JP7610604B2 - Programmable toilet flush activation, monitoring and control system and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THEINVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for managing toilet flushing and monitoring wastewater consumption in toilets, such as toilets in toilet cubicles, typically found in places that accommodate large numbers of people, such as, but not limited to, airports, university campus buildings, public buildings, sports arenas, and entertainment events.

background
[0002] In public restrooms, such as those found in offices, schools, airports, and parks, toilets are located in stalls to maintain privacy for users who typically lock the stall door after entering the restroom and unlock the stall door when they exit the restroom.

[0003] In toilets designed to serve large numbers of people, there are two standard types of toilet flushing mechanisms: manual flushes, such as a toilet handle, lever, or button, and automatic flushes activated by a sensor and automatic flushing mechanisms.

[0004] In manual flushing, the toilet has a handle, lever, or button that is manually actuated and operably coupled to a flush mechanism that flushes the toilet when actuated. This method relies entirely on the user intentionally flushing the toilet, which can be problematic in places where high sanitation standards are required. For example, users are often reluctant to flush the toilet because flushing requires extra time and effort to produce a result that is not personally important to the user, or because they risk becoming contaminated.

[0005] To alleviate the problem of patrons missing their flushes, many facilities have installed automatic flush toilets. Automatic flush toilets typically have an infrared or ultrasonic sensor that detects the distance between the patron and the toilet. When a patron enters a stall and then walks away from the toilet to leave, the sensor detects that a predetermined distance between the patron and the toilet has been met, and the sensor triggers the toilet to flush.

[0006] Automatic toilet flushing systems are very popular and even required in some locations. These systems keep restrooms clean and reduce the incidence of pathogen transfer and the potential for the transmission of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, automatic flushing toilets sometimes do not flush sufficiently or, more commonly, flush too frequently. Actions such as hanging up a coat, putting down a backpack, or laying toilet paper on the seat can cause users to unintentionally or unnecessarily trigger the automatic toilet flush sequence. Especially for toilets in public restrooms that may be used hundreds or even thousands of times a day, excess flushes can accumulate significantly over time and cause large amounts of water waste.

Summary of the Invention
[0007] A first advantage of the present invention is water conservation by determining significantly more accurately when a toilet should be flushed and how often the toilet has been used compared to currently existing automatic toilet flushing systems. Prior art systems measure the distance of the user from the toilet, which is not an effective predictor of when and whether the user has used the toilet due to errors in determining whether the user actually used the toilet or engaged in some unrelated behavior as discussed above. The best indicator of toilet usage and water consumption is unlocking the toilet stall door to open the door so the user can exit the stall. Since the present invention is based on the reliability of the user unlocking the stall door as the only indicator that the toilet has been used, the present invention uses the stall door unlocking behavior to determine when to flush the toilet. Thus, the likelihood that the toilet will flush as needed and only flush once per toilet use is improved since other user behaviors do not trigger unintentional flushes. Not only is the level of hygiene of the toilet improved compared to existing systems, but the number of unnecessary flushes that result in excessive and undesirable water waste is significantly limited.

[0008] A second important advantage of the present invention is that flushing need not be an inconvenience to the occupant. Since occupants almost always lock and unlock the stall door to maintain privacy, by modifying the lock-unlock step to trigger the toilet flush, the toilet will flush when the occupant leaves the toilet stall with no additional effort on the occupant's part.

[0009] Optionally, signage can be added to the interior or exterior of the stall door to inform occupants that the toilet is equipped to automatically flush when the stall door is unlocked, thereby avoiding or reducing inadvertent manual flushing by occupants.

[0010] A third important advantage of the present invention is that it includes the same sanitary benefits associated with sensor-based automatic toilet flushing systems.

[0011] According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for managing toilet flushing in a toilet cubicle. The system includes a door lock member, a toilet flush control device, and a toilet flush actuator.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the door lock member of the system includes a door lock chamber, typically mounted on a cubicle post, a slider, typically mounted on the cubicle door and aligned with the door lock chamber, and a housing enclosing a signal emitter associated with the door lock member, the signal emitter configured to transmit a wireless signal to a flush signal receiver associated with a toilet flush mechanism including a toilet flush controller and a toilet flush actuator. The lock member further includes a sensor for sensing the position of the slider, a door housing controller for receiving an input from the sensor and initiating transmission of a signal by the signal emitter to the flush signal receiver, and one or more batteries and an SD card, typically enclosed in a housing having a cover. The door housing controller can further optionally regulate the function of the battery and the SD card. The SD card can optionally store data received from the door housing controller, including but not limited to the sensor input and the signal emitter output.

[0013] The slider is translatable from a first position to a second position and includes a first end, or base end, and an opposite second end, or tip end. At the slider first position, the slider first end is inserted into the door lock chamber, and at the slider second position, the slider first end is positioned outside of, i.e., released from, the door lock chamber. The cubicle door cannot be opened unless the slider is in the second position. The sensor is configured to sense the slider when it is in the second position and is operatively connected to the signal emitter and communicates the detected position of the slider to the door housing controller. The door housing controller triggers the signal emitter to send a signal to the flush signal receiver. The toilet flush controller is operatively coupled to the flush signal receiver.

[0014] The toilet flush actuator is controlled by a toilet flush controller.

[0015] The signal emitter is configured to transmit a signal, e.g., a Bluetooth® or radio frequency signal, to the flush signal receiver upon sensing a signal sent from the sensor to the door housing controller that the sensor has detected that the slider has translated to the second position, and the toilet flush controller is configured to control the flush actuator to initiate a single flush when the stall door is unlocked.

[0016] In one embodiment, the system further includes a system controller configured to set a time interval between 5 and 240 seconds during which a flush may be activated. The system controller may communicate with both the door housing controller and the toilet flush controller wirelessly or through a wired connection. The system controller may set the duration of flush intervals for all toilets in the restroom and/or the duration of flush intervals for all toilets in the building, and may be configured to prevent any toilet from flushing for a period between 5 and 240 seconds after the previous flush.

[0017] In another embodiment according to the invention, the system further includes a toilet handle, lever, or button for manually flushing the toilet, and/or one or more solar cells or batteries for energizing one or more of the sensor, door housing control device, signal emitter, flush signal receiver, toilet flush control device, and toilet flush actuator.

[0018] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing a toilet flush in a toilet cubicle. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a wireless signal from a signal emitter in a cubicle door latch, the wireless signal indicating a pullback of a slider in a cubicle door lock member, and triggering a flush actuator to initiate a toilet flush in response to receiving the wireless signal.

[0019] In another embodiment, a method for managing a toilet flush in a toilet cubicle includes sensing a pullback of a cubicle latch slider by a sensor and emitting a wireless signal by a signal emitter in response to sensing the pullback by the slider, the wireless signal being matched to a flush signal receiver. The method may further include receiving the wireless signal by the flush signal receiver and triggering a flush actuator by a toilet flush controller in communication with the flush signal receiver in response to receiving the wireless signal by the flush signal receiver.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, a method for managing toilet flushing in a toilet cubicle includes providing a device including a door lock member including a slider having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a signal emitter, and a sensor, a flush signal receiver, a toilet flush controller, and a toilet flush actuator. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a signal by the signal emitter to the flush signal receiver upon detection of a position of the second end of the slider by the sensor, controlling the toilet flush actuator by the toilet flush controller, initiating a single toilet flush by the toilet flush actuator when the position of the slider second end is detected by the sensor, and optionally recording the frequency of slider movement on an SD card by the door housing controller.

Description of the drawings
[0021] One embodiment of an automatic toilet flushing system according to the present invention is illustrated. FIG. 2 is an exemplary isometric view of one embodiment of the cubicle door lock mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention. [0023] FIG. 1C is an exploded view of the device illustrated in FIG. FIG. 1C is an open front view of an exemplary housing enclosing the electronic components of the locking mechanism illustrated in FIG. FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of a cubicle door slider lock in a closed (first) position of the embodiment of the toilet flush system illustrated in FIG. 1B in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of the cubicle door slider lock in the open (second) position of the embodiment of the toilet flush system illustrated in FIG. FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the housing of the embodiment of the locking mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1B, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a slider of the embodiment of the locking mechanism illustrated in FIG. [0029] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating a management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [0030] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for providing information for managing facility toilet flushing according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Description of the Invention
[0031] Definitions
[0032] The following table contains representative non-limiting definitions of certain terms used throughout this specification.

[0033] Computer: A laptop, desktop, tablet, or smart device that allows facility managers to view signals from the system controller and send signals to the system controller to initiate certain actions.

[0034] System Controller: A central component of the overall system that receives signals from the door housing controller, toilet flush controller, and computer, and in turn can send signals to the door housing controller and toilet flush controller to perform flush operations and adjust the time delay between flushes for a toilet, all toilets in a restroom, or for the entire building. The system controller can also be used to determine and change flush water volume. The system controller can be a separate module or can be integrated into the computer through hardware or software.

[0035] Feedback Loop: The door housing controller and toilet flush controller signal to the system controller that an action has been completed, an event in which the date, time, and battery life are recorded along with an indication for the action completed (i.e., the toilet flushed).

[0036] Use Cycle: The process of a occupant entering a stall, using the toilet, then leaving the stall. Although there are multiple possibilities for what can happen during this cycle (i.e., the occupant manually flushes or a latch unlock causes a flush), each use should have these three steps in this exact order. This means that the system controller should expect to receive information in that exact order, first from feedback loop 1, then feedback loop 2, then feedback loop 3, during every use. If information is received from feedback out of order, or if information from one or more loops is missing, it may be an indication that a component is malfunctioning.

[0037] Time Bucket: A time interval that can range from an hour to a day, a week, a month, a year, or multiple years. A time bucket can be any block of time, or a set interval between periods of time.

[0038] "X" and "Y": Placeholders or variables that represent values that can be programmed into the system.

[0039] Opt-out button: An additional component to the door lock member that the patron can press to prevent automatic flushing (e.g., if the patron was only using the stall to change clothes and did not need the toilet to flush).

[0040] Distance Sensor: A sensor used to trigger a flush based on the user's distance from the automatic toilet. This was the primary method for automatic flushing with existing technology, often using infrared technology. In this application, it is an optional additional method of determining when to flush.

[0041] The present solution addresses the shortcomings of current toilet flushing mechanisms, such as under-flush or over-flush, without sacrificing functionality or convenience for the user. The present solution is an apparatus and method for initiating a toilet flush sequence via unlocking a toilet stall door.

[0042] As used herein, a cubicle can be any walled enclosure, with or without a roof or ceiling, with a door and any number of sides that will provide sufficient privacy for the typical toilet user to encourage its use, and can be any shape, including but not limited to rectangular, pyramidal, cylindrical, and trapezoidal.

[0043] The inventions disclosed herein are directed to toilet flush management systems and automated toilet flush systems that do not require manual flushing of the toilet. Manual flushing of the toilet is an optional feature that may be included with the present invention.

[0044] Figures 1A-1D illustrate a toilet flush management system. The overall scheme of the toilet flush management system 10 is illustrated in Figure 1A. The system 10 includes a cubicle door lock member 110 attached to a door 100 of a cubicle housing a toilet 7 (hereafter referred to as a toilet cubicle).

[0045] System 10 further includes a toilet flush mechanism 112 including a flush signal receiver 3, a flush actuator 5, and a toilet flush controller 16 associated with toilet flush actuator 5 for initiating flushing by toilet 7.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1B-1D, the locking member 110 includes a slider 12, a housing 19 enclosing a sensor 4 for sensing slider position, a signal emitter 1 for transmitting a signal to a flush signal receiver 3 associated with the toilet flush mechanism 112, a door housing control device 27, a battery compartment 26 enclosing one or more batteries 25, an SD card 28, and a cover 22. The locking member 110 further includes a locking chamber 6 positioned on the cubicle post 8. The locking chamber 6 is aligned with the slider 12.

2A and 2B, the slider 12 is manually reciprocable between a first (closed) position and a second (open) position. In the first position illustrated in FIG. 2A, the base end 15 of the slider 12 is inserted into the lock chamber 6 when the compartment door 100 is closed and locked. The base end 15 of the slider 12 cannot be inserted into the lock chamber 6 unless the compartment door 100 is closed.

2B, the proximal end 15 of the slider 12, which was inserted into the chamber 6 illustrated in FIG. 1A, is positioned outside the lock chamber 6, i.e., released from the lock chamber 6. In the second position, the distal end 17 of the slider 12 opposite the slider proximal end 15 contacts and/or is sensed by the sensor 4, initiating a signal from the signal emitter 1 enclosed within the housing 19 (FIG. 1D) to emit a signal that is transmitted to the flush signal receiver 3 positioned on the toilet or associated toilet plumbing when the stall door 100 is open.

[0049] Each time the stall door is unlocked by moving the slider 12 from a first position where the base end 15 of the slider 12 is positioned within the lock chamber 6 to a second position where the base end 15 of the slider 12 is released from the chamber 6, the opposite tip 17 of the slider 12 contacts and/or is sensed by the sensor 4. Upon contacting and/or sensing the tip 17 of the slider 12, the sensor 4 triggers the signal emitter 1 to send a wireless signal, such as a radio frequency or Bluetooth® signal, or a wired signal to the flush signal receiver 3 to trigger the toilet flush controller 16 operatively coupled to the flush actuator 5 on the toilet 7 to initiate a flush.

[0050] Sensor 4 can be a variety of different sensors or combinations of sensors. Examples of possible sensors include, but are not limited to, a contact sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, a vibration sensor, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, contact sensor 4 is positioned in or on housing 19 or on cubicle door 100 such that slider 12 makes physical contact with sensor 4 whenever slider 12 moves from a first position to a second position. Such contact signals a flush operation.

[0052] In another embodiment, a magnetic proximity sensor 4 positioned in or on the housing 19 or on the cubicle door 100 is used to detect the presence of a magnet or magnetized material, such as metal pieces 14a, b, attached to the slider 12. When the slider 12 moves to the second position, the magnet or magnetized metal pieces 14a, b trigger the magnetic proximity sensor 4 to signal a flush operation. The number of magnets or magnetized materials is not limited to those illustrated.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, a vibration sensor 4, similar to a contact sensor, is positioned in or on the housing 19 or on the cubicle door 100 such that the slider 12 makes physical contact with the sensor 4 each time the slider 12 moves from the first position to the second position. The vibration sensor 4 detects an impact of the slider 12 and signals a flush operation.

[0054] In yet another embodiment, an infrared sensor 4 is mounted in or on the housing 19 or on the cubicle door 100. The infrared sensor 4 emits an infrared signal to detect the distance of nearby objects. The infrared sensor is adapted to detect the distance of the slider 12 from the sensor to trigger a flush operation upon movement of the slider 12 from the first position to the second position.

[0055] In yet another embodiment, an ultrasonic sensor 4 is mounted in or on the housing 19 or on the cubicle door 100. The sensor 4 detects returning sound waves reflected by nearby objects, thereby allowing the sensor to record distance. For example, the sensor 4 detects returning sound waves reflected by the slider 12 as a function of the distance of the slider 12 from the sensor 4. Based on the predetermined distance between the slider 12 and the sensor 4, a flush operation will be initiated following translation of the slider 12 from a first position to a second position.

[0056] Each locking member signal emitter 1 is matched to a corresponding toilet flush signal receiver 3 and uses a unique signal that is different from other of the signal emitters 1 and flush signal receivers 3 in other nearby systems 10, e.g., other systems 10 in the same restroom. Application of the unique signal prevents one signal emitter 1 from activating and flushing other toilet flush systems.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 10 further includes a toilet flush actuator 5 that activates flushing as occurs in the toilet 7. The system 10 described herein can be retrofitted as an attachment to an existing toilet and restroom cubicle, or can be manufactured directly into a new toilet and applied to a restroom cubicle or a prefabricated restroom cubicle. In one implementation, the toilet flush actuator 5 may be designed to fit over another exemplary embodiment of a manual toilet, and the toilet flush actuator 5 may be designed for external mounting over an existing toilet plumbing and configured to operate an existing manual flush mechanism. This implementation does not require a water shutoff to the system and does not directly interact with running water, reducing reliability risks of electronics being exposed to water. This embodiment of the toilet flush actuator does not require a plumber as it can be easily installed over an existing manual flush mechanism and is relatively easy and inexpensive to install in an existing toilet fixture.

[0058] Because the embodiment using the external implementation of the toilet flush controller 5 is not directly connected to the water supply flow, it cannot detect successive flushes, for example, by interacting with the water flow or based on a signal from a flush actuator solenoid used in other embodiments. However, in one exemplary embodiment, the external implementation of the flush controller may include acoustic and/or ultrasonic sensors to detect successive flushes based on their acoustic patterns. Acoustic and/or ultrasonic sensors may be implemented in other flush control embodiments of the disclosed system in addition to or in place of other flow sensors.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates the location of magnets or magnetizable plates 18 on the portion of housing 19 facing end 17 of slider 12 opposite insertable end 15 of slider 12. The shape of the plate is not limited to the illustrated shape as the shape can be rectangular, circular, triangular, trapezoidal or another shape. Magnetizable materials include, but are not limited to, iron, nickel, cobalt, rare earth metals, and natural magnets. The location of magnets or magnetizable materials on housing 19 and the number of magnets or magnetizable materials are not limited to those illustrated.

4, a side view of the slider 12 is illustrated. The locations of the slider magnets or magnetizable material 14a and 14b on the end 17 of the slider 12 are positioned to magnetically interact with the magnetic or magnetizable plate 18 on the housing 19. The slider magnets or magnetizable material 14a and 14b are aligned with the magnetic or magnetizable plate 18 of the housing 19 to (i) ensure that proper contact is made between the slider 12 and the housing 19 so that the slider 12 is aligned with the sensor 4, (ii) prevent the slider 12 from bouncing back and forth upon opening and closing of the cubicle door, and (iii) attract the slider 12 to the housing 19 if the user does not slide the slider 12 sufficiently toward the housing 19.

[0061] The strength of the magnet or magnetizable material is sufficient to attract the slider 12 to connect to the housing 19 as soon as it is unlocked, but is not so strong that the magnet or magnetizable material prevents the slider 12 from reaching its extended lock position. The housing 19 and the lock slider 12 are at a predetermined or adjustable distance from each other so that the magnet or magnetizable material 14a and 14b of the slider 12 come into contact with the magnet or magnetizable material 18 of the housing 19 as soon as it is unlocked, i.e., as soon as the slider 12 is moved from the first position illustrated in FIG. 2A to the second position illustrated in FIG. 2B. This avoids the possibility that when the user unlocks the cubicle door 100, the slider 12 will not move all the way to the second position and the slider 12 will not be able to initiate the process in which the signal emitter 1 emits a signal that is received by the flush signal receiver 3 to initiate an event leading to a flush. In other words, by fully reaching the second position, which is ensured by means of a magnet, the sensor 4 properly senses the presence of the slider 12 in the second position so that a water flush signal is emitted by the signal emitter 1 to the water flush signal receiver 3, regardless of the type of sensor used, such as the sensors disclosed above.

[0062] The electronic circuitry for the electronic components within the housing 19 may be powered, for example, by one or more solar cells 23 or by one or more batteries 25 contained within the housing 19. The electronic circuitry for the flush mechanism 112, including the flush signal receiver 3, the toilet flush controller 16, and the toilet flush actuator 5, may be powered by one or more solar cells or by one or more batteries.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the toilet flush control device 16 and/or the door housing control device 27 are preferably configured to implement a programmable time delay implemented to set a minimum interval between flushes, preferably ranging from, but not limited to, 1-5 seconds, 1-10 seconds, 5-25 seconds, 5-50 seconds, 25-50 seconds, 50-100 seconds, 100-200 seconds, 150-250 seconds, preferably 5-240 seconds. The programmable time delay setting the minimum interval between flushes can similarly be set to less than 5 seconds or greater than 240 seconds. The programmable time delay can be manually programmed or determined through an algorithm that uses machine learning or deep learning techniques to determine the optimal time interval. The programmable time delay prevents a user from repeatedly flushing the toilet at short time intervals by repeatedly switching the slider 12 of the cubicle locking member 110 back and forth between a locked position (first position) and an unlocked position (second position). Restroom managers will be able to manipulate the time delay ranges at their discretion using a system controller 114, such as a computer, a mobile application, or a combination of various electronic and/or computer-based technologies.

[0064] In one embodiment, the system controller 114 may be specific to one toilet, or alternatively may be specific to all toilets in the same restroom, or may be central to all toilets in the entire building, but with the ability to adjust the time delays in each or every individual toilet.

[0065] In one particular embodiment, different time delays may be appropriate for handicap toilets as opposed to regular toilets, since handicap toilets may be used differently than non-handicap toilets. The system controller 114 measures the number of times the toilet flushes, allowing facility managers to collect data and adjust settings to maximize water efficiency. The system controller 114 transmits the data wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth or radio frequency, to a flush signal receiver. Similarly, the system 10 can be programmed with daily flushes required for toilets that have not been used to keep the toilets clean. The system controller 114 records the frequency of slider movement and can optionally record and store additional functional data and timestamps, for example, regarding any actions of the system or signals generated by the system.

[0066] A method for automatically activating a toilet flush using a flush activation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 5. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the system may be programmed and/or configured such that unlatching of the stall door sends a wireless signal to a toilet flush control device that triggers the toilet flush actuator to initiate a flush. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed system and method, a normal use cycle 502 begins when a user enters a toilet stall 504, then the user locks the door 506, then the user uses the toilet 508, then the user unlocks the door 510, then the user leaves the stall. During the normal use cycle, the user unlocks the stall door 510, triggering a toilet flush 512. The normal cycle is effective as a substantial water saving technique.

[0067] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosed systems and methods can be programmed and/or configured to tolerate and/or accommodate restroom stall uses that do not include a normal use cycle. For example, in some cases, a patron does not use the toilet, but only uses the toilet stall to change clothes. In other cases, a male patron may, for example, choose to forgo the stall door latch in order to use the toilet as if it were a urinal. In other cases, a patron who may not be aware that the stall door latch activates a flush may intentionally trigger a manual flush. In other cases, a maintenance worker, for example, may trigger a manual flush to clean the toilet.

[0068] In this exemplary embodiment, the flush actuation system includes a distance sensor in communication with a programmable logic circuit configured to recognize and/or accommodate toilet cubicle uses that do not include a normal use cycle. This adaptation to the normal use cycle system and method significantly improves water conservation and facilitates improved management techniques. In one exemplary embodiment, the functionality of the distance sensor and programmable logic circuitry can be enabled or disabled by a facility manager, for example.

[0069] According to aspects of the invention, upon recognition of a particular event, a timestamp may be recorded by the feedback loop. An identification of the type of event that occurred may be recorded by the feedback loop along with a corresponding timestamp.

[0070] Some events, such as "patron does not lock cubicle door," that fall into the category of events occurring during feedback loop 1, are not necessarily recorded by feedback loop 1. However, such events may be recognizable by their absence at the time of the occurrence of a normally subsequent event, such as, for example, the occurrence of feedback from subsequent feedback loops 2 and 3. In such cases, the event may be recorded retroactively by the system. If this is a frequent occurrence of this event, facility management may, for example, be alerted to the fact that it is not consistently receiving feedback from feedback loop 1.

[0071] Similarly, even if a "toilet doesn't flush" event may not positively trigger the transmission of a signal in feedback loop 3, the absence of an expected "toilet flush" event after a "user presses opt-out button" event may be noted, for example, after a period of time.

[0072] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the normal usage cycle may be supplemented or adapted to accommodate various system failures. In a first example of system failure handling according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system failure may occur when one or more components of the system fail. In this situation, the system controller may detect, for example, that it is only receiving information from feedback loop 2 and feedback loop 3, but not from feedback loop 1. The computer may be configured to recognize when it is not receiving signals from all feedback loops, and in response, send an alert to a platform having a user interface where facility managers view the data. The alert may include an identification of the suspected failure type and a timestamp of the failure recognition.

[0073] In a second example of system failure handling according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system failure may occur when all components of the system fail. In an exemplary embodiment, the computer continuously stores data as it is received from the feedback loop. An algorithm running on the computer categorizes the data, indicating the frequency of flush data, into a number of time buckets. The time buckets may include, for example, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. In an exemplary embodiment, the computer may then calculate the frequency of new flushes in each bucket and compare the calculated frequency to historical data for the same time buckets. For example, the computer may calculate whether the current frequency is within, higher, or lower than a percentage range of the historical values. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the percentage range is selectable by a facility manager. The system may, for example, notify the facility manager when the current frequency is outside the selected range.

[0074] When neither of the feedback loops provide a signal, the computer determines that the flush frequency is 0%. If this frequency is consistent for a predetermined time interval, during which historical data indicates that the flush frequency should be much higher, the facility manager is automatically notified. This fault handling system and method allows the facility manager to perform timely inspections on the equipment in the corresponding cubicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the facility manager can program and/or configure the system to change the time buckets in which the frequency determination and fault analysis will occur, or the computer can be programmed to complete this process automatically, for example.

[0075] In a third example of system fault handling according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system fault may be recognized when one component sends signals more frequently than expected. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system controller may compare the frequency of signals received within a specified time bucket from any and all feedback loops to historical data. When a significant deviation from the expected result is recognized, such as multiple toilet flushes recorded for only one occupant lock and unlock sequence, the system controller captures the relevant data and sends it to a computer. The computer then communicates an appropriate specific fault alert to facility management.

[0076] In a fourth example of system fault handling according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system fault may occur when one component sends a signal unexpectedly. When the system controller receives a signal out of sequence, such as a toilet flushing before a patron locks or unlocks the door, the system may send a signal to a computer to alert a facility manager. This may be particularly useful information for a facility manager to quickly identify and repair a toilet that is continuously flushing and wasting a large amount of water. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, such continuous flushing is quickly identified based on a constant feedback signal sent to the system controller.

[0077] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, various alerts may be optionally communicated to facility managers. The alerts provided broad insight into real-time and historical functionality of system components and overall restroom utilization. The alerts may be managed by facility managers on a user interface of the system controller or a platform in communication with the system controller.

[0078] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a facility manager can view toilet flush records, for example, for daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or multi-year periods, to determine patterns for best managing toilet flushes. This information can be useful to identify times when toilets have not been flushed historically, for example, when the facility is closed. In such cases, the facility manager can schedule a sentinel flush to occur when occupants are present, ensuring that it does not occur at that time. A "sentinel flush" is an industry standard term meaning an automatic flush that is programmed to occur to keep the toilet clean.

[0079] In another example where such data may be useful, the data may enable facility managers to recognize when the flush mechanism was not powerful enough to remove solid waste. In such a case, the data may indicate that multiple patrons manually flush the toilet before using it and then flush again when they leave. If this pattern persists or increases over time, the facility manager may recognize that a problem with the flush mechanism exists and may then, for example, make a timely replacement or adjustment of the flush mechanism.

[0080] In another exemplary embodiment, during normal system operation, a facility manager can configure the system to display real-time or historical frequencies at which signals from feedback loops 1-3 are recorded. Frequencies can be displayed, for example, numerically or graphically, and can be categorized by building, restroom, or specific toilet/cubicle. They can similarly be categorized between real-time and historical recordings.

[0081] In another exemplary embodiment, during normal system operation, facility managers can configure the system to provide notifications of periods when utilization is higher or lower than other periods.

[0082] In another exemplary embodiment, during normal system operation, a facility manager can configure the system to display a notification that any of the system components are running low on battery life, or the system can be configured to display this automatically. For example, the system may indicate that battery life is low for any component, that the component should be replaced in a certain number of days, or that its battery is dead, so that the component can be recharged or the battery replaced at the appropriate time.

[0083] In another exemplary embodiment, during normal system operation, a facility manager can configure the system to display, or the system can be configured to display, notifications of unexpected signals or signal sequences automatically. For example, the system can provide a notification when the system controller does not receive feedback loops 1, 2, and 3 in sequence. In another example, the system controller can provide a notification when it receives multiple signals from feedback loops 1, 2, or 3 within a single utilization cycle. In another example, the system can provide a notification when the system controller does not consistently receive signals from any or all of the feedback loops. Occurrences of unexpected signals or signal sequences can be logged and the frequency of such occurrences can be displayed, for example, to a facility manager.

[0084] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a facility manager may remotely respond to certain alerts. Such remote response may reduce response times and limit the possibility of catastrophic problems arising from any of the techniques. For example, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a facility manager may program a system controller, e.g., via a computer in communication with the system controller, to set system parameters and control system functions. Some facility manager programming functions according to aspects of the present disclosure include, for example, preventing flushing, delaying flushing, activating flushing, reducing flush volume, preventing cubicle utilization, and/or controlling alerts.

[0085] Although the term facility administrator is used throughout this application to describe an entity responsible for operating and managing the disclosed system, it should be understood that such an entity does not necessarily have the title or function of a facility administrator. Those skilled in the art should recognize that in some implementations of the disclosed system, persons other than a facility administrator may operate the system, including virtually any authorized user. Authorized users may be, for example, facility employees or remote service providers.

[0086] In one exemplary embodiment, a facility manager can program the system to prevent flushing by programming the toilet flush controller to stop sending a signal to the toilet flush actuator to activate the flush. Alternatively, or in addition, a facility manager can similarly program the system to prevent flushing by programming the door housing controller to stop sending a signal to the signal emitter to emit a signal to the flush signal receiver. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the prevention of flushing can be performed manually at virtually any time, or the facility manager can set a time for this to occur, for example, periodically. This programmable feature of preventing flushing can be used to set long-term intervals for when the toilet should not flush, for example, when the building is closed at night, the facility manager may want to shut off the flush function during that time. The facility manager can similarly set this to occur after a particular type of feedback, such as, but not limited to, the absence of a signal from a particular feedback loop.

[0087] In one exemplary embodiment, a facility manager can program the system such that the toilet flush controller sends a signal to the toilet flush actuator to activate the flush. Alternatively, or in addition, the facility manager can program the system controller such that the door housing controller sends a signal to the signal emitter to emit a signal to the flush signal receiver to activate the flush. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, activation of the flush can be done manually at any time, or the facility manager can set a time for this to occur, for example, periodically.

[0088] In one exemplary embodiment, a facility manager can set a default flush volume for normal operation and program the system to set a specific flush volume and the period of time that the toilet should flush at that volume.

[0089] In one exemplary embodiment, the system may be configured to allow, for example, a facility manager to remotely manipulate the position of a cubicle latch slider to prevent it from being locked or unlocked. This function may be implemented when a facility manager notices unusual activity but does not have time to immediately address the issue. In this embodiment, the system controller may, for example, command the door lock chamber to prevent the slider from reaching the locked position. This would prevent occupants from locking their cubicles to achieve privacy, thus subtly discouraging them from using the cubicles.

[0090] Alternatively, the system can be programmed to, for example, cause the housing to impede slider movement, thereby preventing the slider from reaching the unlocked position.

[0091] In another exemplary embodiment, the system controller can be programmed to delay a flush by setting a selected time interval that begins after an instance of a flush, during which the system prevents another flush from occurring until, for example, the time interval has passed. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a facility manager can be set to receive notifications when, for example, a certain percentage threshold of expected or unexpected flushes occur within a time bucket.

[0092] In some situations, toilets do not need to flush at full volume. In these situations, flushing at full volume wastes a significant amount of water. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a proactive method for reducing flush volume. According to this embodiment, the system is configured to initially flush the toilet bowl less than necessary. The system then reacts to adjust the flush volume based on occupant activity. In one example, this feature is useful during times of high facility usage, such as during halftime at a sports event, when urinal overflows often result in stall toilets being used as urinals. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a facility manager can program the system controller in such instances to temporarily reduce the flush volume of each toilet to conserve water, and then return the flush volume to normal levels after halftime. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a facility manager can similarly program the system controller through the management system to simultaneously activate flushes for all toilets, for example, at the end of halftime.

[0093] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the toilet can be set to always operate at a reduced flush volume unless the occupant locks the stall, in which case the occupant is more likely to use the toilet to relieve themselves instead of urinate. In an exemplary embodiment, when the signal emitter detects that the slider is in the locked position or transitions to the rocket position, the signal emitter transmits back to the receiver, thereby instructing the toilet flush controller to increase the flush volume back to a normal level.

[0094] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, facility managers can optionally trigger reduced flushes at selected times or ranges of times, such as for a single instance, during a selected time interval, at regular time intervals, or automatically based on, for example, patron behavior. A wide range of flush volumes can be triggered for specific times or conditions. In one exemplary embodiment, the flush volume can be set, for example, from 0 to 5 gallons of water. Alternatively, the flush volume can be controlled based on the amount of water allowed into the toilet bowl and/or the amount of water used for flushing. The flush volume can also be recorded, for example, in a feedback loop.

Claims (12)

1. A system for managing toilet flushing in a toilet cubicle, comprising:
(i)
A door lock chamber;
a slider translatable from a first position to a second position, the slider including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the slider in the first position being inserted into the door lock chamber and the first end of the slider in the second position being released from the door lock chamber;
a signal emitter associated with the door lock member, the signal emitter configured to send a wireless signal to a flush signal receiver when the slider is in the second position;
a sensor configured to sense the slider when the slider is in the second position, the sensor operatively connected to the signal emitter; and
A door housing control device including:
(ii) a toilet flush controller operatively coupled to the flush signal receiver; and
(iii) a toilet flush actuator controlled by the toilet flush controller, the signal emitter configured to send a signal to the flush signal receiver upon sensing that the slider has translated to the second position, and the toilet flush controller configured to control the toilet flush actuator to initiate a single toilet flush when a door is unlocked; and
(iv) a system controller in communication with the toilet flush controller and the door housing controller, and further configured to receive one or more instructions and analyze, record, and/or provide the one or more instructions;
Including,
the system controller is configured to output a particular fault notification in response to corresponding signal patterns received from the toilet flush controller and the door housing controller;
the system controller is configurable by an authorized user to cause the system to output one or more selected types of fault notifications corresponding to different types of system faults identifiable by the system in response to corresponding signal patterns;
The system controller is configured to categorize a frequency of flush information into a number of time buckets . The system of claim 1, wherein the particular fault notification includes a timestamp identifying the time the corresponding signal pattern was received by the system controller. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system controller is configured to: output a fault notification of a malfunctioning component in response to receiving a signal from one or more additional sensors without receiving an expected signal from the one or more additional sensors in a sequence associated with the one or more additional sensors. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system controller is configured to calculate a frequency of flushes within each of the time buckets and compare the calculated frequency to a historical frequency of the corresponding bucket. The system of claim 4 , further comprising determining that the frequency of flushing for one or more buckets is outside a predetermined frequency range. The system of claim 5 further comprising outputting a notification indicating that the frequency of flushes is outside of the predetermined frequency range. 1. A method for managing toilet flushing in a toilet cubicle, comprising:
outputting, by the toilet flush system, a particular fault notification in response to a corresponding signal pattern received from a toilet flush controller and a door housing controller of the toilet flush system;
(i)
A door lock chamber;
a slider translatable from a first position to a second position, the slider including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the slider in the first position being inserted into the door lock chamber and the first end of the slider in the second position being released from the door lock chamber;
a signal emitter associated with the door lock member, the signal emitter configured to send a wireless signal to a flush signal receiver when the slider is in the second position;
a sensor configured to sense the slider when the slider is in the second position, the sensor operatively connected to the signal emitter; and
The door housing control device,
(ii) the toilet flush control device operatively coupled to the flush signal receiver; and
(iii) a toilet flush actuator controlled by the toilet flush controller,
a toilet flush actuator, the signal emitter configured to send a signal to the flush signal receiver upon sensing that the slider has translated to the second position, and the toilet flush controller configured to control the toilet flush actuator to initiate a single toilet flush when a door is unlocked;
(iv) a system controller in communication with the toilet flush controller and the door housing controller, and further configured to receive one or more instructions and analyze, record, and/or provide the one or more instructions;
Including,
the system controller is configurable by an authorized user to cause the system to output one or more selected types of fault notifications corresponding to different types of system faults identifiable by the system in response to corresponding signal patterns;
The system controller is configured to categorize a frequency of flush information into a number of time buckets.
method. The method of claim 7 , wherein the particular fault notification includes a timestamp identifying the time the corresponding signal pattern was received by the system controller. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the system controller is configured to: output a fault notification of a malfunctioning component in response to receiving a signal from one or more additional sensors without receiving an expected signal from the one or more additional sensors in a sequence associated with the one or more additional sensors. The method of claim 7 , wherein the system controller is configured to calculate a frequency of flushes within each of the time buckets and compare the calculated frequency to a historical frequency of the corresponding bucket. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining that the frequency of flushing for one or more buckets is outside a predetermined frequency range. The method of claim 11 , further comprising outputting a notification indicating that the frequency of flushes is outside of the predetermined frequency range.

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