Hygiene compliance modules for dispensers, dispensers and compliance monitoring systems
View Patent ↗Compliance modules for fluid dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments of the compliance modules include a housing, a processor, memory, wireless communication circuitry and voltage monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in voltage of a dispenser power supply. The processor, memory and voltage monitoring circuitry are located within the housing. A connector for electrically connecting the module to a power supply of the dispenser is also included. The compliance module receives power from the dispenser. The processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in voltage detected by the voltage monitoring circuitry. The processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event.
1. A compliance module for a touch-free fluid dispenser, the compliance module comprising:
a module housing;
a connector on the housing for releasably connecting to a communication port of the touch-free fluid dispenser and placing the compliance module in circuit communication with the touch-free fluid dispenser that contains a touch-free fluid dispenser power supply;
a module power supply located at least partially within the module housing and electrically separated from the touch-free fluid dispenser power supply in the touch-free fluid dispenser when the compliance module is connected to the dispenser through the communication port;
a processor;
a memory;
a wireless communication circuitry;
a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in an electrical parameter indicative of a dispense event;
wherein the processor, memory and parameter monitoring circuitry are located within the module housing;
and
wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in an electrical parameter in the touch-free dispenser circuitry is detected by the parameter monitoring circuitry through the connector;
and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and
wherein the module housing is configured to fit within a housing that contains the touch-free fluid dispenser housing components.
2. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in voltage.
3. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in current.
4. The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification.
5. A touch-free fluid dispenser having a removable compliance module comprising:
a touch-free dispenser enclosure;
a pump housing;
a first battery for powering the touch-free dispenser;
a communications port; and
a compliance module removably inserted in the dispenser enclosure;
the compliance module including:
a module housing;
a connector for connecting to the communications port;
a module processor;
a second battery for powering the compliance module;
a memory;
a wireless communications circuitry; and
a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a signal through the communications port;
wherein the processor, memory, wireless communications circuitry and parameter monitoring circuitry are in circuit communication with one another and are located within the module housing;
wherein the compliance module receives power from the second battery in the dispenser; and
wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a signal from the communications port;
and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and
wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure.
6. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the electrical parameter detected by the monitoring circuitry is a drop in voltage.
7. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification.
8. The fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the connector connects to a communication port of a dispenser.
9. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the connector connects to one or more batteries in the dispenser.
10. The fluid dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a refill unit containing a fluid to be dispensed.
11. A dispenser comprising:
a dispenser enclosure;
a receptacle for receiving a container for a fluid product;
an actuator for actuating a pump to pump the fluid product;
a first power supply located within the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser;
a dispenser processor for controlling the dispenser;
the dispenser processor powered by the first power supply;
a communication port in circuit communication with the processor;
a module housing;
a connector secured to the module housing for releasably connecting to the communication port of a fluid dispenser;
a second power supply located in the module housing;
a module processor powered by the second power supply;
a memory;
a wireless communication circuitry;
wherein the, module processor and memory and at least a portion of the wireless communication circuitry are located within the module housing;
wherein the processor receives a signal from the dispenser that is indicative of a dispense event from the dispenser; and
wherein the processor and wireless communication circuitry are powered from the second power supply; and
wherein the second power supply in the module is separate from the first power supply in the dispenser; and
wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure.