TWI397869B - Hand washing monitoring system and method improvement - Google Patents

Description

Hand washing monitoring system and method improvement

The present invention relates generally to a security system, and more particularly to a system and method for monitoring whether an individual using a toilet or the like has a hand washing.

The present invention is an improvement of the "Handwashing Monitoring System and Method" disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,443,305 to Wenson L. Widfano, issued on October 28, 2008. This patent is hereinafter referred to as "2008 Handwashing Patent", which is incorporated herein by reference.

As disclosed in the 2008 hand washing patent, when a monitored individual (such as a restaurant employee) enters or walks out of a toilet, an identification device worn by the monitored individual is sensed by a sensor located near the toilet door. Measurement. The person being monitored also wears a pointing device on his or her hand. In the toilet, a sink with a soap dispenser is placed over the soap dispenser opening, and a pair of indicator readers are provided inside the soap dispenser opening, when the monitored person extends his/her hand into the soap dispenser. When the opening is inside, the indication device is activated by the detection of the pointing device. If the identity sensor senses that the person has left the toilet and has not received a confirmation of the hand washing action from the reader, a warning signal is generated and transmitted to the computer system and one of the authorized personnel of the person can be disciplined.

In a preferred embodiment disclosed in the 2008 hand washing patent, the hand washing station also has a sensor light emitter that emits one or more rays of light across the opening of the soap dispenser to a sensor for light reading. The picker is such that when the hand of the monitored individual reaches into the soap dispenser opening to the soap dispenser, the light beam is blocked and a corresponding signal is transmitted to a soaping control member, which responds to the soap control member. The signal is activated to the soap dispenser to release the hand sanitizer to the hand of the person being monitored.

The preferred embodiment disclosed in the 2008 hand washing patent has the disadvantage of having a cumbersome hand detecting device on the sink, so that it requires a pair of indicator readers and paired sensor light emitter-receivers, the former It is used to detect the indicator on the hand of the person being monitored and the latter is used to release soap to the individual's hand. This cumbersome increases the cost of the sink and the possibility of failure.

In the present invention, the cumbersome deletion is performed by using the indicator reader alone to perform the two functions of detecting the individual's hand in the soap dispenser opening and initiating the soap dispenser. The present invention also further improves the design of the hand washing station by providing a mechanism for computerized control of the amount of hand sanitizer dispensed to the soap dispenser.

The present invention is a system and method improvement for monitoring hand washing of one or more monitored individuals. This system contains an enclosed area (typically a toilet) that can be accessed by one or more doors. One or more identity sensors are disposed in the surrounding area, and each of the identity sensors is adjacent to one of the doors. One or more hand washing stations are provided in the enclosed area, each hand basin comprising one or more sinks, each sink having one or more faucets, one or more soap dispensers, and one or more drains. There are one or more pairs of indicator readers in each hand washing station, and each pair of indicator readers includes an indicator reader A and an indicator reader B. Indicating that the position of the reader A is adjacent to the soap dispenser and indicating that the reader B is below the indicator reader A, such that the space between the indicator reader A and the indicator reader B constitutes a soap dispenser opening The hand of the person being monitored can be inserted into the opening of the soap dispenser to access the soap dispenser.

Each monitored individual wears an identification device such as a badge such that when the monitored individual enters or leaves the enclosed area by one of the doors, the identity sensor adjacent to the door senses the identification device and will pass through the door The identity of the monitored individual is transmitted to a system control device. In a preferred embodiment, the system control unit is located in a central processing unit (CPU) control box within each hand washing station, and the central processing unit control box is wirelessly coupled to a remote computer.

One or more indicator readers, such as bracelets or wristbands, are worn on one or both hands or around the hands of each monitored individual. When the hand of the monitored individual is placed under the soap dispenser in the soap dispenser opening between the reader A and the indicator reader B, the indicator reader A and the indicator reader B are sensed. The presence of the pointing device is transmitted and an indication signal is transmitted to the system control device to indicate that the monitored individual has washed his/her hand. After receiving the indication signal, the system control device transmits a start signal to a soaping control member, and the soap control member activates the soap dispenser to release the hand sanitizer to the monitored individual's hand in response to the activation signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor. The start signal causes the motor to start running for a period of time. The motor has a shaft that rotates when the motor is started. The shaft is connected to the screw conveyor by a gear device consisting of two gears, which may be a spur gear, a helical gear, a worm gear or a helical gear. Therefore, when the start signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor is activated for a period of time to extract a certain amount of hand sanitizer from a storage tank that is connected to the soap control member. The amount of hand sanitizer released is determined by the system control device based on the rotational speed of the motor, the gear ratio, the time of the screw, and the thread depth and pitch of the screw conveyor.

When the system control device receives the transmission from the identity sensor indicating that the monitored individual has entered the enclave area and left the enclaved area but the system control device does not receive the slave reader A and the instruction reader B An alarm device generates a warning signal when an indication that the monitored individual has already washed the hand is issued.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a hand washing monitoring system in which a person uses a specific example of the present invention. A hand washing station 10 is provided in the toilet and adjacent to the sink. In the present embodiment, the hand washing station 10 is located directly above the sink. The hand washing station 10 has a soap dispenser opening 10a into which the individual inserts his hand into the soap dispenser opening 10a. As will be explained below, the sink 10 senses the insertion of the hand to release the soap. The sink also provides instructions to the system that the hand has been inserted.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the main components of the hand washing system and the cooperation of the main components. The three main components are a central computer 20 located, for example, in a manager's office; a body sensor 30 located near the toilet door, the individual can enter and leave the toilet through the door of the toilet; and the aforementioned hand washing station 10. The identity sensor 30 is coupled (preferably wirelessly coupled) to the central computer 20, and when a person enters the toilet, the identity sensor 30 senses the identification device worn by the individual, and the identification device is typically a badge. .

The hand washing station 10 includes a system control device 12. In the preferred embodiment, the system control device 12 is a central processing unit controller that provides regional control and communicates with the central computer 20 (preferably wireless communication). ). As will be explained below in the description of the invention, the person being monitored will wear a pointing device 13 around the hand or hand. In the preferred embodiment, the pointing device 13 is a wrist strap. Within the system 10 is provided a pair of indicator readers 15A, 15B that are configured to position the pointing device 13 therebetween to sense the pointing device 13. When the pair of indicator readers 15A, 15B senses the pointing device 13, an indication signal is transmitted to the system control device 12 to indicate that the monitored individual has washed his/her hand. After receiving the indication signal, the system control device transmits a start signal to a soaping control member 14, and the soap control member 14 responds to the activation signal to activate the soap dispenser to release the hand sanitizer 46a on the hand of the person being monitored.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, the soaping control member 14 includes a screw conveyor 51 and a motor 52. The start signal causes the motor 52 to start operating for a period of time. The motor has a shaft that will rotate when the motor 52 is activated. The shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor 51 by a gear unit 53 consisting of two gears, which may be a spur gear, a helical gear, a worm gear or a helical gear. Therefore, when the start signal activates the motor 52, the screw conveyor 51 rotates for a period of time to draw a certain amount of hand sanitizer 46a from a storage tank 46, and the storage tank 46 is connected to the soaping control member 14. The amount of hand soap 46 released is determined by system control device 12 based on motor rotational speed, gear ratio, time period, and thread depth and pitch of screw conveyor 51.

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this example, it is assumed that the person being monitored is an employee of a restaurant such as a restaurant. At step 200, when the employee arrives at the workplace or punches, the employee receives a pointing device 13 in the form of a wristband. Please understand that the pointing device can be a ring worn on a finger or a belt or any other form of device worn around the hand or around the hand. Also please understand that the pointing device can be provided to an individual when they are going to the toilet. In summary, it is assumed that this office requires each employee to wear an identification device that is typically a badge. Many of these types of badges used today include badges that can be sensed by a remote sensor when the individual wearing the badge passes. The identification device 30 is located near the door of the toilet and senses the identity of the person passing through the door. This information and the identity of the individual are transmitted to the central computer 20 (step 210).

As noted above, it is contemplated that a person will place his hand into the sink 10 before leaving the toilet, which will cause the pointing reader 15A, 15B to sense the pointing device 13 and transmit a suitable signal to the central processing unit controller. 12. At the same time, the soap is released to the hands of the person being monitored and he needs to wash his hands to remove the soap.

At step 220, a test is performed to determine whether an indication signal from the reader 15A, 15B is received. This will occur when the identity sensor 30 senses that the individual has left the toilet. If so, the central processing unit controller 12 signals the central computer 20 to notify that an indication has been received and logs into the database of the central computer 20 to indicate that the individual has washed their hands (step 230).

If the central processing unit controller 12 does not receive an indication of the test of step 220 when the individual leaves the toilet, the central processing unit controller 12 signals the central computer 20 to inform the individual that the user has not washed their hands and properly logs in to the central computer 20. Within the library (step 240). An appropriate visual or audible alarm device can be installed to alert a manager and indicate the identity of the individual who did not wash his hands. The manager can then make a proper discussion with the individual to ensure that he goes back to wash his hands (step 250).

4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing a preferred internal structure of the sink 10. As shown in the figures, the hand washing station 10 is housed in a container 40 that includes a pivotal lid 40a that can be accessed by the lid into the interior of the container. The lid can utilize a lock 42 to avoid being opened. The central processing unit controller 12 is housed within the interior of the container 40 and preferably has a wireless transmitter having an antenna 12a having a closed chamber 44 therein through which the chamber 44 can be accessed through the soap dispenser opening 10a. A storage tank 46 for containing the soap liquid 46a is disposed above the chamber 44. The storage tank 46 communicates with the chamber 44 through the soap control member 14, and the soap control member 14 is placed into the chamber 44 from above.

Indicator readers 15A, 15B are provided separately from the upper wall and the lower wall in front of the chamber 44. A drain port 44b, 44b is provided in the bottom wall of the chamber 44 to allow excess soap to be released through the lower tank. The central processing unit controller 12 is coupled to the two indicator readers 15A, 15B via wires 48, and the central processing unit controller 12 is coupled to the soaping control 14 via wires 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the container 40 is conventionally mounted on the wall W of the toilet using conventional means.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration. However, many additional, modifications, and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

10. . . Hand cleaning station

10a. . . Dispenser opening

12. . . System control device

12a. . . Antenna

13. . . Indicator device

14. . . Dispensing controller

15A. . . Indicator reader

15B. . . Indicator reader

20. . . Computer

30. . . Identity sensor identity sensor

40. . . Enclosure container

40a. . . Lid cover

42. . . Lock lock

44. . . Compartment

44b. . . Drain

46. . . Storage tank

46a. . . Soap solution

48. . . Lead wire

50. . . Lead wire

51. . . Screw screw conveyor

52. . . Motor

53. . . Gearing means

200. . . Step

210. . . Step

220. . . Step

230. . . Step

240. . . Step

250. . . Step

W. . . Wall

The above summary and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand washing monitoring system used in a toilet and showing a person's hand inserted into the hand washing monitoring system;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operation of the hand washing monitoring system;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the cooperation of the components of the hand washing monitoring system;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1 and seen from the direction of the arrow to reveal the internal structure of the sink;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1 and seen from the direction of the arrow, further revealing the internal structure of the sink;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of one of the coefficients of the soap control member.

10. . . Hand cleaning station

10a. . . Dispenser opening

12. . . System control device

12a. . . Antenna

42. . . Lock lock

Claims (21)

A system for monitoring one or more monitored personal hand washings comprising: (a) an enclosed area accessed by one or more doors; (b) one or more sense of identity within the enclosed area a detector, each identity sensor being adjacent to one of the doors; (c) one or more sinks located within the enclosure, each sink comprising one or more sinks, each sink having one or more faucets, one Or a plurality of soap dispensers and one or more drain ports; (d) one or more indicator readers disposed in each of the hand washing stations, each indicator reader being adjacent to one of the water tanks such that each sink is adjacent One or more indicator readers; (e) an identification device worn by each monitored individual such that when the monitored individual enters or leaves the enclosure by one of the doors, the identity is adjacent to the door The sensor senses the identification device and transmits the monitored individual identity through the door to a system control device; (f) is worn on one or both hands of each monitored individual or around the hand One or more indicator readers so that when it is monitored When the individual's hand is placed near one of the sinks, the indicator reader senses the presence of the pointing device and transmits two signals: (i) an indication signal is transmitted to the system control device to indicate that the monitored individual has been washed His/her hand, and (ii) an activation signal is transmitted to the soap control member, the soaping control member will respond to the activation signal to cause the soap dispenser to release the hand sanitizer to the monitored individual's hand. And (g) an alarm device, when the system control device receives an indication from the identity sensor that the monitored individual has entered the enclaved area and left the enveloping area to transmit a message but the system control device The alarm device generates a warning signal when an indication signal that the monitored individual has been hand-washed from the instructing reader has not been received. The system of claim 1, wherein the system control device is a regional central processing unit controller. The system of claim 2, wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located within the enclosed area. The system of claim 3, wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located in the hand washing station. The system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the regional central processing unit controller receives an indication from the identity sensor that the monitored individual has entered The regional central processing unit controller transmits a warning when the surrounding area and the outgoing area transmit a message but the system control device does not receive a signal from the indicating reader that the monitored individual has washed the hand Signal and / or a warning message to a remote computer. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start operating for a period of time, and wherein the motor Having a shaft that rotates when the motor is activated, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor by a gear device such that when the activation signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates for a period of time A certain amount of hand washing liquid is taken out from the storage tank, and the storage tank is connected to the soaping control member, and the release amount of the hand washing liquid is determined by the system control device according to the rotation speed of the motor, the gear ratio, the time period, And the screw depth and pitch of the screw conveyor are determined. The system of claim 5, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start running for a period of time, and wherein the motor has a shaft when the motor The shaft rotates when activated, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor by a gear device such that when the start signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates for a period of time to extract a quantity from a storage tank Hand washing liquid, the storage tank is connected to the soaping control unit, the release amount of the hand washing liquid is determined by the system control device according to the motor rotating speed, the gear ratio, the period of time, and the thread of the screw conveyor Depth and pitch are chosen. A system for monitoring one or more monitored personal hand washings comprising: (a) an enclosed area accessed by one or more doors; (b) one or more sense of identity within the enclosed area a detector, each identity sensor being adjacent to one of the doors; (c) one or more sinks located within the enclosure, each sink comprising one or more sinks, each sink having one or more faucets, one Or a plurality of soap dispensers and one or more drain ports; (d) one or more pairs of indicator readers disposed in each of the hand washing stations, each pair of indicator readers including an indicator reader A and a Indicating reader B indicating that the position of reader A is adjacent to the soap dispenser and indicating that reader B is below the indicator reader A such that between indicating reader A and indicating reader B The space constitutes a soap dispenser opening into which the hand of the monitored individual can extend into the soap dispenser opening to access the soap dispenser; (e) an identification device worn by each monitored individual such that when When the monitored individual enters or leaves the enclosed area by one of the doors, the identity sensor adjacent to the door feels Detecting the identification device and transmitting the monitored individual identity through the door to a system control device; (f) one or more of the one or both hands of each monitored individual or around the hand Instructing the reader such that when the hand of the monitored individual is placed under the soap dispenser in the soap dispenser opening between the reader A and the instructing reader B, the indicator reader A And instructing reader B to sense the presence of the pointing device and transmit two signals: (i) an indication signal is transmitted to the system control device to indicate that the monitored individual has washed his/her hand, and (ii) a start signal is transmitted to the soaping control member, the soaping control member will respond to the activation signal to cause the soap dispenser to release the hand sanitizer to the hand of the monitored individual; and (g) an alarm device The system control device receives a transmission message from the identity sensor indicating that the monitored individual has entered the enclave area and left the enclave area but the system control device does not receive the instruction from the reader A And indicating that the monitored individual issued by the reader B has washed the hand When the instruction signal, the alarm means will generate an alarm signal. The system of claim 8 wherein the system control device is a regional central processing unit controller. The system of claim 9 wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located within the enclosure. The system of claim 10, wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located in the hand washing station. The system of any one of clauses 9-11, wherein the regional central processing unit controller receives an indication from the identity sensor that the monitored individual has entered the The regional central processing unit controller transmits a warning when the surrounding area leaves the transmitting message but the system control device does not receive the indication signal that the monitored individual has washed the hand from the indicating reader Signal and / or a warning message to a remote computer. The system of claim 8 to 11, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start operating for a period of time, and wherein the motor has an axis, when The shaft rotates when the motor is started, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor by a gear device such that when the start signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates for a period of time to extract from a storage tank a quantity of hand sanitizer, the storage tank is connected to the soaping control unit, and the amount of the hand washing liquid is released by the system control device according to the rotation speed of the motor, the gear ratio, the period of time, and the spiral conveying The thread depth and pitch of the machine are determined. The system of claim 12, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start operating for a period of time, and wherein the motor has a shaft when the motor The shaft rotates when activated, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor by a gear device such that when the start signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates for a period of time to extract a quantity from a storage tank Hand washing liquid, the storage tank is connected to the soaping control unit, the release amount of the hand washing liquid is determined by the system control device according to the rotation speed of the motor, the gear ratio, the period of time, and the screw conveyor Thread depth and pitch are determined. A method for monitoring one or more monitored individuals washing their hands, comprising: (a) sensing the identity of the person being monitored as he enters and leaves an enclosed area; (b) has entered and left The identity of the monitored individual of the enclosing area door is transmitted to a system control device; (c) sensing when the hand of the monitored individual is placed in a sink between the paired two indicator readers Wearing on the hands of each monitored individual or the presence of a pointing device around the hand, the two indicating readers being placed one below the other so that they are located between the two indicating readers The space constitutes a soap dispenser opening, the hand of the monitored individual can be inserted into the soap dispenser opening to access a soap dispenser in the sink; (d) when the paired two indicator reader senses the When the indicating device is located in the soap dispenser opening, transmitting an indication signal to a system control device; (e) when the paired two indicator reader senses that the indicating device is located within the soap dispenser opening, transmitting a start signal to a soaping control member, the soaping control member will respond to the activation signal Having the soap dispenser release the hand sanitizer to the hand of the person being monitored; and (f) generating a warning signal when the system control device receives an identity signal but does not receive a hand washing signal. The method of claim 15, wherein the system control device is a regional central processing unit controller. The method of claim 16, wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located within the enclosed area. The method of claim 17, wherein the regional central processing unit controller is located in the hand washing station. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a step of the regional central processing when the system control device receives an identity signal and does not receive an indication signal The unit controller transmits a warning signal and/or warning message to a remote computer. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start running for a period of time. Time, and wherein the motor has a shaft that rotates when the motor is activated, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor with a gearing such that when the activation signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates the shaft a period of time, in order to withdraw a certain amount of hand sanitizer from a storage tank, the storage tank is connected to the soaping control member, the release amount of the hand sanitizer is determined by the system control device according to the rotational speed of the motor, the gear The ratio, the time, and the thread depth and pitch of the screw conveyor are determined. The method of claim 19, wherein the soaping control member comprises a motor and a screw conveyor, and wherein the activation signal causes the motor to start operating for a period of time, and wherein the motor has a shaft when the motor The shaft rotates when activated, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the screw conveyor by a gear device such that when the start signal activates the motor, the screw conveyor rotates for a period of time to extract a quantity from a storage tank Hand washing liquid, the storage tank is connected to the soaping control unit, the release amount of the hand washing liquid is determined by the system control device according to the rotation speed of the motor, the gear ratio, the period of time, and the screw conveyor Thread depth and pitch are determined.