Abstract: A hybrid sensor for calibrating a primary active infrared (IR) sensor to more accurately locate, continuously calibrate, and conserve energy by more accurately detecting via the active IR detection is described herein. The hybrid sensor includes one or more infrared sensors and one or more time-of-flight sensors. The time-of-flight sensor may remain in a dormant state (e.g., low power or sleep mode) until the one or more infrared sensors detect an object. In response to detecting an object, the time-of-flight sensor may be activated to obtain several measurements of the object. After obtaining the measurements, the time-of-flight sensor may return to its dormant state. The hybrid sensor may use the measurements obtained by the time-of-flight sensor to calibrate the one or more infrared sensors to provide more accurate measurements on an object-by-object basis.

Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.

Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.

Abstract: A hybrid sensor for calibrating a primary active infrared (IR) sensor to more accurately locate, continuously calibrate, and conserve energy by more accurately detecting via the active IR detection is described herein. The hybrid sensor includes one or more infrared sensors and one or more time-of-flight sensors. The time-of-flight sensor may remain in a dormant state (e.g., low power or sleep mode) until the one or more infrared sensors detect an object. In response to detecting an object, the time-of-flight sensor may be activated to obtain several measurements of the object. After obtaining the measurements, the time-of-flight sensor may return to its dormant state. The hybrid sensor may use the measurements obtained by the time-of-flight sensor to calibrate the one or more infrared sensors to provide more accurate measurements on an object-by-object basis.

Abstract: Techniques for determining bathroom occupancy are disclosed herein. In this regard, one or more sensors may determine whether a plumbing fixture is in use. When a plumbing fixture is in use, the one or more sensors may trigger a visual cue that indicates that the plumbing fixture is in use. Additionally, the one or more sensors may send (e.g., transmit) information indicating that the plumbing fixture is in use to one or more computing devices. The information may include a start time of the fixture's usage, an end time of the fixture's usage, a duration of the fixture's usage, etc. The computing device may analyze the information from a plurality of fixtures associated with a location and present the analysis to a user, for example, via a dashboard.

Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.

Abstract: A hybrid sensor for calibrating a primary active infrared (IR) sensor to more accurately locate, continuously calibrate, and conserve energy by more accurately detecting via the active IR detection is described herein. The hybrid sensor includes one or more infrared sensors and one or more time-of-flight sensors. The time-of-flight sensor may remain in a dormant state (e.g., low power or sleep mode) until the one or more infrared sensors detect an object. In response to detecting an object, the time-of-flight sensor may be activated to obtain several measurements of the object. After obtaining the measurements, the time-of-flight sensor may return to its dormant state. The hybrid sensor may use the measurements obtained by the time-of-flight sensor to calibrate the one or more infrared sensors to provide more accurate measurements on an object-by-object basis.

Abstract: An automatic faucet includes a housing forming partially an internal barrel and a faucet head and being constructed to include at least one water inlet conduit extending into said barrel and a water outlet for delivering water from a spout. The automatic faucet also includes a faucet head having a removable faucet crown and the spout, wherein the faucet crown is removably mounted to the faucet head. The automatic faucet also includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.

Abstract: An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.

Abstract: An automatic faucet includes a housing constructed to receive at least one water inlet conduit and having a spout for delivering water. The automatic faucet includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm. The control module is also constructed to execute a power management algorithm for managing electrical power generated by the water turbine and provided to and from the battery.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.

Abstract: An actuator including actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece forming a pocket for a ferromagnetic armature located therein. The actuator including a radial magnet and a solenoid coil constructed and arranged to cause a linear displacement of the armature upon application of a coil drive current from a control circuit. The actuator may include a flexible membrane that partially encloses the armature to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. In a valve design, a fluid flow is stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure. A fluid flow is opened by driving the membrane away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. A reduced flush or standard flush cycle may be initiated.

Abstract: An automatic bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action. The bathroom flusher may include a user sensor, and one or more photovoltaic cells for supplying electrical power to the electronic control system. The bathroom flusher enables two or multiple flush volumes in automatic or manual modes, depending on a user action. The bathroom flusher may include a user interface including a button and visible LEDs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.

Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. A reduced flush or standard flush cycle may be initiated.