Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems

• US 10,213,063 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2016
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W., Reynolds, Aaron R., Curtis, Chip W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US15/173,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20160278583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1202 dispensing dosed volume A47K5/1201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/00 Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught B67D3/00 takes precedence; apparatus for making beverages A47J31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/34 Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0629 characterised by the type of regulator means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/0058 on electrical household appliances, e.g. on a dishwasher, a washing machine or a refrigerator
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes.

Claims

1. A method of determining a need for service of a refill cartridge that contains product to be dispensed comprising:

providing a dispenser that includes a first communication device;

operatively installing a refill cartridge that has a second communication device associated therewith into the dispenser, the second communication device maintaining a count value identifying a number of dispense cycles that the refill cartridge has available;

communicating the count value from the second communication device to the first communication device;

actuating the dispenser to complete a dispense cycle, whereby the product is dispensed from the refill cartridge;

updating the count value; and

indicating that the refill cartridge requires service based on the updated count value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the updating step is performed at a counter stored at a controller provided by the dispenser.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the counter is incremented.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicating step is performed when the counter is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the counter is decremented.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the indicating step is performed when the counter is less than or equal to a threshold value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the product comprises flowable material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the updating step is performed at a counter provided by the second communication device of the refill cartridge.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the counter is incremented.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the indicating step is performed when the counter is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the counter is decremented.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicating step is performed when the counter is less than or equal to a threshold value.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

permanently disabling operation of the refill cartridge after the updated count value reaches a threshold value.

14. A method of operating a dispenser for a refill cartridge that contains product to be dispensed comprising:

providing a dispenser that includes a first communication device;

operatively installing a refill cartridge that has a second communication device associated therewith into the dispenser, the second communication device maintaining a count value identifying a number of dispense cycles that the refill cartridge has available;

communicating the count value from the second communication device to the first communication device;

actuating the dispenser to complete a dispense cycle, whereby the product is dispensed from the refill cartridge;

updating the count value; and

determining whether the updated count value has reached a threshold value; and

adjusting a cycle time of the dispense cycle that is performed at the actuating step if the threshold value has been reached.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjusting step is performed by increasing the cycle time.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising modifying the threshold value.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the modifying step is performed by increasing the threshold value.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the product comprises flowable material.

19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the second communication device includes a date of manufacture associated with the refill container, which is acquired by the first communication device and communicated therefrom.