Optimizing a Dispensing Parameter of a Product Dispenser Based On Product Usage Data

• US 20160214817A1
• Filed: 01/23/2015
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Murphy, David Warren, Borke, Brian Scott, Cittadino, Antonio Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,645,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/36 with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3625 with electronic control means
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3266 Wet wipes
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3881 with tearing edges having movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimizing a value of a dispensing parameter of a product dispenser based at least in part on product usage data. The dispensing parameter may include any suitable adjustable parameter of the product dispenser including, but not limited to, a dispense duration, a volume of product (e.g., a shot size), a sheet length, a capability of a user sensor to distinguish between genuine and false triggers of the sensor, a delay setting that specifies a delay time between successive dispenses, or the like. The value of the dispensing parameter may be optimized to align an actual performance outcome with a target performance outcome. The target performance outcome may include, for example, minimizing product usage per user, maximizing user sensor reliability (e.g., a percentage of dispenses that occur in response to genuine user-initiated triggering events), and so forth.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining, by a controller of a product dispenser, a first value of a dispensing parameter;

causing, by the controller, a dispensing mechanism of the product dispenser to perform each of a first number of dispenses of the product in accordance with the first value of the dispensing parameter during a first dispensing period;

determining, by the controller, a first number of unique users associated with the first number of dispenses;

determining, by the controller, a first usage rate of the product for the first dispensing period, wherein the first usage rate is indicative of a first ratio of i) a first aggregate amount of the product dispensed for the first number of dispenses to ii) the first number of unique users;

determining, by the controller, a second value of the dispensing parameter, wherein the second value of the dispensing parameter is different from the first value of the dispensing parameter;

causing, by the controller, the dispensing mechanism to perform each of a second number of dispenses of the product in accordance with the second value of the dispensing parameter during a second dispensing period;

determining, by the controller, a second number of unique users associated with the second number of dispenses; and

determining, by the controller, a second usage rate of the product for the second dispensing period, wherein the second usage rate is indicative of a second ratio of i) a second aggregate amount of the product dispensed for the second number of dispenses to ii) the second number of unique users;

determining, by the controller, whether to increase or decrease the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain a third value of the dispensing parameter for a third dispensing period based at least in part on a first comparison of the first value of the dispensing parameter to the second value of the dispensing parameter and a second comparison of the first ratio to the second ratio.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to increase or decrease the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter comprises:

determining, by the controller, that the second value of the dispensing parameter is less than the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the controller, that the first ratio is less than the second ratio; and

increasing, by the controller, the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to increase or decrease the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter comprises:

determining, by the controller, that the second value of the dispensing parameter is less than the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the controller, that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio; and

decreasing, by the controller, the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to increase or decrease the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter comprises:

determining, by the controller, that the second value of the dispensing parameter is greater than the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the controller, that the first ratio is less than the second ratio; and

decreasing, by the controller, the second value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to increase or decrease the previous value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter comprises:

determining, by the controller, that the second value of the dispensing parameter is greater than the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the controller, that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio; and

increasing, by the controller, the previous value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the third value of the dispensing parameter.

6. A method, comprising:

determining, by at least one controller, a first value of a dispensing parameter;

causing, by the at least one controller, a dispensing mechanism of the product dispenser to perform a first number of dispenses of the product to a first number of users during a first dispensing period, wherein each of the first number of dispenses is performed in accordance with the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the at least one controller, a first usage rate of the product for the first dispensing period, wherein the first usage rate is indicative of a first ratio of i) a first accumulated value corresponding to the dispensing parameter for the first number of dispenses to ii) the first number of users;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second value of the dispensing parameter, wherein the second value of the dispensing parameter is different from the first value of the dispensing parameter;

causing, by the at least one controller, the dispensing mechanism to perform a second number of dispenses of the product to a second number of users during a second dispensing period, wherein each of the second number of dispenses is performed in accordance with the second value of the dispensing parameter;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second usage rate of the product for the second dispensing period, wherein the second usage rate is indicative of a second ratio of i) a second accumulated value corresponding to the dispensing parameter for the second number of dispenses to ii) the second number of users; and

determining, by the at least one controller, a third value of the dispensing parameter for a third dispensing period based at least in part on the first value, the second value, the first ratio, and the second ratio.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the third value of the dispensing parameter for the third dispensing period comprises:

determining, by the at least one controller, that the second value is less than the first value; and

determining, by the at least one controller, the third value of the dispensing parameter based at least in part on whether the first ratio is greater than the second ratio,

wherein a previous value of the dispensing parameter is decreased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the previous value is increased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the first ratio is less than the second ratio, or the third value is determined based at least in part on one or more historical values of the dispensing parameter responsive to determining that first ratio is equal to the second ratio.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the third value of the dispensing parameter for the third dispensing cycle comprises:

determining, by the at least one controller, that the second value is greater than the first value; and

determining, by the at least one controller, the third value of the dispensing parameter based at least in part on whether the first ratio is greater than the second ratio,

wherein a previous value of the dispensing parameter is increased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the previous value is decreased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the that the first ratio is less than the second ratio, or the third value is determined based at least in part on one or more historical values responsive to determining that the first ratio is equal to the second ratio.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining, by the at least one controller, a first portion of the first number of dispenses, wherein each dispense in the first portion occurred more than a threshold time apart from any other dispense of the first number of dispenses;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second portion of the first number of dispenses, wherein each dispense in the second portion occurred less than the threshold time apart from at least one other dispense in the second portion;

determining, by the at least one controller, a third number of dispenses in the first portion and a fourth number of dispenses in the second portion;

determining, by the at least one controller, a first estimated number of unique users equal to the third number of dispenses;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second estimated number of unique users by dividing the fourth number of dispenses by two to obtain an integer result, wherein the integer result is the second estimated number of unique users; and

determining, by the at least one controller, the first number of users by summing the first estimated number of unique users and the second estimated number of unique users.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first number of users is a first total estimated number of unique users for the first dispensing period, the method further comprising:

determining, by the at least one controller, a confidence factor based at least in part on the first total estimated number of unique users;

determining, by the at least one controller, a first statistical number of unique users based at least in part on the fourth number of dispenses and the confidence factor, wherein each user in the first statistical number of unique users is estimated to have received a respective dispense that occurred within the threshold time from a respective dispense received by at least one other user in the first statistical number of unique users;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second statistical number of unique users based at least in part on the second estimated number of unique users and the first statistical number of unique users; and

determining, by the at least one controller, a second total estimated number of unique users for the first dispensing period by summing the first estimated number of unique users, the first statistical number of unique users, and the second statistical number of unique users.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the second statistical number of unique users comprises:

determining, by the at least one controller, a difference between the second estimated number of unique users and the first statistical number of unique users; and

multiplying, by the at least one controller, the difference by two to obtain the second statistical number of unique users.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the confidence factor is a first confidence factor, the method further comprising:

determining, by the at least one controller, that the second total estimated number of unique users is different from the first total estimated number of unique users;

determining, by the at least one controller, a second confidence factor based at least in part on the second total estimated number of unique users; and

determining, by the at least one controller, a third total estimated number of unique users based at least in part on the second confidence factor.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining, by the at least one controller, that a particular dispense of the first number of dispenses is associated with a particular value of the dispensing parameter that differs from the first value of the dispensing parameter,

wherein the first accumulated value for the dispensing parameter comprises the particular value of the dispensing parameter for the particular dispense instead of the first value of the dispensing parameter.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the dispensing parameter comprises a product amount of a proxy for the product amount, and wherein the proxy comprises at least one of a dispense duration, a sheet product length, a volume of the product, or a concentration of the product.

15. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining, by the at least one controller, that a threshold condition is satisfied;

adjusting, by the at least one controller, the first value of the dispensing parameter to obtain the second value of the dispensing parameter responsive to determining that the threshold condition is satisfied; and

initiating, by the at least one controller, the second dispensing period.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining that the threshold condition is satisfied comprises determining, by the at least one controller, that the first number of users equals a threshold number of users or determining, by the at least one controller, that a threshold amount of time has elapsed during the first dispensing period.

17. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one controller comprises a first controller provided in the product dispenser and a second controller provided in a server communicatively coupled to the product dispenser via one or more networks.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a controller, an indication of a dispense signal generated by a sensor of a product dispenser in response to a triggering event detected by the sensor;

determining, by the controller, a signal characteristic of the dispense signal;

comparing, by the controller, the signal characteristic to a sensor profile associated with the sensor;

determining, by the controller and based at least in part on the comparing of the signal characteristic to the sensor profile, a probability that the signal characteristic indicates that the triggering event is a user-initiated triggering event or a false triggering event;

determining, by the controller, that the probability satisfies a threshold condition;

generating, by the controller, an actuation signal to cause a dispensing mechanism of the product dispenser to dispense an amount of a product;

determining, by the controller, whether an elapsed time associated with retrieval or use of the product is within a threshold range of time; and

modifying, by the controller, the sensor profile by modifying the probability based at least in part on whether the elapsed time is within the threshold range of time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the probability is a probability that the signal characteristic indicates that the triggering event is a user-initiated triggering event, and wherein determining that the probability satisfies the threshold condition comprises determining, by the controller, that the probability meets or exceeds a threshold probability value.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining whether an elapsed time associated with retrieval or use of the product is within a threshold range of time comprises determining that the elapsed time is within the threshold range of time and modifying the sensor profile comprises increasing the probability, or wherein determining whether an elapsed time associated with retrieval or use of the product is within a threshold range of time comprises determining that the elapsed time is not within the threshold range of time and modifying the sensor profile comprises decreasing the probability.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the probability is a probability that the signal characteristic indicates that the triggering event is a false triggering event, and wherein determining that the probability satisfies the threshold condition comprises:

determining, by the controller, that the probability is below a threshold probability value.

22. A product dispenser, comprising:

a dispensing apparatus;

at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions; and

a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing apparatus and the at least one memory, wherein the controller is configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to;

determine a first value of a dispensing parameter;

generate a first number of actuation signals that cause the dispensing apparatus to perform a first number of dispenses of the product to a first number of users during a first dispensing period, wherein each of the first number of dispenses is performed in accordance with the first value of the dispensing parameter;

determine a first usage rate of the product for the first dispensing period, wherein the first usage rate is indicative of a first ratio of i) a first accumulated value corresponding to the dispensing parameter for the first number of dispenses to ii) the first number of users;

determine a second value of the dispensing parameter, wherein the second value of the dispensing parameter is different from the first value of the dispensing parameter;

generate a second number of actuation signals that cause the dispensing apparatus to perform a second number of dispenses of the product to a second number of users during a second dispensing period, wherein each of the second number of dispenses is performed in accordance with the second value of the dispensing parameter;

determine a second usage rate of the product for the second dispensing period, wherein the second usage rate is indicative of a second ratio of i) a second accumulated value corresponding to the dispensing parameter for the second number of dispenses to ii) the second number of users;

determine a third value of the dispensing parameter for a third dispensing period based at least in part on the first value, the second value, the first ratio, and the second ratio.

23. The product dispenser of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to determine the third value of the dispensing parameter for the third dispensing period by executing the computer-executable instructions to:

determine that the second value is less than the first value; and

determine the third value of the dispensing parameter based at least in part on whether the first ratio is greater than the second ratio,

wherein a previous value of the dispensing parameter is decreased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the previous value is increased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the that the first ratio is less than the second ratio, or the third value is determined based at least in part on one or more historical values of the dispensing parameter responsive to determining that first ratio is equal to the second ratio.

24. The product dispenser of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to determine the third value of the dispensing parameter for the third dispensing period by executing the computer-executable instructions to:

determine that the second value is greater than the first value; and

determine the third value of the dispensing parameter based at least in part on whether the first ratio is greater than the second ratio,

wherein a previous value of the dispensing parameter is increased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the previous value is decreased to obtain the third value responsive to determining that the that the first ratio is less than the second ratio, or the third value is determined based at least in part on one or more historical values responsive to determining that the first ratio is equal to the second ratio.

25. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the previous value is the second value of the dispensing parameter.