Electronic faucet with calibrated capacitive sensing

Abstract

An electronic faucet with a faucet body, an electrically operable valve assembly, at least one capacitive sensor coupled with the faucet body; and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve assembly in response to signals received from the sensor. The controller performs a calibration procedure after installation of the electronic faucet which includes having a user engage a first area on the faucet body; having the user engage a second area wherein the second area is spaced from and located in proximity to the faucet body.

Description

ELECTRONIC FAUCET WITH CALIBRATED CAPACITIVE SENSINGCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of US provisional patent application Serial No. 63 / 753.488, filed February 4, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the control of an electronic faucet.

[0003] Electronic faucets having a sensor for detecting when a user is touching the faucet and controlling the operation of the faucet based upon the detection of a touch are known in the prior art.

[0004] For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0157978 Al which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a hands-free faucet with a proximity sensor.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 8,127,782 B2 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses an automatic faucet having a capacitive sensor wherein the controller can determine whether the user is touching the handle or the spout.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 8,561,626 B2 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a sensing system for an electronic faucet wherein a single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the faucet.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 8,973,612 B2 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a fluid delivery' device having an electronic faucet, a primary' capacitive sensor and at least one secondary capacitive sensor wherein a controller determines a difference between the signals of the primary and secondary capacitive sensors to thereby control operation of the faucet.

[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0042291 Al which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses an electronic faucet having first and second touch sensing areas and an electrically operable valve which is selectively controlled in response to touch sensing protocols.

[0009] U.S. Patent No. 11,661,729 B2 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses an electronic faucet having a capacitive sensor wherein the magnitude of the output signal generated by the capacitive sensor can be adjusted.15161641.1

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024 / 0353902 Al which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a power and communication system associated with a plumbing fixture that can be coupled with a plurality of peripheral devices.

[0011] While such prior art devices are quite useful, further improvements remain desirable.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0012] The inventors have recognized that, when installed, the environment in which an electronic faucet is installed can have an impact on its ability to sense user inputs. For example, the material, e.g., iron or stone such as granite including ferrous material, used to form a sink basin, countertop or other nearby item can influence the magnitude of sensor signals. Ambient humidity may also exert an influence on such signals.

[0013] The present disclosure provides an electronic faucet that can be calibrated to distinguish between user engagement of an operative area from an in-operative area and thereby enhance the performance of the faucet. As used herein, an operative area is an area where user engagement of the area is intended to control the operation of faucet and user engagement of in-operative areas are not intended to have any influence on the operation of the faucet. Electronic faucets as disclosed herein may take various forms including the embodiments described below.

[0014] Embodiment 1. An electronic faucet that includes a faucet body defining a fluid outlet; an electrically operable valve assembly in fluid communication with the faucet body and adapted to be connected to a hot water source and a cold water source; at least one capacitive sensor coupled with the faucet body; a controller in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve assembly and thereby control the discharge of water from the fluid outlet in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor; and wherein the controller is configured to perform a calibration procedure after installation of the electronic faucet which includes: a user engaging a first area on the faucet body at least one time; the user engaging a second area at least one time, the second area spaced from the first area; wherein, when operating the electronic faucet, the first area is an operative area wherein the controller is configured to change the operating status of the electrically operable valve in response to user engagement of the first area and the second area is anon-operative area wherein the controller is configured to maintain the cunent operating status of the electrically operable valve when user engagement of the second area occurs.25161641.1

[0015] Embodiment 2. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 1 which further includes a second capacitive sensor in communication with the controller.

[0016] Embodiment 3. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 1 wherein the controller is configured to toggle fluid flow from the fluid outlet on and off in response to user engagement of the first area.

[0017] Embodiment 4. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 1 wherein the user touches the first area at least one time and grabs the first area at least one time during the calibration process and, during operation of the electronic faucet, the controller operates according to a protocol that distinguishes between a user touch of the first area and a user grab of the first area.

[0018] Embodiment 5. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 1 wherein the calibration process includes having the user engage a plurality of non-operative areas.

[0019] Embodiment 6. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 1 wherein the user engages both the first area and the second area a plurality of times during the calibration process.

[0020] Embodiment 7. An electronic faucet according to any one of embodiments 1-6, further including a transceiver coupled with the controller wherein the transceiver is adapted to establish communication between the controller and a wireless communication device.

[0021] Embodiment 8. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 7 wherein the wireless communication device is a router.

[0022] Embodiment 9. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 7 wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile communication device having a display screen.

[0023] Embodiment 10. An electronic faucet according to embodiment 9 wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone and the controller is configured to communicate prompts to the smart phone instructing the user to perform individual tasks and receive, from the smart phone, confirmation that the user has performed the individual tasks.

[0024] Embodiment 11. A method of calibrating an electronic faucet that includes (a) providing the electronic faucet with a faucet body defining an outlet, an electrically operable valve assembly in fluid communication with the faucet body, at least one capacitive sensor coupled with the faucet body and a controller in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor and wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor; (b) installing the electronic faucet adjacent a sink basin, coupling the controller with a source of electrical 35161641.1power, and coupling the electrically operable valve with a hot water source and a cold water source; and (c) calibrating the at least one capacitive sensor after performing step (b) wherein the calibration of the at least one capacitive sensor includes: (i) instructing a user to engage a first area on the faucet body at least one time and communicating signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the first area to the controller; (ii) instructing the user to engage a second area at least one time and communicating signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the second area to the controller wherein the second area is spaced from the first area; and (iii) configuring the controller to distinguish signals generated by the at the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the first area from signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the second area, wherein, when operating the electronic faucet, the first area is an operative area wherein the controller is configured to change the operating status of the electrically operable valve in response to user engagement of the first area and the second area is a non-operative area wherein the controller is configured to maintain the current operating status of the electrically operable valve when user engagement of the second area occurs.

[0025] Embodiment 12. A method according to embodiment 11 wherein step (c)(i) includes instructing the user to engage the first area a pl urality of times and step (c)(ii) includes instructing the user to engage the second area a plurality of times.

[0026] Embodiment 13. A method according to embodiment 11 wherein the second area is disposed on a sink basin or a countertop.

[0027] Embodiment 14. A method according to embodiment 11 wherein step (c)(ii) comprises the user engaging a plurality of non-operative areas.

[0028] Embodiment 15. A method according to embodiment 11 wherein a transceiver is coupled with the controller and, in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii), the controller communicates instructions to the user through the transceiver to a wireless communication device.

[0029] Embodiment 16. A method according to embodiment 15 wherein the wireless communication device is a router.

[0030] Embodiment 17. A method according to embodiment 15 wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile communication device having a display screen and in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii), instructions for the user are displayed on the display screen.

[0031] Embodiment 18. A method according to embodiment 17 wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone and, in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii), the controller45161641.1communicates prompts to the smart phone instructing the user to perform individual tasks and receives, from the smart phone, confirmation that the user has performed the individual tasks.

[0032] Embodiment 19. A method according to embodiment 11 wherein step (c)(1) comprises instructing the user to touch the first area at least one time and grab the first area at least one time and the controller uses the capacitive sensor signals resulting from such engagements to distinguish between a user touch of the first area and a user grab of the first area.

[0033] Embodiment 20. A method according to any one of embodiments 11-19 wherein the at least one capacitive sensor comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors.

[0034] Embodiment 21. A method of operating an electronic faucet that includes (a) providing the electronic faucet with a faucet body defining an outlet, an electrically operable valve assembly in fluid communication with the faucet body, at least one capacitive sensor coupled with the faucet body and a controller in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor and wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor; (b) installing the electronic faucet adjacent a sink basin, coupling the controller with a source of electrical pow er, and coupling the electrically operable valve with a hot w ater source and a cold water source; and (c) establishing communication between the controller and a mobile communication device and adjusting a parameter in an algorithm controlling the operation of the electrically operable valve assembly.

[0035] Embodiment 22. A method in accordance with embodiment 21 wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone and the method further comprises downloading a mobile app to the smart phone before performing step (c).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic faucet in accordance with embodiment 1 described above.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with embodiment 11 described above.55161641.1

[0039] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an electronic faucet 20. Faucet 20 includes a faucet body 22 formed by a spout 24 mounted on a hub 26. Spout 24 includes a fluid outlet 25 for dispensing fluid. The illustrated faucet 20 also includes a manual handle 28, however, alternative embodiments may be operated solely by proximity / touch sensors and not include a manually operable faucet handle 28. Handle 28 is coupled with a manual mixing valve 30. Valve 30 is coupled with a hot water source 32 and a cold water source 34 whereby manual positioning of handle 28 is used to control the temperature and discharge rate of water being dispensed by faucet 20.

[0041] Faucet assembly 20 also includes an electrically operable valve assembly 36 and a controller 38. Controller 38 includes a processor 40, transceiver 42 and a digital memory 44 and is coupled to a source of electrical power 46. A cable 48 couples controller 38 with electrically operable valve assembly 36 and communicates control signals and electrical power between controller 38 and valve assembly 36.

[0042] Valve assembly 36 is an actuator driven valve, e.g., a solenoid valve, that is controlled by controller 38. When valve assembly 36 is open, faucet 20 can be operated manually by using faucet handle 28 to operate valve 30. Handle 28 can be used with valve 30 to select a water temperature and flow rate in a conventional manner. Leaving valve 30 in an open position allows the user to turn the water flow on and off using electrically operated valve assembly 36. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, controller 38 is configured to toggle fluid flow from the fluid outlet 25 on and off in response to the user touching spout 24. In other words, when the user touches spout 24. controller 38 will open valve 36 if it is closed or close valve 36 if it is open, thereby allowing the user to turn water flow on and off by touching spout 24.

[0043] While the illustrated embodiment includes both a manual valve and an electronically controlled valve, alternative embodiments are also possible. For example, faucets in accordance with the present disclosure do not necessarily require a manual handle or manually operable valve and can rely solely upon an electrically operable valve to both turn 65161641.1water flow on and off and also control the temperature and flow rate of the water being dispensed. In one such alternative embodiment, handle 28 and valve 30 could be omitted and the hot water source 32 and cold water source 34 could be connected directly to an electronically controlled proportioning valve to provide a fully automatic faucet.

[0044] A first capacitive sensor 50 communicates with controller 38 via cable 52 and is used to sense when the user touches the faucet body. In the illustrated embodiment, first capacitive sensor 50 is coupled with spout 24. More specifically, spout 24 either acts an electrode or is coupled with an electrode of capacitive sensor 50. It is noted that the box identified in FIG. 1 by reference number 50 is a schematic representation of this coupling of sensor 50 with spout 24. In some embodiments, spout 24 may be electrically insulated from the hub 26 and handle 28 of faucet 20. Spout 24 may take one of several different forms. For example, spout 24 may either rotate or be fixed relative to hub 26. In some embodiments, spout 24 may also include a pull-out or pull-down spray head on which fluid outlet 25 is located.

[0045] Controller 38 monitors signals received from first capacitive sensor 50 and. in the illustrated embodiment, controller 38 is configured to open and close valve 36 when such signals indicate that the user has touched spout 24. In alternative embodiments, controller 38 may be configured to perform a more complex control protocol that distinguishes between a tap. a double-tap or a grasp of spout 24 or which distinguishes between taps and / or grabs of different parts of the faucet body. This greater vocabulary of inputs can be used to perform a greater variety of functions. For example, a fully automatic faucet might require the user to double-tap the faucet body to change the flow rate or temperature of the water being dispensed.

[0046] A second capacitive sensor 54 is in communication with controller 38 via cable 56. As schematically depicted in FIG. 1, sensor 54 is coupled with sink basin 62 with sink basin 62 either acting as an electrode or being coupled with an electrode of sensor 54. In alternative embodiments, second capacitive sensor 54 may be coupled to other locations in proximity’ to faucet 20 without being mounted on faucet 20 such as countertop 64.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, there is also a third capacitive sensor 58 in communication with controller 38 via cable 60 which is coupled with hub 26. As schematically depicted in FIG. 1, hub 26 acts as an electrode or is coupled with an electrode of sensor 58.75161641.1While the illustrated embodiment includes three capacitive sensors, only one capacitive sensor coupled with the faucet body is necessary. The use of the additional sensors can enhance the performance of the system but it will also increase the cost of the system.

[0048] It is also noted that the calibration process described below and illustrated by the flow chart in FIG. 2 is particularly advantageous when used with an electronic faucet having a single capacitive sensor to enhance the ability of the faucet system to distinguish between when the user intentionally engages an operative surface to change the operating status of the faucet and when the user engages, without the intention to change the operating status of the faucet, a non-operative surface in proximity to the operative surface. It may also be used to distinguish between intentional engagement of the operative surface (intended to change the operating status of the faucet) and incidental engagement of the operative surface which is not intended to change the operating status of the faucet. One example of such incidental engagement would be engagement of the spout 24 with the back of a hand to change the rotational position of the spout without intending to change the operating status of the faucet, i.e.. without intending to turn the faucet on / off or change the temperature or flow rate of the water being dispensed.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, cables are used to communicate electrical signals between controller 38 and capacitive sensors 50, 54, 58. In alternative embodiments, such signals could be transmitted wirelessly and be received by transceiver 42 of controller 38.

[0050] As depicted in FIG. 1, transceiver 42 is part of controller 38 and is coupled with processor 40. Transceiver 42 is used to wirelessly establish communication between the controller 38 and another wireless communication device such as router 66 or a mobile communication device like a smart phone 68, tablet, smart watch, or dedicated control device designed specifically for use w ith electronic faucet 20.

[0051] Router 66 may be a wireless communication router having an internet connection. Such routers are commonly used to provide what is generally referred to as wifi or a wifi network in a residential setting. By connecting to router 66, controller 38 can communicate with other devices connected to router 66 and / or provide controller 38 with access to the internet where it can access a cloud-based storage or operating system.

[0052] Smart phone 68 includes a display screen 70 and controller 38 could communicate with smart phone 68 through a router 66. Smart phone 68 could also connect directly with controller 38 via transceiver 42. When connecting wirelessly, transceiver 42 can advantageously do so using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or other suitable communication 85161641.1protocol. By connecting to smart phone 68, the user will have the ability to not only receive communications from controller 38 but also send responses back to the controller through a convenient mechanism, i.e., the touch screen display 70 on smart phone 68.

[0053] For example, digital memory 44 may store executable instructions which configure controller 38 to wirelessly communicate prompts, via transceiver 42, to smart phone 68. Such prompts may be used to instruct the user to perform various tasks during calibration of electronic faucet 20, such as to engage the spout 24 of faucet 20. Controller 38 also receives, via transceiver 42, confirmation from the user that the user has completed the requested task. For example, after engaging spout 24 in a first area, the user would use touch screen 70 of smart phone 68 to depress or swipe a graphical icon or otherwise interacting with smart phone 68 to indicate that they have engaged spout 24 to complete the requested task. Phone 68 would then communicate this confirmation to controller 38 via transceiver 42.

[0054] Advantageously, the user w ould download a mobile app, i.e., a software application developed specifically to run on small, wireless devices such as smart phones, tablets, and smart watches, onto smart phone 68. This mobile app would provide an interactive set-up procedure to calibrate electronic faucet to its installed environment. For example, when the user activates the mobile app on smart phone 68 and smart phone 68 is in range of transceiver 42, the smart phone 68 could automatically connect with controller 38 via transceiver 42 with the mobile app providing the user with a graphical interface for interacting with controller 38. The mobile app could also connect with controller 38 through router 66.

[0055] The use of such a mobile app would provide the user with the capability of performing a wide variety of adjustments. For example, the mobile app could be used during the calibration of electronic faucet 20. For example, the mobile app could be used to allow the user to adjust the duration of the capacitive sensor signal indicating contact between the user and the faucet body that would be required to register as a tap or a grab. This could be useful to avoid having the faucet interpret certain user contact, e.g., using the back of the hand to bump the faucet to change the rotational position of the faucet, as being considered an intentional user engagement for changing the operational status of faucet 20. This would allow- the user to customize the faucet to recognize user engagements as set by the user rather than requiring the user to engage the faucet in a manner determined by a one size fits all scheme. In other w ords, the ability' to adjust one or more of the settings used to interpret the signals generated by the capacitive sensors provides the user with the ability to adjust a parameter in an algorithm, e.g., duration threshold or magnitude threshold of a sensor signal,95161641.1DFC-66IO-OI-WOcontrolling the operation of the electrically operable valve assembly. This is most advantageously accomplished by establishing communication between the controller and a mobile communication device, e.g., a smart phone, either directly between the mobile communication device and the controller or indirectly through another wireless communication device such as a wifi router.

[0056] It could also be used to configure and troubleshoot faucet 20. For example, it might be used to adjust the sensitivity of the capacitive sensors and / or turn on / off zones of sensitivity. For example, it may be desirable to distinguish between a tap and / or grab on spout 24 and a tap and / or grab on hub 26. For example, in an embodiment having an electronic valve assembly which adjusts the temperature of the discharged water, a tap on spout 24 could be used to toggle the fluid flow on and off while a tap and / or grab on hub 26 could be used to adjust the temperature of the discharged water. In such an embodiment, it would be advantageous, although not necessarily required, to have at least two capacitive sensors with one coupled to spout 24 and a separate capacitive sensor coupled to hub 26.

[0057] As mentioned above, the communication between the mobile app on smart phone 68 and the controller 38 could be done by BLE directly, through a wifi router, or by other suitable wireless communication method. The mobile app could also access a cloud-based system. The cloud would have access to a large population of devices which would allow for updates in the operating or calibration of faucet 20 with such updates being downloaded from the cloud by the mobile app and then communicated to and installed on the controller 38.

[0058] Other suitable wireless communication methods for enabling a user to communicate with controller 38 include various wireless gateways such as those employed in smart home networks and meshes such as Alexa and Google Assistant. Such home networking devices would allow the user to use the voice recognition capabilities of these widely available networking and mesh devices to provide user input by voice. Controller 38 would then communicate directly with such devices using a suitable communication protocol such as ZigBee, Z-wave, Thread, Matter, Amazon Sidewalk, Bluetooth Mesh, 6L0WPAN, etc. Controller 38 could also access cloud-based resources through such devices or receive input from such devices through a conventional router with a cloud based service providing the link between the smart home networking / mesh devices and the conventional router.

[0059] The calibration of electronic faucet 20 will now be discussed with reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. After completing the installation of electronic faucet 20, the user would initiate the calibration process. In the illustrated embodiment, this would be done by using a 105161641.1mobile app downloaded to the user’s smart phone 68. The smart phone would connect with controller 38 and the process would begin.

[0060] As presented in FIG. 2, when the calibration procedure is started, the controller is configured to request the user to engage a first operative area 72 on the faucet body. In the illustrated embodiment, operative area 72 is on spout 24. In other words, during operation user engagement of the operative area 72 by the user will change the operational status of faucet 20.

[0061] When the user engages the first operative area 72, the first capacitive sensor 50 will communicate signals to controller 38 responsive to the engagement of the first area 72 by the user. When the system includes multiple capacitive sensors such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the capacitive sensors will transmit signals during the time frame that the user engages the first area. These signals transmitted by the sensors 50, 54, 58 will vary in magnitude proportional to the change in electrical capacitance of the area coupled to the respective electrode of sensors 50, 54, 58. In other words, when the user engages the first area 72 it will change the electrical capacitance of the area being monitored by first capacitance sensor 50 and the magnitude of the signal generated by sensor 50 will rise accordingly and this signal will be received by controller 38. In this regard, it is noted that the sensors will continuously transmit signals to controller 38 and controller 38 will identify the signal corresponding to the user engagement of first area by identifying the signals received during the time frame between when the instruction to engage the area was sent and w hen confirmation of engagement w as returned and by identifying a peak within that time frame. Or simply identifying a peak during a predetermined time period after requesting the user to engage the first area.

[0062] For embodiments using a control protocol that distinguishes between taps and grabs of the first area, the request to the user to engage the first area would be in form of at least tw o requests. With one of the requests being for the user to “tap” the first area and the other request for the user to “grab” the first area. The user may also be asked to confirm that they have completed the requested engagements of the first area 72.

[0063] Advantageously, controller 38 will instruct the user to engage the first operative area 72 a plurality of times, e.g., three or five times, and then perform an analysis of the signals to define a threshold signal value for determining when the first area has been engaged by the user.115161641.1

[0064] During the calibration process, the user will also be asked to engage a second area 74A which is spaced from but still in proximity to the first area. This second area will be a non-operative area wherein user engagement of the second area is not intended to change the operating status of the faucet. In the illustrated embodiment, second area 74A is on the sink basin. The capacitive sensors will communicate signals to the controller during this engagement in the same manner as when the user engaged the first area.

[0065] The calibration procedure may also request the user to engage another non-operative area, such as on the countertop one or more times while the capacitance sensor(s) transmit signals to the controller. In the illustrated embodiment, the user is requested to engage a non-operative area 74B is located on the countertop 64 proximate the electronic faucet 20.

[0066] It is noted that when sink basins are formed out of a metallic material with an electronic faucet mounted on the sink basin, engagement of the sink basin by the user may possibly be detected by a capacitance sensor mounted on the faucet body. Similarly, some countertops, e.g., metallic countertops and granite countertops containing ferrous minerals, are also capable of causing unwanted interference with capacitance sensors when the countertops are engaged by a user near an electronic faucet.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the user is also requested to engage an area 74C located on hub 26. This area 74C may be either an operative or non-operative area. For example, if faucet 20 were a fully automatic faucet, it could be advantageous to have two separate operative areas for the user to use in the control of the operation of faucet 20. Area 74C might also be a non-operative area and having the user touch a non-operative area on the faucet body during the calibration procedure could be beneficial in later distinguishing between intentional engagements of operative area 72 and the engagement of the faucet body for purposes other than changing the operational status of electronic faucet 20 via controller 38.

[0068] It is noted that when running the calibration process, the mobile app could prompt the user to engage the sink, countertop and / or a non-operable surface on the faucet body and then ask the user if there any additional non-operable surfaces near the faucet that might interfere with the faucet sensors. If the user answers yes, the user would be requested to engage such additional non-operative surface. This would continue until the user answers that there are no more additional non-operable surfaces proximate the faucet.

[0069] Although the calibration procedure set forth in FIG. 2 lists several steps in a particular order, it is not necessary for the procedure to use this precise order when125161641.1performing the steps. For example, the user could engage the non-operative areas before engaging the operative area. The adjustment of the settings may occur either before or after the calibration procedure although it would generally be desirable to adjust the settings after the calibration procedure because such adjustments might be further modified by the calibration process.

[0070] After completing the user engagements of the operable and non-operable areas, processor 40 of controller 38 compares the signals generated by such engagements and defines threshold signal values for determining when the user has intentionally engaged an operable area. For example, the average magnitude of the signal from sensor 50 when the user engages operable surface area 72 could be compared with the average magnitude from each of the different non-operable surfaces. The controller could then set a threshold, e.g., 80% of the average magnitude of the intentional engagement of first operable surface 72, as the threshold for changing the operational status of faucet 20 based upon user engagement of surface 72 provided that such threshold was at least 150% greater than the largest average signal value from any of the non-operable surfaces. These particular percentages could be altered to provide a more lenient or more strict distinction between engagement of the operable and non-operable surfaces.

[0071] For illustrative embodiments distinguishing betw een user taps and user grabs of the operative area, the processor would define a time period for which the signal exceeded a threshold value for determining whether an engagement was a tap or a grab. For example, a tap could be defined as occurring when the signal exceeded a first threshold value for more than a first minimum time period and less than a second maximum time period while a grab could be defined as when the signal value exceeded a second threshold value (which might differ from the first threshold value of the tap) for a second minimum time period (advantageously longer than the first maximum time period of the tap). If the second threshold value w ere greater than the first threshold value, the minimum time period required to define a grab would not necessarily have to be greater than the maximum time period used in the definition of a tap.

[0072] During the initial calibration, and / or by accessing a ‘'settings” menu within the mobile app the user might also be provided with the ability to set or adjust various thresholds for operating faucet 20. For example, the user might be able to manually raise or low er the signal threshold for recognizing the signal as indicating the intentional user engagement of the operable area 72. The user might also be able to adjust the duration by which that signal 135161641.1must exceed the threshold value to be recognized as an intentional engagement of the operable area 72.

[0073] For fully automatic faucets having a protocol of different touches and grabs for operating the faucet a more extensive number of variables could be adjusted by the user through the mobile app or other communication device connected with controller 38.

[0074] It is additionally noted that for illustrative embodiments having multiple capacitive sensors, it would not only be the signal value and duration of the sensor coupled with the operative area that would be used to distinguish between intentional user engagements of the operable area and incidental contacts of the user with surfaces in the surrounding environment. For example, the difference in signal value between second capacitive sensor 54 and first capacitive sensor 50 and the difference in the signal value between third capacitive sensor 58 and first capacitive sensor 50 would be highly beneficial for such distinctions and could be employed to define when intentional engagements of the operable area occurred. For example, when the signal value of the sensor coupled with the sink exceeded the value of the signal generated by the sensor coupled with the operable area it might indicated engagement of the sink basin instead of the operable area.

[0075] While this invention has been described as having an exemplar}' design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.5161641.1

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electronic faucet (20) comprising:a faucet body (22) defining a fluid outlet (25);an electrically operable valve assembly (36) in fluid communication with the faucet body and adapted to be connected to a hot water source (32) and a cold water source (34);at least one capacitive sensor (50, 58) coupled with the faucet body;a controller (38) in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor (50), wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve assembly (36) and thereby control the discharge of water from the fluid outlet in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor; andwherein the controller is configured to perform a calibration procedure after installation of the electronic faucet which includes:a user engaging a first area (72) on the faucet body at least one time;the user engaging a second area (74A, 74B, 74C) at least one time, the second area being spaced from the first area; andwherein, when operating the electronic faucet, the first area (72) is an operative area wherein the controller is configured to change the operating status of the electrically operable valve in response to user engagement of the first area and the second area (74A, 74B, 74C) is a non-operative area wherein the controller is configured to maintain the current operating status of the electrically operable valve when user engagement of the second area occurs.

2. The electronic faucet of claim 1, further comprising a second capacitive sensor (50, 54, 58) in communication with the controller.

3. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the controller (38) is configured to toggle fluid How from the fluid outlet on and off in response to user engagement of the first area (72).

4. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the user touches the first area (72) at least one time and grabs the first area at least one time during the calibration process and, during operation of the electronic faucet, the controller operates according to a protocol that distinguishes between a user touch of the first area and a user grab of the first area.

5. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the calibration process includes having the user 155161641.1engage a plurality of non-operative areas (74A, 74B, 74C).

6. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the user engages both the first area and the second area a plurality of times during the calibration process.

7. The electronic faucet of any one of claims 1-6. further comprising a transceiver (42) coupled with the controller wherein the transceiver is adapted to establish communication between the controller and a wireless communication device (66, 68).

8. The electronic faucet of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device (66) is a router or wireless gateway.

9. The electronic faucet of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile communication device (68) having a display screen (70).

10. The electronic faucet of claim 9, wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone (68) and the controller is configured to communicate prompts to the smart phone instructing the user to perform individual tasks and receive, from the smart phone, confirmation that the user has performed the individual tasks.

11. A method of calibrating an electronic faucet (20) comprising:(a) providing the electronic faucet with a faucet body (22) defining an outlet (25), an electrically operable valve assembly (36) in fluid communication with the faucet body, at least one capacitive sensor (50, 58) coupled with the faucet body and a controller (38) in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor and wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor;(b) installing the electronic faucet adjacent a sink basin (62), coupling the controller with a source of electrical power (46), and coupling the electrically operable valve with a hot water source (32) and a cold water source (34); and(c) calibrating the at least one capacitive sensor after performing step (b) wherein the calibration of the at least one capacitive sensor includes:(i) instructing a user to engage a first area (72) on the faucet body at least one 165161641.1time and communicating signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the first area to the controller;(ii) instructing the user to engage a second area (74A, 74B, 74C) at least one time and communicating signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the second area to the controller wherein the second area is spaced from the first area; and(iii) configuring the controller to distinguish signals generated by the at the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the first area from signals generated by the at least one capacitive sensor responsive to the engagement of the second area, wherein, when operating the electronic faucet, the first area (72) is an operative area wherein the controller is configured to change the operating status of the electrically operable valve in response to user engagement of the first area and the second area (74A, 74B, 74C) is a non-operative area wherein the controller is configured to maintain the current operating status of the electrically operable valve when user engagement of the second area occurs.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein step (c)(i) comprises instructing the user to engage the first area a plurality of times and step (c)(ii) comprises instructing the user to engage the second area a plurality of times.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second area is disposed on a sink basin (62) ora countertop (64).

14. The method of claim 11, wherein step (c)(ii) comprises the user engaging a plurality of non-operative areas (74A, 74B, 74C).

15. The method of claim 11, wherein a transceiver (42) is coupled with the controller and, in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii), the controller communicates instructions to the user through the transceiver to a wireless communication device (66. 68).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless communication device (66) is a router.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless communication device is a mobile communication device (68) having a display screen (70) and in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii),175161641.1instructions for the user are displayed on the display screen.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone (68) and, in steps (c)(i) and (c)(ii), the controller communicates prompts to the smart phone instructing the user to perform individual tasks and receives, from the smart phone, confirmation that the user has performed the individual tasks.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein step (c)(1) comprises instructing the user to touch the first area at least one time and grab the first area at least one time and the controller uses the capacitive sensor signals resulting from such engagements to distinguish between a user touch of the first area and a user grab of the first area.

20. The method of any one of claims 11-19, wherein the at least one capacitive sensor comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors (50, 54, 58).

21. A method of operating an electronic faucet (20) comprising:(a) providing the electronic faucet with a faucet body (22) defining an outlet (25), an electrically operable valve assembly (36) in fluid communication with the faucet body, at least one capacitive sensor (50, 58) coupled with the faucet body and a controller (38) in communication with the at least one capacitive sensor and wherein the controller is configured to operate the electrically operable valve in response to signals received from the at least one capacitive sensor;(b) installing the electronic faucet adjacent a sink basin (62), coupling the controller with a source of electrical power (46), and coupling the electrically operable valve with a hot water source (32) and a cold water source (34); and(c) establishing communication between the controller and a mobile communication device (66, 68) and adjusting a parameter in an algorithm controlling the operation of the electrically operable valve assembly.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the mobile communication device is a smart phone (68) and the method further comprises downloading a mobile app to the smart phone before performing step (c).185161641.1

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