Hygiene monitoring system and methods thereof

• US 9,905,114 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian C. Weiner
• Original Assignee: Brian C. Weiner
• Inventors: Weiner, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Small, Naomi
• Application Number:
  US14/047,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20140104062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 3405731
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system for monitoring hygiene compliance is provided. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for monitoring hygiene compliance may include at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors: receiving hygiene data from a hygiene monitoring member, the hygiene data indicating the dates and times a user used a hygiene improvement apparatus and the length of time the user used the hygiene improvement apparatus; comparing the hygiene data with a hygiene protocol; determining if the hygiene data conforms to the hygiene protocol; generating an alert if the hygiene data does not conform to the hygiene protocol; and storing the hygiene data in a database.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring hygiene compliance, the method comprising, at a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors:

receiving hygiene data from a hygiene monitoring member, the hygiene data indicating the dates and times a user used a hygiene improvement apparatus and the length of time the user used the hygiene improvement apparatus, wherein the hygiene improvement apparatus is a standard sink for washing the hands of a user, and wherein the hygiene monitoring member is adapted to be used with a standard sink;

comparing the hygiene data with a hygiene protocol;

determining if the hygiene data conforms to the hygiene protocol;

generating an alert if the hygiene data does not comply with the hygiene protocol; and

storing the hygiene data in a database;

saving the alert in the database;

transmitting an indication that an infection is related to the failure of the user to comply with the hygiene protocol if any incidents of infection occur in people the user interacts with during a specified time after the generation of the alert;

wherein the hygiene protocol requires that the user wash their hands for at least twenty seconds per hand washing session;

wherein the hygiene monitor comprises a countdown timer that is activated when the hygiene improvement apparatus is turned on;

wherein the hygiene monitor is adapted to display an indication of an amount of time remaining to comply with the hygiene protocol; and

wherein the hygiene monitor is adapted to provide at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when the amount of time remaining is zero.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hygiene monitor is adapted to identify the user with a unique identifier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the unique identifier comprises at least one of an identifying code, a bar code, a radio-frequency identification tag, and a fingerprint.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying at least one of a targeted advertisement, news content, educational content, and entertainment content to the user based on settings associated with the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hygiene monitor is adapted to display a video demonstration of a hand washing method in compliance with the hygiene protocol.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hygiene monitor is integral with a soap dispenser.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a report listing the user that is not in compliance with the hygiene protocol within a time period.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating a reward to the user if the user is in compliance with the hygiene protocol.

9. A system comprising at least one client, the client comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory;

wherein the at least one client is adapted to;

collect hygiene data indicating the dates and times a user used a hygiene improvement apparatus and the length of time the user used the hygiene improvement apparatus, wherein the hygiene improvement apparatus is a standard sink for washing the hands of a user, and wherein the client is adapted to be used with a standard sink;

compare the hygiene data with a hygiene protocol;

determine if the hygiene data conforms to the hygiene protocol;

generate an alert if the hygiene data does not conform to the hygiene protocol; and

transmit hygiene data to a server for storage on a database;

wherein the client requires that the user wash their hands for at least twenty seconds per hand washing session.;

wherein the client comprises a countdown timer that is activated when the hygiene improvement apparatus is turned on;

wherein the client is adapted to display an indication of an amount of time remaining to comply with the hygiene protocol; and

wherein the client is adapted to provide at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when the amount of time remaining is zero.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the client is adapted to identify the user with a unique identifier, the unique identifier comprising at least one of an identifying code, a bar code, a radio-frequency identification tag, and a fingerprint.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the client is adapted to display at least one of targeted advertisements, local news, educational content, and entertainment content to the user based on settings associated with the user.