ADAPTABLE NAPKIN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR BED

Abstract

An adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed comprises an elongated plate 1 positioned on top portion of a bedding, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 captures images of the vicinity, a drawer arrangement extends/retracts for establishing the plate 1 on the bedding, a pair of motorized clamping units 3 grips the bedding, a microphone 4 receives voice command of the user, a multi-sectioned chamber 5 stores napkin, motorized roller 6 coils the same kind of napkin, a motor rotates the roller 6 , an ultrasonic sensor monitors length of the unwrapped napkin, a motorized cutter 7 cuts the napkin, a proximity sensor monitors distance of the user.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed that is capable of dispensing napkin along bedside for user requirement. In addition, the device is capable of monitoring distance of the user over the bed, accordingly release the napkin in order to prevent any discomfort to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Napkins are small pieces of fabric or paper which are typically used by the user to wipe your hands, mouth, or clean up spills while eating, these napkins come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Additionally, these napkin are commonly placed on the dining tables and beds before a meal starts to provide convenience and ensure cleanliness during eating or resting times. They are essential items for maintaining hygiene and tidiness in everyday life.

[0003] Traditionally, there are limited methods available that are being used by the user for dispensing napkins such as user may use napkin holders to store napkins. However, these methods in crowded environment brings many challengers for the users due to limited space or crowded tables it is difficult for the user to access napkins easily during meals. Moreover, when napkins are store openly there is a high chance of dust, dirt or other particles may gets accumulated on them which potentially compromising with the health of the user.

[0004] US4134521A includes an invention that is a kind of a mechanism for dispensing individual napkins from a napkin stack comprising a sliding actuator, spring biased to extend out of a dispenser housing, connected through a connecting rod to articulate a pivotally mounted advancing bell crank. The normal disposition of the bell crank deploys a pin on the free end thereof adjacent and within a slot on the underside of the napkin stack, the articulating arc of the pin around the pivot being such as to engage the underside of an individual napkin. As the bell crank is thus articulated the napkin is advanced through a slot for use.

[0005] US6799695B1 discloses about an invention that is a kind of a dispensing device is provided for sanitary napkins of various shapes and sizes. The device is conveniently and efficiently packaged for optimal placement and utility within the private facilities of a home. The device includes a hinged lid allowing ready placement of the sanitary napkins within the device housing. When closed, a latch secures the lid. On one or more sides of the housing, a door is provided near the bottom that allows the user to retrieve a sanitary napkin from the bottom of the housing. The door or doors are hinged with a spring providing a bias to the closed position. Attached to the lid is a spring, the spring having an attached compression plate. When the lid is closed, the spring forces the compression plate against the sanitary napkins within the housing, thus maintaining the sanitary napkins in the proper position and orientation for grasping by the user, through the door. Hooks are provided to support a disposal bag. The device has mounting brackets and other attachment provisions for attaching the device to a wall. The device can also be used in a freestanding position without mounting.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed for dispensing napkins. However, these devices are incapable of dispensing napkin bedside according to the user requirement. In addition, these existing device fails to monitor the distance of the user from the bed, therefore fails to release the napkin accordingly leading to potential discomfort for the user.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that dispense napkin bedside according to the user requirements. Additionally, the device monitor the user's distance from the bed and release the napkin accordingly to prevent any discomfort to the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of dispensing napkin along bedside for user requirement.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring distance of the user over the bed, accordingly release the napkin in order to prevent any discomfort to the user.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is user friendly and reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed that is capable of dispensing napkin along bedside according to the user requirements. Additionally, the proposed device monitor the user's distance from the bed and release the napkin accordingly to prevent any discomfort to the user.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed, comprises of an elongated plate associated with the device and developed to be positioned on top portion of a bedding, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit is installed on the plate to determine dimensions of the bedding, a drawer arrangement integrated in the plate to extend/retract for establishing the plate on the bedding, a pair of motorized clamping units are integrated on ends of the plate to acquire a grip on the bedding in order to establish the plate over the bedding and a microphone integrated on the plate for receiving voice commands of the user regarding requirement of a particular kind of napkins required by the user.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a multi-sectioned chamber is mounted on the plate each designated for storing a particular kind of napkin and integrated with a motorized roller coiled with the kind of napkin, a motor linked with the rollers to rotate for unwrapping the user-specified kind of napkin coiled on the roller outside of the chamber, an ultrasonic sensor is integrated on the plate for monitoring length of the unwrapped napkin, a motorized cutter integrated on the plate in proximity to the chamber to cut the napkin in order to allow the user to access the user-specified kind of napkin, a proximity sensor is integrated on the plate for monitoring distance of the user from the plate and a battery is configured with the plate for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed that is capable of dispensing napkin along bedside according to the user requirements. Additionally, the proposed device monitor the user's distance from the bed and release the napkin accordingly to prevent any discomfort to the user.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed is illustrated comprises of an elongated plate 1 having an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2, a pair of motorized clamping units 3 integrated on ends of the plate 1 , a microphone 4 integrated on the plate 1 , a multi-sectioned chamber 5 mounted on the plate 1 , each section of the chamber 5 is integrated with a motorized roller 6, a motorized cutter 7 integrated on the plate 1 .

[0023] The proposed invention includes an elongated plate 1 associated with the device and developed to be positioned on top portion of a bedding. Now, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 is installed on the plate 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the plate 1 , respectively. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 comprises of a processor that is encrypted with an artificial intelligence protocol and a camera which upon actuation captures multiple images in vicinity of the plate 1 for determining dimensions of the bedding.

[0024] The camera of the imaging unit 2 comprised of a lens and a digital camera sensor of the imaging unit 2 , wherein the camera lens takes all the light rays rebounding around and utilizes the lenses to transmit them to a single point for creating a sharp image. When all of those light rays rebound back and meet together on the digital camera sensor, creates a digital image and the processor performs various operations like pre-processing, feature extraction and classification which are then transmitted to an inbuilt microcontroller (not shown in figure) for further processing.

[0025] The microcontroller, mentioned herein, is preferably an Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino microcontroller used herein controls the overall functionality of the components linked to it. The Arduino microcontroller is an open-source programming platform. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the imaging unit 2 in order to determine dimensions of the bedding.

[0026] Then, the microcontroller activates a drawer arrangement integrated in the plate 1 to extend/retract for establishing the plate 1 on the bedding. the drawer arrangement consists of a motor, hollow compartment and multiple compartments that are connected with sliders. After actuating by the microcontroller, an electric current pass through the motor of the drawer mechanism and energized the motor. The energized motor further actuates the compartments which are initially at the stowed condition to move in a successive manner within the hollow compartment and extends length of the compartments. Simultaneously, each of the compartments having a fixed groove track, wherein upon actuation of the slider, the motor of the slider gets energized and provides a movement to the compartment to move in a linear direction on the groove track of the successive compartment as directed by the microcontroller and extends length of the plate 1 .

[0027] Thereafter, a pair of motorized clamping units 3 are integrated on ends of the plate 1 and that are actuated by the microcontroller to acquire a grip on the bedding in order to establish the plate 1 over the bedding. The clamping units 3 are fastening equipment used to grip bedding. Clamping unit comprises a pair of curved motorize clamps, which attached with motor to grip the bedding. A direct current (DC) motor is activated by the microcontroller to open/close the motorized clamp.

[0028] Then, a microphone 4 integrated on the plate 1 receives voice commands of the user regarding requirement of a particular kind of napkins required by the user. The microphone 4 turns the sound energy emitted by the user into electrical energy. The sound waves created by the user carry energy towards the microphone 4 . Inside the microphone 4 , a diaphragm, made of plastic, is present and moves back and forth when the sound wave hits the diaphragm. The coil attached to the diaphragm also moves in same way. The magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet cuts through the coil. As the coil moves, the electric current flows. The electric current from coil flows to an amplifier which convert the sound into electrical signal. The microcontroller linked to the microphone 4 recognize the voice and perform the operations according to the command given by the user regarding requirement of a particular kind of napkins required by the user.

[0029] Further, herein a multi-sectioned chamber 5 is mounted on the plate 1 , each designated for storing a particular kind of napkin and integrated with a motorized roller 6 coiled with the kind of napkin. Then, a motor linked with the roller 6 s and that are actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for unwrapping the user-specified kind of napkin coiled on the roller 6 , outside of the chamber 5 . The motorized roller 6 s are integrated with the hub motor in its hub powered by a direct current (DC) motor that rotates the roller 6 for unwrapping the napkin.

[0030] Thereafter, the microcontroller activates an ultrasonic sensor integrated on the plate 1 and synced with the imaging unit 2 for monitoring length of the unwrapped napkin. The ultrasonic sensor disclosed herein, consists of an emitter and a receiver that acts as a transducer. On activation of ultrasonic sensor by the microcontroller, the emitter emits ultrasonic sound waves towards unwrapped napkin. Further, the radiation strike to the unwrapped napkin and reflect back which are captured by the receiver. The signal is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the ultrasonic sensor and on the basis of time lapse in between the sent and received radiations, the microcontroller monitors length of the unwrapped napkin.

[0031] Then, the microcontroller compares the monitored length with a pre-defined length and in case the monitored length matches with the pre-defined length, the microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter 7 integrated on the plate 1 , in proximity to the chamber 5 to cut the napkin in order to allow the user to access the user-specified kind of napkin.

[0032] The microcontroller transmits electric signal to the motor of the cutter 7 and the electromotive force induced by the currents flow into the inductive coil of the motor of the cutter 7 rotates the output shaft onto which cutter 7 is connected. Thus, rotation of the output shaft of the motor cutter 7 , rotates the connected cutter 7 by which cutter 7 cuts the napkin when comes in contact with the napkin.

[0033] Moreover, the microcontroller captivates a proximity sensor integrated on the plate 1 and synced with the imaging unit 2 for monitoring distance of the user from the plate 1 . The proximity sensor emits infrared rays towards the plate 1 and receives the bounced back rays from the plate 1 and convert the detected data into an electric signal that is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the proximity sensor in order to monitor distance of the user from the plate 1 .

[0034] Then, the microcontroller compares the monitored length with a threshold distance pre-fed in a linked database and in case the monitored distance recedes the threshold distance, the microcontroller directs the clamping units 3 to release the grip to prevent any discomfort to the user due to presence of the plate 1 .

[0035] A battery (not shown in figure) is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the elongated plate 1 is positioned on top portion of the bedding, where the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 captures multiple images in vicinity of the plate 1 and based on the captured images the microcontroller determines the dimensions of the bedding. Post determination of the dimensions, the drawer arrangement extends/retracts for establishing the plate 1 on the bedding and accordingly the pair of motorized clamping units 3 acquires the grip on the bedding in order to establish the plate 1 over the bedding. Thereafter the microphone 4 receives the voice commands of the user regarding requirement of the particular kind of napkins and accordingly the motor rotate for unwrapping the user-specified kind of napkin coiled on the roller 6 , outside of the chamber 5 . Thereafter the ultrasonic sensor monitors the length of the unwrapped napkin and in case the monitored length matches with the pre-defined length then the motorized cutter 7 cuts the napkin in order to allow the user to access the user-specified kind of napkin.

[0037] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adaptable napkin dispensing device for bed, comprising:

i) an elongated plate 1 associated with said device and developed to be positioned on top portion of a bedding, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 is installed on said plate 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said plate 1 , respectively to determine dimensions of said bedding;
ii) a drawer arrangement integrated in said plate 1 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to extend/retract for establishing said plate 1 on said bedding, wherein a pair of motorized clamping units 3 are integrated on ends of said plate 1 that are actuated by said microcontroller to acquire a grip on said bedding in order to establish said plate 1 over said bedding;
iii) a microphone 4 integrated on said plate 1 for receiving voice commands of said user regarding requirement of a particular kind of napkins required by said user, wherein a multi-sectioned chamber 5 is mounted on said plate 1 , each designated for storing a particular kind of napkin and integrated with a motorized roller 6 coiled with said kind of napkin; and
iv) a motor linked with said roller 6 s that are actuated by said microcontroller to rotate for unwrapping said user-specified kind of napkin coiled on said roller 6 , outside of said chamber 5 , wherein an ultrasonic sensor is integrated on said plate 1 and synced with said imaging unit 2 for monitoring length of said unwrapped napkin and in case said monitored length matches with a pre-defined length, said microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter 7 integrated on said plate 1 , in proximity to said chamber 5 to cut said napkin in order to allow said user to access said user-specified kind of napkin.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is integrated on said plate 1 and synced with said imaging unit 2 for monitoring distance of said user from said plate 1 and in case said monitored distance recedes a threshold distance, said microcontroller directs said clamping units 3 to release said grip to prevent any discomfort to said user due to presence of said plate 1 .

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said plate 1 for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

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