RESOURCE-CONSERVING CABINET SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A system and method for conserving resources includes a cabinet and doors of the cabinet. The doors of the cabinet each include a respective trigger device. A detector is connected to the cabinet. The detector is responsive to relational movement of any and each of the trigger devices with respect to the detector (e.g., door having the trigger device is opened is detected). A microcontroller circuit is communicatively connected to the detector. A switch is communicatively connected to the circuit. A display device is communicatively connected to the switch. The switch is selectively positioned to cause the microcontroller to control the display to indicate which, if any, doors have then been opened. The display device may include respective lights corresponding to respective doors. If a door has been opened, its corresponding light is illuminated when the switch is positioned to output the display. If a door has not been opened, its corresponding light is not illuminated. The lights indicate whether articles, such as towels and washcloths, contained behind respective doors of the cabinet have been accessed. If articles have been accessed, replacement and launder of accessed articles may be required. If articles have not been accessed as indicated by the display for unopened door, launder of the articles accessible through the door may be avoidable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to cabinets and conservation, and more particularly relates to sensor-equipped moisture preventive cabinets for detection and notification of towel, washcloth, and other linen usage, to aid conservation practices.

BACKGROUND

In hotel and motel settings, as well as in other settings, clean and laundered towels, washcloths, bathrobes, and other re-usable and similar articles are often supplied for guests or others. Occupants, visitors, and other guests may use, and even re-use, these articles while occupying the premises. From time to time, guests also tend to desire, and have come to expect, that after use these articles be replaced with same or similar clean and laundered articles. Additionally, health codes and requirements, as well as management/proprietor policies of the establishment, can require periodic laundering and replacement with clean articles.

Historically, hotels, motels and other establishments typically provided clean laundered towels, washcloths and other articles on a regular, usually daily, basis to guests. Also, each new hotel or motel guest had been provided on arrival with clean laundered articles in the guest room. As an example, clean towels and washcloths, and in some cases, bathrobes, had conventionally been placed in bathroom and lavatory areas of hotel rooms for use by room occupants. These articles have often been hung from towel racks in those bathroom and lavatory areas, and additional sets of towels and washcloths have been sometimes provided on nearby racks, shelves, or other storage areas. After the guest used an article, housekeeping personnel of the hotel or motel typically collected and laundered the article and replaced the used article with same or similar clean and laundered article.

More recently, conservation of water and energy resources has become a focus for hotel and motel proprietors, as well as managers of other establishments. In the case of hotels and motels, proprietors have experienced that guests are often willing to reuse (one or more times) towels, washcloths and similar articles, in efforts to conserve water and energy otherwise consumed by laundering the articles. A number of establishments even encourage water and energy conservation through requests for reuse of towels, washcloths, bathrobes, linens, and similar articles. Proprietors, for example, may place display placards in guest rooms, asking guests to assist conservation efforts by reusing items.

Conserving water and energy can be advantageous because it may reduce certain costs incurred to manage establishments. For example, water and energy utility usage costs can be reduced by limiting the quantity and extent of launder needs. Further, reducing quantity and extent of laundering of articles, such as towels, washcloths and others, fewer facilities and less personnel time may be required for such purpose. Additionally, the useful life of articles may be extended because of reduced laundering. Particularly, laundering often subjects articles to harsh water, wash soaps and drying. By extending intervals between launderings for each article, the article may be used for longer period before rotation to newly purchased replacements.

Nonetheless, proprietors of establishments must generally periodically replace used or soiled articles with clean and dried articles, or old articles with new articles when the used or soiled items become worn. Health codes and other requirements, including management policies, may require replacement of articles at periodic intervals. Moreover, guests of hotels and motels, for example, have become accustomed to expect some extent of laundry service for towels, washscloths and similar articles.

Housekeeping personnel of establishments are usually tasked with determining whether or not a particular article requires launder. Unnecessary launder and replacement of articles is often the norm. Of course, housekeeping personnel can also make mistakes and fail to launder or replace articles as required by guests, management policies or health codes and other requirements.

Moreover, extra sets of articles located in open racks, shelves, or storage areas, although clean, may be susceptible to environmental moisture and similar soiling and contaminants. Launder and replacement of these stored articles, even if not used or soiled, may be needed merely because of the location and environmental factors.

It therefore would be desirable to provide systems and methods for retrofit in existing facilities, such as bathroom and lavatory areas, which aid conservation practices. It would also be desirable to provide systems and methods for notifying housekeeping personnel, management and proprietors that articles, such as towels, washcloths, robes, and others, have been used or otherwise require replacement with clean or new articles. It would further be desirable to provide systems and methods for storing articles to avoid environmental contaminants and for ready access by occupants, visitors or guests of establishments.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods cabinets and operations of cabinets to conserve resources. The cabinets indicate, for example, by select illumination of particular lights corresponding to respective doors of the cabinets, whether articles, such as towels, washcloths and the like of the cabinets, require launder.

An embodiment of the invention is a resource conserving cabinet system for containing articles. The system includes a cabinet carcase, a hinged door connected to the cabinet carcase, a trigger connected to the door, a detector connected to the cabinet carcase, the detector is responsive to relational movement of the trigger with respect to the detector, a circuit communicatively connected to the detector, a switch communicatively connected to the circuit, capable of selective positioning on, and a display device communicatively connected to the circuit, the display device is controlled by the circuit in response to the detector and the switch when selectively positioned on.

Another embodiment of the invention is a resource conserving door system. The system includes a shelf, a door connected to the shelf, the door is positionable in either of open and closed, a sensor connected to the shelf, the sensor corresponds to the door and detects the door if positioned open, and an output device communicatively connected to the sensor, the output device responsive to the sensor detecting the door is positioned open.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of operating a door of a cabinet to conserve resources. The method includes detecting if a closed door is opened, toggling on a display, controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if the door has been opened, and controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to not illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if the door remains closed.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of operating doors of a cabinet to conserve resources, the doors are initially closed. The method includes detecting by a circuit if any of the doors are opened, toggling on a display, controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to selectively illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if any of the doors have been opened, the display identifies any of the doors opened, and controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to not illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if all of the doors remain closed.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of conserving resources by reducing laundering of articles in a cabinet. The method includes providing a trigger device to a door of the cabinet, providing a detector to the cabinet, activating the detector when the door of the cabinet is closed, detecting by the detector if the door of the cabinet is opened, switching a circuit of the detector in response to the step of detecting if the door of the cabinet is opened, toggling a switch of the circuit, and displaying an indicator upon the step of toggling, if the step of switching has occurred, the indicator evidences access to the articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front and right side perspective view of a system, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front and right side perspective view of a system with doors removed, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front side view of a system, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a back and left side perspective underside view, including detection and signaling device, of a system, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a detection and signaling system, including underside of a housing and circuit, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a system including a circuit board, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial top perspective view of a battery compartment accessed through a cap/housing, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an in-use system, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a block sequence of steps of a method, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a block sequence of steps of another method, according to certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 includes a carcase 2. Doors 4 are connected to the carcase 2. The doors 4, when closed, enclose the carcase 2 to maintain contents, for example, towels, washcloths, and/or other items. The doors 4 hingedly swing open for accessing contents. The doors 4 include windows 6 to allow viewing of contents. The doors 4 also include or connect to a trigger device 7, such as an embedded magnet or other element (shown in phantom), and a detection and output device (not shown in FIG. 1), responsive to the trigger device 7, is connected to the carcase 2. A rack 8 is connected to the carcase 2 to extend below (in the orientation of FIG. 1) the carcase 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, in conjunction with FIG. 1, a system 200 illustrates the doors 6 (shown in FIG. 1) removed from the carcase 2 for purpose of description. In the system 200, the carcase 2 forms an outer cabinet shell of a top 10, right side 12, left side 14, front side 4, and back side 16. A bottom 20 (shown in phantom) is connected to the front side 4, back side 16, right side 12 and left side 14. The bottom 20 is positioned between upper and lower extents (in the orientation of FIG. 2) of the front side 4, back side 16, right side 12 and left side 14. This position of the bottom 20 creates a false bottom space 22 bounded by the front side 4, back side 16, right side 12, and left side 14, with the bottom 20 serving to overlay (i.e., top) the bottom space 22. The bottom space 22 is not fully enclosed, and is viewable and accessible underneath or below (in the orientation of FIG. 2) the carcase 2.

A detection and output device 24 is connected to an underside of the bottom 20 within the bottom space 22. The detection and output device 24 is responsive to a trigger device 7 (shown in FIG. 1) of one or more door 6 (shown in FIG. 1) connected to the carcase 2. The rack 8 is connected to the right side 12 and the left side 14 (not shown in detail in FIG. 2), to hang from and below the carcase 2, extending along width (in the orientation of FIG. 2) of the carcase 2 between the right side 12 and the left side 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, a front system 300 includes a set of the doors 4 enclosing the carcase 2. The doors 4 each include or connect to a respective one of the trigger device 7 (shown in phantom), each trigger device 7 operatively corresponding to the detection and output device 24, for example, contained within the bottom space 22. The doors 4 also include, are formed or incorporated with, or connect to windows 6, respectively. In certain non-exclusive embodiments, the windows 6 may be substantially sealed to the doors 4 to inhibit passage of moisture and other environmental contaminants. Additionally in non-exclusive embodiments, the doors 4 when closed may sufficiently seal against the carcase 2 to also inhibit passage of such contaminants into the enclosed carcase 2. Each door 4 may also include a handle 30 to aid opening the door 4 for access to within the carcase 2.

The rack 8 connects to and hangs in position below the carcase 2. The front system 300 includes a front facing 32. The front facing 32 conceals the bottom space 22 behind (in the orientation of FIG. 3) the front facing 32. The front facing 32 may include one or more false drawer 34 and false knob 36. The false drawer 34 and false knob 36 outward frontally appear as an operable drawer and drawer knob, however, these are not operable and instead conceal the bottom space 22 (i.e., as an underside void) behind the false drawer 34 and false knob 36.

Referring to FIG. 4, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, a system 400, as now described, includes a circuit 42 within a housing 44 connected to the carcase 2. The right side 12 and the left side 14 of the carcase 2 are connected to the front side 4 and the back side 16. The top 10 (not shown in detail in FIG. 10) is connected to the front side 4, right side 12, left side 14 and back side 16 opposing a bottom edge 40. The bottom 20 is connected to the front side 4, right side 12, left side 14 and back side 16 to form the bottom space 22 near the bottom edge 40.

The circuit 42 and housing 44 are connected to the bottom 20 adjacent the front side 4. The circuit 42 includes a switch (not shown in detail in FIG. 4) operable in response to opening of each door 4 of the front side 4, whether alone or in combination. The circuit 42 also includes or connects to at least one light 46 and a toggle 48. The circuit 42 is formed, for example, by one or more of a printed circuit board, semiconductor chip, wires, switch, lights, and/or other electronic elements or combinations of these.

In operation, the carcase 2 of foregoing systems is loaded with articles, such as towels, washcloths, and other re-usable or similar items, by opening the doors and placing the articles inside the carcase resting atop the bottom side (i.e., as a bottom shelf within the carcase). The doors 6 are then closed and the toggle 48 of the circuit 42 is triggered to activate the circuit 42. If either door 6 is thereafter opened (e.g., for removal of any article inside the carcase), the circuit 42 detects that the door 6 is opened. The toggle 48 of the circuit 42 can be positioned to cause the circuit 42 to provide an output indication, such as illumination of one or more of the at least one light 46. That output indication, and the particular character of the indication, identifies whether articles of the carcase 2 should be replaced or otherwise addressed.

For example, in order to determine whether articles have been removed and/or must be otherwise replaced in the carcase 2, the toggle 48 is positioned to control the circuit 42 to control the output indication, such as illumination of the light(s) 46 of the circuit 42. In certain non-exclusive embodiments, if any door 6 has been opened after article loading and the circuit 42 has been activated by the toggle 48, at least one light 46 corresponding to the opened door 6 (or doors, as applicable) is illuminated by the circuit 42. Further as to the non-exclusive embodiments, if no door 5 has been opened, then the circuit 42 does not any illuminate any light 46. In the non-exclusive embodiments, one or more light, respectively, may correspond to each door, respectively. For example, a single respective light may correspond to a door, respectively. In any instance, the illuminated light (or lights, as the case may be in the embodiment) is observed and provides human-interpretable signal whether or not any article has been used or otherwise disturbed for purpose of determining whether replacement of any article is then required.

The illuminated light(s) may signals that particular action with respect to articles is required. For example, the illuminated light(s) indicate opened door(s) and disturbance or removal of articles. Action required in response to illuminated light(s) may include replacement of one or more (including all) articles of the carcase if any or particular light(s) is illuminated. The illuminated light(s) may, in other examples, signal that similar or other action is required to comply with particular health codes or management policies, or because of other requirements. Because the system can maintain stored articles in relatively clean and undisturbed condition in comparison to unenclosed and exposed items, fewer replacement cycles for articles may be needed when the doors are not opened.

When the doors have been opened, however, more accurate determination can be made of which articles have been disturbed, removed and/or used, and require replacement. Because more accurate determination is made for purpose of launder requirements, water and utility usage, otherwise consumed by unnecessary laundering of articles, is conserved. The light(s), and the circuit control of illumination in response to opening (or not) of the doors, indicate whether or not article replacement and what replacement may be required. The detection of opened and/or unopened doors in the embodiments, as indication of article use, removal, disturbance or other replacement condition, can conserve water and energy utility usage and costs that may otherwise be unnecessarily consumed through overlaundering articles that do not require launder.

Referring to FIG. 5, a circuit 500, such as, for example, may be employed in the foregoing embodiments, includes a power source 502, for example, a two batteries (e.g., two AA batteries) or other power source. The power source 502 is connected to one or more detection switch, for example, a first detection switch 506 and a second detection switch 508. The first and second detection switches 506, 508 are communicatively connected to a microcontroller 510, or another logic circuit or device. The microcontroller 510 is communicatively connected to one or more output device, for example, a first light 512 and a second light 514. A read/reset switch 516 is communicatively connected to the microcontroller 510. The read/reset switch 516 is also connected to the first detection switch 506 and the second detection switch 508.

The first detection switch 506 and the second detection switch 508 are triggered on particular change of condition of the respective doors of the systems of the foregoing embodiments, for example, when a respective door corresponding to the switch 506, 508 has been opened. As non-exclusive examples, the first and second detection switches 506, 508 are each a reed switch, hall effect sensor, other sensor, or combinations of these, that senses a magnet embedded in the door. The magnet of the door corresponds to the first and/or second detection switch 508, as applicable in the embodiment, to swichingly control the microcontroller 510 in response to the door condition of open or closed.

The output device provides a human-readable display indicating the door condition (i.e., whether or not the door has been opened). In a non-exclusive example of the first and second lights 512, 514 as the output device, each light 512, 514 is a bi-color light-emitting diode (LED). In an alternate non-exclusive example, the output device may be more than two LEDs, other types of lights, a liquid crystal diode (LCD) display, other readable output display or notification, audio output device, or any combination of any of these. In a non-exclusive example of the microcontroller 510, the microcontroller 510 is an ultra low power circuit or microprocessor capable of logically signaling on the output device, for example, particular one of the first and second lights 512, 514, or combinations of these or other lights or output device(s), in response to trigger of the respective first and/or second switch 506, 508 on change of condition, such as when the door has been opened. The read/reset switch 516 in certain non-exclusive examples is a toggle or push switch capable of resetting the microcontroller 510 to commence operations controlled by the first and second detection switches 506, 508 (e.g., when articles are loaded in the carcase and doors closed, to commence next open door detection) and controlling the microcontroller 510 to signal the first and second lights 512, 514 (and/or other output device(s), as applicable) to illuminate or otherwise display (or, if applicable, deliver audio) indicating that one or more door has been opened since the microcontroller 510 was most recently previously reset.

In operation, the doors of the cabinets of the foregoing systems are opened to load cabinet contents, such as towels, washcloths, or other items or combinations of items. The doors are then closed, and the read/reset switch 516 manually positioned (such as by housekeeping personnel or another) to reset the microcontroller 510 to commence operations controlled by the detection switches 506, 508. If any door is thereafter opened, for example, to remove towels, washcloths or other items, the applicable detection switch 506, 508 corresponding to the opened door is triggered. Once triggered, the microcontroller 510 is controlled by the applicable detection switch 506, 508 if the read/reset switch 516 is manually positioned to provide readout. When the read/reset switch 516 is so positioned, the microcontroller 510 signals the applicable lights 512, 514 (or other output device(s)) corresponding to the detection switch 506 or 508 that was recently triggered by opening of the door. If both doors have been opened, for example, both lights 512, 514 may illuminate. In another example, if only one door has been opened, one of the lights 512 or 514, corresponding to the respective detection switch 506 or 508 that was triggered by opening of to particular door, is illuminated. The particular light(s) 512 and/or 514 that are illuminated, therefore, indicate that a corresponding door(s) has been opened. Based on this, the cabinet can be reloaded with clean and laundered articles, without necessarily replacing all articles of the cabinet.

Referring to FIG. 6, in conjunction with FIG. 5, a detection and signaling system 600, such as, for example, the housing and circuit of certain embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, includes a circuit board 602 and a cap 604 for enclosing the circuit board 602. The circuit board 602 connects to the cap 604, in order to enclose at least certain operative elements of the circuit board 602 (on a bottom side of the circuit board 602 in the orientation of FIG. 6) within the cap 604. When so connected, the cap 604 protects the circuit board 602 under the cap 604. The cap 604 connected to the circuit board 602, in combination, is connected to the carcase 2 (shown in FIGS. 1-4) to detect and signal door conditions. The cap 604 protects the circuit board 602 from external impacts to and pilfering with the circuit board 602. In certain embodiments, the cap 604 is removable in connection to the circuit board 602, to allow access to the circuit board 602 if required (e.g., for maintenance, programming, etc.) or as otherwise desired.

In certain non-exclusive examples, the circuit board 602 includes one or more connector hole 604. The cap 604 includes one or more post 608, respectively, corresponding to the one or more connector holes 604, respectively. Each screw post 608 can accept a screw 606 passed through the hole 604, to connect the circuit board 602 to the cap 604 (e.g., with operative elements of the circuit board 602 positioned adjacent/internally to the cap 604). The cap 604 also includes one or more securement slot 610, for example, such as one or more post formed with hole(s). Each securement slot 610 can receive a respective securement screw 612. The securement screw(s) 612 connect the cap 604 and circuit board 602, in connected combination, to the carcase of systems of certain of the embodiments.

Further in certain non-exclusive examples, the cap 604 is formed with or otherwise includes an accessway 614. The accessway 614 is closed by a top (not shown in FIG. 6). The accessway 614 allows access to the circuit board 602 when the circuit board 602 is connected to the cap 604. In certain embodiments, the accessway 614 is a battery compartment for accessing batteries or other power source connected to the circuit board 602 (e.g., for battery replacement). The top can be lodged in the cap 604 to enclose the cap 604 in use of the system 600. If access to the circuit board 602 is desired, the top can be dislodged from the cap 604 to provide access through the accessway 614. Thus, when access to the circuit board 602 is desired or required, the cap 604 need not necessarily in every event be disconnected from the circuit board 602 and/or the system 600 be disconnected from the carcase.

Referring to FIG. 7, in conjunction with FIGS. 5-6, a system 700 includes the circuit board 602. The circuit board 602 is, for example, a printed circuit board forming the circuit 500 controlled by the microcontroller 510 (not shown in detail in FIG. 7). The circuit board 602 is connected to a battery case 702. The battery case 702 is capable of accepting batteries, for example, two AA batteries, to power the circuit board 702. The circuit board 602 includes the read/reset switch 516, the first and second detection switches 506, 508, and the first and second lights 512, 514, and the microcontroller 510, each communicatively connected in accordance with the circuit 500. The circuit board 602 is formed with a notch 704 in vicinity of the first and second lights 512, 514. An upper side of the circuit board 602 (in the orientation of FIG. 7) is enclosed within the cap 604 (shown in FIG. 6), when the circuit board 602 is connected to the cap 604. The notch 704 allows illumination of the respective lights 512, 514 (if illuminated) to escape from enclosure within the cap 604.

Referring to FIG. 8, in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7, a battery compartment 800 of the detection and signaling system 600 of FIG. 6., is accessed through the accessway 614 of the cap 604 when a top (not shown) is dislodged from the cap 604. The battery compartment 800 includes a receptacle 802 for electrically connecting and removably retaining batteries to the circuit board 602 connected to the cap 604.

Referring to FIG. 9, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-8, an in-use system 900, according to certain embodiments of FIGS. 1-8, is mounted on a wall of bathroom. In use, the system 900 detects if any door 4 of the carcase 2 is opened after the detection and output device 24 is activated upon loading of the carcase 2 with towels or other articles. The detection and output device 24 is read (for example, via toggle position) to determine any display (e.g., light(s) illuminated). If display indicates that no door 4 has been opened (e.g., no light illuminated), then this indicates that article contents of the carcase 2 have not been disturbed, used, and/or removed. If, however, display indicates that either door 4 has been opened (e.g., light or lights corresponding to the opened door or doors are illuminated), this indicates which door(s) were opened and that article contents of the carcase 2 corresponding to that door(s) have been disturbed, used and/or removed.

Referring to FIG. 10, a method 1000 for detecting and signaling whether a closed door of a cabinet has been opened includes a step 1002 of commencing detection of the door. A step 1004 detects if the door has been opened. If the door has been opened, a step 1006 of switching controls a microcontroller. In a step of toggling 1008, the microcontroller turns on an output display. In a step 1010, the output display is illuminated indicating the door has been opened. Human or automated action may then be taken to reload the cabinet and close the door, otherwise act with respect to the cabinet and close the door, do nothing and close the door, or if the door is then closed do nothing. The method 1000 thereafter returns to the step 1002.

If the door has not been opened, the display may be toggled in a step 1012. Because the door has not been opened, there is not any output display upon the toggling step 1012. The method 1000 thereafter returns to step 1004.

As can be understood, when the door has not been opened, the method 1000 indicates that articles need not be replaced in the cabinet. Thus, articles present in the cabinet may not require launder thereby conserving resources. If, however, the door has been opened, the method 1000 indicates that articles may need replacement. And in this case, articles of the cabinet that have been removed, used, or disturbed can be replaced or other action taken as to the cabinet and articles.

Referring to FIG. 11, a method 1100 of conserving resources includes a step 1102 of providing a trigger device to a door of a cabinet. In a step 1104, a detector for determining change of position of the trigger device is provided to the cabinet. The cabinet is then loaded in a step 1106 with one or more article, for example, towels, washcloths, other linens, or other items. These articles are generally re-usable but require cleaning after removal, use, or disturbance in the cabinet. As a non-exclusive example, towel and washcloth articles that have been removed, used or disturbed in the cabinet may require cleaning through launder and drying. Launder and drying operations typically consume resources, such as water, energy, human effort, wear on machines, and the like. By potentially increasing the interval between launderings of articles in the cabinet, resource use can be reduced.

Further in the method 1100, after the cabinet is loaded in the step 1106, the door to the loaded cabinet is closed in a step 1108. Once the door is closed in the step 1108, the detector of the step 1104 is activated in a step 1112. In a step 1112, the activated detector of the step 1112 commences determining any occurrence of change of position of the trigger device, indicative that the door of the cabinet is opened.

If the step 1112 determines change of position of the trigger device (i.e., that the cabinet door is opened), a step 1114 switches a circuit of the detector in response. Thereafter, a switch of the circuit can be toggled in the step 1116. The toggling step 1116 controls the circuit to output a human-readable signal, and this signal is displayed in the step 1118. The displayed signal of the step 1118 is read in a step 1120. Responsive to the step 1120 of reading the displayed signal, a responsive action is taken in the step 1122. The responsive action is, for example, launder of articles that are or had been contained in the cabinet by the door. The method 1100 returns to the step 1106 after the step 1122.

If, on the other hand, the step 1112 determines that position of the trigger device is unchanged (i.e., that the cabinet door has not been opened), a step 1124 of toggling controls the circuit to not provide output of a human-readable signal. In a step of displaying 1126, no signal is displayed. The absent signal is read in a step 1128. After the step 1128, a check is made in a step 1130 for any requirements, for example, health code, management policy or other requirements. If there are no such requirements, the method 1100 returns to the step 1110. If there are such requirements, requirements are complied with in a step 1132. The method 1100 then returns to the step 1106.

Various alternatives are possible in the foregoing embodiments. Cabinets, shelves, or other enclosures may be provided equipped with detection and signaling systems, or such systems can be retrofitted in existing cabinets, shelves, or other enclosures, including build-ins. Retrofit doors with embedded or otherwise connected trigger devices are also possible for substation in existing cabinets and shelves. Cabinets and the like may contain any number of doors for detection. Though certain cabinets and similar door-accessible enclosures are specifically described in embodiments, the cabinets and other enclosures alternately may be substantially any type of box, container, case, chest, trunk, or walled or otherwise-defined enclosure that is internally accessible via a door, hatch, gateway, or other open/close entrance.

Additional or different types of detection switches may be included in or connected to circuits, or otherwise for door detection in alternatives, including, for example, mechanical switches, proximity switches, and others. Also, different or additional displays, for example, more than two lights, varied light illumination colors (e.g., a unique respective color corresponding to a respective door), unique color to indicate door opened versus door remained closed (e.g., Red means door opened, Green means door not opened), speaker, wireless or radio frequency devices, and other output elements are possible in alternatives. Other types of detector and sensor devices may be employed for purpose of determining that a door has (or has not) been opened. A variety of positionable switches are possible for controlling display or other output. Moreover, control of display or output can alternately be through tactile switch or non-tactile switch, such as, for example, keycard, keychain magnet, security key (physical key, digital key, and others), and/or other access control. In the case of a microcontroller, various programming is possible, for example, varied display or light illumination can provide indicators beyond the opened/closed condition of the door(s). For example, certain light illumination sequence or timing, or digital or other display, such as with an LED display, can indicate histories of article replacement, time-duration of then contained articles, article replacement policy or law requirements (e.g., if x number of days has elapsed without replacement, then must replace, etc.). Though example circuits and elements have been described, a microcontroller or similar logic circuit, as well as additional possibilities for detections and outputs, can allow a wide variety of possible operations. Various combinations of more than one or different one(s) of the light(s) (where applicable in the embodiment) and/or of other detection and output devices, can be employed in embodiments to provide varied signals to further aid conservation practices and for other purposes.

In the foregoing embodiments, a variety of materials and manufacturing techniques and processes may be employed. Non-exclusive examples of cabinet, carcase, enclosure, door and window materials include wood, steel, plastic, glass, composite, rattan, wicker, and others. Circuits and elements for trigger devices, sensors, detectors and the like can be varied. The circuit, for example, can include a variety of suitable microcontrollers or microprocessors. The circuit board can be a printed circuit board, wires, other communicative links, or other operative devices, and combinations. Various power sources may be employed, including, for example, AC or DC source, in applicable embodiments as required for operating the circuit, switches and related elements. Non-exclusive examples of cap or housing materials of the detection and signaling device include plastic, nylon, fiberglass, metal, and others. Manufacture of cabinet, enclosure, carcase, door and window may be by plastic extrusion or moulding, or carpentry and the like, or combinations. Similarly, manufacture of circuits and electrically operative devices may be according to any suitable method and combinations of methods. Particular sizing and configuration of resource-conserving cabinets of the embodiments, including items such as number and arrangement of doors, internal shelves, detectors, and others, may be as desired for the particular application.

As used herein, the terms “comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent. Certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in the specification and figures, and these are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that may have been described with regard to specific embodiments, as well as devices, connections, steps, features or elements that may cause or provide any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications, substitutions, deletions, additions, and other changes can be made in embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A resource conserving cabinet system for containing articles, comprising:

a cabinet carcase;

a hinged door connected to the cabinet carcase;

a trigger connected to the door;

a detector connected to the cabinet carcase, the detector is responsive to relational movement of the trigger with respect to the detector;

a circuit communicatively connected to the detector;

a switch communicatively connected to the circuit, capable of selective positioning on; and

a display device communicatively connected to the circuit, the display device is controlled by the circuit in response to the detector and the switch when selectively positioned on.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display device includes at least one light corresponding to the door.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one light is illuminated if the door has been opened and the switch is positioned on.

4. A resource conserving door system, comprising:

a shelf;

a door connected to the shelf, the door is positionable in either of open and closed;

a sensor connected to the shelf, the sensor corresponds to the door and detects the door if positioned open; and

an output device communicatively connected to the sensor, the output device responsive to the sensor detecting the door is positioned open.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a microcontroller communicatively connected to the sensor and the output device; and

a switch communicatively connected to the microcontroller;

wherein the switch controls the microcontroller to operate the output device responsive to the sensor detecting the door is positioned open.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a window sealingly connected to the door, the window allows viewing of the shelf.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the switch selectively controls the microcontroller to commence detecting by the sensor if the door is closed.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the output device includes at least one light.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the switch is selectively positionable to control the microcontroller to commence detecting by the sensor if the door is then closed, and is next otherwise selectively positionable to control the microcontroller to control the output device indicating if the door has been opened.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the switch is selectively positionable to control the microcontroller to commence detecting by the sensor if the door is then closed, and is next otherwise selectively positionable to control the microcontroller to control the output device to illuminate at least one of the light indicating if the door has been opened.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the output device is selected from the group consisting of: at least one light, at least one speaker, at least one LCD display, at least one LED, and any combination of these.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the light, if not illuminated, indicates that the door has not been opened, whereby resources can be conserved.

13. A method of operating a door of a cabinet to conserve resources, comprising the steps of:

detecting if a closed door is opened;

toggling on a display;

controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if the door has been opened; and

controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to not illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if the door remains closed.

14. A method of operating doors of a cabinet to conserve resources, the doors are initially closed, comprising the steps of:

detecting by a circuit if any of the doors are opened;

toggling on a display;

controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to selectively illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if any of the doors have been opened, the display identifies any of the doors opened; and

controlling, upon the step of toggling, the display to not illuminate responsive to the step of detecting if all of the doors remain closed.

15. A method of conserving resources by reducing laundering of articles in a cabinet, comprising the steps of:

providing a trigger device to a door of the cabinet;

providing a detector to the cabinet;

activating the detector when the door of the cabinet is closed;

detecting by the detector if the door of the cabinet is opened;

switching a circuit of the detector in response to the step of detecting if the door of the cabinet is opened;

toggling a switch of the circuit; and

displaying an indicator upon the step of toggling, if the step of switching has occurred, the indicator evidences access to the articles.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a different indicator upon the step of toggling, if the step of switching has not occurred.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the indicator is at least one illuminated light and the different indicator is not any illuminated light.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator and the different indicator each correspond to the door.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a plurality of doors of the cabinet and a plurality of respective indicators and different indicators correspond to each of the plurality of doors;

wherein a respective trigger device is provided to each respective door of the plurality in the step of providing the trigger device;

wherein step of detecting is performed by the detector for each respective trigger device of each respective door;

wherein the step of switching of the circuit is respectively performed for each respective door if opened;

wherein the step of displaying is respectively performed for each respective door upon the step of toggling, if the step of switching has occurred with respect to the respective door, the indicator evidences access to the articles of the respective door.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the indicator dictates whether articles must be laundered.