Universal dispenser interface
First Claim
1. A method of configuring a communication interface, the method comprising:
- providing a dispenser controller having a communication interface and being configured to control a dispenser for dispensing products, the dispenser controller being a main board of the dispenser;
operatively connecting a communication controller to the communication interface of the dispenser controller via a plurality of conductive pins such that the dispenser comprises the communication controller and the dispenser controller, the communication controller configured to communicate with one or more remote computing devices, the communication controller being a daughter card, and the communication controller being programmed to configure the functionality of at least one of the plurality of conductive pins; and
transmitting, via the communication interface and from the communication controller and to the dispenser controller, configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one priority indicator corresponding to at least one dispenser event type and an instruction indicating a parameter of dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of the at least one dispenser event type, wherein (a) the dispenser controller then provides event information comprising the parameter for a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type in accordance with the priority indicator and (b) a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type is an event occurring at the dispenser that is triggered by a sensor of the dispenser.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a dispenser interface, associated methods and systems, and dispensers employing the dispenser interface and associated systems and methods. An example embodiment provides a method of configuring a communication interface of a dispenser controller configured to control a dispenser for dispensing hygiene products or other products. The method comprises operatively connecting a communication controller to the communication interface of the dispenser controller; and transmitting, via the communication interface and from the communication controller and to the dispenser controller, configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of: a communication protocol, instructions indicating dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of at least one type of dispenser event, instructions associated with how to communicate dispenser information associated with at least one type of dispenser event to the communication controller, and a priority indicator associated with at least one type of dispenser event.
142 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of configuring a communication interface, the method comprising:
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providing a dispenser controller having a communication interface and being configured to control a dispenser for dispensing products, the dispenser controller being a main board of the dispenser; operatively connecting a communication controller to the communication interface of the dispenser controller via a plurality of conductive pins such that the dispenser comprises the communication controller and the dispenser controller, the communication controller configured to communicate with one or more remote computing devices, the communication controller being a daughter card, and the communication controller being programmed to configure the functionality of at least one of the plurality of conductive pins; and transmitting, via the communication interface and from the communication controller and to the dispenser controller, configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one priority indicator corresponding to at least one dispenser event type and an instruction indicating a parameter of dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of the at least one dispenser event type, wherein (a) the dispenser controller then provides event information comprising the parameter for a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type in accordance with the priority indicator and (b) a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type is an event occurring at the dispenser that is triggered by a sensor of the dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product, the product dispenser assembly comprising a dispenser comprising:
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a dispenser controller having a first communication interface, the dispenser controller being a main board of the dispenser; and a communication controller having a second communication interface, the second communication interface connected to the first communication interface via a connector comprising a plurality of conductive pins, wherein (a) the communication controller is configured to be in communication with one or more remote computing devices, (b) the communication controller is a daughter card, (c) the communication controller is programmed to configure the functionality of at least one of the plurality of conductive pins, (d) the communication controller provides configuration information to the dispenser controller via the first and second communication interfaces, (e) the configuration information comprises at least one priority indicator corresponding to at least one dispenser event type and an instruction indicating a parameter of dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of the at least one dispenser event type, (f) the dispenser controller then provides event information comprising the parameter for a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type in accordance with the priority indicator, and (g) the dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type is an event occurring at the dispenser that is triggered by a sensor of the dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of configuring a communication interface, the method comprising:
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providing a dispenser controller having a communication interface and being configured to control a dispenser for dispensing products; operatively connecting a communication controller to the communication interface of the dispenser controller such that the dispenser comprises the communication controller and the dispenser controller, the communication controller configured to communicate with one or more remote computing devices; and transmitting, from the communication controller and to the dispenser controller, configuration information comprising (a) an indication of a communication protocol, (b) at least one priority indicator corresponding to at least one dispenser event type, and (c) an instruction indicating a parameter of dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of the at least one dispenser event type, wherein (a) the dispenser controller then provides at least the parameter of dispenser information for a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type in accordance with the priority indicator and the communication protocol and (b) a dispenser event of the at least one dispenser event type is an event occurring at the dispenser that is triggered by a sensor of the dispenser.
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Specification