispenser,

a fourth input device coupled to the first, second, and third input devices for generating a wash completion signal in response to a signal produced by the user, the user ID data, the time of use data, the soap signal and the wash completion signal comprising

a user compliance data set,

a display, and

a controller coupled to the fourth input device and the display;

one of the monitor units further including;

a memory for storing the user compliance data sets generated by the first through fourth inputs devices of the one monitor unit and the user compliance data sets generated by the first through fourth input devices of others of the monitor units transmitted by the controllers thereof over the wiring, and

a CPU programmed to compare each of the user compliance data sets with a cleansing regimen assigned to each handsink user and stored in the memory and to generate compliance/non-compliance data based on each comparison result for storage in the memory and for presentation to the users by the displays of appropriate ones of the monitor units; and

a central unit connected over a communications link to receive periodic downloadings of the user compliance data sets and the compliance/non-compliance data from the memory of the one monitor unit.

2. The system defined in claim 1, wherein each monitor unit further includes:

a first flow control valve included in a hot water line and electrically connected to the controller;

a second flow control valve included in a cold water line and electrically connected to the controller; and

a water spout connected to the hot and cold water lines by a mixing union downstream from the first and second flow control valves;

wherein the controller controls the first and second flow control valves to produce a mixed flow of hot and cold through the water spout to the user'"'"'s hands according to a wash sequence determined by the user-assigned cleansing regimen stored in the memory.

3. The system defined in claim 2, wherein each monitor unit further includes a thermostat positioned downstream from the mixing union and electrically connected to input signals indicative of water temperature to the controller, the controller further controlling the first and second flow control values in response to the water temperature signals to maintain a predetermined water temperature in preparation for each wash sequence.

4. A system for monitoring usage of a plurality of handsinks by users, the system comprising:

a plurality of monitoring units respectively located in proximity to the plurality of handsinks, each of the monitoring units including;

a first input device accommodating entry of user ID data by a user,

a second input device for generating time of use data,

a third input device for generating a soap signal upon user actuation of a soap dispenser,

a fourth input device coupled to the first, second, and third input devices for generating a wash completion signal in response to a signal produced by the user, the user ID data, the time of use data, the soap signal and the wash completion signal comprising

a user compliance data set,

a display, and

a controller coupled to the fourth input device and the display;

a server connected in parallel to each of the monitor units over first communications links, the server including;

a memory for storing the user compliance data sets generated by the first through fourth input devices of each of the monitor units transmitted by the controllers thereof over the first communications links and

a CPU programmed to compare each of the user compliance data sets with a cleansing regimen assigned to each handsink user and stored in the memory and to generate compliance/non-compliance data based on each comparison result for storage in the memory and for presentation to the users by the displays of appropriate ones of the monitor units; and

a central unit connected to the server over a second communications link to receive periodic downloadings of the user compliance data sets and the compliance/non-compliance data from the memory of the server.

5. The system defined in claim 4, wherein each monitor unit further includes:

a first flow control valve included in a hot water line and electrically connected to the controller;

a second flow control valve included in a cold water line and electrically connected to the controller; and

a water spout connected to the hot and cold water lines by a mixing union downstream from the first and second flow control valves;

wherein the controller controls the first and second flow control valves to produce a mixed flow of hot and cold through the water spout to the user'"'"'s hands according to a wash sequence determined by the user-assigned cleansing regimen stored in the memory.

6. The system defined in claim 5, wherein each monitor unit further comprises a thermostat positioned downstream from the mixing union and electrically connected to input signals indicative of water temperature to the controller, the controller further controlling the first and second flow control values in response to the water temperature signals to maintain a predetermined water temperature in preparation for each wash sequence.