Patents by Inventor Chris Helmstetter

Chris Helmstetter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11873633
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Publication number: 20210254323
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Patent number: 11091903
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Patent number: 10465366
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a sanitary fixture (e.g., toilet) can include a cleanser assembly, housing a compartment formed in the deck of the fixture in fluid communication with a waterway leading to the bowl. The cleanser assembly can receive a cartridge containing a cleaning product for insertion into the compartment and introduction into the waterway. The assembly can support the seat and cover of the fixture, and can have a low profile and curved shape that complements the corresponding shape of the seat and cover, and provides a balanced look that makes the assembly appear to be an integral part of the sanitary fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Timothy J. Payne, Mark Kurth, Scott Rote, Phil Anthony, Aaron B. Eiger, Chris Helmstetter, Christophe Bucher, Ki Bok Song, Jean-Jacques L'Henaff
  • Patent number: 10294643
    Abstract: A sanitaryware cleaning system can include a sanitary fixture such as a toilet having a compartment formed on and under its deck. The compartment can house a cleaning tablet that is maintained within a waterway between a tank and a bowl of the sanitary fixture. When the fixture is operated, water flowing down the waterway can dissolve a portion of the cleaning tablet, thus injecting cleaning agents into the bowl along with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Tim Payne, Mark Kurth, Scott Rote, Phil Anthony, Aaron B. Eiger, Chris Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 10260220
    Abstract: A sanitaryware cleaning system can include a sanitary fixture such as a toilet having a compartment formed on and under its deck. The compartment can house a cleaning tablet that is maintained within a waterway between a tank and a bowl of the sanitary fixture. When the fixture is operated, water flowing down the waterway can dissolve a portion of the cleaning tablet, thus injecting cleaning agents into the bowl along with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Tim Payne, Mark Kurth, Scott Rote, Phil Anthony, Aaron B. Eiger, Chris Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20180010322
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: AS IP HOLDCO, LLC
    Inventors: David GROVER, Mahendra GUNAWARDENA, Chris HELMSTETTER, Verne MYERS
  • Publication number: 20170130437
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a sanitary fixture (e.g., toilet) can include a cleanser assembly, housing a compartment formed in the deck of the fixture in fluid communication with a waterway leading to the bowl. The cleanser assembly can receive a cartridge containing a cleaning product for insertion into the compartment and introduction into the waterway. The assembly can support the seat and cover of the fixture, and can have a low profile and curved shape that complements the corresponding shape of the seat and cover, and provides a balanced look that makes the assembly appear to be an integral part of the sanitary fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Tim Payne, Mark Kurth, Scott Rote, Phil Anthony, Aaron B. Eiger, Chris Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20150345123
    Abstract: A sanitaryware cleaning system can include a sanitary fixture such as a toilet having a compartment formed on and under its deck. The compartment can house a cleaning tablet that is maintained within a waterway between a tank and a bowl of the sanitary fixture. When the fixture is operated, water flowing down the waterway can dissolve a portion of the cleaning tablet, thus injecting cleaning agents into the bowl along with the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Tim Payne, Mark Kurth, Scott Rote, Phil Anthony, Aaron B. Eiger, Chris Helmstetter