Restroom Fixture Visual Feedback for Usage Lockout Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of restroom appliances with 'delay' and 'lockout' features in facilities like prisons are unaware of previous uses, leading to unintended overuse and potential flooding, as they cannot determine if a fixture is usable or locked out.
Innovation Solution
A system with visual feedback indicators on restroom appliances, such as toilets, showers, and faucets, that display the current status of usage availability, preventing overuse by limiting operations within a time period and providing visual cues like different light patterns to indicate available or locked-out states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If delay and lockout features are implemented to limit fixture usage, then the plumbing system is protected from overload, but users become unaware of fixture availability status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback indicators (LED lights) that provide real-time information to users about the availability status of the fixture. The system monitors usage and communicates back to the user through different light patterns: green LED indicates the fixture is available, yellow LED indicates the lockout period is in progress, and red LED indicates the maximum usage has been reached. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining system protection while informing users of the current status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in LED indicators to convey different operational states of the fixture. The visual feedback system employs green, yellow, and red colors to represent different availability statuses, making the information immediately recognizable to users without requiring complex displays or interfaces.
2Productivity
If multiple users share a restroom appliance with usage limits, then resource management is improved, but subsequent users may unknowingly overuse the fixture
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback system continuously monitors and displays the current usage status and remaining available uses to subsequent users. When a user approaches the fixture, they can immediately see whether it is available (green LED) and how many more uses remain, eliminating uncertainty about usage limits and preventing unintentional overuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of usage status before the user attempts to use the fixture. The controller evaluates the current state (available, locked out, or maximum usage reached) and prepares the appropriate visual indicator in advance, so users receive immediate information without delay when they arrive at the fixture.
3Loss of information
If visual feedback indicators are added to show usage status, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple color-changing LED indicators to convey complex usage status information. Instead of using complex displays, text, or multiple indicators, the system uses three colors (green, yellow, red) to represent different states, providing clear information while maintaining simplicity in the visual feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified representation (visual indicators) to convey the complex usage status information. The controller maintains detailed tracking of usage counts and time periods, but presents this information to users through a simplified visual interface that is easy to understand and does not require complex processing or display mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation.