Automatic solution dispenser

Abstract

Assemblies and methods for automatically and electronically controlling and directing the input of solutions into solution receptacles are disclosed. An assembly may deliver an electronic, computer-generated signal having a specific address via hardwires or using wireless methods. One assembly includes a solution reservoir, a solution receptacle feeder and a computer to control the delivery of solution to a solution receptacle. The assembly may also include a number of transmitters, receivers, or transceivers for delivering the computer-generated signals. The assembly may also include any of variety of mechanisms for use in mobilizing the solution delivery assembly or the solution receptacles or both. Each of the solution receptacles for use of the assembly may have its own identifier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An assembly for electronically controlling the input of a solution to a solution receptacle, the assembly comprising: 
 a solution receptacle feeder for receiving and reacting to an electronic signal, and a computer capable of sending an electronic signal to the solution receptacle feeder.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of sending an electronic signal to the solution receptacle feeder to deliver solution to a solution receptacle and the assembly further comprises: 
 a solution reservoir attached to the solution receptacle feeder; and  
 a solution receptacle.  
 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a transceiver working in connection with the computer; and  
 a second transceiver working in connection with each solution receptacle feeder such that each solution receptacle feeder will only follow directions addressed to a particular solution receptacle feeder.  
 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the computer includes a transmitter to send a wireless signal to the solution receptacle feeder, and the solution receptacle feeder includes a receiver to receive a wireless signal.  
 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the solution receptacle feeder includes hardware to control the amount of liquid released into the solution receptacle.  
 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the solution receptacle feeder includes a warning device to indicate malfunction.  
 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the computer includes software to control the timing of the solution delivery to the solution receptacle feeder.  
 
     
     
         8 . An assembly for electronically controlling the input of solution to multiple solution receptacles, the assembly comprising: 
 a solution reservoir;    a solution receptacle feeder attached to the solution reservoir;    a computer capable of generating an electronic signal having an address component and an instruction component; and    a transceiver capable of sending and receiving the electronic signal.    
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 one or more solution receptacles; and  
 one or more mechanisms for moving the solution receptacles so that the solution receptacle feeder may separately deliver solution to different solution receptacles.  
 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 one or more solution receptacles;  
 a mechanism for moving the solution receptacle feeder so that the solution receptacle feeder may separately deliver solution to different solution receptacles.  
 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a transceiver working in connection with each solution receptacle feeder to receive and process signals from the computer and to return signals back to the computer.  
 
     
     
         12 . A method of automatically delivering solution to a solution reservoir comprising the steps of: 
 generating an electronic signal representing an instruction for a solution receptacle feeder;    transmitting the electronic signal to one or more solution receptacle feeders;    receiving and processing the electronic signal by the solution receptacle feeders; and    delivering solution from a solution reservoir to a solution receptacle through the solution receptacle feeder.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of transmitting the electronic signal transmits a wireless signal.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of: 
 including an address component with the electronic signal;  
 determining whether the address in a received signal matches that of a solution receptacle feeder; and  
 delivering solution to a solution receptacle whenever the address in a received signal matches that of a solution receptacle.  
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of: 
 generating an electronic signal and including an address components and solution delivery instructions with the signal;  
 transmitting the electronic signal to one or more mechanisms for moving solution receptacle feeders;  
 receiving and processing the electronic signal by the one or more mechanisms;  
 moving the addressed solution receptacle feeder to an appropriate position in accordance with the delivery instructions using the appropriate mechanism; and  
 delivering the solution to a solution receptacle.  
 
     
     
         16 . An assembly for delivering solution to multiple solution receptacles comprising: 
 a solution receptacle feeder;    a solution reservoir working in connection with the solution receptacle feeder;    multiple solution receptacles;    identification members affixed to each solution receptacle;    a receptacle identification member sensor working with the solution receptacle feeder;    a transceiver working with the solution receptacle feeder;    a computer; and    a transceiver working with the computer.    
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a mechanism for moving the multiple solution receptacles.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a mechanism for moving the solution receptacle feeder.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the transceiver working with the solution receptacle feeder utilizes wireless data transmission and the transceiver working with the computer utilizes wireless data transmission.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 16  further comprising an identification system that allows the solution receptacle feeder to distinguish between multiple solution receptacles.