Interactive display device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10993587-B2
Application number	US-201816179510-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2018
Priority date	Feb 3, 2016
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

The invention provides a bathroom fixture in the form of an electronic mirror with a touchlessly operated fluid dispenser. The device provides visual cues to assist in the touchless operation thereof.

First claim

We claim:

1. A material dispensing device comprising:
an electronic display configured to display graphics to a user in front of the electronic display;
at least one sensor configured to detect a hand of the user placed in proximity to the electronic display;
a computer system configured to determine a location of the hand relative to the electronic display based on detection data received from the at least one sensor;
a material dispenser outlet for discharge of a material; and
a material dispenser operable when activated to discharge the material out the material dispenser outlet;
wherein, when the location of the hand is determined to be within a preselected zone, the computer system is configured to display a movable indicator on the electronic display at a position that tracks the location of the hand relative to the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to modify a visual characteristic of the movable indicator based on a distance of the hand from the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to display a selectable material icon on the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the material dispenser to dispense the material when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable material icon;
wherein the movable indicator comprises an array of graphic elements, and the computer system is configured to increase a number of said graphic elements when the hand is moved closer to the electronic display, and to decrease the number of said graphic elements when the hand is moved away from the electronic display.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the material dispenser outlet is located relative to the electronic display such that when the location of the hand is determined to be within the preselected zone in proximity to the selectable material icon, a second hand of the user is capable of being placed at the material dispenser outlet to receive the material discharged by the material dispenser;
the device further comprising an upwardly open basin, the basin disposed below the electronic display;
wherein the material dispenser outlet is located for discharge of the material into the basin with space between the material dispenser outlet and the basin for the user's hands to be placed under the material dispenser outlet to receive the material dispensed.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is configured to cause the movable indicator to disappear from the electronic display when the hand is moved out of the preselected zone, and to reappear when the hand is returned to the preselected zone.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is configured to increase a size of the movable indicator when the hand is moved closer to the electronic display, and to decrease the size of the movable indicator when the hand is moved away from the electronic display.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the graphic elements has a size, and the size of the graphic elements is greatest at a central area of the array; and
wherein the computer system is configured to increase the size of the graphic elements when the hand is moved closer to the electronic display, and to decrease the size of the graphic elements when the hand is moved away from the electronic display.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the location of the hand is determined to be within a preselected distance of the electronic display, the computer system is configured to provide visual feedback on the electronic display for discouraging the user from touching the electronic display;
wherein the visual feedback comprises at least one of reducing the size of the movable indicator;
causing the movable indicator to disappear from the electronic display;
displaying an alert on the electronic display; and
causing one or more selectable graphics to disappear from the electronic display.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is configured to provide a visual indication on the electronic display when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable material icon;
the visual indication comprising at least one of:
causing the movable indicator to appear semi-transparent;
causing the selectable material icon to light up;
causing the selectable material icon to flash;
causing the selectable material icon to become distorted; and
causing the selectable material icon to appear to bulge outwards from the electronic display.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is configured to control a water dispenser and a hand cleaner dispenser;
wherein the computer system is configured to display a selectable water icon and a selectable hand cleaner icon on the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the water dispenser to dispense water when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable water icon; and
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the hand cleaner dispenser to dispense hand cleaner when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable hand cleaner icon.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the hand is moved upwardly, downwardly, or sideways within the preselected zone, the computer system is configured to move the movable indicator in a corresponding direction on the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to modify a visual appearance of the movable indicator to indicate the direction of movement of the movable indicator; and
wherein the visual appearance is modified to include at least one of:
a tail that traces the direction of movement; and
a leading edge that faces the direction of movement.

10. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the computer system is configured to control a water dispenser and a hand cleaner dispenser;
wherein the computer system is configured to display a selectable water icon and a selectable hand cleaner icon on the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the water dispenser to dispense water when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable water icon;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the hand cleaner dispenser to dispense hand cleaner when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable hand cleaner icon; and
wherein the computer system is configured to increase a size of the movable indicator when the hand is moved closer to the electronic display, and to decrease the size of the movable indicator when the hand is moved away from the electronic display.

11. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the computer system is configured to control a water dispenser and a hand cleaner dispenser;
wherein the computer system is configured to display a selectable water icon and a selectable hand cleaner icon on the electronic display;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the water dispenser to dispense water when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable water icon;
wherein the computer system is configured to activate the hand cleaner dispenser to dispense hand cleaner when the movable indicator is positioned on or in proximity to the selectable hand cleaner icon; and
wherein, when the location of the hand is determined to be within a preselected distance of the electronic display, the computer system is configured to provide visual feedback on the electronic display for discouraging the user from touching the electronic display;
whe

Assignees

• Op Hygiene Ip Gmbh

Inventors

• Ophardt Heiner
• Duncan David
• Ophardt Hendrik

Classifications

• G06F3/04812

  Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects · CPC title

• G06F3/04842

  Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F2203/04101

  2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup · CPC title

• A47K2210/00

  Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers · CPC title

• G06F3/0304

  Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means (constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042) · CPC title