Hygiene compliance module

• US 10,276,030 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2018
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W., Archer, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US15/989,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20180276975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.

Claims

1. A compliance monitoring system comprising:

a touch-free dispenser for dispensing soap or sanitizer;

the touch-free dispenser having

a dispenser controller that controls the operation of the dispenser;

one or more batteries that provide power to the controller;

a first connector;

a signal conductor for providing a signal indicative of an actuation of the dispenser to the first connector;

a compliance module,

the compliance module having

a circuit board;

a module controller located on the circuit board;

a module housing surrounding the circuit board;

module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with at least one of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and

a second connector for connecting to the first connector of the dispenser;

the second connector providing a signal indicative of an actuation of the dispenser to the circuit board; and

module wireless communication circuitry located on the circuit board; and

the data tag;

the data tag containing data tag wireless communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with the compliance module.

2. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the module wireless communication circuitry comprises one or more radio frequency transceivers.

3. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising an indicator to indicate when soap or sanitizer has been dispensed to an individual associated with the data tag.

4. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a refill unit including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer for placement in the dispenser.

5. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the compliance module receives a unique identifier from the data tag.

6. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event, a dispenser actuation and a data tag identifier.

7. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the compliance module receives power from the first connector.

8. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of batteries are located on a first side of the dispenser and the first connector is located on a second side of the dispenser.

9. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispenser actuation to a monitoring station.

10. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the circuit board is entirely enclosed within the housing.