System and method for measuring, monitoring and controlling washroom dispensers and products
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
- a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product;
a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for automatically successively detecting more than one different measurement of the amount of product remaining in the dispenser, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying a dispensing parameter of said dispenser;
a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving from said dispenser sensor unit information about the amount of product remaining in the dispenser; and
a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving from said data communications unit information about the amount of product remaining in the dispenser;
wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication so as to reduce the dispensing parameter of said dispenser accordingly as the amount of product remaining in the dispenser diminishes.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the dispensing of product is provided. The apparatus may include a dispenser sensor unit in communication with a dispenser that is configured for the dispensing of product. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for detecting information about the product and for varying a dispensing parameter of the dispenser. A data communications unit in communication with the dispenser sensor unit may also be provided and may be configured for receiving information from the dispenser sensor unit. A washroom monitoring station in communication with the data communications unit may also be present and may be configured for receiving information from the data communications unit. The dispenser sensor unit may be configured for receiving a communication so as to vary a dispensing parameter of the dispenser.
295 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product; a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for automatically successively detecting more than one different measurement of the amount of product remaining in the dispenser, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying a dispensing parameter of said dispenser; a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving from said dispenser sensor unit information about the amount of product remaining in the dispenser; and a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving from said data communications unit information about the amount of product remaining in the dispenser; wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication so as to reduce the dispensing parameter of said dispenser accordingly as the amount of product remaining in the dispenser diminishes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product; a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting information about the product, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser; a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit; a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit about the amount of product in said dispenser and for returning to said data communications unit a communication to vary the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser in accordance with said information about the amount of product in said dispenser; wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication from a cell phone so as to cause said dispenser to vary the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser according to the amount of product in said dispenser.
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27. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product; a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting information about the product, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser; a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit; a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit about the amount of product in said dispenser and for returning to said data communications unit a communication to vary the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser in accordance with said information about the amount of product in said dispenser; wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication from a PDA so as to cause said dispenser to vary the rate of dispensing product from said dispenser according to the amount of product in said dispenser.
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28. An apparatus for the dispensing of product, comprising:
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a dispenser configured for the dispensing of product; a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for detecting information about the product, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying a dispensing parameter of said dispenser; a data communications unit in communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit; a washroom monitoring station in communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit; wherein said dispenser sensor unit is configured for receiving a communication so as to reduce the dispensing parameter of said dispenser accordingly as the amount of product remaining in the dispenser diminishes; a hub interconnecting with both said data communications unit and said washroom monitoring station; and a computer interconnecting with said hub, wherein said computer employs a web browser for viewing information sent via said hub.
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29. An apparatus for the dispensing of soap, comprising:
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a soap dispenser configured for the dispensing of soap; a dispenser sensor unit in communication with said dispenser and configured for automatically successively detecting more than one different measurement of the amount of soap in said dispenser, said dispenser sensor unit configured for varying the shot size of said dispenser; a data communications unit in wireless communication with said dispenser sensor unit and configured for receiving information from said dispenser sensor unit that includes at least the amount of soap remaining in said dispenser; and a washroom monitoring station in wireless communication with said data communications unit and configured for receiving information from said data communications unit that includes at least the amount of soap remaining in said dispenser, and wherein said washroom monitoring station is configured for communicating with said dispenser sensor unit through said data communications unit to vary the shot size of said dispenser depending upon the amount of soap detected in said soap dispenser.
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Specification