Hygiene compliance modules for dispensers, dispensers and compliance monitoring systems

• US 10,373,477 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Bonner, Chet J., Wegelin, Jackson W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Zhen Y
• Application Number:
  US15/717,058
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 3405731
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

Compliance modules for fluid dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments of the compliance modules include a housing, a processor, memory, wireless communication circuitry and voltage monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in voltage of a dispenser power supply. The processor, memory and voltage monitoring circuitry are located within the housing. A connector for electrically connecting the module to a power supply of the dispenser is also included. The compliance module receives power from the dispenser. The processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in voltage detected by the voltage monitoring circuitry. The processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event.

Claims

1. A compliance module for a touch-free fluid dispenser, the compliance module comprising:

a module housing;

a connector on the housing for releasably connecting to a communication port of the touch-free fluid dispenser and placing the compliance module in circuit communication with the touch-free fluid dispenser that contains a touch-free fluid dispenser power supply;

a module power supply located at least partially within the module housing and electrically separated from the touch-free fluid dispenser power supply in the touch-free fluid dispenser when the compliance module is connected to the dispenser through the communication port;

a processor;

a memory;

a wireless communication circuitry;

a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in an electrical parameter indicative of a dispense event;

wherein the processor, memory and parameter monitoring circuitry are located within the module housing;

and

wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in an electrical parameter in the touch-free dispenser circuitry is detected by the parameter monitoring circuitry through the connector;

and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and

wherein the module housing is configured to fit within a housing that contains the touch-free fluid dispenser housing components.

2. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in voltage.

3. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in current.

4. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification.

5. A touch-free fluid dispenser having a removable compliance module comprising:

a touch-free dispenser enclosure;

a pump housing;

a first battery for powering the touch-free dispenser;

a communications port; and

a compliance module removably inserted in the dispenser enclosure;

the compliance module including;

a module housing;

a connector for connecting to the communications port;

a module processor;

a second battery for powering the compliance module;

a memory;

a wireless communications circuitry; and

a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a signal through the communications port;

wherein the processor, memory, wireless communications circuitry and parameter monitoring circuitry are in circuit communication with one another and are located within the module housing;

wherein the compliance module receives power from the second battery in the dispenser; and

wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a signal from the communications port;

and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and

wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure.

6. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the electrical parameter detected by the monitoring circuitry is a drop in voltage.

7. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification.

8. The fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the connector connects to a communication port of a dispenser.

9. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the connector connects to one or more batteries in the dispenser.

10. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a refill unit containing a fluid to be dispensed.

11. A dispenser comprising:

a dispenser enclosure;

a receptacle for receiving a container for a fluid product;

an actuator for actuating a pump to pump the fluid product;

a first power supply located within the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser;

a dispenser processor for controlling the dispenser;

the dispenser processor powered by the first power supply;

a communication port in circuit communication with the processor;

a module housing;

a connector secured to the module housing for releasably connecting to the communication port of a fluid dispenser;

a second power supply located in the module housing;

a module processor powered by the second power supply;

a memory;

a wireless communication circuitry;

wherein the, module processor and memory and at least a portion of the wireless communication circuitry are located within the module housing;

wherein the processor receives a signal from the dispenser that is indicative of a dispense event from the dispenser; and

wherein the processor and wireless communication circuitry are powered from the second power supply; and

wherein the second power supply in the module is separate from the first power supply in the dispenser; and

wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure.