Systems and methods for device usage monitoring
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring usage of an electronically operated dispenser, the method comprising:
- operating a dispensing mechanism by a controller in response to activation of an actuator in communication with the controller;
wherein the dispenser includes a dual interface memory that includes a wired interface and a wireless interface;
wherein the dual interface memory is configured to receive power through the wired interface and to receive power through the wireless interface;
in response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, writing dispenser data to an internal dispenser dual interface memory in wired communication with the controller, with the controller and the dispenser dual interface memory being powered by a power source electrically connected with the controller and the dispenser memory;
receiving a wireless interrogation signal from an external reader and collecting energy from the wireless interrogation signal;
in response to receipt of the wireless interrogation signal, wirelessly transmitting the written dispenser data from the dispenser dual interface memory to the external reader, with the dispenser dual interface memory being powered by the collected energy.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an exemplary method of monitoring usage of an electronically operated dispenser, a dispensing mechanism is operated by an internal controller of the dispenser in response to user activation of an actuator of the dispenser in communication with the controller. In response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, dispenser data is written to an internal dispenser memory in wired communication with the controller, with the controller and the dispenser memory being electrically connected with and powered by a power source. The dispenser memory receives a wireless interrogation signal from an external reader and collects energy from the wireless interrogation signal. In response to receipt of the wireless interrogation signal, the dispenser memory wirelessly transmits the written dispenser data to the external reader, with the dispenser memory being powered by the collected energy.
12 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring usage of an electronically operated dispenser, the method comprising:
-
operating a dispensing mechanism by a controller in response to activation of an actuator in communication with the controller; wherein the dispenser includes a dual interface memory that includes a wired interface and a wireless interface; wherein the dual interface memory is configured to receive power through the wired interface and to receive power through the wireless interface; in response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, writing dispenser data to an internal dispenser dual interface memory in wired communication with the controller, with the controller and the dispenser dual interface memory being powered by a power source electrically connected with the controller and the dispenser memory; receiving a wireless interrogation signal from an external reader and collecting energy from the wireless interrogation signal; in response to receipt of the wireless interrogation signal, wirelessly transmitting the written dispenser data from the dispenser dual interface memory to the external reader, with the dispenser dual interface memory being powered by the collected energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An electronically operated dispenser comprising:
-
a housing; a dispensing mechanism electrically connected with a power source; an actuator; a controller electrically connected with the power source, the controller being in communication with the actuator and configured to operate the dispensing mechanism in response to user actuation of the actuator; and a dispenser dual interface memory including a wired interface and a wireless interface; wherein the wired interface supports wired communication, powered by the power source, between the dispenser dual interface memory and the controller, for writing dispenser data from the controller to the dispenser memory; and wherein the wireless interface supports passive wireless communication between the dispenser dual interface memory and an external reader, for transmitting the written dispenser data from the dispenser dual interface memory to the external reader, with the dispenser data transmission being powered by energy collected from an external reader interrogation signal by the dispenser dual interface memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An electronically operated dispenser comprising:
-
a housing; a dispensing mechanism located in the housing; one or more batteries located in the housing for providing power to the dispenser components; an actuator; a controller electrically connected with the one or more batteries, the controller being in communication with the actuator and configured to operate the dispensing mechanism in response to a signal from the actuator; and a dispenser dual interface memory including a wired interface and a wireless interface; wherein the wired interface supports wired communication, powered by the one or more batteries, to the dispenser dual interface memory; and wherein the wireless interface supports passive wireless communication between the dispenser dual interface memory and an external reader. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification