HYGIENE COMPLIANCE MODULE

• US 20140361898A1
• Filed: 08/25/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,349,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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 hygiene compliance module for a dispenser, the dispenser supplying an actuation signal to a communication interface when an actuator is actuated to dispense material, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a connector adapted to be inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser;

a module controller coupled to said connector, such that said module controller is configured to detect the actuation signal from the dispenser as dispensing event data; and

a transmitter coupled to said module controller, wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit said dispensing event data to a remote monitoring station.

2. A module for connecting to a dispenser having electronic circuitry and a communication port, wherein the dispenser electronic circuitry causes the dispenser to dispense a hand hygiene product, the module comprising:

a housing;

a module controller;

a connector coupled to the controller;

the connector adapted to electrically couple the module controller to the communication port of the dispenser;

wherein when the connector is electrically coupled to the communication port of the dispenser, the module controller is configured to detect a dispenser function; and

a transmitter coupled to the controller;

wherein the transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicative of the dispenser function.

3. The module of claim 2 wherein when the connector is electrically coupled to the module controller, the module controller receives power from the communication port of the dispenser and when it is not electrically coupled to the communication port, the module controller does not receive power from the communication port.

4. The module of claim 2 wherein the dispenser function is a dispense event.

5. The module of claim 2 wherein when the connector has at least two contacts.

6. The module of claim 5 wherein the connector plugs into communication port.

7. The module of claim 2 wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

8. The module of claim 2 further comprising a receiver for receiving a signal from a data tag.

9. The module of claim 2 further comprising an authentication code that is communicated through the connector and wherein the module does not transmit a dispenser function until the authentication code is authenticated.

10. The module of claim 2 further comprising a configuration code identifying the proper communication configuration for the module to communicate with the dispenser, and wherein the module communicates with the dispenser only if the module configures itself to communicate with the correct communication configuration.

14. The module of claim 3 wherein the one or more signals are indicative of a communication configuration.

11. A module for connecting to a dispenser having control circuitry and a communication port, wherein the dispenser dispenses a hand hygiene product, the module comprising:

a housing;

a module controller;

a connector coupled to the module controller;

the connector adapted to electrically couple the module controller to the communication port of the dispenser;

wherein when the connector is electrically coupled to the communication port of the dispenser, the module controller receives power from the dispenser; and

wherein when the connector is electrically uncoupled from the communication port of the dispenser, the module controller does not receive power from the dispenser;

a transmitter coupled to the controller; and

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal indicative of a dispenser function.

12. The module of claim 11 wherein the dispenser function is a dispense event.

13. The module of claim 11 wherein the module controller receives one or more signals from the dispenser.

15. A module for connecting to a dispenser having circuitry and a communication port, wherein the circuitry causes the dispenser to dispense a hand hygiene product, the module comprising:

a housing;

a module controller;

a connector coupled to the module controller;

the connector adapted to electrically couple the module controller to the communication port of the dispenser;

wherein when the connector is electrically coupled to the communication port of the dispenser, the module controller receives one or more signals from the dispenser; and

a transmitter coupled to the controller;

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more signals.

16. The module of claim 15 wherein the one or more signals comprise a signal indicative of a dispenser function.

17. The module of claim 16 wherein the dispenser function is a dispense event.

18. The module of claim 15 wherein the one or more signals comprise signals indicative of a selected communication protocol, and wherein the module configures itself to communicate with the dispenser as a function of the selected communication protocol.

19. The module of claim 15 wherein the connector is a slot connector and has a plurality of contacts arranged in a linear fashion.

20. The module of claim 15 wherein the connector is a male connector.

21. The module of claim 15 wherein the when the connector is electrically coupled to the communication port of the dispenser, the module controller receives power from the dispenser.