Claims:I/We Claim:
1. An automatic hand sanitization system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a stand (102) capable to provide a rigid support to components of the system (100);
a temperature sensing unit (104) fixed on the stand (102) at a pre-defined position, wherein the temperature sensing unit (104) is adapted to measure a body temperature of a user;
a sanitizing container (106) fixed on the stand (102), wherein the sanitizing container (106) is adapted to store sanitizing solution; and
a controller unit (114) connected to the temperature sensing unit (104), and configured to:
receive the measured body temperature of the user from the temperature sensing unit (104);
compare the measured body temperature with a pre-defined temperature value; and
actuate a motor (112) to open a flipper (110) of a dispensing nozzle (108) of the sanitizing container (106) to dispense the sanitizing solution onto hands of the user when measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (112) is a servo motor.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller unit (114) is a nano controller.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined position of the temperature sensing unit (104) is a head of the stand (102).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sanitizing container (106) is arranged at a pre-defined distance from the temperature sensing unit (104).
6. A method (300) for automatically sanitizing hands of a user, the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a measured body temperature of the user from a temperature sensing unit (104);
comparing the measured body temperature with a pre-defined temperature value; and
actuating a motor (112) to open a flipper (110) of a dispensing nozzle (108) of a sanitizing container (106) to dispense the sanitizing solution onto the hands of the user when measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature sensing unit (104) is fixed on a stand (102) at a pre-defined position.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pre-defined position of the temperature sensing unit (104) is a head of the stand (102).
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the motor (112) is a servo motor.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a step of arranging the sanitizing container (106) at a pre-defined distance from the temperature sensing unit (104).

Date: 25 February, 2022
Place: Noida
Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a hand sanitization and particularly to an automatic hand sanitization system and method thereof.
Description of Related Art
[002] A hand sanitizer is an agent that destroys or inhibits an activity of microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. The hand sanitizer can be a liquid, gel, or foam generally used to kill many viruses, bacteria, or microorganisms present on hands. In most settings, a handwash with soap and water is generally preferred. Shifting consumer preference towards convenient hygiene products is expected to drive a market. In a present scenario of a pandemic outbreak, a best way to prevent oneself from being infected is by ensuring a complete hygiene.
[003] At public places such as companies, institutes, schools, shopping malls, railway stations, airports, and alike, a process of hand sanitization is usually done manually by a person standing at an entrance of premises due to which the person might get exposed to the infectious disease. Moreover, the hand sanitization process in the public places ends up wasting a time of visitors. Many a times, the visitors have to form a queue for getting their hands sanitized and end up not following a social distancing protocol. The visitors in the queue becomes more prone to the infectious diseases if the social distancing protocol is not being followed properly. Further, automatic sanitizer dispenser machines are also placed at the public places to sanitize the hands of the visitors. However, such machines do not put restriction on an entry of the visitors, which in turn increases a chance of spreading the infectious disease.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced hand sanitization system that can ensure a safety of the visitors in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an automatic hand sanitization system. The system includes a stand adapted to provide a rigid support to components of the system. The system further includes a temperature sensing unit fixed on the stand at a pre-defined position. The temperature sensing unit is adapted to measure a body temperature of a user. The system further includes a sanitizing container fixed to the stand. The sanitizing container is adapted to store sanitizing solution. The system further includes a controller unit connected to the temperature sensing unit. The controller unit is configured to receive the measured body temperature of the user from the temperature sensing unit. The controller unit is further configured to compare the measured body temperature with a pre-defined temperature value. The controller unit is further configured to actuate a motor to open a flipper of a dispensing nozzle of the sanitizing container to dispense the sanitizing solution onto hands of the user when the measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for automatically sanitizing hands of a user. The method comprising steps of: receiving a measured body temperature of the user from a temperature sensing unit; comparing the measured body temperature with a pre-defined temperature value; and actuating a motor to open a flipper of a dispensing nozzle of a sanitizing container to dispense a sanitizing solution onto the hands of the user when the measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an automatic hand sanitization system.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automatic hand sanitization system that accurately dispenses a required amount of sanitizing solution.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automatic hand sanitization system that covers dispensing nozzle and protects a sanitizing solution stored in a sanitizing container from contamination.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automatic hand sanitization system that is easy to implement and easy to use.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an automatic hand sanitization system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a controller unit of the automatic hand sanitization system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for automatically sanitizing hands of a user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having”, and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an automatic hand sanitization system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be an automatically actuated sanitization system that may dispense a sanitizing solution based on a sensed temperature.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a stand 102, a temperature sensing unit 104, a sanitizing container 106, a dispensing nozzle 108, a flipper 110, a motor 112, and a controller unit 114.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the stand 102 may provide a rigid support to components of the system 100. The stand 102 may have a designated position for accommodating a right hand and/or a left hand of a user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the stand 102 may be made up of any material such as, but not limited to, a wooden material, a plastic material, a metallic material, a ceramic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the stand 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensing unit 104 may be adapted to measure a body temperature of the user. The temperature sensing unit 104 may be fixed at a pre-defined position on the stand 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined position of the temperature sensing unit 104 may be a head of the stand 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the temperature sensing unit 104 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a thermocouple, a resistance temperature scanner, a thermistor, a semiconductor-based integrated circuits temperature scanner, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the temperature sensing unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may be a refillable container that may be adapted to store the sanitizing solution. The sanitizing container 106 may be fixed on the stand 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may be arranged at a pre-defined distance from the temperature sensing unit 104. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may be fixed below the temperature sensing unit 104. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may store any type of the sanitizing solution such as, but not limited to, an alcohol-based sanitizing solution, a gluconate-based sanitizing solution, a triclosan-based sanitizing solution, a chloride-based sanitizing solution, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sanitizing solution stored in the sanitizing container 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may be made up of any material such as, but not limited to, a glass material, a plastic material, a metallic material, a ceramic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the sanitizing container 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sanitizing container 106 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a cubical shape, a cuboidal shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the sanitizing container 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] The sanitizing container 106 may further have the dispensing nozzle 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing nozzle 108 may dispense the sanitizing solution from the sanitizing container 106. The dispensing nozzle 108 may be, but not limited to, a flat fan nozzle, a hollow cone nozzle, a full cone nozzle, an air atomizing nozzle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the dispensing nozzle 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flipper 110 may be provided to cover the dispensing nozzle 108 and may protect the sanitizing solution stored in the sanitizing container 106 from contamination due to foreign particles. The flipper 110 may be a piece of material hanging from the stand 102 that may be controlled by the motor 112, in an embodiment of the present invention. The flipper 110 may be opened to enable the sanitizing solution to dispense out from the sanitizing container 106. According to embodiments of the present invention, the flipper 110 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a glass material, a plastic material, a metallic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material of the flipper 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the flipper 110 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the flipper 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor 112 may be actuated to open the flipper 110 of the dispensing nozzle 108 of the sanitizing container 106. According to embodiments of the present invention, the motor 112 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, an Alternating Current (AC) motor, a Direct Current (DC) motor, a brushless motor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor 112 may be a servo motor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit 114 may be connected to the temperature sensing unit 104 through a single blended wire. The controller unit 114 may be configured to receive the measured body temperature of the user from the temperature sensing unit 104. The controller unit 114 may be configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate an output. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller unit 114 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller unit 114 may be a nano controller. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller unit 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, a working of the controller unit 114 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the controller unit 114 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller unit 114 may comprise a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and a motor control module 204.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the measured body temperature of the user from the temperature sensing unit 104. The data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the measured body temperature of the user to the data comparison module 202.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to receive the measured body temperature of the user from the data receiving module 200. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the measured body temperature of the user with a pre-defined temperature value, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined temperature value may be 37.2 degrees Celsius (°C). In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a motor activation signal, when the measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated motor activation signal to the motor control module 204.
[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed body temperature from the temperature sensing unit 104, when the measured body temperature is greater than the pre-defined temperature value.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor control module 204 may be configured to receive the generated motor activation signal from the data comparison module 202. The motor control module 204 may be configured to actuate the motor 112 to open the flipper 110 of the dispensing nozzle 108 of the sanitizing container 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the flipper 110 of the dispensing nozzle 108 may be opened to dispense a pre-defined amount of the sanitizing solution onto hands of the user.
[0036] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 of automatically sanitizing the hands of the user by the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the measured body temperature of the user from the temperature sensing unit 104.
[0038] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the measured body temperature with the pre-defined temperature value. If the measured body temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature value, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 306. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 302.
[0039] At the step 306, the system 100 may actuate the motor 112 to open the flipper 110 of the dispensing nozzle 108 of the sanitizing container 106 to dispense the pre-defined amount of the sanitizing solution onto the hands of the user.
[0040] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.