Hygiene compliance module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hygiene compliance module for a dispenser having a dispenser controller that supplies an actuation signal to a communication interface when an actuator is engaged to dispense material, the hygiene compliance module comprising:
- a card having a connector, said connector adapted to be inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, so as to be electrically coupled to the dispenser controller;
a module controller disposed on said card and coupled to said connector, wherein when said connector is inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, said module controller enables hygiene compliance monitoring functions, such that said module controller is configured to detect the actuation signal from the dispenser controller as dispensing event data; and
a transmitter coupled to said module controller;
wherein when the actuator of the dispenser is engaged, said transmitter transmits said dispensing event data to a monitoring station.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A hygiene compliance module for a dispenser having a dispenser controller that supplies an actuation signal to a communication interface when an actuator is engaged to dispense material, the hygiene compliance module comprising:
-
a card having a connector, said connector adapted to be inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, so as to be electrically coupled to the dispenser controller; a module controller disposed on said card and coupled to said connector, wherein when said connector is inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, said module controller enables hygiene compliance monitoring functions, such that said module controller is configured to detect the actuation signal from the dispenser controller as dispensing event data; and a transmitter coupled to said module controller; wherein when the actuator of the dispenser is engaged, said transmitter transmits said dispensing event data to a monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of enabling hygiene compliance monitoring functionality at a dispenser comprising:
-
providing a dispenser having a communication interface having an actuation terminal that is electrically coupled to a dispenser controller; providing a hygiene compliance module having a card with a connector that is electrically coupled to a module controller; inserting said connector of said card in the communication interface, such that said actuation terminal is electrically coupled to said module controller, whereupon said hygiene compliance module enables hygiene compliance monitoring functions; providing a data tag that wirelessly transmits an identification code to said hygiene compliance module; monitoring said actuation terminal at said module controller; dispensing material from said dispenser; detecting an actuation signal on said actuation terminal at said module controller as dispensing event data; and associating said identification code with said dispensing event data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
11. A hygiene compliance module for a dispenser having a dispenser controller that supplies an actuation signal to a communication interface when an actuator is engaged to dispense material from a container, the hygiene compliance module comprising:
-
a card having a connector, said connector adapted to be inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, so as to be electrically coupled to the dispenser controller; a module controller disposed on said card and coupled to said connector, wherein when said connector is inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, said module controller enables hygiene compliance monitoring functions, such that said module controller is configured to detect the actuation signal from the dispenser controller as dispensing event data; and a transmitter coupled to said module controller; wherein when the dispenser actuator is engaged, said transmitter transmits said dispensing event data to a monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A hygiene compliance module having a communication interface that is configured in accordance with a configuration code set by a dispenser controller, the dispenser controller also providing an actuation signal to the communication interface when an actuator is engaged to dispense material, the hygiene compliance module comprising:
-
a card having a connector, said connector adapted to be inserted in the communication interface of the dispenser, so as to be electrically coupled to the dispenser controller; a module controller disposed on said card and coupled to said connector, such that said module controller is configured to be modified in accordance with said configuration code received from the dispenser controller to compatibly communicate with the dispenser through the communication interface; and a transmitter coupled to said module controller; wherein when the dispenser actuator is engaged said module controller detects the actuation signal from the dispenser controller as dispensing event data, and said transmitter transmits said dispensing event data to a monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
Specification