Optical sensors and algorithms for controlling automatic bathroom flushers and faucets

Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation that can be used to control the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, enabling battery operation for many years. An electronic system for controlling fluid flow may include an electromagnetic actuator, a controller and an optical sensor. Preferred embodiments include a control circuit constructed to sample periodically the detector based on the amount of light detected; a control circuit constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount of light after determining whether a facility is in use; a detector optically coupled to the input port using an optical fiber; the input port may be located in an aerator of the electronic faucet; the system includes batteries for powering the electronic faucet. These embodiments may also include a variety of other features. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. An active optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector. The detected signals may be processed using novel algorithms

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A sensor-based automatic flusher system, comprising:
 a flusher body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to a toilet or a urinal;   an optical sensor;   a control circuit arranged to control operation of said optical sensor,   said control circuit including a controller executing an algorithm identifying behavior of a user over a predefined time period within a sensing field of said optical sensor and based on said behavior issuing a flush command for a predefined amount of water; and   a main valve controlled by an actuator receiving signals corresponding to said flush command for switching between an open state of said valve and a closed state of said valve; said open state permitting water flow of said amount of water, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.   
     
     
         58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . An automatic toilet room flush valve, comprising:
 a valve body including an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat inside said body; and   a valve member cooperatively arranged with said valve seat, said valve member being constructed and arranged to control water flow between said inlet and said outlet, movement of said valve member between open and closed positions being controlled by water pressure inside a pilot chamber; and   an external cover designed for enclosing an electronic control module comprising a battery, and a sensor and enclosing an actuator for controlling operation of said flush valve, said external cover including at least two cover parts separately removable, said external cover being attachable with respect to said valve body in a manner also removably attaching said control module.   
     
     
         60 . The flush valve of  claim 59  wherein said parts of said external cover enable separate servicing and replacement of said cover parts. 
     
     
         61 . The flush valve of  claim 59  wherein said external cover enable replacement of batteries without closing water. 
     
     
         62 . The flush valve of  claim 59  wherein said external cover includes said cover parts forming a main cover body, a front cover and a top cover, said front cover including a sensor window. 
     
     
         63 . The flush valve of  claim 59  wherein said main cover body provides overall rigidity to said external cover. 
     
     
         64 . The flush valve of  claim 59  wherein said top cover is removable while maintaining said front cover including a sensor window located in place with respect to said main cover body. 
     
     
         65 . The flush valve of  claim 62  wherein said sensor is an optical sensor and said sensor window in an optical window. 
     
     
         66 . The flush valve of  claim 63  further constructed to adjust detection sensitivity of said sensor while maintaining said optical window located on said main cover body. 
     
     
         67 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 57  wherein said controller is programmed to execute an algorithm including several predefined target states based on a possible behavior of said user over a predefined time period within said sensing field of said optical sensor. 
     
     
         68 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 67  wherein said controller algorithm identifying said user initially moving in and thus entering a first of said predefined target states and progressing through a succession of said target states and later moving away from said optical sensor. 
     
     
         69 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 68  wherein said target states include sitting and standing action of said user. 
     
     
         70 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 67  wherein said controller issues said flush command including a half-flush of said water amount. 
     
     
         71 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 67  wherein said controller issues said flush command including a full-flush of said water amount. 
     
     
         72 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 67  wherein said controller issues said flush command after a predefined time period regardless of any action by said user. 
     
     
         73 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 72  wherein said predefined time period is 24 hours. 
     
     
         74 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 67  wherein said controller includes a microcontroller. 
     
     
         75 . The sensor-based automatic flusher system of  claim 74  wherein said microcontroller operates at three frequencies. 
     
     
         76 . A method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher, comprising:
 providing a flusher body including a water conduit having at least one inlet for receiving water and at least one outlet for providing water to a toilet or a urinal and being controlled by a main valve controlled by an actuator;   providing an optical sensor and a control circuit including a controller;   initiating said optical sensor to sense a user;   executing an algorithm for identifying behavior of a user over a predefined time period within a sensing field of said optical sensor;   issuing a flush command for a predefined amount of water based on said behavior of said user; and   switching between an open state of said main valve and a closed state of said main valve; said open state permitting water flow of said amount of water, and a closed state of said valve preventing fluid flow from said outlet.   
     
     
         77 . The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher according to  claims 76  including identifying predefined target states based on a possible behavior of said user over a predefined time period within said sensing field of said optical sensor. 
     
     
         78 . The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher according to  claim 77  including identifying said user initially moving in and thus entering a first of said predefined target states and progressing through a succession of said target states and later moving away from said optical sensor. 
     
     
         79 . The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher according to  claim 78  wherein said target states include sitting and standing action of said user. 
     
     
         80 . The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher according to  claim 76  wherein said issuing said flush command includes a half-flush of said water amount. 
     
     
         81 . The method for controlling a sensor-based automatic flusher according to  claim 76  wherein said issuing said flush command includes a full-flush of said water amount.