Hand dryer and display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand dryers lack instant responsiveness to centralized control for displaying news, information, and advertising, and do not have interactive features or sensors to collect environmental and human data for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer system with a programmable digital display screen, proximity sensors, and a high-speed link to a central data source for real-time data analysis, including audio sensors to modify content based on usage, and integrated sensors for environmental and human data collection, enabling dynamic advertising and marketing analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hand dryer includes a display screen with automatic updates every 24 hours, then the display can show multiple images, but the responsiveness to centralized control is delayed and not instant
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and storing advertising content and images in local memory before they are needed. The system proactively checks for updates and downloads content in advance, so when centralized control sends new content, the hand dryer can display it immediately without waiting for scheduled update cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the hand dryer continuously communicates with the centralized control server, reporting its current state, content cache status, and readiness to receive new content. The centralized control can query the hand dryer and receive immediate confirmation of content display, creating a real-time feedback loop that enables instant responsiveness.
2Loss of information
If a hand dryer includes sensors for collecting environmental and human data, then marketing analysis can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer system employs multi-functional sensors that serve multiple purposes. For example, the same sensors used for detecting hand presence to activate the dryer also collect data for marketing analysis and audience measurement. The system uses a unified data collection framework where sensor data serves both operational control functions and commercial analytics functions, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensor data collection system with the existing hand dryer control system. The processor that controls dryer operation also processes sensor data for marketing analysis. The system combines environmental sensors, motion sensors, and usage sensors into a single integrated data collection module that feeds both operational control algorithms and marketing analytics algorithms, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensor systems.
3Loss of information
If a hand dryer includes interactive display features and real-time updates, then advertising effectiveness improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer system uses periodic action by updating display content only when necessary rather than continuously. The system checks for new content at scheduled intervals and updates the display only when new advertising material is available. The interactive features are activated periodically based on user presence detection, and the system enters low-power states during periods without user interaction or content updates, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining advertising effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by optimizing energy consumption based on local conditions. The display screen adjusts its brightness and refresh rate based on ambient lighting conditions and user proximity. Interactive features are enabled only when users are detected nearby, and content updates are performed during off-peak energy consumption periods. The system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics to match local environmental and usage conditions, minimizing energy use while maintaining advertising effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a plurality of display devices such as hand dryers, each with a programmed computer display, and all communicating to a central location via a high speed link system. A display screen is mounted to each of the hand dryers and viewable by a user while drying the user's hands. A processor is located within the housing and is in signal-communication with the display screen. The high-speed link system is in signal-communication with each processor and an external data source, wherein the data source communicates with the processor to change the image displayed on the display screen. Sensors communicate ambient conditions outside of the display screen to a database.