Sensing Devices

Abstract

A hand dryer includes improved electronic features and internal and external sensors. The improved hand dryer provides useful sensors for public restrooms. In that regard, air quality sensors, smoke detectors and ozone sensors provided by the hand dryer are particularly useful. A portable sensor device has electronic features and internal and external sensors. The portable sensor can be used by a traveler to make a traveler aware of the contents of the air they will be breathing in a hotel room. The portable sensor has sensors providing other valuable information to the traveler and can monitor the security of the room when the traveler is absent.

Claims

1. A hand dryer comprising: a housing, an air blower in the housing and arranged to deliver air through an outlet of the housing out of the housing to dry hands; an ozone generator within the housing, providing ozone to the air delivered through the outlet; an ozone sensor for sensing the concentration of ozone in either the incoming air through the housing intake or the delivered air out of the outlet; and a computer connected to the ozone generator and the ozone sensor, the computer turning off, or diminishing the output of, the ozone generator when the concentration of ozone reaches a pre-selected limit.

2. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a hands time-of-flight sensor mounted to the housing for detecting the presence of hands beneath the outlet, the computer connected to the hands time-of-flight sensor and to the air blower, the computer tuning on the air blower when hands are present.

3. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a user time-of-flight sensor for determining the presence of and duration of a user in front of the hand dryer, the computer connected to user hands time-of-flight sensor and collecting data on the presence of users in front of the hand dryer.

4. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising an air quality sensor mounted to the housing and signal-connected to the computer, data on air quality collected by the computer.

5. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a WI-Fi module within the housing, communicating between user's devices and an external network.

6. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a Z-wave module communication with remote sensors and the computer, the computer collecting data from the remote sensors.

7. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a LTE/5G modem within the housing, communicating between the computer and an external network.

8. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a BLUETOOTH capable of signal-connection between the computer and a user's held device.

9. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising an mmWave sensor module using millimeter wave radar technology creating a mapping of the room and detecting movements throughout the room, detecting where users are within the room and when they enter or leave.

10. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising an RFID/NFC reader that reads RFID of NFC readable card and mobile phones.

11. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising: a user time-of-flight sensor for determining the presence of and duration of a user in front of the dryer and communicating with the computer for collecting presence and duration data; an air quality sensor mounted to the housing and signal-connected to the computer for collecting air quality data; a WI-Fi module within the housing; a Z-wave module communication with remote sensors and the computer for collecting data from the remote sensors; an LTE/5G modem within the housing; a BLUETOOTH capable of signal-connection between the computer and a user's held device; an mmWave sensor module using millimeter wave radar technology creating a mapping of the room and detecting movements throughout the room, detecting where users are within the room and when they enter or leave; and an RFID/NFC reader that reads RFID of NFC readable card and mobile phones.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The hand dryer according to claim 22, further comprising an air quality sensor mounted to the housing and signal-connected to the computer to collect data on air quality.

16. The hand dryer according to claim 22, further comprising a WI-Fi module within the housing.

17. The hand dryer according to claim 22, further comprising a Z-wave module communication with remote sensors and with the computer to collect data from the remote sensors.

18. The hand dryer according to claim 22, further comprising a LTE/5G modem within the housing to communicate between the computer and an external network.

19. The hand dryer according to claim 22, further comprising a BLUETOOTH capable connection between the hand dryer and a user's hand held device.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A hand dryer comprising: a housing, an air blower in the housing and arranged to deliver air through an outlet of the housing out of the housing to dry hands; an mmWave sensor module using millimeter wave radar technology creating a mapping of the room and detecting movements throughout the room, detecting where users are within the room and when they enter or leave; and a computer connected to the mmWave sensor for collecting and storing data on where users are within the room and when they enter or leave.

23. A hand dryer comprising: a housing, an air blower in the housing and arranged to deliver air through an outlet of the housing out of the housing to dry hands; remote sensors; and a Z-wave module communication with the remote sensors; and a computer connected to the Z-wave module for collecting and storing data on the remote sensors.

24.-42. (canceled)

43. The hand dryer according to claim 23, further comprising a user time-of-flight sensor for determining the presence of and duration of a user in front of the hand dryer, the computer connected to user hands time-of-flight sensor and collecting data on the presence of users in front of the hand dryer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a hand dryer according to the invention;

[0076] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system of the invention; and

[0077] FIG. 3 is a user display screen responding to the system of FIG. 2.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary portable sensor device of the invention;

[0079] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a control board for the exemplary portable sensor device of FIG. 4;

[0080] FIG. 6 is a graphic dashboard of a remote device responding to camera data from the portable sensor device;

[0081] FIG. 7 is a graphic dashboard of a remote device responding to air quality data from the portable sensor device;

[0082] FIG. 8 is a graphic dashboard view of a remote device responding to a camera lens of a hidden camera; and

[0083] FIG. 9 perspective view of the exemplary portable sensor device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0085] This application incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No. 10,342,398; US Published Application 2008/0004963; PCT/US2020/050523 filed Sep. 11, 2020; U.S. Ser. No. 62/898,755 filed Sep. 11, 2019; and U.S. Ser. No. 63/016,511 filed Apr. 28, 2020.

[0086] FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic form, a hand dryer 10 having a housing 14, such as a metal enclosure, with an air intake 18 and an air outlet 22. A blower fan 30 is arranged in an air chamber 34 between the air intake 18 and the air outlet 22 and is powered to pressurize air from the air intake 18 and deliver air at a velocity out of the air outlet 22 in order to dry hands held beneath the air outlet. An air heater (not shown) can also be provided within the air chamber in order to provide heated air to dry hands.

[0087] An ozone generator 38 is located within the air chamber 34, and is used to purify the air and remove bad odors and kill bacteria on the hands. The ozone generator can be arranged in the outlet to treat the air that dries hands. An air quality sensor 40 and an ozone detector sensor 44 can be arranged in the air flow chamber 34 to check air for contaminants and ozone respectively. The ozone sensor precisely measures the concentration of ozone and the computer controls the ozone generator such as to avoid a concentration that may be detrimental to occupants of the restroom. The ozone sensor can be an 3SP-03-20 sensor from SPEC SENSORS, described at https://www.spec-sensors.com/product/ozone-sensor/. Alternately, the ozone sensor can be a model MHM501-00 ozone sensor from MURATA as described at https://eu.mouser.com/productdetail/murata-electronics/mhm501-00?qs=%2fha2pyfaduhgwqoxjatvgr5hokx%252bkeldqmessebisa8wrummjtnew%3d%3d.

[0088] Within the housing 14 above the air flow chamber, a number of electronic sensors and devices are arranged.

[0089] A Z-wave module 60 uses a wireless communications protocol to connect smart devices and external sensors. For example a sensor can be installed in the toilet paper dispenser, alerting the facility manager when toilet paper is running out by the Z-wave wireless protocol. The Z-wave sensor can be a ZGM130S SIP Module from SILICON LABS, described at https://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/mesh-networking/z-wave/modules/zgm130s-sip-module.

[0090] The hand dryer can have two time of flight sensors 64. One time-of-flight sensor can be located on the bottom of the hand dryer to detect hands and activate the blower, and another time-of-flight sensor can be located on the front of the hand dryer to detect the presence of the person to give accurate data on how long the person is standing there. The time-of-flight sensor can be an ST VL6180X proximity sensor, gesture and ambient light sensing (ALS) module as described at https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/imaging-and-photonics-solutions/proximity-sensors/v16180x.html.

[0091] An LTE/5G modem 68 gives the hand-dryer the ability to connect to either a Wi-Fi or a cellular network, described at https://y1cj3stn5fbwhv73k0ipk1eg-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/telit_me910g1_datasheet.pdf.

[0092] A WiFi module 72 is provided in the housing for users.

[0093] A single board computer 76 is mounted within the housing and receives data from the sensors, controls devices and collects, stores and transmits sensor data.

[0094] An mmWave sensor module 80 uses millimeter wave radar technology to create a mapping of the room and to detect movements throughout the area, detecting where patrons are within the room and when they enter or leave. This sensor can map out the restroom with it creating the ability to count people passing through its field of view in the restroom. When the restroom is mapped out with their stalls etc., which stall the persons have used can be detected and their behavior can be detected when entering and exiting the facility. The mmWave sensor can be from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, described at http://www.ti.com/sensors/mmwave/overview.html.

[0095] An RFID/NFC reader 82 reads RFID of NFC readable card and mobile phones for check-in and check-out of employees. Also, this sensor could function as an authentication method for maintenance members to be granted access for on-site maintenance. The sensor can be a TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TRF7970A Transceiver IC such as described at https://www.mouser.com/new/texas-instruments/ti-trf7970a-transceiver-ic/.

[0096] FIG. 2 illustrates the time-of-flight sensors 64, 65 the ozone sensor 44, the mmWave sensor 80, the Z-Wave sensor 60 and the NFC/RFID reader module 82 provide analog data to the 10 Bus 88 which outputs digital data to the CPU or single board computer 76. Based on some of these sensor signals, the computer 76 controls a blower controller 80 which controls a blower motor 84. The computer 76 also controls the operation of the ozone generator 38. Otherwise the computer collects, stores and transmits data to an external network 90.

[0097] The computer 76 supplies processed data to a network interface such as the LTE/5G modem 68 to an external network 90 which provides data to a sensor database 96, a machine learning database 98 and a session tracker 100.

[0098] The session tracker 100 can be in the form of a user interface 110 as shown in FIG. 3. The sensors provide data which can be displayed on the interface, in the form of a viewing screen, such as a daily power consumption, number of dryer uses, number of people passing by the dryer, a cost analysis, maintenance or fill status of soap dispensers, toilet paper rolls, control functions of the blower motor, alerts, service recommendations and employee check-ins and check-outs.

[0099] FIG. 4 illustrates in schematic form, a second embodiment of the invention, a portable sensor device 210. The device 210 includes a variety of sensors, including climate sensors 211 in signal communication with a climate board 212, an air quality sensor 214 in signal communication with an air quality module or board 216, a time-of-flight sensor 220, a radio frequency sensor 224 and an mmWave sensor 230. The time of flight sensor 220 can project a “3D” image and can detect movement as well as people passing in front of the unit. The radio frequency sensor 224 detects if there are any devices emitting radio frequencies from wireless cameras or recording devices (“bugs”) inside the room. The mmWave sensor (or radio motion sensor) creates a radar field of the room and can track movement around the room. The air quality sensors 214 include sensors that can measure pollutants in the air and also temperature, humidity and pressure. All these sensors output analog data to an IO interface 36 which communicates digital data to a CPU 240. A power management module 46 is signal connected to the CPU 240. The power management module 246 receives power from either a power cable 250 or a rechargeable battery 254.

[0100] An audio processor board 262 is signal connected to the CPU 240. The audio processing board receives input from a microphone 266 and outputs audio signal to a loudspeaker 270. The microphone can be used to communicate commands to the device CPU 240 via voice recognition software. The loudspeaker can be used to audibly communicate information to the user.

[0101] An imaging processing board 276 is signal connected to the CPU 240 and receives a video signal from a 1080p HD camera 280. The 1080p HD camera can monitor the room when the user is not present. Still or video images can be recorded in the device memory and/or uploaded to an external database in real time to capture any unauthorized activity in the user's room, such as an unauthorized intrusion or theft, when the user is not present. Either the time-of-flight sensor 220 or the mmWave sensor 230 can trigger the camera to start recording if a person is present in the room.

[0102] The microphone 266 can also be used as a sound detector to detect sound in the room to actuate the camera 280 via the audio processing board and the CPU to record activity in the room.

[0103] The CPU 240 receives and transmits signals between an LTE/5G modem 286 and a Wi-Fi module 290. The modem 286 and the Wi-Fi 290 communicate process data to and from an external network 300. The external network 300 exports and imports processed data such as to/from a sensor database 306, a machine learning database 310, a session tracker 316, and an API 320.

[0104] A strobing RGB LED light 400 is connected to a control board 402. The CPU 240 uses a filtered image of the strobing RGB LED light to detect small reflections in the recording by the HD camera 280 to identify a lens of a surreptitiously placed camera in a hotel room or the like. The HD camera can scan the room while the RGB LED light is strobing and the CPU 240 can identify the reflection of a camera lens of a hidden camera. The results of the scan can be displayed on a device, such as a desk top or laptop computer, or tablet, as shown in FIG. 5, or on a smart phone. An example of a device which uses this technology is the Spy Finder Pro Hidden Camera Detector, available from Brickhouse Security at https://www.brickhousesecurity.com/counter-surveillance/spy-finder/ Manhattan, NY, N.Y.

[0105] FIG. 5 illustrates a control board 430 for the device 210. The control board is an effective way to connect up the various sensors and modules of the device 210. If the various sensors are not part of their respective boards or modules, the sensors can be mounted separately from the board 430. The SSD 432 is a slot for micro-SSD cards.

[0106] FIG. 6 is a camera view dashboard of images or video captured by the device. This dashboard can be displayed remotely from the device on a smartphone, on a desktop computer monitor or on a laptop. On the left in this figure the desktop or laptop display is shown. and on the right the smartphone display is shown. The dashboard can keep a running record of events that occur in the room a video clips of those events. The user can select any video clip or replay.

[0107] FIG. 7 is an air quality dashboard captured by the device air quality sensors and/or other sensors. This dashboard can be displayed remotely from the device on a smartphone, on a desktop computer monitor or on a laptop. On the left in this figure the desktop or laptop display is shown, and on the right the smartphone display is shown. The dashboard can keep a running record of events that occur in the room.

[0108] FIG. 8 is hidden camera dashboard captured by the device camera lens sensor using the RGB LED light 400, control board 402, CPU 240 and the HD camera 280. This dashboard can be displayed remotely from the device on a smartphone, on a desktop computer monitor or on a laptop. A desktop or laptop display is shown. The display indicates that the sensor has detected a surreptitious camera lens from a hidden camera.

[0109] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device. The device includes a box-like housing 500 that encloses the sensors and electronics of the device. The box-like housing can measure about 7 inches width, 2.5 inches depth and 2.5 inches height. The housing can have a user interface and/or the electronics which can communicate with a user using vice recognition, a handheld remote control, a smart phone, a web browser on a desktop or laptop computer. The board 430 is shown mounted on a front side off the housing. The sensors can also be mounted on a front side of the housing. The board 430 and sensors can be covered by a permeable front cover 550.

[0110] The housing can be a metal or plastic enclosure or made from other suitable material.

[0111] The climate sensors 211 can be arranged to monitor ambient conditions surrounding the device 210.

[0112] The air quality sensor 214 can be arranged to monitor air in the environment of the device.

[0113] The radio frequency sensor can be configured to sense any surreptitiously planted spying devices.

[0114] The time of flight sensor 220 is arranged to detect the presence of a person in a room. The time-of-flight sensor can be an ST VL6180X as described at https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/imaging-and-photonics-solutions/proximity-sensors/v16180x.html.

[0115] The LTE/5G modem 286 gives the device the ability to connect to either a Wi-Fi or a cellular network, described at https://y1cj3stn5fbwhv73k0ipk1eg-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/telit_me910g1_datasheet.pdf.

[0116] The WiFi module 290 is provided in the housing for users to upload data or download data. WiFi is not available everywhere so embedded cellular data allows a user to insert a local SIM card to have constant connectivity or sync later when the device is offline.

[0117] The single board computer 240 is mounted within the housing and receives data from the sensors, controls devices and collects, stores and transmits sensor data.

[0118] The mmWave sensor module 320 uses millimeter wave radar technology to create a mapping of the room and to detect movements throughout the room, detecting where people are within the room and when they enter or leave. The mmWave sensor can be from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, described at http://www.ti.com/sensors/mmwave/overview.html.

[0119] The session tracker 416 can be in the form of a user interface with user input and a viewing screen. The sensors provide data which can be displayed on the interface, in the form of the viewing screen, such as air quality and people who enter the room. The viewing screen can be on a desktop computer, a laptop computer or a smartphone or other mobile device.

[0120] The machine learning would be to process data and create algorithms to increase the efficiency of the unit's features. For example, in cities where there are higher rating of pollution that different units have detected, the system would increase the limit of tolerable air pollution before sending an alert.

[0121] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.