Electronic Mirror with Touchless Dispenser Visual Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touchless hand cleaning devices can be difficult for users unfamiliar with their operation, leading to contamination and increased risk of infectious disease spread, especially for those accustomed to manual controls.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced bathroom mirror with an electronic display providing visual cues, such as icons and animated graphics, to assist in touchless operation, combined with a light guide to direct users to the dispenser outlet, and a computer system to track hand movement and provide intuitive feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If touchless operation is implemented to avoid contamination, then hygiene is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for users unfamiliar with touchless controls
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic display provides visual feedback by showing icons representing different fluids (water, soap, hand sanitizer) and displaying animated graphics that show hand gestures for selection. The system detects hand presence and provides visual confirmation of fluid selection, creating a feedback loop that guides users through the touchless operation process without requiring physical contact with controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic display acts as an intermediary between the user and the fluid dispensing system. Instead of directly manipulating mechanical controls, users interact with visual icons and gestures that are translated by the system into fluid dispensing actions. This intermediary interface simplifies the interaction while maintaining touchless hygiene benefits.
2Ease of operation
If multiple functions are combined in one device to simplify operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: an electronic mirror display, hand gesture detection sensors, and multiple fluid dispensing mechanisms (water faucet, soap dispenser, hand sanitizer dispenser). The electronic display serves as both a reflective mirror and an information interface, while the system detects gestures and automatically dispenses appropriate fluids based on detected hand movements, merging sensing, display, and dispensing functions into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic display performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a traditional mirror for grooming, displays visual icons and animated graphics for user guidance, detects hand gestures through integrated sensors, and controls multiple fluid dispensing functions. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single universal hand cleaning station.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy operation of touchless fluid dispensers by providing clear visual instructions and feedback, reducing contamination risks and enhancing the hand cleaning experience for all users, including those unfamiliar with touchless technology.
Implementation Method 1
The device may incorporate a light guide, which provides a path of light directing a user to place his hands below a dispenser outlet to receive the selected fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a bathroom fixture in the form of an electronic mirror with a touchlessly operated fluid dispenser. The device provides visual cues to assist in the touchless operation thereof.