WO2005093681A1

WO2005093681A1 - Cleanliness monitoring system and related method

Info

Publication number: WO2005093681A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/001239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Wiles
Original assignee: Bourne Leisure Limited
Priority date: 2004-03-25
Filing date: 2005-03-29
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Also published as: GB0406704D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to cleanliness monitoring system and method for monitoring hand cleanliness. Hand cleanliness is of vital importance particularly in the food and health industries. Contamination risks illness and even death for consumers or persons recovering from operations or illness. Employers, restaurants, hospitals and leisure facilities aye placed under increasing pressures to comply with more stringent legislation. Hand cleanliness is always an issue when a toilet is used, but it is also an issue when an individual enters the work place from any outside environment or has been involved in any activity which can cause hand toxin or micro-organism contamination. The system comprises: a fluorescent tracer; means to identify the user; means to irradiate the users hand with an ultraviolet light; means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer; and means to pass or fail the user in dependence upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit.

Description

Cleanliness Monitoring System and Related Method

Background

The present invention relates to a cleanliness monitoring system and more particularly to a method for monitoring hand cleanliness. The invention also relates to a system and method for assessing the hand cleanliness of individuals.

Hand cleanliness is of vital importance in the food industry. Individuals are required not to contaminate food items. Not only does the act of contamination risk illness and even death for the consumer, but also risks legal liability and administrative action against the individual and/or the individual's employer. Hand cleanliness is always an issue when a toilet is used, but it is also an issue when an individual enters the work place from any outside environment or has been involved in any activity which can cause hand toxin or micro-organism contamination.

Hand cleanliness, among various other measures, is of utmost importance in the preparation of primary food sources (such as in a slaughterhouse), in food factories where pre-prepared food items are prepared, cooked (if necessary) and packed, in kitchens such as in hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets, and in the serving of food items to a customer.

Hand cleanliness is also of utmost importance in the medical world. The spread of secondary infections among hospital patients and visitors to clinics or surgeries is often blamed upon the failure of individuals to wash their hands between exposures to different patients. Hand cleanliness is now of even greater importance with the advent of multiple antibiotic resistant microorganisms which place patients' lives at risk. Hand cleanliness is of also of paramount importance in surgery (or dentistry) where the substance of the body is invaded and the chance of transfer of organisms is at its peak in the aseptic regime used. Hand cleanliness can also be of importance in laboratories and in industrial clean facilities such as clean rooms, laboratory and hard disc assembly clean rooms and semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Prior Art

Published International Patent Application WO-A3-03073081 (Emerge Interactive Inc) describes a system and method for detecting contamination on a user's hands. The system employs a light source which elicits fluorescence form the contamination. The system includes, in one embodiment, the steps of preserving results of detected fluorescence in order to identify trends relating to contamination.

US Patent US-A-6 426 701 (Ultra Clenz Engineering Group) describes a hand washing monitoring system which provides an alarm when a person's hands have not been washed to a sufficient level of cleanliness. A means is provided that detects a user, for example, by detecting the presence of a user's identity badge.

Reliance has been placed, in the past, on trust. This is all very well, but even diligent individuals may sometimes forget to wash their hands, or inadvertently not wash their hands adequately.

In all organisations, some individuals are of a clean and diligent nature when it comes to washing their hands, and others are not so careful. The present invention seeks to provide a regime where consistency is maintained and encouraged, and carelessness is corrected and discouraged.

A problem with some existing systems has been that, irrespective of the type or nature of the contaminant, only an absolute measurement of cleanliness was able to be obtained. This entailed that some systems were relatively inflexible and limited as to their application. One object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems by providing a system and related method to determine the hand cleanliness of an individual, which is flexible and can be used in a myriad situations.

Another object is to provide a system and related method to monitor inadvertent and/or negligent hand cleaning behaviour.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleanliness monitoring system, which in use, detects the presence of a washing compound comprising: a fluorescent tracer; means to identify the user; means to irradiate the users hand with an ultraviolet light; means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer; and means to pass or fail the user in dependence upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit.

Preferably a signal obtained from an imager, indicative of the amount of tracer that is present after washing, is compared with a signal obtained from an imager, indicative of the amount of tracer that was present prior to washing. The fact that a relative measurement of tracer, and hence cleanliness, is achieved using the present system is considered to provide the system with more flexibility over existing hand washing facilities.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring hand cleanliness, comprising the steps of: employing a washing compound comprising a fluorescent tracer; identifyihg a user; irradiating the users hand with an ultraviolet light; assessing the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer; and passing or failing the user in dependence upon whether or not a predetermined proportion of the users hands are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit.

Advantageously the invention further provides means for recording the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands that are clear of the tracer. The means for recording the identity of the user may include a magnetic card, a smart card or a radio frequency tag with a re-writable memory.

Alternatively the invention also provides that the means to identify the user can be, for preference, a card reader to read a card presented by a user, or a fingerprint scanner and recogniser, or an iris pattern reader and identifier, or any other means known whereby an individual can be recognised.

The invention also provides that the tracer can be, for preference, a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of the washing compound thereby causing proper rinsing to be necessary; or can be a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of micro-organisms, thereby making the removal of micro-organisms necessary; or can be a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of skin fats, acids and other natural skin secretions necessitating the proper cleaning of the skin; or the tracer can be a fluorescent tracer exhibiting one, some or all of the aforementioned properties described, either by its own nature or by being a mixture of several different tracers.

In a preferred embodiment the invention also provides, for preference, that the washing compound can comprise a solid soap, a powdered detergent, a liquid soap, or a liquid detergent.

Advantageously the invention also provides that the washing compound can comprise an anti bacterial agent, an anti-viral agent, or both.

Ideally the invention includes means to irradiate the users hands comprises an ultra violet light source, comprising one or more ultra-violet discharge tubes, one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes, or both.

Preferably the invention also provides that the means to irradiate the users hands can be operable for an extended period of time, or can be used to take a flash image. The invention further provides that the means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer can, for preference, comprises a means to capture an image of the users hands and a means to assess the proportion of the area of the users hands which do not fluoresce.

In a preferred embodiment the means to assess the proportion of the users hands which do not fluoresce can, for preference, comprise means to digitise a captured image of the users hands and a means to measure the proportion of the digitised image which fluoresces.

The invention further provides that the means to digitise the image can comprise means to capture an image of the users hands in visible light, means to capture an image of the users hands in ultra violet light, and means to work out the proportional fraction of the visible image of the users hands which does not fluoresce.

The invention further provides that the means to digitise the image can comprise means to capture an overall image of the users hands in ultra violet light, means to capture an image of the fluorescing areas of the users hands in ultra violet light, and means to work out the proportional fraction of the overall image of the users hands which does not fluoresce.

The invention further provides that the means to pass or fail the user dependent upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands that are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit comprises: a first coloured light (preferably green) and/or a first audible indicator to indicate that the users hands have passed a hand cleanliness test, and a second coloured light (preferably red) and/or a second audible indicator to indicate that the users hands have failed the hand cleanliness test and that the user must wash his/her hands again.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the invention also provides that the means to pass or fail the user dependently upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit is operative to operate a general visible light indicator and/or a general audible warning sounder to indicate to others if a user has passed or failed the hand cleanliness test.

The invention further provides a visible display, operative to show to the user the state of cleanliness of their hands.

The invention further provides that the means to record the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer can, for preference, comprises a running record, added to on every occasion that a user washes and scans their hands.

The irlvention further provides that the means to record the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer can comprise means to record all instances of the users hands passing or failing the hand cleanliness test.

Conveniently there is provided a controller for controlling when and where a data record can be stored, whereby the controller is capable of periodically transferring data to a computer, or transferring the data record so that it can be stored directly in a computer.

Ideally the invention also comprises means to read and print a record for each user for administrative purposes,

The invention also -provides a robust housing, to prevent tampering or vandalism.

The invention is hereinafter described with reference to a unit installed at an exit to a washroom or toilet in a food preparation establishment. It is to be appreciated that the invention can equally be used in any of the circumstances described above. In an alternative embodiment the invention may be connected to an automatic door opening mechanism so as to permit access to a hygiene area only when a users hands meet the necessary level of cleanliness. Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described and explained, by way of example only, and with reference to the Figures, in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary situation where the present invention can be used;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one example of the cleanliness monitor system, according to the present invention;

Figure 3A shows the general outline of the users hands as presented to the camera of Figure 2 and Figure 3A shows how fluorescent areas can be digitised; and

Figure 4 is an example of a flow chart of one example of how the monitoring system operates.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the Invention

Attention is first drawn to Figure 1, showing one example of a situation where the present system can be used. One or more hand-washing sinks 10 are provided in a toilet or washroom facility for example at the exit of a food preparation facility, or in a restaurant for use by food preparation and/or serving personnel. Other situations where the system can be employed include, without limitation: hospital wards, hospital toilets, hospital surgical theatres, and the entrance to/exit from any facility where hand cleanliness can be an issue.

Above each washbasin or sink 10 there is provided a washing compound dispenser 14, which, in this example, dispenses a liquid soap. The washing compound can equally comprise a solid soap, a powdered detergent, a liquid soap, or a liquid detergent and can be provided in blocks, containers or sachets rather that the dispenser 14 shown. The washing compound comprises a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of the washing compound thereby causing proper rinsing to be necessary, or can be a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of micro-organisms, thereby making the removal of micro-organisms necessary, or can be a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of skin fats, acids and other natural skin secretions necessitating the proper cleaning of the skin, or can be a fluorescent tracer exhibiting one, some or all of the properties described, either by its own nature or by being a mixture of several different tracers.

The washing compound can comprise, for preference, an anti bacterial agent, an anti-viral agent, or both.

A cleanliness monitor 16 is provided on a wall of the toilet facility and comprises a card reader 18 for accepting and reading a card identifying a user, a screen 20 for displaying, to a user, the state of cleanliness of the users hands, a pass light 22 which lights if the users hands are sufficiently clean, and a fail light 24 which lights if the users hands are not sufficiently clean.

Monitor 16 is shown in Figure 1. It is to be understood that at least one monitor should be provided per cleaning facility, but, at the limit of utility, up to one monitor 16 per sink 10 can be provided.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 2, which shows a schematic diagram of the elements of the monitor 16, and how it is externally connected.

The monitor 16 comprises a robust case 26 to prevent damage or interference. Screen 20 is a sturdy armour glass cover which protects a monitor 28 which is here shown as comprising a cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display (LCD) but could equally well be any other form of display device.

A sturdy transparent cover 30, able to pass ultraviolet light, provides protection for a camera 32 able to produce images in ultra violet and, in this example, in at least a part of the visible spectrum. At least one ultraviolet light source 34 is provided to illuminate the users hands when the users hands are placed beneath the transparent cover 30. At least one visible light source 36 is also provided, also to provide illumination of the users hands.

A trigger sensor 38, typical to those used to sense the presence of a users hands in forced air hand dryers, is provided at or below transparent cover 30 to sense when the user has placed their hands beneath the transparent cover 30.

The trigger sensor 38 triggers a control board 40 which triggers ultra violet (UV) light sources 34 and 36 and operates camera 32. passing then signals from the camera 32 to an analyser board 42 which analyses the meaning of the signals from the camera 32, passes the meaning and the identity of the user to an external coupling 44 providing data transfer to an external computer 46.

The card reader 18 is, in this example, intended to read a swipe card. It is to be understood that the card reader can equally well read a smart card, or can be replaced by a fingerprint scanner and recogniser, or an iris patter reader and identifier, or any other means known whereby an individual can be recognised. The recognition process can be performed electronically in the external computer 46, which can be located remote from the monitor 16, and can oversee and manage the performance of a plurality of monitors 16.

The analyser board 42 is operative, should the user pass a hand cleanliness test, to light a pass light 22 and, should the user fail the hand cleanliness test, to light a fail light 24. AN electronic record of performance of a particular individual can also be created simultaneously.

The analyser board passes signals, derived from the camera, 32, to a video board 52, which drives the monitor 28.

The functions of the video board 52, the analyser board 42 and the control board 40 can be, individually or collectively, accommodated within a single controller, such as a microprocessor operating under control of software, inside the monitor 16, or can, collectively or individually, by carried out by the external computer 46.

The external coupling 44 is shown as a simple data coupling between the monitor 16 and the external computer 46. It is to be appreciated that the external coupling 44 can be any other type of suitable coupling, and in particular can be an Internet connection to transmit data, stored by the monitor 16 and periodically down loaded to the external computer 46.

Attention is next drawn to Figures 3A and 3B.

When the user has washed their hands 54, the user presents their hands, in this example palms up, beneath the transparent cover 30. The trigger sensor 38 is operated and initiates the action of the control board 40. Figure 3A shows the outline of the hands 54, as they would appear in visible light. Figure 3B shows how the hands 54 would appear in ultraviolet light with areas of fluorescence 56 clearly visible.

The control board 40 can take a single image of the users hands 54 for analysis by the analyser board 42. Provided the ultra-violet image can provide an image of the full area of the users hands 54, an image in ultra violet light is sufficient. The single image can be as a result of a short illumination by the ultra violet light source 34 by the emission of a short flash, or by the act of the analyser board 42 using a frame, grabbed from the sequence of frames output from the camera 32 when constant ultra violet illumination is provided. The ultra violet image also shows areas of fluorescence. The analyser board 42 then digitally counts the pixels in the overall area of the users hands 54 and counts all of the pixels, which are in an area of fluorescence 56. If the non-fluorescent pixels are greater that a predetermined proportion of the total number of pixels in the image of the users hands 54, the analyser board 42 lights the pass light 22. If the non- fluorescent pixels are less that a predetermined proportion of the total number of pixels in the image of the users hands 54, the analyser board 42 lights the fail light 24. Alternatively pass and fail thresholds may be preset according to the number of, or proportion of, area of fluorescing pixels to total hand area. As well as a pass light 22 and a fail light 24, the analyser board can 42 trigger audible signals to let the user know whether they have passed or failed the hand cleanliness test, and can also trigger general optical and audible indicators to show persons in general whether or not the user has passed or failed the test.

If the captured image in ultra violet light cannot show the full extent of the hands 54, the control board 40 can use the visible light sources 36 to capture a visible image of the users hands, either by frame grabbing or by use of flash. The visible image and the ultraviolet image should be captured at about the same time, in order to achieve the greatest degree of positional and angular coincidence. The analyser board 42 then assesses the user passing or failing the hand cleanliness test by the same measurement means as are described and indicated above.

By analysing the proportion of the same image, or of substantially the same images, of a users hands 54 which do not fluoresce, the proportional measurement is rendered independent of the size of the users hands or of the distance that the hands might be from the camera 32. Where joint visible and ultraviolet images are required, and cannot be gained from a single camera 32, the present invention comprises use of separate visible and ultra violet cameras.

The analyser board passes signals to a video board 52 which provides an image of the users hands 54, visible to the user, showing which parts of the users hands 54 fluoresce. This continuous, or freeze frame image, allows the user to know where it may be necessary to apply further cleaning. If a visible image and an ultra violet image are required, they can be combined by the video board to provide a complete, composite image to the user.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 4, showing a flow chart of the activities of the monitor 16.

A first action is start 58. A second action is a test 60 which waits for a users card to be presented to the card reader 18. When a card is presented, a third action 62 notes the users identity, read from the card. A fourth action 64 is a test which waits for the user to present their washed hands 54 beneath the transparent cover 30 as detected by the trigger sensor 38. When the users hands are so presented, in a fifth action and a sixth action the control board 40 and the analyser board 42 operate the lights 34 and 36, captures the image or images for analysis, and displays the users hands to the user on the monitor 28.

Thereafter, in a seventh action 70 the analyser board 42 measure the proportion of the captured image which fluoresces, and an eighth action 72 is a test which determines if the proportion of the captured image, which fluoresces, is above or below a predetermined limit. If the proportion is over the limit, in a ninth action the analyser board 42 lights the fail light 24 and a tenth action sends details of the users identity and a score or grade in the hand cleanliness test via external coupling 44 to the external computer 46 and then restarts the process back to the fourth action 64. The user is thus obliged to re-submit their (hopefully) re- washed hands to scrutiny before the user can shut down the operation of the monitor 16.

If the proportion of fluorescence is under the limit, in an eleventh action 78 the analyser board 42 lights the pass light 22 and a twelfth action 80 sends details of the users identity and score in the hand cleanliness test via the external coupling 44 to the external computer 46 and then places the process back to a thirteenth action 82 where the monitor 16 exits its immediate hand scrutinising activity.

The external computer collects details of the hand cleaning efficiency of users, and also identifies those individuals who do not adequately or often enough clean their hands from poor scores and number of entries in the data record, stored in the external computer 44. This data can then be used for awarding bonuses, awarding fines, and for determining those individuals who need further training or motivation. A statistical model may be produced showing performance and scores and means may be provided, such as a printer, for preparing periodic reports of the results of hand washing by personnel. It will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A system for determining a users hand cleanliness which, in use, detects the presence of a washing compound, comprising: a fluorescent tracer; means to identify the user; means to irradiate the users hand with an ultraviolet light; means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer; and means to pass or fail the user in dependence upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit.

2. A system according to claim 1 includes means for recording the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands that are clear of the tracer.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the means for recording the identity of the user includes a magnetic card.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein the means for recording the identity of the user includes a smart card with a re-writable memory.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein the means for recording the identity of the user includes a radio frequency tag with a re-Writable memory.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to identify the user includes a card reader to read a card presented by a user whereby an individual can be recognised.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to identify the user includes a fingerprint scanner whereby an individual can be recognised.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to identify the user includes an iris pattern reader and identifier whereby an individual can be recognised.

9. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the tracer is a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of the washing compound.

10. A system according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the tracer is a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of micro-organisms.

11.A system according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the tracer is a fluorescent tracer which fluoresces in the presence of skin fats, acids and other natural skin secretions.

12. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the washing compound comprises soap included in the group of: a solid soap, a powdered detergent, a liquid soap and a liquid detergent.

13. A system according to any preceding claim also provides a washing compound can comprise an anti bacterial agent, an anti-viral agent, or both.

14. A system according to any preceding claim includes means to irradiate the users hands with an ultra violet light source, comprising one or more ultraviolet discharge tubes, one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes, or both.

15. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the means to irradiate the users hands can be operable for an extended period of time, or can be used to take a flash image.

16. A system according to any preceding claim includes a means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer can.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer comprises a means to capture an image of the users hands and a means to assess the proportion of the area of the users hands which do not fluoresce.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the means to assess the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer comprises a means to digitise a captured image of the users hands and a means to measure the proportion of the digitised image which fluoresces.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the means to digitise the image comprises a means to capture an image of the users hands in visible light, means to capture an image of the users hands in ultra violet light, and means to obtain the proportional fraction of the visible image of the users hands which does not fluoresce.

20. A system according to any of claims 17 to 18 wherein the means to digitise the image comprises means to capture an overall image of the users hands in ultra violet light, means to capture an image of the fluorescing areas of the users hands in ultra violet light, and means to obtain the proportional fraction of the overall image of the users hands which does not fluoresce.

21. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the means to pass or fail the user is dependent upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands that are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit, the means to pass or fail the user comprises: a first coloured light and/or a first audible indicator to indicate that the users hands have passed a hand cleanliness test, and a second coloured light and/or a second audible indicator to indicate that the users hands have failed the hand cleanliness test and that the user must wash his/her hands again.

22. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the means to pass or fail the user is dependent upon whether or not the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit is operative to operate a general visible light indicator and/or a general audible warning sounder to indicate to others if a user has passed or failed the hand cleanliness test.

23. A system according to any preceding claim where includes a visible display, operative to show to the user the state of cleanliness of their hands.

24. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the means to record the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer comprises a running record.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the means to record the identity of the user and the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer is adapted to include a running record added to on every occasion that a user washes and scans their hands.

26. A system according to claim 24 wherein the means to record the identity of the user includes a means to record instances of the users hands passing or failing the hand cleanliness test.

27. A system according to any preceding claim wherein a controller for controlling when and where a data record can be stored, whereby the controller is capable of periodically transferring data to a computer, or transferring the data record so that it can be stored directly in a computer.

28. A system according to any preceding claim wherein means is provided to read and print a record for each user for administrative purposes.

29. A system according to any preceding claim connected to an automatic door opening mechanism so as to permit access to a hygiene area only when a users hands meet the necessary level of cleanliness.

30. A method for monitoring hand cleanliness, comprising the steps of: employing a washing compound comprising a fluorescent tracer; identifying a user; irradiating the users hand with an ultraviolet light; assessing the proportion of the users hands which are clear of the tracer; and passing or failing the user in dependence upon whether or not a predetermined proportion of the users hands are clear of the tracer is above or below a predetermined limit.

31. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

32. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.