Control board for controlling and monitoring usage of water

• US 6,195,588 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
• Original Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
• Inventors: Gauthier, Jerome M., Vuong, Nhon T., Sippel, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CABRERA, ZOILA E
• Application Number:
  US09/002,159
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 364/140, 364/132, 364/138, 364/143, 364/144, 364/145, 364/146, 364/528.18, 364/528.19, 340/825, 137/624.11, 137/561.R, 462/3, 700/11, 700/19, 700/3, 700/67, 700/14, 700/15, 700/16, 700/17, 700/283, 700/284, 700/12, 700/22, 700/286, 710/16
• US Class Current: 700/11
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling plumbing fixtures includes an electronic control board having a microprocessor that accepts four inputs and produces four outputs. Inputs at other than the microprocessor'"'"'s operating voltage are converted thereto. Outputs having different voltages are controlled by latching relays. The control board can be used with a Smart Sink that requires a sequenced hand washing. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility.

Claims

1. An electronic control board for supplying a control signal to a controlled device in response to a detection signal created by a sensor, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a power supply section supplying at least one on-board voltage, and a power connector connectable to an external power supply for receiving at least one off-board voltage from said external power supply;

an output jack connectable to a controlled device;

switch means connected between the output jack and the microprocessor, the microprocessor being capable of controlling the switch means to selectively supply an on-board voltage, an off-board voltage or an on-off current path to the output jack.

2. The control board of claim 1 wherein the switch means comprises a latching relay connected between the microprocessor and the output jack.

3. The control board of claim 2 wherein the switch means further comprises a jumper for selectively supplying either an on-board voltage or an off-board voltage to the latching relay.