GB2451646A

GB2451646A - Touchless control system

Info

Publication number: GB2451646A
Application number: GB0715326A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacky S H Yeung; Kwok Kuen Tse
Original assignee: Johnson Electric SA
Current assignee: Johnson Electric SA
Priority date: 2007-08-07
Filing date: 2007-08-07
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Also published as: GB0715326D0

Abstract

A touchless control system 10 for controlling a multi-operation device, such as a toilet, medical device, and/or kitchen appliance, requiring user interaction. In a first embodiment the system comprises at least one body-part sensor 20 having at least two distinct fields of recognition 14, 16, and a controller for outputting different control signals to the device depending on the recognition field of the sensor 20 entered by a user. In a second embodiment, the touchless system comprises at least one sensor 520 having at least one field of recognition 514, and a controller comprising a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from an operation-specific combination of distinct user movements within the recognition field(s), and a control circuit for outputting an operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the output of the determination circuit. In a third embodiment, the determination circuit includes a comparator for comparing the distinct user movement(s) within the recognition field(s) with pre-stored data corresponding to predetermined user movements.

Description

I

TOUCHLESS CONTROL SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction.

Hygiene in and out of a domestic environment, such as the home, and a work envirotmient, such as a hospital, restaurant, and factory, is extremely important.

When using a device having or requiring multiple operations, a user must interact with the device through touch. This allows the transfer of germs, such as bacteria and viruses, between users via the device. Cross-contamination is of particular concern in public environments, such as in public toilets and hospitals.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchiess control system comprising at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least two distinct fields of recognition, and a controller for outputting different operation-specific control signals to the said device depending on the

recognition field of the sensor entered by a user.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims2to 10.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet having a touchiess control system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the toilet is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the toilet.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 13 to 17.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-operation device which requires a plurality of user operations, and which includes a touchless control system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the device is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a touchless control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchiess control system comprising at least one touchless user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition, and a controller having a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from amongst a plurality of possible operations based on an operation-specific distinct user movement from a plurality of possible user movements within the recognition field(s), and a control circuit for outputting an operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the determined required device operation outputted by the determination circuit.

Preferable and/or optional features of the fourth aspect of the invention are set forth inclainis2l to27.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet having a touchless control system in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the toilet is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the toilet.

Preferable and/or optional features of the fifth aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 30 to 34.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-operation device which requires a plurality of user operations, and which includes a touchiess control system in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the device is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the device.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a touchiess control S system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchless control system comprising at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition, and a controller having a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from an operation-specific distinct user movement or movements within the recognition field(s), the determination circuit including a comparator for comparing the distinct user movement(s) within the recognition field(s) with pre-stored data corresponding to predetermined user movements, and a control circuit for outputting an operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the output from the comparator.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with refrence to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of a touchiess control system, according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the touchiess control system in use; Figure 3 shows a diagranunatic representation of one arrangement of a plurality of touchiess user body-part sensors of the touchiess control system; Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of distinct fields of recognition of one of the toucbless user body-part sensors; Figure 5 shows the first embodiment of the touchiess control system applied to a standard toilet, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a front view of the toilet showing the touchiess control system; Figure 7 is a side view of the toilet showing the touchiess control system; Figure 8 shows the first embodiment of the touchiess control system applied to an electronic washlet-type toilet, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the control panel of the washlet-type toilet; Figure 10 is a side view taken along line A-A in Figure 10, showing the position of the recognition field of the touchiess control system, Figure 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the control panel of the wasblet-type toilet, showing a matrix arrangement of the touchiess control system; Figure 12 is a simplified block diagram of the first embodiment of the touchiess control system, showing the sensor and the controller; Figure 13 shows a diagrammatic representation of a matrix-like arrangement of a plurality of the touchiess user body-part sensors of the touchiess control system, Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a control panel of a Washlet-type toilet, showing the matrix-like arrangement of the touchiess control system; Figure 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of a touchiess control system, according to the fourth and seventh aspects of the invention; Figure 16 is a view similar to that of Figure 15, showing a first distinct user movement within the recognition field of the sensor; Figure 17 is another view similar to that of Figure 15, showing a second distinct user movement within the recognition field of the sensor; Figure 18 is a simplified block diagram of the second embodiment of the touchless control system, showing the sensor and the controller.

Figure 19 is a simplified diagrammatic view of the touchiess control system shown in Figure 15, showing a distinct user movement through a recognition field; and Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19, but this time showing a distinct double user movement through a recognition field of the sensor.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a touchiess control system 10 which comprises a touchiess user body-part sensor unit 12 having two distinct fields of recognition 14, 16.

The sensor unit 12 includes a housing 18 in which is housed an electronic controller 19 of the touchless control system 10, and a sensor 20 having, in this embodiment, an emitter 21 for emitting a recognition beam 22. The beam 22 may be an infra-red beam, an ultrasonic beam, a visible light beam, a microwave beam, any other suitable body-part sensing beam, or any combination thereof.

Although, in this embodiment, the sensor unit houses the controller as well as the sensor, the controller may be at a different and spaced or remote location to that of the sensor.

Although an emitter is suggested, the sensor may be or include, additionally or alternatively, a receiver, such as a PIR receiver. As such, the emitter may be dispensed with.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 12, the controller 19 imparts to the emitted beam 22 at least two distinct fields of recognition 14, 16, each having defined and non-overlapping thresholds. A different operation-specific control signal outputtable by the controller 19 via a transmitter is associated with each distinct or separate recognition field. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, as a user's hand 24 or other body-part moves into one of the recognition fields, this is detected by the sensor 20 and fed to the controller 19. The controller 19 processes the received signal in an MCU or ASIC 19a, and outputs the associated operation-specific control signal.

The controller 19 includes monitoring means or circuitry which monitors, for example, the voltage imparted to the sensor when a user's body part moves into one of the fields of recognition. For example, assume that an induced voltage at the sensor can be from I to 10 volts, depending on the proximity of the detected body.

If movement in a first recognition field, which is closer to the sensor, is detected, the induced voltage at the sensor may be, for example, in the range of 6 to 10 volts. This voltage is detected by the controller, and the controller determines that a body exists in the first recognition field and outputs an appropriate control signal.

On the other hand, if the body is detected in the second field of recognition, which is further from the sensor, the induced voltage at the sensor will be less. If the induced voltage falls within the range of, for example, 1 to 5 volts, then the controller determines that the second recognition field includes a body, and an appropriate control signal is outputted.

In this way, two or more recognition fields can be easily set based on induced voltage at the sensor.

It is also feasible to utilise different means for determining or setting the recognition fields. For example, any variable electrical signal or characteristic at the sensor which relates to spatial positioning of a body part or item from the sensor could be used. Instead of induced voltage, for example, current can be monitored.

The sensors themselves can be analog or digital. If analog, then the sensor outputs an analog signal and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be required in the MCU or ASIC. However, it is entirely feasible that the ASIC could be analog, thus dispensing with the need for an ADC. Alternatively, if the sensor and the MCU / ASIC are digital, again, the ADC is not necessarily required.

As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of two, three or more such sensors 20 can be arranged in a linear or non-overlapping array, depending on requirements.

Furthermore, although two fields of recognition 14, 16 are suggested, as shown in Figure 4, it is entirely feasible to provide three or more recognition fields F, as necessity dictates.

One particular application of the above-described touchiess control system 10 is on a toilet. A standard Western-style toilet 26 is shown in Figures 5 to 7, by way of example. In this arrangement, the touchless control system 10 includes three separate touchiess user body-part sensors 20a, 20b, 20c, with the controller 19 being provided in the housing 18, for example, on the side of the toilet cistern 28.

Although it is suggested that the controller 19 is provided in the housing 18 and integral with the sensor 20a, the controller 19 can be entirely separate and remote.

For example, the controller 19 can be provided in any part of the toilet, or even remote from the toilet as part of a computerised or electronic controller for centrally controlling aspects of the toilet room or bathroom.

The first sensor 20a senses a distance and motion of a toilet user for opening a cover and flushing the toilet. The second sensor 20b senses a low frequency motion, such as sitting. This motion is considered low frequency because the body part enters or leaves the detection region over a much longer period. Consequently, the MCU or ASIC 19a of the controller 19, having a magnitude detector 19b and a pulse counter 19c, is adapted to recognise this, and thus will not necessarily react to motion of a higher frequency.

The third sensor 20c functions in a similar manner as the second sensor 20b.

The locations of these three sensors 20a, 20b, 20c are specifically designed for a toilet application. As such, the first sensor 20a is provided on the toilet cistern 28.

The second sensor 20b is provided on the toilet cover 30, and the third sensor 20c is provided on a toilet seat 34.

The cover 30 and the seat 34 include motorised hinge mechanisms 32 connected to the controller 19 of the touchiess control system 10 through respective drivers 1 9d and buffers 19e. When the first sensor 20a detects the presence of a user's body part, for example a hand, foot, elbow or knee, with an EnterField-LeaveField' action within a preset time period, for example, one second and within a first one of the recognition fields 14 or 16, the inotorised hinge mechanism 32 is activated by the controller, and the cover 30 is raised.

When the first sensor 20a detects the presence of a user's body part in the other recognition field for a predetermined time period, a quick or economy flush will be carried out. If the user's body part remains in the recognition field for a longer period, a longer or standard flush will be carried out.

The second sensor 20b is provided on the toilet cover 30. When the cover 30 is closed, one recognition field 14 or 16 of the second sensor 20b may detect the response of a user, and thus operate the hinge mechanism 32 to open the cover 30.

This can act as a backup to the first sensor 20a. The second recognition field detects the presence of a user sitting, and thus deactivates the third sensor 20c.

The third sensor 20c is provided on the seat 34 itself, and operates in a similar manner as the second sensor 20b. It can serve as a backup in case the second sensor 20b malfunctions. When it detects the presence of a user's body part with an Enter-Freeze' action corresponding to a much longer duration, such as when a user sits, the other sensors 20a and 20b are deactivated, for example.

It is envisaged that the touchiess control system 10 can be provide as part of the toilet during manufacture and before installation, or as a retro-fit system for toilets already installed.

Referring to Figures 8 to 11, the touchiess control system 10 is shown applied to an automated Washlet-style toilet 126. The Washlet toilet 126 is now well known, and incorporates functions such as an electrically heated seat 134 with variable temperature control, a directionally and temperature controllable douching system, and a forced-air drying system. The three sensors described above and applied to a Western-style standard toilet can also be applied to the Washlet-style toilet to be described hereafter.

With the touchiess control system 10 provided on the Washlet toilet 126, the electronic controls 36 to the side of the toilet bowl 38 are energised by a main touchiess user body-part sensor 120. Similarly to the previously described sensors 12, this main sensor 120 has two distinct fields or recognition 14, 16, with the first recognition field 14 corresponding to the energisation of the electronic controls 36, and the second recognition field 16 corresponding to the deenergisation of the electronic controls 36. In this way, the electronic controls 36 can be operated either by direct physical contact, or via the touchiess control system 10.

Once energised, the standard controls 36 of the Washlet toilet 126 can be operated without contact by the user. In the depicted arrangement, the touchiess control system 10 includes five secondary touchiess user body-part sensors 220. The first four sensors 220 correspond to the activation of a spray function, a bidet function, a drying function, and a stop of all functions.

A sub-panel 40 is also provided for setting, for example, water temperature and pressure; seat temperature; and air temperature. The sub-panel 40 typically includes a cover 42, which in this case is motorised for opening and closing. The lifth secondary body-part sensor 220 of the electronic controls 36 operates the cover 42 of the sub-panel 40 via its two recognition fields 14, 16.

Once the sub-panel cover 42 is open, access to two tertiary touchiess user body-part sensors 320 having a plurality of recognition fields is provided. A specific function can be selected by a user hovering their finger or other body-part or even an implement, such as a pointer, over the required function, shown in Figure 9, and that selected function can then be increased or decreased as necessity dictates by the user similarly then hovering their finger, other body part or implement over either the + sign or the -sign.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, a further arrangement of the sensors 20 is possible whereby one or more of the fields of recognition 14, 16 overlap or intersect. By arranging the sensor units 12 to emit their respective beams 22 at right angles to each other, two or more recognition fields 14, 16 can be provided which coincide, referenced as 27. The controller 19 is thus configured to only output an associated control signal when a user enters both intersecting recognition fields simultaneously.

As shown in Figure 13, this approach is developed further to form a matrix-like arrangement of criss-crossing beams 22. In this matrix-arrangement, one field of recognition of each sensor 20 intersects with one recognition field of each other sensor 20. This arrangement is typically applicable for a control panel, whereby the control labels are disposed beneath the matrix of beams 22 and at positions which align with the points of intersection of the beams 22. Therefore, each of the intersecting recognition fields correspond to a different operation-specific control signal. This is shown in Figure 14 applied to a sub-panel 140, similar to sub-panel 40 of the Washlet shown in Figure 11.

The benefit of intersecting recognition fields is that the likelihood of an incorrect control operation being selected is reduced. Also, the likelihood of an accidental operation due to mistakenly entering a recognition field is decreased. The operation associated with the intersecting point of the beams is only performed when the fields of recognition are entered simultaneously at the point or area of overlap. Only once the controller receives the two simultaneous outputs from the sensors will the associated control signal be output to the required actuator.

Referring to Figures 15 to 20, a second embodiment of a touchiess control system is now described. In this embodiment, the touchiess control system 510 again comprises at least one touchiess user body-part sensor 520 and a controller 519 having an MCU / ASIC 519a.The sensor 520 has a plurality of spaced emitted beams 522, with each beam having only one field of recognition 514. However, a plurality of recognition fields as described above are possible. Preferably, each beam 522 is a narrow beam having zero or small divergence from the source at the sensor.

The controller 519 relies upon interpretation of specific and distinct body movements within the recognition field, and also the length or duration that the

body part remains within the recognition field.

To provide for this, the controller 519 includes a determination circuit 51 9f having a motion pattern analyser 5 19g, a table of target patterns 51 9h, and a pattern recognition processing circuit 519i. The determination circuit determines the required device operation from the user-movement or movements, and a control S circuit including a decoder 519j for outputting an operation-specific control signal corresponding to the interpreted user-movement or movements to the or each buffer 519e and actuator driver 519d.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the beams 522 of each sensor 520 diverge slightly from each other in the direction of emission. All the beams may intersect an open hand 524 of a user, and a receiver in the sensor recognises this, for example through reflection of the emitted beam. When the hand is closed, for example into a fist, intersection with certain beams 522 will not occur, and again a receiver of the sensor 520 will accordingly output a signal or signals to the motion pattern analyser 519g.

A timing circuit 519k may also be included to allow greater variation in the user-movement or movements possible. The timing circuit is included as part of the determination circuit and a control signal to be outputted by the controller 519 is based on the duration that a user's body remains in the recognition field.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the controller 519 can determine the duration that an induced voltage is generated by the sensor, and also whether a particular voltage pattern corresponding to a target pattern is recognised.

For example, as shown in Figure 19 which depicts a single beam 522 for clarity, a user may pass their flat band 524 through the field of recognition 514, as shown by Arrows I and 2. If the flat hand 524 is passed quickly through the recognition field, resulting in a short induced voltage at the sensor, this results in the controller 519 of the touchiess control system 510 outputting a command signal which, for example, activates a multi-operation device of which the control system 510 forms a part, for

example a toilet.

If the user passes their flat hand 524 slowly through the recognition field 514, thus resulting in a longer induced voltage at the sensor, the timing circuit 519k outputs an appropriate signal to the determination circuit 519f, and the controller 519 outputs a command signal which, for example, deactivates the multi-operation device.

Furthermore, if the user's hand 524 is clenched into a fist, instead of being flat or open, the determination circuit recognises this as described above, and a different command, again possibly time dependent, can be outputted from the controller.

Yet further, a combination of distinct user movements can be recognised by the determination circuit 51 9f. Therefore, as shown in Figure 20, if a user performs a combination of movements, perhaps for example by passing their flat hand 524 twice through the recognition field, as shown by Arrows 1 to 3, a specific associated control signal is outputted by the controller 519 to initiate a specific associated operation of the device of which the touchiess control system 510 fonns a part.

Again, this latter arrangement allows numerous combinations, such as with a flat hand only, a closed hand only, or combinations thereof.

Further options are also self-evident when applying this embodiment using a touchiess user body-part sensor or sensors with a plurality of recognition fields.

Yet further options can be considered when utilising different body-parts, or even combinations of different body-parts, for example, a foot, elbow, knee, or head. To make the system more configurable for the end-user, one or more of the sensor units can be directionally positionable, for example pivotable or rotatable. This is advantageous to allow the sensor to be oriented towards the floor for activation by a user's foot, or towards a wall for activation by a user's hand or elbow.

It is envisaged that the determination circuit 519f can include or be considered a comparator, for example comprising the motion pattern analyser 519g, the table of target patterns 519h, and the pattern recognition processing circuit 5191. The comparator compares the distinct user movement or movements within the recognition field 514 with pre-stored data in the table of target patterns 519h, typically provided on a data storage device provided as part of the touchiess control system 510, corresponding to predetermined user movements. The comparator then outputs a signal corresponding to the closest interpreted movement in the pre-stored data. A control circuit in the controller thus outputs a control signal to the associated device corresponding to the movement interpreted by the comparator.

The use of feedback control to allow the touchiess control system 510 to 1earn' or adapt to a certain user's specific movements can be utilised. In this case, the touchiess control system 510 can monitor whether the outputted control signal to the device is quickly cancelled. If cancelled, this control signal is interpreted by the controller as being incorrect, and the comparator adjusts the likelihood that the selected data is chosen for the previously inputted movement signal.

Although a toilet is provided as an example of a device having or requiring multiple operations, since it typically has a seat cover which hinges thus requiring a first user operation, a seat which hinges thus requiring a second user operation, and one or more flush operations dictated by a user, other devices to which the touchiess control system can be applied are self-evident. By way of example, many kitchen appliances require or have multiple operations or functions, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, bread maker, oven or cooker, refrigerator, freezer, waste disposal, sink taps, blender or mixer, exhaust fha or range hood, and the touchiess control system can be easily incorporated as part of any one of these appliances.

In more detail, the fan speed and the light of an exhaust fan or range hood can conveniently be controlled by the touchiess control system of the present invention.

Furthermore, taps can be controlled. Presently, sensors are known in taps which allow simply ON and OFF functions. However, the present touchiess control system allows temperature control and/or flow rate control by a sensor with two or more recognition fields, and/or by a sensor which recognises hand movements.

It is also envisaged that the present touchiess control system can be advantageously utiised in hospitals and in or with other medical applications or devices. For example, an electronically controllable endoscope can be controlled without touch using one or more sensors with two or more recognition fields, and/or by sensor(s) which recognise hand movements..

Other medical applications include motor-adjustable beds and patient hoists.

Essentially, any appliance or device which requires user input control can utilise the present touchiess control system. For example, a robotic arm and a simple industrial robot or machine can utilise the touchiess control system of the present invention.

The circuits shown in Figures 12 and 18 are by way of example only, the various components described above can be provided as separate circuits or can be integrated as a single circuit.

Although, for the second embodiment, a plurality of beams are emitted from a single sensor, two or more sensors having single emitted beams could be utilised together to provide a similar result.

It is thus possible to provide a touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction which utiises at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least two distinct fields of recognition. It is further possible to provide a touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction which utilises at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition, but which also determines operation-specific combinations of distinct user movements within the recognition field.

Additionally, it is possi ble to provide a touchless control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction which utilises at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition and which determines an operation-specific user movement within the recognition field. By use of a comparator and/or a pattern recognition device or circuit which compares the movement with pre-stored data, such as a target pattern, the required control signal can be determined.

The embodiments described above are given by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchiess control system comprising at least one touch]ess user body-part sensor having at least two distinct fields of recognition, and a controller for outputting different operation-specific control signals to the said device depending on the recognition field of the sensor entered by a user.

2. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor has three or more distinct fields of recognition.

3. A touchless control system as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein two or more of the said body-part sensors are provided.

4. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each recognition field is set based on an electrical characteristic of the sensor.

5. A touchless control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each recognition field corresponds to a voltage induced at the sensor.

6. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein more than two of the said body-part sensors are provided, the sensors being arranged so that the fields of recognition form a matrix.

7. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the recognition fields of one said sensor intersects with one of the recognition fields of another said sensor.

8. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein a control-signal associated with the said intersecting recognition fields is outputted by the controller only when a user enters both intersecting recognition fields simultaneously.

9. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller comprises a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from an operation-specific combination of distinct user movements within the recognition fields, the controller outputting the operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the determined required device operation outputted by the determination circuit.

10. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the determination circuit includes a timing circuit for determining a duration between the user movements and/or a duration of the user movement within the recognition field(s), an output of the timing circuit influencing the operation-specific control signal outputted by the control circuit.

11. A touchiess control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A toilet having a touchiess control system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the toilet is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the toilet.

13. A toilet as claimed in claim 12, wherein every operation of the toilet is controllable via the touchiess control system.

14. A toilet as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a hinged lid and/or hinged seat of the toilet is/are motorised, and is/are operable via the touchless control system.

15. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the toilet includes a douching device which is operable via the touchiess control system.

16. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the toilet includes a selectable temperature seat, the temperature being selectable via the touchiess control system.

17. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the touchiess control system is retrospectively fittable to the toilet.

18. A toilet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 or Figures 9 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A multi-operation device which requires a plurality of user operations, and which includes a touchiess control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the device.

20. A touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchiess control system comprising at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition, and a controller having a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from amongst a plurality of possible operations based on an operation-specific distinct user movement from a plurality of possible user movements within the recognition field(s), and a control circuit for outputting an operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the determined required device operation outputted by the determination circuit.

21. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the required device operation is based on an operation-specific combination of distinct user movements from a plurality of possible combination movements within

the recognition field(s).

22. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the determination circuit includes a timing circuit for determining a duration between the user movements and/or a duration of the user movement within the recognition field(s), an output of the timing circuit influencing the operation-specific control signal outputted by the control circuit.

23. A touchless control system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the said sensor has at least two distinct fields of recognition, and the operation-specific control signal outputted by the control circuit depends on the recognition field in which a user performs the said distinct user movement.

24. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said at least one sensor has three or more distinct fields of recognition.

25. A touchiess control system as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein each recognition field is set based on an electrical characteristic of the sensor.

26. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein each recognition field corresponds to a voltage induced at the sensor.

27. A touchiess control system as claimed in any one of claims 2Oto 26, wherein two or more of the said body-part sensors are provided.

28. A touchiess control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. A toilet having a touchless control system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the toilet is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the toilet.

30. A toilet as claimed in claim 29, wherein every operation of the toilet is controllable via the touchiess control system.

31. A toilet as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein a hinged lid and/or hinged seat of the toilet is/are motorised, and is/are operable via the touchiess control system.

32. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the toilet includes a douching device which is operable via the touchiess control system.

33. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the toilet includes a selectable-temperature seat, the temperature being selectable via the touchless control system.

34. A toilet as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the touchiess control system is retrospectively fittable to the toilet.

35. A toilet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 or Figures 9 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

36. A multi-operation device which requires a plurality of user operations, and which includes a touchiess control system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the device is operable via the touchiess control system without a user physically contacting the device.

37. A touchiess control system for controlling a multi-operation device requiring user interaction, the touchiess control system comprising at least one touchiess user body-part sensor having at least one field of recognition, and a controller having a determination circuit for determining the required device operation from an operation-specific distinct user movement or movements within the recognition field(s), the determination circuit including a comparator for comparing the distinct user movement(s) within the recognition field(s) with pre-stored data corresponding to predetermined user movements, and a control circuit for outputting an operation-specific control signal to the said device depending on the output from the comparator.