Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems
A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes.
1. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a receptacle for receiving a refill unit;
an RFID antenna;
an RFID controller;
an actuation mechanism;
logic for reading a dispense count that relates to a first volume of fluid in the refill unit from an RFID tag on the refill unit;
logic for writing a dispense count that relates to a second volume of fluid in the refill unit on an RFID tag on the refill unit;
wherein the second volume of fluid in the refill unit is less than the first volume of fluid in the refill unit.
2. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 further comprising logic for reading what material is in the refill unit.
3. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 2 further comprises reading information from the RFID tag and wherein the information indicates the fluid is a sanitizer.
4. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 2 further comprising logic for reading information from the RFID tag, wherein the information read from the RFID tag indicates that the fluid is a sanitizer gel.
5. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 2 further comprising logic for reading information from the RFID tag, wherein the information read from the RFID tag indicates the fluid is a soap.
6. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser adjusts a dispense quantity as a function of the fluid in the refill unit.
7. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser adjusts a dispense rate as a function the of fluid in the refill unit.
8. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser parameter is a dispense quantity.
9. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the information read from the RFID tag is dispense count that is related to an amount of fluid in the refill unit.
10. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser writes a dispense count to the RFID tag is that is related to an amount of fluid in the refill unit.
11. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sensing whether the housing is closed and wherein if the housing is not disclosed, the dispenser does not dispense a fluid.
12. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a receptacle for receiving a refill unit;
an RFID antenna;
an RFID controller;
an actuation mechanism;
logic for reading information from an RFID tag on the refill unit containing fluid;
logic for setting a dispense parameter as a function of information read from the RFID tag;
wherein the dispense parameter alters at least one of a dose size and a dispense speed.
13. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the information read from the RFID tag is a what fluid is in the refill unit.
14. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser parameter is a dispense quantity.
15. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser parameter is a dispense rate.
16. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser parameter is a dispense quantity.
17. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the information read from the RFID tag is dispense count that is related to an amount of fluid in the refill unit.
18. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the dispenser writes a dispense count to the RFID tag is that is related to an amount of fluid in the refill unit.
19. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a housing;
a receptacle for receiving a refill unit that contains a soap or sanitizer;
an RFID antenna;
an RFID controller;
an actuation mechanism;
logic for reading an identification code from an RFID tag on the refill unit containing a soap or sanitizer;
wherein the identification code indicative of a manufacturer of the refill unit;
logic for preventing the dispensing of soap or sanitizer from the refill unit if the manufacturer of the refill unit is not an authorized manufacturer;
logic for reading a first volume of fluid in the refill unit from the RFID tag;
logic for writing a second volume of fluid to the RFID tag,
wherein the second volume is less than the first volume; and
wherein the difference between the first volume and the second volume is the amount of fluid dispensed from the refill unit.
20. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 19 further comprising logic for reading a dispense count indicative of a volume of fluid from the RFID tag on the refill unit and logic for writing a dispense count indicative of a volume of fluid in the refill unit on the RFID tag on the refill unit.