HYGIENE COMPLIANCE MODULE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
- a soap or sanitizing dispenser;
the soap or sanitizing dispenser having a housing;
the housing having a base and a cover;
a refill unit located within the housing;
the refill unit including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer;
a communication port located within the housing;
a power source located in the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser;
a power conductor providing power to the communication port;
a dispenser controller in circuit communication with the communication port for providing a signal indicative of a dispense event to the communication;
a compliance module;
the compliance module havinga circuit board;
a module controller located on the circuit board;
a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller;
module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more devices; and
a connector for connecting to the communication port;
the connector having a power conductor, a ground conductor, and a actuation signal conductor for receiving a signal indicative of a dispense event from the controller;
wherein when the compliance module is installed in the dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply via the connector and receives signals indicative of a dispense event.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
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a soap or sanitizing dispenser; the soap or sanitizing dispenser having a housing; the housing having a base and a cover; a refill unit located within the housing; the refill unit including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer; a communication port located within the housing; a power source located in the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser; a power conductor providing power to the communication port; a dispenser controller in circuit communication with the communication port for providing a signal indicative of a dispense event to the communication; a compliance module; the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller; module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more devices; and a connector for connecting to the communication port; the connector having a power conductor, a ground conductor, and a actuation signal conductor for receiving a signal indicative of a dispense event from the controller; wherein when the compliance module is installed in the dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply via the connector and receives signals indicative of a dispense event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A compliance module comprising:
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the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller; the module housing having a front cover and a rear cover; module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and a connector for connecting to a communication port of a dispenser; the connector having a power conductor, a ground conductor, and a actuation signal conductor for receiving a signal indicative of a dispense event from a controller located in a dispenser; wherein when the compliance module is installed in a dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply via the connector. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A compliance module comprising:
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the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller; the module housing having a front cover and a rear cover; module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and a connector for connecting to a communication port of a dispenser; the connector having a power conductor, a ground conductor, and a actuation signal conductor for receiving a signal indicative of a dispense event from a controller located in a dispenser; wherein when the compliance module is installed in a dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply via the connector. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A compliance monitoring device comprising:
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a soap or sanitizing dispenser; the soap or sanitizing dispenser having a housing; a refill unit; the refill including a container of soap or sanitizer; a dispenser connector located within the housing for releasably connecting to a compliance module; and a compliance module; the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; wireless communication circuitry; a module connector for connecting to the dispenser connector; and a module housing; the module housing at least partially enclosing the circuit board and module controller; wherein the compliance module is configured to receive a signal indicative of a dispense event through the connector and is configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the dispense event to one of a data tag and a compliance monitoring station.
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22. A method of obtaining hygiene compliance data comprising:
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providing a soap or sanitizer dispenser having a housing; a receptacle for receiving a refill unit containing soap or sanitizer; and a dispenser connector located within the housing; providing a compliance module for insertion into the dispenser; the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller; module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and a module connector for connecting to the dispenser connector; wherein when the compliance module connector is connected to the dispenser connector, the compliance module receives signals indicative of dispense events when the dispenser is actuated; installing the compliance module by connecting the module connector to the dispenser connector in the soap or sanitizer dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of obtaining and displaying hygiene compliance data comprising:
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causing a soap or sanitizer dispenser to dispense soap or sanitizer; the soap or sanitizer dispenser having a housing; a receptacle for receiving a refill unit containing soap or sanitizer; and a dispenser connector located within the housing; a compliance module; the compliance module having a circuit board; a module controller located on the circuit board; a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller; module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and a module connector for connecting to the dispenser connector; wherein the compliance module connector is connected to the dispenser connector to enable the compliance module to receive signals indicative of dispense events when the dispenser is actuated; causing the transmission of a signal indicative of a dispenser event to one of the compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and causing information indicative of a dispense event to be displayed on the compliance monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification