Systems and methods for monitoring a dispenser in a washroom facility

Abstract

A system for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility is provided. The system includes the at least one dispenser including a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser. The system also includes a sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the sensor configured to selectively detect a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor where the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the sensor based on a model such that the product fill level is selectively detected.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for monitoring the fill level of a consumable product within a washroom facility dispenser through the use of a controller-implemented model. BACKGROUND

[0002] With respect to typical washroom facilities, such as those facilities in an airport, a restaurant, a health care facility, an office building, a manufacturing plant, and the like, dispensers of sanitizing products are typically provided such the sanitizing products can be made readily available to individuals who use the washroom facilities.

[0003] Monitoring and refilling such dispensers can be a time consuming and laborious endeavor requiring, in some scenarios, that an attendant or building maintenance team member routinely check the dispensers and refill as needed. This process inevitably results in checking the dispenser and determining that no refill is required, resulting in an unnecessary visit to the dispenser, which leads to building management inefficiencies and additional costs.

[0004] This process, including such unnecessary visits, is magnified given that many environments include multiple dispensers, for example, one washroom may include numerous hand towel, bath tissue, and hand soap dispensers. The process may be further magnified given that there may be multiple washrooms in a commercial building, which may include multiple dispensers, spread across many different floors.

[0005] Systems have been introduced that remotely monitor dispensers, through various means of communication, to determine when the dispensers need to be refilled. However, such systems often require continuous use of power to continually monitor the dispensers to inform relevant personnel when a dispenser requires refill. Continuous power usage may present unnecessary costs to the operators of the commercial building.

[0006] Thus, a need exists to address the aforementioned concerns. In particular, a need exists to provide a means of remotely monitoring dispensers that is more energy efficient and lowers the operational costs of monitoring the dispensers. SUMMARY

[0007] Systems and methods utilized within a washroom facility are presented incorporating aspects of the disclosure. The term “washroom facility” is used generically herein to encompass any manner of public, semi-public, or private facility visited by patrons to use sink or toilet facilities, bathing facilities, changing facilities, and so forth. Such facilities are also known as restrooms, toilet closets, public bathrooms, men’s rooms, ladies' rooms, and the like. A typical public or semi-private washroom has a number of toilet facilities or urinals and sinks.

[0008] Although the present systems and methods are particularly useful in an “away-from-home” public or semi-private environment, the systems and methods are not limited by the scope of use. As used herein, the term “away-from-home” means a place or location where people congregate for various reasons or purposes that are outside the typical home. Examples of away-from-home locations include places of business, such as office buildings, office suites, retail stores, and warehouses, manufacturing facilities; schools; hospitals and other types of medical facilities: places of worship; hotels and motels; conference centers; and the like. The systems and methods are particularly well-suited for structures where multiple washroom facilities are provided for use by the building tenants or an industrial or manufacturing site where multiple site facilities are provided for a controlled populace. It should be appreciated though that the present systems and methods may prove useful in a washroom facility in a residential or private environment, and such uses are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect, a system for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility' is provided. The system includes the at least one dispenser including a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser. The system also includes a sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the sensor configured to selectively detect a product fill level of the consumable product w ithin the at least one dispenser. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor where the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the sensor based on a model such that the product fill level is selectively detected.

[0010] In one embodiment of the system, the at least one dispenser includes a paper product dispenser.

[0011] In another embodiment of the system, the model is configured to calculate an expected rate of consumption of the consumable product.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the system, the controller is configured to selectively activate the sensor when the model calculates the product fill level is less than about 50%.

[0013] In an additional embodiment of the system, the model is configured to output an expected product fill level of the consumable product based on the expected rate of consumption.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the system, the controller is configured to output the expected rate of consumption or the expected product fill level to a user.

[0015] In still another embodiment of the system, the model is configured to compare the expected rate of consumption with an actual rate of consumption of the consumable product.

[0016] In yet a further embodiment of the system, the controller is configured to output the actual rate of consumption to a user when the actual rate of consumption is about 5% greater or less than the expected rate of consumption.

[0017] In still a further embodiment of the system, the model is configured to update itself based on the comparison of the expected rate of consumption with the actual rate of consumption.

[0018] In another additional embodiment of the system, the at least one dispenser includes a first dispenser communicatively coupled with a first sensor and a second dispenser communicatively coupled with a second sensor. Further, in the same embodiment, the model includes a first model and a second model, the first model being different from the second model. Still further, in the same embodiment, the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first sensor based on the first model and the second sensor based on the second model such that a product fill level of the first dispenser and the second dispenser are each selectively detected.

[0019] In a further additional embodiment of the system, the model includes a polling period during which the sensor is selectively activated, wherein the polling period includes a predetermined amount of time defined by the model.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect, a method for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility is provided. The method includes providing at least one dispenser, the at least one dispenser including a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser. The method also includes selectively activating and deactivating a sensor via a controller based on a model such that a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser is selectively detected, the sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the controller communicatively coupled with the sensor.

[0021] Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of a washroom facility;

[0024] FIG. 2 provides a right-side cutaway representation of an example embodiment of a dispenser;

[0025] FIG. 3 provides a perspective representation of the dispenser of FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4 provides a flow diagram of a method for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility'.

[0027] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary' embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Generally speaking, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for monitoring a dispenser or multiple dispensers within a washroom facility'. Specifically, a system for monitoring may include a dispenser including a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the dispenser. The system may also include a sensor communicatively coupled with the dispenser where the sensor is configured to selectively detect a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor where the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the sensor based on a model such that the product fill level of the dispenser is selectively detected.

[0030] Thus, multiple benefits may be provided by the presently disclosed systems and methods. For example, the energy efficiency of monitoring systems of product dispensers may be improved through the use of a controller-implemented model that selectively activates and deactivates a sensor. This is especially the case when contrasted with a system for monitoring product fill level where the sensor is always activated or activated during the regular operating hours of the commercial building and the washroom facilities within the commercial building. Specifically, the model may be capable of lowering the amount of time that a product fill level sensor is activated throughout the operating hours of the washroom facilities. As a consequence of this, the energy efficiency of the washroom facility may be increased and operating costs of the washroom facility may be lowered. These advantages may also be realized without compromising the ability to remotely monitor dispensers within the washroom facility and inform personnel that the dispensers are due for refill.

[0031] The present disclosure may be understood with greater detail with reference to the figures. In particular, FIGS. 1-3 provide example embodiments of washroom facilities and dispensers that may be used with the systems and methods described, while FIG. 4 provides a method for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility, such as the dispensers discussed in FIGS. 1-3.

[0032] Referring now to the figures. FIG. I provides a block diagram of an example environment of a washroom facility. The w ashroom facility 100 can include w ashroom components such as a first dispenser(s) 104, a second dispenser 111, sinks / faucets 134, toilets 130, and urinals 136. Each of the dispensers 104, 111, sinks / faucets 134, toilets 130, and urinals 136 may include a sensor 116. 121 and a controller 118, 125.

[0033] The washroom facility may also include an intermediary device 140 such as a server, a network hub, or a gateway. The intermediary device 140 may be in communication with any of the w ashroom components of the washroom facility 100. For example, the intermediary device 140 may be capable of communicating with the controllers 118 provided with the dispensers 104. Advantageously, the intermediary device 140 may store instructions specific to each of the w ashroom components such as the first dispenser 104 and the second dispenser 111, which may then be executed by the sensors 116, 121 and controllers 118, 125 that operate with each dispenser 104, 111 as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, FIG. 2 provides a right-side cutaway representation of an example dispenser, and FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the dispenser of FIG. 2. A dispenser 104 or hygiene dispenser 104 dispenses consumable hygiene product 105 (e.g., bath tissue, hand towels, hand sanitizer, soap, lotion, deodorizer, air freshener, etc.), which is a product intended to promote good hygiene or sanitation such as by cleaning or sanitizing a user and / or a surface. In some implementations, a dispenser 104, more generally, is a device that holds consumable hygiene product 105 and dispenses the product 105 in response to a stimulus, e.g., an environmental stimulus (e.g., light / darkness), at predetermined (e.g., programmatically set) intervals or by manual user actuation such as pulling an exposed portion of the consumable product or via a pumping-type process (e.g., for some manual soap dispensers). Although FIG. 3 shows a rolled product dispenser 104 (e.g., a paper towel dispenser), other hygienic dispensers are also envisioned such as, for example, soap / sanitizer dispensers, bath tissue dispensers, personal care product dispensers (not pictured), hand or facial care dispensers (not pictured), seat cover dispensers (not pictured), personal protection product dispensers (not pictured), surface cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting dispensers (not pictured) including for toilets 130 or urinals 136, or any device capable of storing a product capable of being removed by a user. Such dispensers 104 are generally refillable such that once the product 105 stored in the dispenser 104 is depleted a sendee attendant can refill the dispenser 104 with additional product 105.

[0035] The dispenser 104 may include a body 107 or outer cover 107, e.g.. a composite or metal housing. The outer cover 107 may enclose, fully or partially, a product storage 102 or interior 102 of the dispenser 104. The product storage 102 may hold, for example, the product-to-be-dispensed 105 by the dispenser 104, such as a consumable product, and, in some implementations, one or more electrical or mechanical components used to enable the dispensing process such as a motor, batteries, rollers, sensors to determine when a user requests a dispense, etc.

[0036] The dispenser 104 may also include a dispensing mechanism 110. The dispensing mechanism 110 may operate to dispense a portion of the consumable product 105 in the product storage 102 (e.g., dispense a length of roll 105 for use to dry hands or a shot of soap 105 or sanitizer to clean hands). In some implementations, for example, for rolled paper towels 105 or wipers 105 or bath tissue 105, the dispensing mechanism 110 may be an electromechanical feed mechanism that includes or operates in conjunction with a motor 119 that, in response to a stimulus such as a user waving a hand proximate the dispenser 104, feeds a length of the roll 105 through an opening 123 in the body 107 to present to the user. For example, the dispensing mechanism 110 can include a series of rollers 122 through which a portion of the roll 105 is fed such that when the dispensing mechanism 110 actuates it pulls and unwinds the roll 105 (or causes the roll 105 to be pulled and unwound) to feed a portion of the roll 105 to the user. In some implementations, the motor 119 can be integral to the roll holder 106 and causes a spindle 109 of the roll holder 106 (e.g., on which the rolled product 105 is mounted) to turn thereby causing the roll 105 to unwind and be dispensed. In the case, for example, of a liquid soap, sanitizer, or lotion dispenser 104 the motor 119 may be a pump 119 that draws the liquid product from a bottle, cassette, or other container holding the liquid product 105 and ejects the drawn product to the user for a dispense operation.

[0037] In some implementations, the dispenser 104 may be a user-driven dispensing unit, e.g., the dispensing process is not powered by a motor or other electromechanical generator. For example, for a rolled paper product dispenser 104 such as a paper towel or bath tissue dispenser 104, a user may grab an exposed tail of the roll 105 and pull to cause more of the product 105 to be dispensed. For a liquid soap or sanitizer dispenser 104, a user may depress or otherwise manually actuate a pump (e.g., dispensing mechanism 110) to draw the product 105 from its container and dispense the product 105.

[0038] The dispenser 104 may include a sensor 116. The sensor 116 may be capable of detecting a product fill level of the dispenser 104. The sensor may also be capable of being selectively activated and deactivated by the controller 118 as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. The sensor 116 may be capable of monitoring the amount of product 105 that is dispensed by the dispenser 104, i.e., an actual rate of consumption of the product 105.

[0039] Specifically, the sensor 116 may be in communication with the controller 118 such that the data from the sensor 116 may be used by the controller to output an actual rate of consumption of the product 105. For example, the sensor 116 may report a fill level at one instance in time, and then report a fill level at a later instance in time. The controller 118 may then be able to compare the fill levels at the different instances in time and report a rate of consumption of the product 105 measured across the two or more instances in time.

[0040] This monitoring may be achieved through directly or indirectly monitoring the product fill level of the dispenser 104. For example, with direct monitoring, the sensor 116 may be capable of directly monitoring the amount of product 105 remaining with the product storage 102. Conversely, with indirect monitoring, the sensor 116 may monitor the intervals at which product 105 is dispensed from the dispenser 104 and determine, based on the amount of dispensing events, how much product 105 remains within the dispenser 104. However, it should be understood that both direct and indirect monitoring may be utilized simultaneously.

[0041] To facilitate the monitoring capabilities of the sensor 116. the sensor 116 may be chosen from at least one of an optical sensor, a physical contact sensor, a weight sensor, an image recognition sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, a digital sensor, an analog sensor, an RFID sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a presence sensor, or any sensor device capable of detecting (indirectly or directly) the amount or level of product contained within the product dispenser.

[0042] The dispenser 104 may also include a controller 118 such as a microcontroller or microprocessor. The controller 118 may execute instructions stored in memory or otherwise accessible to the controller 118. The controller 118 may interface with and, in some implementations, control the operation of other devices / components in the dispenser 104 such as the motor 119 and transceiver 117, which can be used to communicate with external devices. In FIGs. 1-2, the controller 118 is depicted as being coupled with the dispenser 104. However, the controller 118 may also be external to the dispenser 104.

[0043] Further, the controller 118 may also be capable of providing control to multiple dispensers 104. If multiple dispensers are provided, then multiple sensors and controllers may also be provided. For example, a first dispenser 104 may be provided with a first sensor 116 and a first controller 118 and a second dispenser 111 may be provided with a second sensor 121 and a second controller 125. In addition, any number of dispensers, sensors, and controllers may be provided.

[0044] The controller 118 may also be capable of implementing a model 142 that selectively activates and deactivates the sensor 116. Particularly, the model 142 may be used with the controller 118 or controller 125 to selectively activate and deactivate the sensors 116, 121 such that the product fill level of the product 105 within the dispensers 104, 111 are selectively detected. The model 142 may be stored within the controller 118. Alternatively, or additionally, the model 142 may be provided with the intermediary device 140 and communicated to the controllers 118 through the intermediary' device 140.

[0045] The model 142 may be any type of configuration capable of providing a structure and format for calculating when the sensor 116 or sensor 121 should be selectively activated or deactivated. For example, the model 142 may be code that constitutes processor firmware, a computer program, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0046] The model 142 can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative, or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. The model 142 may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. The model 142 can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). The model 142 can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0047] To provide a framework for the model 142 to provide instructions on when the sensor 116 should be activated or deactivated, the model 142 may be capable of performing various tasks and include various rules. For example, the model 142 may be configured to calculate an expected rate of consumption of the consumable product 105. Specifically, data corresponding to actual rates of consumption of product 105 may be utilized to calculate an expected rate of consumption. In particular, the actual rate of consumption may be calculated through the use of the sensor 116 and the controller 118 over the course of a period of time, such as a day, a month, or a year.

[0048] The results of the calculation across the period of time may then be used to calculate an expected rate of consumption. For example, the actual rate of consumption may be averaged to calculate an expected rate of consumption. The actual rate of consumption may be used to provide a normal distribution of values which may then be used to calculate an expected rate of consumption. Other means of calculating an expected rate of consumption may also be provided.

[0049] In addition, the expected rate of consumption may be calculated based on each individual dispenser 104 within the washroom facility 100. For example, the model 142 may calculate an expected rate of consumption of the first dispenser 104 which may be different from a calculated expected rate of consumption of the second dispenser 111. With the expected rate of consumption, the model 142 may be capable of providing additional functionality.

[0050] For example, the model 142 may provide instructions to the controller 118 to selectively activate the sensor 116 when the fill level is calculating as being at a certain level using the expected rate of consumption. Particularly, using the expected rate of consumption, the model 142 may calculate, using the expected rate of consumption, that the product 105 with the product storage 102 is at a certain level that merits activating the sensor 116. Such a level may be defined by a range. For example, the controller 118 may be instructed by the model 142 to selectively activate the sensor 116 when the model 142 calculates the product fill level is less than about 75%, such as less than 60%, such as less than 50%. Further, if even less power utilization by the controller 118 or sensor 116 is desired, the model 142 may instruct the controller 118 to selectively activate the sensor when the product fill level is less than 50%, such as less than 25%, such as less than 10%.

[0051] To achieve this feat, the model 142 may also be capable of calculating an expected product fill level. For example, the model 142 may use the expected rate of consumption with the last known actual fill level of the dispenser 104 to calculate what an expected product fill level is for the dispenser 104 at a particular instance in time. For example, the model 142 may determine that the last known fill level of the dispenser 104 w as at 100%, then using the expected rate of consumption, calculate that 30% of the product has been used. As a result, the model 142 w ould calculate that the expected product fill level would be 70%. The expected product fill level may then be used to selectively activate or deactivate the sensor 116 as described above.

[0052] Both the expected rate of consumption and the expected product fill level may be communicated or output to a user. For example, the controller 118 may output the expected rate of consumption or the expected product fill level to a user device, e.g., a smartphone, smart glasses, personal communication device, or other similar device, either directly or through the intermediary device 140. The expected rate of consumption and the expected product fill level may be output at regular intervals. Alternatively, the expected rate of consumption and the expected product fill level may only be output by the model 142 to a user device when the expected rate of consumption or expected product fill level differs from the actual rate of consumption by a certain degree such as about greater than or less than 10%, 7.5%, or 5% the actual rate of consumption or the actual product fill level. The model 142 may also determine that the expected rate of consumption or the expected product fill level should not be output if the expected values sufficiently align with the actual values. If the data is transmitted out, the output data may then be used by an operator of the washroom facility to finetune the model 142 so that the accuracy of the expected rate of consumption and the expected product fill level may be improved.

[0053] However, the model 142 may also be capable of fine tuning itself. For example, the model 142 may be capable of comparing the expected rate of consumption with an actual 10 rate of consumption of the consumable product 105. If the model 142 determines that the expected rate of consumption is outside a certain threshold, such as about greater than or less than 10%, 7.5%. or 5% the actual rate of consumption, the model 142 may be configured to take a corrective action. For example, the corrective action may be clearing data associated with a time period for which the actual rate of consumption was outside the norm. The corrective action may also be creating an exception in the model 142 for the time period for when the actual rate of consumption was outside the norm. The corrective action may also be for the model to update itself or the data used to form the expected rate of consumption based on the comparison of the expected rate of consumption with the actual rate of consumption. Other corrective actions may be implemented by the model 142 itself to better improve the accuracy of the model 142. The model 142 may also determine that corrective action is not necessary. For example, if the expected rate of consumption or the expected product level is not greater than or less than 10%, 7.5%, or 5% that actual rate of consumption.

[0054] In addition, if the model 142 determines that the expected rate of consumption is outside a certain threshold, the model 142 may output the actual rate of consumption to a user device so a user may be informed of a possible irregular amount of usage of the product. For example, the controller 118, using the model 142, may be configured to output the actual rate of consumption to a user device when the actual rate of consumption is about 10% greater or less, 7.5% greater or less, or 5% greater or less than the expected rate of consumption.

[0055] The output from the model 142 may be facilitated directly by the controller 118. The output from the model 142 may also be facilitated indirectly from the controller 118 to the intermediary device 140 to a user or user device. This output may take any form such as text, email, or information provided on mobile applications or webpages.

[0056] In addition to using expected rates of consumption, the model 142 may utilize polling periods to selectively activate and deactivate the sensor 116. For example, the model 142 may include a polling period during which the sensor 116 is selectively activated where the polling period comprises a predetermined amount of time defined by the model 142. The polling period may be a time that is chosen by an operator of the washroom facility 100 that is particular to that washroom facility 100. The polling period may also be set at particular time periods for when the dispenser 104 might need a refill. For example, the polling period may be set at or after peak operating times of the washroom facility 100.

[0057] The time period for which the polling period is activated may also be a time period predetermined by the model 142. For example, the polling period may be the entirety of the peak operating times so as to ensure that product 105 is maintained during those times. The time of the polling period may also be set by an operator of the washroom facility 100 based on their preferences or the particular nature of the washroom facility7 100.

[0058] If multiple dispensers, such as the first dispenser 104 and the second dispenser 111, are provided, multiple models may also be utilized for each of the dispensers. For example, the first dispenser 104, having the first sensor 116 and the first controller 118, may be assigned a first model 142. Then, the second dispenser 111, having the second sensor 121 and the second controller 125, may be assigned a second model 143 that is different from the first model 142. For example, the models 142, 143 may differ based on how they determine selective activation / deactivation of the sensors 116. 121 should occur. For example, the first model may use expected fill levels, while the second model 143 uses polling periods as described above. Different models may be of particular advantage when different ty pes of dispensers are utilized. For example, the first model 142 may be better suited for use with a paper product dispenser, while the second model 143 may be better suited for use with a personal care product dispenser, or, in another example, the first model may be better suited for use with a toilet tissue dispenser, while the second model 143 may be better suited for a paper hand towel dispenser. Regardless of the types of models or dispensers utilized, each of the models 142. 143 may be capable of providing instructions to each of the controllers 118, 125 to selectively activate and deactivate each of the sensors 116. 121, respectively.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility is presented according to the present disclosure. It should be understood that method 400 may be used to monitor the product fill level of the dispenser(s) 104, the dispenser 111, or any other number or configuration of dispensers of consumable products. Though FIG. 4 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, those of ordinary7 skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that various steps of method 400 or any of the methods disclosed herein, may be adapted, modified, rearranged, performed simultaneously, or modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 provides a flow diagram of a method for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility7. As illustrated at step 402, the method 400 includes providing at least one dispenser, the at least one dispenser including a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser. As illustrated at step 404. the method 400 includes selectively activating and deactivating a sensor via a controller based on a model such that a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser is selectively detected, the sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the controller communicatively coupled with the sensor.

[0061] These and other modifications and variations to the present disclosure may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the disclosure so further described in such appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A system for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility, the system comprising:the at least one dispenser comprising a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser;a sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the sensor configured to selectively detect a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser;a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor, the controller configured to:selectively activate and deactivate the sensor based on a model such that the product fill level is selectively detected.

2. The system of claim 1. wherein the at least one dispenser comprises a paper product dispenser.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the model is configured to calculate an expected rate of consumption of the consumable product.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the sensor when the model calculates the product fill level is less than about 50%.

5. The system of claim 3. wherein the model is configured to output an expected product fill level of the consumable product based on the expected rate of consumption.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to output the expected rate of consumption or the expected product fill level to a user.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the model is configured to compare the expected rate of consumption with an actual rate of consumption of the consumable product.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to output the actual rate of consumption to a user when the actual rate of consumption is about 5% greater or less than the expected rate of consumption.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the model is configured to update itself based on the comparison of the expected rate of consumption with the actual rate of consumption.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispenser comprises a first dispenser communicatively coupled with a first sensor and a second dispenser communicatively coupled with a second sensor, wherein the model comprises a first model and a second model, the first model being different from the second model, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first sensor based on the first model and the second sensor based on the second model such that a product fill level of the first dispenser and the second dispenser are each selectively detected.

11. The system of claim 1. wherein the model comprises a polling period during which the sensor is selectively activated, wherein the polling period comprises a predetermined amount of time defined by the model.

12. A method for monitoring at least one dispenser within a washroom facility, the method comprising:providing at least one dispenser, the at least one dispenser comprising a consumable product storage configured to store a consumable product and a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product storage such that consumable product is dispensable from the at least one dispenser;selectively activating and deactivating a sensor via a controller based on a model such that a product fill level of the consumable product within the at least one dispenser is selectively detected, the sensor communicatively coupled with the at least one dispenser, the controller communicatively coupled with the sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one dispenser comprises a paper product dispenser.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:calculating, via the model, an expected rate of consumption of the consumable product.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:selectively activating the sensor, via the controller, when the model calculates the product fdl level is less than about 50%.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:outputting, via the model, an expected product fdl level of the consumable product based on the expected rate of consumption.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:outputting, via the controller, the expected rate of consumption or the expected product fdl level to a user wherein the controller is configured to.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:comparing, via the model, the expected rate of consumption with an actual rate of consumption of the consumable product.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:outputting, via the controller, the actual rate of consumption to a user when the actual rate of consumption is about 5% greater or less than the expected rate of consumption.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one dispenser comprises a first dispenser communicatively coupled with a first sensor and a second dispenser communicatively coupled with a second sensor, wherein the model comprises a first model and a second model, the first model being different from the second model, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first sensor based on the first model and the second sensor based on the second model such that a product fill level of the first dispenser and the second dispenser are each selectively detected.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the model comprises a polling period during which the sensor is selectively activated, wherein the polling period comprises a predetermined amount of time defined by the model.

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