DESC:
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

“SMART SANITIZER WITH IN-BUILT RFID FOR INDIVIDUAL MAPPING AND RELATED CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATION”

LIFE9 SYSTEMS PRIVATE LIMITED,
#301, Prakruthi Apt, 33, BGS Layout, Jakkur, Bangalore-560064, Karnataka, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a Smart Hand Sanitizer with IoT enabled cloud connectivity. Specifically, the present invention relates to Smart sanitizer with in-built RFID for individual mapping and related characteristics association.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The importance of cleanliness has long been recognized, particularly in the fields of health-care, food preparation, employee of an organization and laboratories, to name but a few. Although traditional hand washing using soap and water is performed by most people, these same people are often unwittingly exposed to unsanitary conditions after washing their hands. For example, these people are potentially exposed to unsanitary surfaces by touching a handrail of a stairway or escalator, and/or when opening doors, handling currency, touching keyboards, etc. Thus, sanitizer dispensers are used in a wide variety of settings to provide people with a sanitizing material to rub on their hands prior to undertaking activities where cleanliness is important, such as prior to eating, handling food, or attending to a patient at a health care facility and many public washrooms.

Washing hands properly with sanitizers can help prevent the spread of the germs (like bacteria and viruses) that cause these diseases. Some sanitizers contain alcohol, Alcohol kills the germs present on the skin. The alcohol works immediately and effectively in order to kill bacteria and most viruses. Alcohol can make the skin dry, so most brands of sanitizers also contain a moisturizer to minimize skin dryness and irritation.

Studies show that adding hand sanitizers to classrooms can reduce student absenteeism due to illness by 20 per cent. The use of hand sanitizers is a habit that can help keep us all exposed to fewer germs, and therefore may decrease our chance of illness. Whether you are on the playground, using someone else's computer or visiting a friend in the hospital, take the time to rub some on your hands
Hand sanitizers are convenient, portable, easy to use and not time consuming. Several studies have concluded that the risk of spreading gastrointestinal (stomach) and respiratory infection is decreased among families who use hand sanitizers. Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness.
Since the beginning of pandemic of covid-19 there has been an increased awareness and concern for preventing contamination and infection of health care and allied personnel by pathogens and virus. Li Wenliang, who tried to warn the world about the coronavirus outbreak of COVID-19, also died due to corona virus. Government of India has indicated that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the citizens are prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID-19 the Corona Virus. The most important factor in preventing the spread of corona virus is by ensuring that all the citizens apply sanitizers/ hand wish and frequent washing of hands to stop spreading of corona virus. The Clean Hands campaign by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructs the public to use Alcohol-based hand sanitizer for hand washing. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol or contains a "persistent antiseptic" should be used. Alcohol rubs kill many different kinds of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and TB bacteria. They also kill many kinds of viruses, including the flu virus, the common cold virus, coronaviruses, COVID-19, H1N1 Virus, Norovirus and Clostridium difficile and HIV. 90% alcohol rubs are more effective against viruses than most other forms of hand washing. Isopropyl alcohol will kill 99.99 % or more of all non-spore forming bacteria in less than 30 seconds, both in the laboratory and on human skin.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects them to need 2.9 billion litres of sanitizer per month due to COVID-19. That's about 35 billion litres per year. Before coronavirus, the world produced just under three billion litres per year. The Indian government has expressly asked the alcoholic drinks industry and the sugarcane industry to provide ethanol to hand sanitizer companies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and produce sanitizers to meet the local and global demand of sanitizers.

The overall societal, economic and health impacts of hand-borne pathogens is enormous. It is the intent of the present invention to substantially curtail this debilitating circumstance by providing a low-cost, minimally invasive method of self and institutional compliance monitoring of hand hygiene.

One difficulty with attempting to provide sanitary conditions is that people do not always wash their hands and/or use a sanitizer material when they should. For example, health care staff and/or patient visitors do not always have clean hands when visiting or attending to a patient. Even when sanitizer dispensers are available, the intended users, such as health care staff or food preparation workers, employees of an organization do not necessarily use the sanitizer dispensers when they should. Thus, for those situations or settings where users are required by a rule or requirement to use a sanitizer, it would be advantageous in such situations to provide a verification system to monitor user compliance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following summary provides an introduction to selected concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, while certain disadvantages of other technologies may be noted or discussed herein, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that may solve or address any or all of the disadvantages of those other technologies. The sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

An object of the present invention is to provide a Smart sanitizer with in-built Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) means for individual mapping.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Smart Hand Sanitizer with IoT enabled cloud connectivity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Smart Hand Sanitizer with web based front end UX for remote management.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of monitoring the Smart Hand Sanitizer.

The present invention provides a Smart sanitizer with in-built RFID for individual mapping. The smart hand sanitizer is connected to a network through cloud connectivity. The Smart Hand Sanitizer includes Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) means to enable individual mapping.
The present invention provides a Smart Hand Sanitizer system for identifying a user through AI algorithm. According to one aspect of the invention, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system includes:
a) a sanitizer container (106) with a dispenser for dispensing the sanitizer;
b) a server for storing the data collected by the smart sanitizer system;
c) a processor for processing the data collected by the smart sanitizer system;
d) a communication means for receiving and transferring the data;
e) a web based front end UX (User Experience) for remote management of the Smart Hand Sanitizer system;
f) a radio frequency identification (RFID) means configured to read the information of the individual wearing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

According to one aspect of the invention, the radio frequency identification (RFID) means is part of the container of the Smart Hand Sanitizer system. The radio frequency identification (RFID) means is in communication with the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag worn by the user and reads the information stored in the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

According to one aspect of the invention, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is worn on the wrist/other body parts/areas which can be displayed by the user. According to one aspect of the invention, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag worn on the front side of the body of the user. According to one aspect of the present invention, the user carries or wears an RFID tag (or other automatically detectable identification device) that is unique to the individual. Upon approaching the Smart Hand Sanitizer, the RFID reader recognizes the user's tag and records/maps the user name, time, date, sanitizer dispenser location/ID, and may also record whether the dispenser cycle has completed or not. The data is stored in the readers’ database until captured via various methods and also transferred to backed storage, for further processing into a report format for an administrator. According to one aspect of the invention, the information collected by the smart sanitizer includes personal details of the user. Further, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system is used for marking the attendance of the user. The administrator can then review the compliance statistics for the various users. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system recognizes the user and dispenses sanitizer when the user places the hand beneath the sanitizer dispenser.

According to one aspect of the invention, the smart sanitizer records the time spent by each user at the Smart Hand Sanitizer system. the smart sanitizer sends updates to the administrative teams the information related to access time and the usage pattern of the individuals.

According to one aspect of the invention, the information collected by the smart sanitizer is analysed to assess COVID 19 and/or other predefined symptoms of the user. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system transfers the information over a wireless network.

According to one aspect of the invention, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system along with the backend administrative modules will analyse the usage patterns of individuals, departments, maximum/minimum consumption periods. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system along with the backend administrative modules will determine the usage of the dispensing station of individual across stations/buildings as applicable and will help to understand the probability of infection spread due to this movement.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the Li-ion batteries used in the Smart hand sanitizer are rechargeable batteries.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the sanitizer fluid in the Smart hand sanitizer is refilled without replacing the existing sanitizer container.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the Smart Hand Sanitizer includes a memory means. The memory means includes a compliance module in communication with the identification apparatus, the compliance module being operable to record data associated with use of the first cleaning station by the user.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the Smart Hand Sanitizer is connected via an Internet of things (IoT)technology to a cloud server. The IoT includes Edge secure gateway in a process control system, includes receiving, by a gateway, data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining, by the gateway, that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting, by the gateway, the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting, by the gateway, the received data to the second device via the second protocol.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the rechargeable Li-ion batteries unlike the conventional existing replaceable batteries can be recharged using electric power.
It should be understood, however, that this summary does not contain all of the aspects and object of the present invention, is not meant to be limiting or restrictive in any manner, and that the invention as disclosed herein is and will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to encompass obvious improvements and modifications thereto.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates overview of the smart sanitizer with in-built RFID for individual mapping and related characteristics association.

FIG. 2 illustrates dispensing tube of Smart hand sanitizer with in-built RFID means for individual mapping with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the location of the RFID means in the Smart hand sanitizer with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the System Architecture of Smart hand sanitizer with in-built RFID means for individual mapping with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following summary provides an introduction to selected concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Further, while certain disadvantages of other technologies may be noted or discussed herein, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that may solve or address any or all of the disadvantages of those other technologies. The sole purpose of this Summary is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Various modifications to the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, and can be made to the present invention within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention discloses a system for Smart Hand Sanitizer. The Smart hand sanitizer dispenses a sanitizer, such as an alcohol gel or alcohol mist, when a person activates the sanitizer dispenser by triggering an infrared sensor to automatically activate ejection of the sanitizer when a person places one or both of their hands adjacent the sanitizer dispenser.

The term “Smart Hand Sanitizer” means a device that dispenses a sanitizer, automatically and smartly with respect to the units (e.g., by a rechargeable battery in a touch less sanitizer dispenser). In addition, as used herein, “sanitizer” is synonymous with “sanitizer” and refers to a fluid, whether a liquid, gas, or pseudo-solid (such as a semi-solid or gel) that includes one or more antimicrobial and/or cleaning agents. The antimicrobial agent can kill organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and/or viruses. They also kill many kinds of viruses, including the flu virus, the common cold virus, coronaviruses, COVID 19 virus, H1N1 Virus, Norovirus and Clostridium difficile and HIV. 90% alcohol rubs are more effective against viruses than most other forms of hand washing. Isopropyl alcohol will kill 99.99 % or more of all non-spore forming bacteria in less than 30 seconds, both in the laboratory and on human skin.

An exemplary embodiment of the smart sanitizer with in-built RFID for individual mapping and related characteristics association is depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the Smart Hand sanitizer system 100 includes a top portion 102 with a camera 104, a sanitizer container 106, a bottom portion 108 with RFID means (not shown in FIG.1), a cloud server 110, a sensor equipped with facial recognition technology to enable individual mapping, web based front end UX, volume containers for sanitizer fluid storage, rechargeable battery and an alarm. The Smart Hand Sanitizer with a built-in camera sensor to enable facial recognition technology. According to one embodiment of the invention the Smart sanitizer system is a hand sanitizer system and is portable in nature.

The proximity sensor determines proximity of a user 112 with respect to the detector. In some embodiments, the proximity detector includes an infrared range finder and a variable potentiometer operative to adjust range sensitivity of the range finder. Typically, the proximity detector is a single, non-directional sensor which detects proximity of a body to the sensor rather than movement of a body in front of the system.

FIG. 2 illustrates dispensing tube of Smart hand sanitizer with in-built RFID means for individual mapping with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the smart sanitizer system 200 includes a dispensing tube 214, Signal TX (down) and Signal RX (up) 216, Li-ion batteries 218, power chord 220. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system 200 dispenses a fixed amount of sanitizer through the dispensing tube 214 of the sanitizer container 206 upon detecting the presence of the user’s hand 222. The dispensing tube 214 is present at the bottom side of the sanitizer container 206. The dispenser typically dispenses antiseptic solution, which can be an alcohol-based solution or can be of any other type of sanitizing gel or solution, and provides an output signal to the system corresponding to dispensing of the antiseptic solution. The smart sanitizer system 200 may also include an alarm to provide an indication when there is a failure to dispense based on input criterion. Signal TX (down) and Signal RX (up) are also indicated in the FIG.2. The smart sanitizer system 200 is powered by rechargeable batteries, preferably Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries 218. The Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries 218 are rechargeable in nature and have durable life. The smart sanitizer system 200 can also run on the electricity. The electric plug of power chord 220 of the Smart sanitizer system 200 has to be plugged into the electric socket available nearby.

FIG. 3 illustrates the location of the RFID means in the Smart hand sanitizer with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the RFID means 324 is located at the bottom of the smart sanitizer system 300. The radio frequency identification (RFID) means 324 is in communication with the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag worn by the user and reads the information stored in the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. According to one embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is worn on the wrist/other body parts/areas which can be displayed by the user. The radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may also be worn on the front side of the body of the user.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user carries or wears an RFID tag (or other automatically detectable identification device) that is unique to the individual. Upon approaching the Smart Hand Sanitizer, the RFID reader recognizes the user's tag and records/maps the user name, time, date, sanitizer dispenser location/ID, and may also record whether the dispenser cycle has completed or not. The data is stored in the readers’ database until captured via various methods and also transferred to backed storage, for further processing into a report format for an administrator.
FIG. 4 illustrates the System Architecture of Smart hand sanitizer with in-built RFID means for individual mapping with IoT connectivity according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, information collected from one or more Smart Hand Sanitizer systems is transferred to a Gateway/ Server by using a wired or wireless network. The information from the Gateway/ Server is transferred to a Cloud server where the information is analysed and the processed information is displayed on a dashboard. For better and efficient processing of the data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are used. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms help to achieve faster and less expensive COVID-19 testing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps to track the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, by detecting early warning signals such as clusters of symptoms in a new place.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the information collected by the smart sanitizer includes personal details of the user. Further, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system is used for marking the attendance of the user. The administrator can then review the compliance statistics for the various users. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system recognizes the user and dispenses sanitizer when the user places the hand beneath the sanitizer dispenser. Further, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system 100 monitors the individual details with respect to the under and over usage of sanitizer to determine the dispense pattern. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system along with the backend administrative modules will analyse the usage patterns of individuals, departments, maximum/minimum consumption periods. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system along with the backend administrative modules will determine the usage of the dispensing station of individual across stations/buildings as applicable and will help to understand the probability of infection spread due to this movement.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the the Smart Hand Sanitizer system can be implemented in public places (Malls, Shopping centres, Movie halls etc.) to identify the individual health status and alerting the BMS (Building Monitoring System) authorities when detecting potential pandemic spread threats. In some embodiments, dynamic demand management is achieved by providing required notifications to relevant teams.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the Smart Hand Sanitizer is connected to a cloud server through internet of things (IoT). Remote monitoring of individuals is enabled and in particular to a networked system with IoT enabled Cloud connectivity, Web based front end UX, RFID equipped units to enable individual mapping and for communicating information to the individuals through the use of script programs. The Smart Hand Sanitizer provides complete solution. The Smart hand sanitizer sends and receives the information from the cloud server. A web based front end UX is used to manage the complete solution relating to the Smart Hand Sanitizer.
In some embodiments, the medical probe may further comprise an electronic circuit coupled to the sensor and the proximity sensor, wherein the electronic circuit includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and storing software, And to execute the algorithm to process the signals from the sensors and the proximity sensors when executed. The electronic circuit may further include an output device coupled to the processor and configured to output the result of the algorithm.
In specific embodiments, the alarm sounds when the person fails to dispense antiseptic solution from the dispenser within a predetermined period of time after moving within a predetermined range of the detector. In some embodiments, the indication can be visual and/or audible.

In some embodiments, the sanitizer containers present in the Smart hand sanitizer are of different sizes. The size and volume of the sanitizer can be customized as per the requirements.

In some embodiments, the period of time is from between 1 second to about 1 minute, or between about 5 seconds and about 45 seconds, or about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds, or is set to at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20 or at least 30 seconds.

Accordingly, the sanitizer dispensers are operable to record and report data related to employee compliance with such requirements.

It will be recognized that the above described subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that, the subject matter is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but it is rather to be defined by the appended claims.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the novel and inventive features of the invention, it is understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS

I/WE CLAIM

1. A Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) for identifying a user (112) through AI algorithm, the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) comprising:
a) a sanitizer container (106) with a dispenser for dispensing the sanitizer;
b) a server (110) for storing the data collected by the smart sanitizer system (100);
c) a processor for processing the data collected by the smart sanitizer system (100);
d) a communication means for receiving and transferring the data;
e) a web based front end UX (User Experience) for remote management of the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100);
f) a radio frequency identification (RFID) means configured to read the information of the individual wearing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

2. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) means is part of the container of the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100).

3. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) means is in communication with the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag worn by the user and reads the information stored in the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

4. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Smart Hand Sanitizer system is used for marking the attendance of the user (112).

5. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart sanitizer records the time spent by each user at the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100).

6. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart sanitizer sends updates to the administrative teams the information related to access time and the usage pattern of the individuals.

7. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information collected by the smart sanitizer is analysed to assess COVID 19 and/or other predefined symptoms of the user.

8. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) transfers the information over a wireless network.

9. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) along with the backend administrative modules will analyse the usage patterns of individuals, departments, maximum/minimum consumption periods.

10. The Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Smart Hand Sanitizer system (100) along with the backend administrative modules will determine the usage of the dispensing station of individual across stations/buildings as applicable and will help to understand the probability of infection spread due to this movement.

Dated this the 19 th May of 2020

Anugu Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy (IN/PA-2420)
Patent Agent for the Applicant