Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature – Mixing valve with temperature motive means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-11-13
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature
Mixing valve with temperature motive means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315208
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a home plumbing system, and deals more particularly with a method and system for providing biometric identification of users and temperature-sensitive water delivery using thermostatic controls on home plumbing systems. Users are associated via a biometric device with desired water temperature settings and water temperature is set using thermostatic controls for water outlets (faucets, shower nozzle, bathtub input) and indication is provided when water temperature reaches the desired level.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Biometric devices are becoming commonly accepted for user identification for computer and security systems. Thermostatic controls are well known components for providing settings for desired temperatures or temperature ranges. These controls are commonly used to set the maximum temperature for household water heaters and desired temperatures for furnace systems. These systems work by using a mechanism (a thermal coupler) to detect the current temperature of the controlled element (water, air) and comparing the result with the desired input setting from a user. For the case of a furnace system the furnace will engage when the temperature drops below a desired setting and will disengage when the temperature is sufficiently above the setting. Air conditioning systems work on a similar principle. There are existing patents covering these techniques (reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,872, “Electronic Thermostat”). Using electronic displays for temperatures is also a common practice and is previously patented (U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,157, “Electronic temperature controller for water heaters”). These are common in automobiles and home thermostats. Controlling water flow based on temperature is also used in industrial applications such as nuclear reactor cooling systems. By the use of thermostatic controls it is possible to enable and disable related componentry based on the observed temperature of water. Combining with the known techniques of using electronic input displays for temperature control it is possible to allow a user to specify a desired setting for water temperature and for an action to occur when this setting is reached. This action may be to display an indication that the water has now met the criteria or it may involve more sophisticated plumbing which would route the water back to an input reservoir until the desired temperature was reached and then allow the water to flow through the output of the faucet(reference U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,555, “Fluid Supply Systems”). A system for utilizing a keypad input for users to select a desired temperature of water was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,498, “Shower temperature control system”.
As features in homes become more sophisticated it is easy to imagine the application of specifying water temperature for showers, bathtubs, or sinks to allow the correct temperature application for children's baths, showers for the elderly, or general hand washing and for people of all ages to then use these faucets without assistance. The use of the biometric inpt device to determine the settings for such features also increases the accessibility of these features to those who are handicapped and have limited sight or mobility. The combination of biometric devices, thermal couplers, electronic temperature settings and customized indication mechanisms allows for home water systems to be temperature safe and user-friendly for people of all ages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a system whereby water temperature can be specified using electronic input for delivery to a particular user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide this technique in a manner whereby the user may be identified by fingerprint identification and previously programmed temperature are utilized upon user identification.
Yet another object of the present invention is to identify a user by any form of biometric input, not just the fingerprint.
A further object of the present invention is to require little mobility on the part of the user to activate the biometric reader, thereby assisting users with mobility problems.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description and in the drawings which follow and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention.
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International Business Machines - Corporation
Ray-Yarletts Jeanine S.
Robinson Daniel
Walberg Teresa
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