Technology configured to monitor correct utilization of a dispensed substance, including dispensing units having environmental sensors
Technology is configured to monitor correct utilization of a dispensed substance, including dispensing units having environmental sensors. For example, this may include soap dispensers configured to monitor handwashing activity, and toothpaste dispensers configured to monitor brushing activity. Embodiments include both base units that are configured to operate with separate dispensing containers, and containers having electronic components built in.
1 . A device configured to monitor utilization of a dispensed substance, the device including:
a unit configured to support or provide a container, the container being configured to contain a substance to be dispensed, wherein the substance to be dispensed is hand soap;
electronic componentry mounted in the unit, the electronic componentry including:
a dispensing monitoring sensor component configured to monitor for primary events representative of dispensing of the hand soap;
an environmental conditions sensor component configured to monitor environmental conditions, wherein the environmental conditions sensor component is configured to collect audio data, and wherein the audio data is processed to identify secondary events representative of each of the following secondary event categories:
i. the secondary event category representative of identification of flushing of a toilet based on processing of audio data; and
ii. the secondary event category representative of identification of hands being washed under running water for a threshold period of time based on processing of audio data;
a wireless communications module; and
an output module;
wherein the device is configured to cause presentation on an external device of data that is generated based upon the identification of primary events and secondary events and determination of temporal association between the primary events and the secondary events, including secondary events representative of the following secondary event categories:
i. the secondary event category representative of identification of flushing of a toilet based on processing of audio data; and
ii. the secondary event category representative of identification of hands being washed under running water for the threshold period of time based on processing of audio data;
wherein the presentation on the external device of data that is generated based upon the identification of primary events and secondary events includes presentation of data based on relationships between temporally associated primary and secondary events, thereby presenting via a user interface compliance or non-compliance with a predefined event flow;
wherein compliance with the predefined event flow comprises all of the following:
i. a first event belonging to the secondary event category representative of identification of the flushing of a toilet based on processing of audio data;
ii. within a first predefined time period following the first event, a second event being a primary event representative of dispensing of the hand soap; and
iii. within a second predefined time period following the second event, a third event belonging to the secondary event category representative of identification of hands being washed under running water for the threshold period of time based on processing of audio data; and
wherein non-compliance with the predefined event flow comprises any one or more of the following:
i. the first event belonging to the secondary event category representative of identification of flushing of a toilet based on processing of audio data, but without, within the first predefined time period following the first event, the second event being the primary event representative of dispensing of the hand soap; and
ii. the first event belonging to the secondary event category representative of identification of flushing of a toilet based on processing of audio data and, within the first predefined time period following the first event, the second event being the primary event representative of dispensing of the hand soap, but without, within the second predefined time period following the second event, the third event belonging to the secondary event category representative of identification of hands being washed under running water for the threshold period of time based on processing of audio data.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the substance is in use dispensed via a dispenser arrangement that is configured to transport the substance from the container to a location external of the container in response to interaction with the dispenser arrangement.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the environmental conditions sensor component is configured to monitor for vibration, and wherein identification by the sensor component of a prescribed set of environmental conditions includes identification of vibration signals that are representative of correct utilization of the substance.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing monitoring sensor component includes a weight or pressure sensor.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the weight or pressure sensor is configured to detect a dispensing operation that includes downwards pressing on a dispensing component.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the weight or pressure sensor is configured to detect a change in quantum of substance in the container.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device includes the container and a dispensing member.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output module is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device executes a software application that is configured to identify: a dispensing event associated with environmental conditions representative of correct use of the dispensed substance.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output module is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device executes a software application that is configured to identify: a dispensing event associated with environmental conditions representative of incorrect use of the dispensed substance.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output module is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device executes a software application that is configured to identify: a dispensing event that is not associated with environmental conditions representative of incorrect use of the dispensed substance.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output module is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device executes a software application that is configured to identify: environmental conditions that should be a precursor to a dispensing event, followed by a dispensing event.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output module is in communication with a computing device, wherein the computing device executes a software application that is configured to identify: environmental conditions that should be a precursor to a dispensing event, followed by a threshold period without a dispensing event.
13 . A computer implemented method for monitoring utilization of a dispensed substance, the method including receiving an output from a device according to claim 1 , and processing that output thereby to predict whether correct utilization of a dispensed substance has occurred.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the correct utilization is determined based on environmental conditions monitored in a region surrounding the location of dispensing.