Multifunctional faucet

Abstract

A multifunctional faucet has a dispensing faucet ( 2 ) for one or more fluids ( 18, 19 ), a supply ( 10 ) for the fluids ( 18, 19 ) and a control ( 5 ). A reader ( 41 ) is arranged associated with the housing of the dispensing faucet 2 or in another area. The reader ( 41 ) receives information sent preferably in a wireless manner and is in a form such as a transponder reader or a bar code reader. The external information is preferably transmitted by an information element such as a portable transponder, a bar code strip or the like. This information may be person-related and identify the user. This information may be evaluated and processed in a higher-level control ( 39 ) by means of a corresponding program, e.g., a personnel management program. There may be regulations concerning washing cycles in restaurants or other fields in which hygiene is critical. The compliance with these washing cycles can be checked and logged on the basis of the personal data recorded by the reader ( 41 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multifunctional faucet, comprising: 
 a fluid discharge means for dispensing one or more fluids of a state that may optionally change;    a fluid supply means for supplying said one or more fluids;    an information reader associated with said fluid discharge means for reading user information of any one of a plurality of user identification elements, with each of the user identification elements having individualized user information; and    a faucet control operatively connected to said information reader for receiving user information read by said reader.    
     
     
         2 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said reader comprises a transponder arrangement or a bar code reader.  
     
     
         3 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said faucet control is connected to an alarm unit for providing one of an audible or visible alarm.  
     
     
         4 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said control includes a user program for evaluating and processing person-related user information in said individualized user information received from user identification elements.  
     
     
         5 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the user program is a personnel management program for checking and logging preset staff wash cycles.  
     
     
         6 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a visual or audio display.  
     
     
         7 . A multifunctional faucet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional faucet has a sensor.  
     
     
         8 . A system for detecting user information in sanitary areas, the system comprising: 
 a multifunctional faucet with a fluid discharge means for dispensing one or more fluids of a state that may optionally change, a fluid supply means for supplying said one or more fluids, and an information reader associated with said faucet; and    a plurality of user information means for being carried along by a user of a plurality of users with each user information means having individualized person-related user information, said reader wirelessly reading user information of any one of said plurality of user identification elements.    
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said reader comprises a transponder means and said information means comprises a transponder.  
     
     
         10 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a faucet control operatively connected to said information reader for receiving user information read by said information reader and with a program for evaluating and processing the person-related user information received.    
     
     
         11 . A system in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the program is a personnel management program for checking and logging preset wash cycles of a staff.  
     
     
         12 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said faucet control is connected to an alarm unit.  
     
     
         13 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said multifunctional faucet has at least one visual or audio display.  
     
     
         14 . A system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said multifunctional faucet has a sensor.  
     
     
         15 . A process for detecting user information in sanitary areas, the process comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a multifunctional faucet in a position for use by a user, the multifunctional faucet including a fluid discharge means for dispensing one or more fluids of a state that may optionally change, a fluid supply means for supplying said one or more fluids, and an information reader assigned to said faucet the multifunctional faucet;    providing information means carried along by a user of a plurality of users with each user information means having individualized person-related user information; and    receiving person-related user information at said information reader in wireless manner from information means carried along by a user of a plurality of users with each user information means having individualized person-related user.    
     
     
         16 . A process in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the received user information is evaluated and processed with a program in a control connected to said reader.  
     
     
         17 . A process in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said program is a personnel management program in which compliance with preset wash cycles of a staff is checked and logged on the basis of the user information.  
     
     
         18 . A process in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the users are identified by the user information received.  
     
     
         19 . A process in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein authorized and unauthorized users are distinguished by the user information received.