System and Method for Powering and Monitoring an Automated Battery Powered Dispenser

• US 20140191726A1
• Filed: 06/22/2012
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proventix Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Proventix Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Long, Avery Dallas
• Granted Patent: US 9,239,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A system and method for powering and monitoring use of battery powered automated dispensers is provided. In one embodiment, a pseudo battery assembly comprised of a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers powers and monitors use of an automated hand hygiene dispenser. More specifically, the pseudo battery receives an external power supply from a control unit that is part of a hand hygiene compliance (HHC) system, wherein the pseudo battery is operable to distribute the power to the dispenser and detect use thereof with a sensor. Further, a feedback device associated with the control unit is operable to display an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined amount of times. In other embodiments, the pseudo battery assembly powers and monitors use of battery powered automated dispensers, such as an automated towel dispenser or an automated gloves dispenser.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

installing a pseudo battery assembly in a battery-powered automated dispenser;

distributing power from an external power source to the pseudo battery assembly, wherein the pseudo battery assembly is operable to supply power to the dispenser; and

detecting use of the dispenser with the pseudo battery assembly when power is supplied to the dispenser.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pseudo battery assembly further

comprises a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pseudo battery and each of the plurality of battery spacers have a standard battery form factor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated dispenser is selected from the group consisting of:

an automated gloves dispenser, an automated hand hygiene dispenser, or an automated towel dispenser.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pseudo battery includes a sensor that is operable to detect distribution of power to the dispenser.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the external power source is a control unit that is associated with the dispenser and powered by an offline power supply.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying on a feedback device associated with the control unit an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined number of times.

8. (canceled)

9. A system 8 comprising:

a control unit comprising a power supply;

a pseudo battery assembly receiving power from said power supply, said pseudo battery assembly comprising a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers and being adapted to fit into a battery compartment of a battery-powered automated dispenser and supply power thereto;

wherein said control unit receives a signal from said pseudo battery assembly in response to use of said dispenser.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the pseudo battery and each of the plurality of battery spacers have a standard battery form factor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the automated dispenser is selected from the group consisting of:

an automated gloves dispenser, an automated towel dispenser, or an automated hand hygiene dispenser.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said control unit comprises a feedback device, said feedback device being operable to display an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined number of times.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said control unit is part of hand hygiene compliance system.

14. A method comprising:

powering a battery-powered automated dispenser with a pseudo-battery assembly; and

communicating a signal from said pseudo-battery assembly in response to use of said dispenser.