Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems

• US 20100163573A1
• Filed: 12/29/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,240,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• 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 fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing having a first data communication device associated therewith, wherein said first data communication device has stored therein a series of identification codes associated with said housing and having a control circuit with a quad operational amplifier circuit that demodulates an analog signal from a refill container within a target range and converts said analog signal to a digital signal, said first data communication device having a controller which decodes said digital signal into one of said identification codes;

said refill container being receivable in said housing and carrying a fluid material and having a second data communication device associated therewith, wherein said second data communication device has stored therein a matching code associated with said refill container and corresponding to one of said identification codes within said target; and

an operational mechanism associated with one of said housing and said refill container to enable dispensing a measured quantity of said material, wherein said operational mechanism comprises a pump mechanism carried by said refill container, a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle, and a pump actuator carried by said housing positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said controller is interposed among said first and second data communication devices and said operational mechanism to facilitate sharing of data between said first and second data communication devices and to selectively enable said operational mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match any of said identification codes.

2. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing having a first data communication device associated therewith, wherein said first data communication device has stored therein a series of identification codes associated with said housing and having a control circuit with a controller having an internal comparator that demodulates an analog signal from a refill container within a target range and converts the analog signal to a digital signal, said first data communication device having said controller which decodes said digital signal into one of said identification codes;

said refill container being receivable in said housing and carrying a fluid material and having a second data communication device associated therewith, wherein said second data communication device has stored therein a matching code associated with said refill container and corresponding to one of said identification codes within said target; and

an operational mechanism associated with one of said housing and said refill container to enable dispensing a measured quantity of said material, wherein said operational mechanism comprises a pump mechanism carried by said refill container, a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle, and a pump actuator carried by said housing positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said controller is interposed among said first and second data communication devices and said operational mechanism to facilitate sharing of data between said first and second data communication devices and to selectively enable said operational mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match any of said identification codes.

3. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing having a first data communication device associated therewith, wherein said first data communication device has stored therein a series of identification codes associated with said housing and having a control circuit with a dual operational amplifier circuit and a controller having an internal comparator that demodulates an analog signal from a refill container within a target range and converts said analog signal to a digital signal, said first data communication device having said controller which decodes said digital signal into one of said identification codes;

said refill container being receivable in said housing and carrying a fluid material and having a second data communication device associated therewith, wherein said second data communication device has stored therein a matching code associated with said refill container and corresponding to one of said identification codes within said target; and

an operational mechanism associated with one of said housing and said refill container to enable dispensing a measured quantity of said material, wherein said operational mechanism comprises a pump mechanism carried by said refill container, a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle, and a pump actuator carried by said housing positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said controller is interposed among said first and second data communication devices and said operational mechanism to facilitate sharing of data between said first and second data communication devices and to selectively enable said operational mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match any of said identification codes.

4. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing having a first data communication device associated therewith, wherein said first data communication device has stored therein a series of identification codes associated with said housing and having a control circuit that demodulates an analog signal from a refill container within a target range and converts said analog signal to a digital signal, said first data communication device having said controller which decodes said digital signal into one of said identification codes;

said refill container being receivable in said housing and carrying a fluid material and having a second data communication device associated therewith, wherein said second data communication device has stored therein a matching code associated with said refill container and corresponding to one of said identification codes within said target; and

an operational mechanism associated with one of said housing and said refill container to enable dispensing a measured quantity of said material, wherein said operational mechanism comprises a pump mechanism carried by said refill container, a nozzle operatively connected to said pump mechanism, wherein actuation of said pump mechanism dispenses a quantity of said material through said nozzle, and a pump actuator carried by said housing positioned proximally said pump mechanism, wherein said controller is interposed among said first and second data communication devices and said operational mechanism to facilitate sharing of data between said first and second data communication devices and to selectively enable said operational mechanism, wherein said pump actuator is disabled by said controller if said matching code does not match any of said identification codes.

5. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, wherein said control circuit comprises a quad operational amplifier circuit.

6. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, wherein said control circuit comprises a controller having an internal comparator.

7. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, wherein said control circuit comprises a dual operational amplifier circuit and a controller.

8. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, further comprising a pair of transistors that is associated with the controller and writes to said second data communication device.

9. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, wherein said control circuit comprises a voltage regulator 38 having a micropower, low dropout linear regulator.

10. The fluid dispensing system of claim 4, wherein said controller consists of an 8-bit microcontroller.

11. A method for dispensing fluid in a fluid dispensing system utilizing radio frequency identification comprising:

installing a refill cartridge including a radio frequency identification tag and antenna;

determining whether the system is calling for a dispensing of product;

interrogating the radio frequency identification tag of the refill cartridge;

reading and decoding an identifying code from the radio frequency identification tag of the refill cartridge;

comparing the identifying code to a plurality of matching codes stored within the fluid dispensing system;

determining whether there is product remaining in a dispense count stored within the radio frequency identification tag; and

decreasing the dispense count on the tag and dispensing the product when dispense count is greater than zero.

12. A method for dispensing liquids from a cartridge of a dispenser, comprising:

monitoring the dispenser to determine if the dispensing of liquid has been requested;

dispensing liquid upon receipt of such request;

counting a number of dispense cycles from a beginning point in time; and

altering the dispensing activity of the dispenser after a particular number of dispensing cycles following said beginning point in time.

13. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 12, wherein said dispenser contains two cartridges and said step of altering comprises switching the dispensing from a first cartridge to a second cartridge after said particular number of dispense cycles.

14. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of replacing said first cartridge after said step of switching the dispensing.

15. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 12, wherein said step of dispensing liquid commences at a first dispensing rate, which rate changes over time as the function of a number of dispense cycles performed.

16. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 15, wherein said step of altering the dispensing activity comprises changing a dispense cycle time duration.

17. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of identifying a first cartridge received by the dispenser and restricting operation of the dispenser as a function of a nature of said first cartridge.

18. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 17, wherein said nature of said first cartridge comprises a brand.

19. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 17, wherein said nature of said first cartridge comprises the type of liquid contained therein.

20. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 17, wherein said step of restricting operation comprises adjusting a time period of said dispense cycles.

21. The method for dispensing liquids as recited in claim 17, wherein said step of restricting operation comprises rejecting any cartridge placed within the dispenser that is not similarly identifiable.

22. A method for establishing and controlling operational parameters of a dispenser employing cartridges containing material to be dispensed, comprising:

reading data from a tag on the cartridge;

determining operational parameters from the tag; and

controlling operation of the dispenser in accordance with the parameters.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said tag contains data from which the period of a dispense cycle may be determined, and said step of controlling comprises establishing a dispense cycle period as a function of such data.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said tag contains data from which the number of dispense cycles available from the cartridge may be determined, and said step of controlling comprises counting the number of dispense cycles until a threshold number corresponding to the number of dispense cycles available is reached.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, comprising the further step of inhibiting operation upon reaching said number of available dispense cycles.

26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the tag is an active tag and said step of controlling operation comprises indexing the tag on each dispense cycle until a threshold number of dispense cycles is reached, thereafter terminating such dispensing.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein said active tag cannot be reset.

28. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said tag data contains information selected from the group of product identity, product brand, and product source, and the step of controlling operation comprises enabling the dispenser only when the selected information is verified.

29. A material dispenser adapted for use with various sizes of cartridges, comprising:

a back plate;

a cover over said back plate defining a cavity between the two for receipt of a cartridge; and

means for adjusting a volume of said cavity for receipt of various sizes of cartridges.

30. The material dispenser as recited in claim 29, wherein said means for adjusting comprises one or more movable portions.

31. The material dispenser as recited in claim 30, wherein said means for adjusting comprises a telescoping cup interposed between said back plate and cover.