Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for enhancing hygiene

US5202666A · kind A · utility

215Cited by
3References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 1991
Grant dateApr 13, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 18, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08B7/06
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for enhancing hygiene comprises a sensor for generating a first signal upon automatically sensing that an individual has entered a washroom and for generating a second signal upon automatically sensing that the individual has exited the washroom. The hygiene enhancing apparatus further comprises a monitoring device for automatically monitoring an individual upon his entry into the washroom, to automatically determine whether the individual has cleaned his hands. The monitoring device includes a generator for producing a third signal upon a detection by the monitoring device that the individual has cleaned his hands. An alert signal generator is provided for generating an alert signal cognizable by a human being. The alert signal generator is operated or activated by a control unit which is operatively connected to the sensor, the monitoring device, and the alert signal generator. The control unit activates the alert signal generator to issue the alert signal upon reception of the first signal and the second signal by the control unit and failure of the control unit to receive the third signal prior to receiving the second signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.