The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2012
Natan E. Parsons, Brookline, MA (US);
Fatih Guler, Winchester, MA (US);
Kay Herbert, Winthrop, MA (US);
Xiaoxiong MO, Lexington, MA (US);
Haiou Wu, Dedham, MA (US);
Yue Zhang, Lexington, NH (US);
Natan E. Parsons, Brookline, MA (US);
Fatih Guler, Winchester, MA (US);
Kay Herbert, Winthrop, MA (US);
Xiaoxiong Mo, Lexington, MA (US);
Haiou Wu, Dedham, MA (US);
Yue Zhang, Lexington, NH (US);
Sloan Valve Company, Franklin Park, IL (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.