Water tap or valve assembly and method of use thereof
Water tap ( 2 ) or water valve assembly is provided which has biometric recognition means ( 20 ) provided on or associated with the same. The biometric recognition means ( 20 ) are arranged such that operation of the water tap ( 2 ) or water valve assembly and/or operation of one or more functions of the water tap ( 2 ) or water valve assembly takes place only upon recognition or a positive match of one or more biometric features of a user.
1. A water tap or a water valve assembly, comprising:
an actuator configured to actuate the water tap or the water valve assembly; and
a controller configured to control and/or adjust a temperature of water dispensed from the water tap or the water valve assembly, such that:
when the temperature of the water is below a pre-determined threshold temperature, actuation of the actuator causes the water to be dispensed without requiring positive or successful recognition by a biometric recognition sensor provided on or associated with the water tap or water valve assembly; and
when the temperature of the water is above the pre-determined threshold temperature, actuation of the actuator causes the water to be dispensed only with a positive or successful recognition by the biometric recognition sensor.
2. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the one or more biometric features recognizable by the biometric recognition sensor include any or any combination of a user's fingerprint, facial recognition, DNA, palm print, hand geometry, iris recognition or retina recognition.
3. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the biometric recognition sensor is provided on a body portion integral with, forming part of, or associated with the water tap or water valve assembly.
4. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the biometric recognition sensor is provided on a unit separate to and/or remote from a main body portion or the water tap or the water valve assembly.
5. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the biometric recognition sensor includes any device, sensor and/or mechanism that allows one or more biometric features of a user to be detected, recorded and/or stored on or associated with the same; which allows matching or detection of a match of one or more user's biometric features to one or more pre-stored biometric features of the user; and/or which allows verification of a match of one or more user's biometric features to one or more pre-stored biometric features of the user.
6. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein a display is provided on or associated with the water tap or water valve assembly to allow the display of one or more data items associated with the water tap or water valve assembly, the temperature of the water being dispensed or to be dispensed from the water tap or water valve assembly, a set up menu to allow set up of the biometric recognition sensor, and/or to allow recording, detection and/or verification of a biometric feature of a user.
7. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the display is in the form of a display screen, LCD display and/or touch screen display.
8. The water tap or a water valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein a micro-processor is provided on or associated with the water tap, water valve assembly and/or biometric recognition sensor to allow processing of one or more signals to and/or from the biometric recognition sensor, the display, and/or controller.