DISPENSER WITH A POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1 . A dispensing system comprising:

at least one dispenser comprising:

a power source;

a dispensing mechanism in communication with the power source;

a control system in communication with the power source and the dispensing mechanism, and including programming to control the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a fluid or a sheet material;

wherein the control system comprises:

a controller;

at least one activation sensor configured to transmit an activation signal to the controller upon detection of an individual within a selected activation zone, proximity or rage of the dispenser; and

a power management system including the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor configured to capture infrared radiation;

wherein the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor is configured to connect at least the at least one activation sensor to the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation of one or more individuals within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone; and

wherein the controller and the dispensing mechanism remain disconnected from the power source until the at least one activation sensor has transmitted the activation signal to the controller to initiate a dispensing operation.

2 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprises at least one transmitter.

3 . The dispensing system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit dispenser status information to a server, mobile application, one or more additional dispensers, a facility control system, network, or combinations thereof; and wherein the dispenser status information comprises one or more detected fault conditions, dispenser usage information, fluid or sheet material supply information, power level information, power usage information, or combinations thereof.

4 . The dispensing system of claim 3 , wherein the transmitter is in communication with the power management system and includes a controller; and wherein the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor is configured to connect the at least one transmitter to the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation of one or more individuals within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, and wherein upon connection to the power supply, the at least one transmitter is configured to transmit the dispenser status information.

5 . The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing system includes a plurality of dispensers located about a facility; and further comprising a compliance system in communication with the control system of each of the plurality of dispensers and a facility control system.

6 . The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein the compliance system includes a plurality of badges carried by a plurality of individuals, each badge including at least one transmitter configured to at least periodically transmit a badge signal; and wherein one or more badge signals transmitted by a badge are received by the control system of a dispenser of the plurality of dispensers when an individual carrying the badge moves within a selected proximity or range of the dispenser.

7 . The dispensing system of claim 6 , wherein each badge is configured to transmit a plurality of signals, each of the signals being transmitted at a predetermined distance or at a predetermined signal strength, and wherein the control system can configured to determine a plurality of positions or movements of each individual within the selected target range based on the distance or signal strength of the signals received from a badge carried by the individual.

8 . The dispensing system of claim 5 , wherein the control system of each dispenser is configured to transmit dispenser use information and identifying information for individuals moving within a selected zone, area, proximity or range of the dispenser to the facility control system; and wherein the facility control system is configured to cross-reference the dispenser use information with the information stored in the database to facilitate a determination of use of the dispenser by the individuals.

9 . A method comprising:

detecting infrared radiation of one or more individuals within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of a dispenser;

wherein the at least one dispenser is configured to dispense a selected amount of a fluid or sheet material;

connecting at least one activation sensor to a power supply to place the at least one activation sensor in a powered-on state;

if the at least one activation sensor detects an individual moving within a selected activation zone of at least one dispenser of a dispensing system:

connecting a controller of the dispenser to the power supply to place the controller in a powered-on state;

connecting a dispensing mechanism of the dispenser to the power supply to place the dispensing mechanism in a powered-on state and

initiating a dispensing operation;

wherein the dispensing operation comprises:

activating a dispensing mechanism;

drawing a fluid or a sheet material from a supply; and

discharging the fluid or sheet material.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising monitoring usage of the at least one dispenser of the dispensing system by at least one individual moving within a threshold proximity, range, or area of the dispenser and creating one or more dispenser usage records.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein monitoring usage of the dispenser by the at least one individual comprises detecting signals from a transmitter carried by the at least one individual by the controller of the dispenser at different times during the dispensing operation.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the signals include identifying information for the at least one individual; and wherein monitoring usage of the dispenser by the at least one individual comprises detecting at least a first identifying signal from the transmitter prior to or upon initiation of the dispensing operation, detecting one or more second identifying signals during the dispensing operation, and at least one third identifying signal is received after completion of the dispensing operation to determine use of the dispensing system by the at least one individual.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising transmitting the one or more dispenser usage records of the dispenser to a server, network, mobile application, facility control, or combinations thereof.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising disconnecting the controller, dispensing mechanism and at least one activation sensor of the dispenser from the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation of the one or more individuals within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone.

15 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising: transmitting one or more signals from a plurality of badges carried by a plurality of individuals throughout the facility; and receiving the one or more signals at the dispensing system to facilitate identifying, mapping, and/or tracking of movements and/or activities of the individuals moving throughout the facility.

16 . A dispenser, comprising:

at least one supply of a material to be dispensed;

a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a selected amount of the material; and

a control system comprising:

a controller in communication with the dispensing mechanism and configured to initiate a dispensing operation and control operation of the dispensing mechanism to dispense the selected amount of material;

at least one activation sensor in communication with the controller and configured to send an activation signal to the controller to initiate the dispensing operation;

a power management system in communication with the power supply and including at least one passive infrared sensor;

wherein the at least one passive infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation of one or more individuals and in response, connect the at least the at least one activation sensor to power while the controller and dispensing mechanism remain disconnected from power; and

a transmitter configured to transmit dispenser use information.

17 . The dispenser of claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a series of signals from at least one badge carried by each of the one or more individuals during a dispensing operation to determine use of the dispenser by each individual passing within a selected range, area, or zone of the dispenser.

18 . The dispenser of claim 17 , wherein the at least one badge is configured to transmit a plurality of signals, each of the signals being transmitted at a predetermined distance or at a predetermined signal strength, and wherein the control system is configured to determine a plurality of positions or movements of each individual within the selected target range based on the distance or signal strength of the signals received from a badge carried by the individual.

19 . The dispenser of claim 16 , wherein the dispenser is part of a dispensing system including a plurality of dispensers; and wherein the dispensers of the dispensing system are positioned at selected locations within a facility, the facility including a facility control system having at least one database configured to store information related to patients and the individuals moving throughout the medical facility; and wherein the dispensers are configured to transmit dispenser use information identifying individuals moving within a selected zone, area, proximity or range of the dispensing system to the facility control system; and wherein the facility control system is configured to cross-reference the dispenser use information with the information stored in the database to facilitate a determination of use of one or more of the dispensers of the dispensing system by the patients, the individuals, or a combination thereof.

20 . The dispenser of claim 16 , wherein the control system is configured to capture information related to movements and/or activities of individuals within a facility to facilitate identifying, logging, mapping, and/or tracking of the movements and/or activities of the individuals throughout the facility.