Method and system for consumer reward planning for lavatory use

Abstract

Systems and control methods are provided for encouraging customers to use a lavatory at a commercial institution. Multiple commercial institutions and customers, which may frequently enter or come to such institutions, are registered into a washroom reward plan. Respective accumulation point values in the lavatory reward plan are established for defined lavatory activities performed by the customer in the lavatory of the commercial institution. The customer is provided with the characteristics and location of the business institution. While the customer performs one of the defined lavatory activities in one of the commercial institutions, the customer is identified and the accumulation point for the defined activity is recorded in a participant account assigned to the customer. The customer is caused to redeem the accumulated points in its respective account as a reward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for establishing a consumer recognition or rewards program in which patrons earn credit or points for performing restroom events at authorized restrooms. Background Art

[0002] The importance of proper hygiene practices in workplaces and public restrooms, including restrooms, is widely recognized. Simple handwashing after using restroom facilities or after contact with infectious individuals or environments is crucial for preventing the spread of disease, particularly in the food and healthcare industries. While employees are generally educated on these practices, adherence to appropriate restroom practices remains a challenge. Negative reinforcement (e.g., disciplinary action) is not a primary driver of this practice.

[0003] With respect to public restroom facilities, such as those in restaurants, convenience stores, or service stations, where users of such facilities are not subject to any authority, other creative incentives would be beneficial to encourage the public to adhere to proper restroom practices.

[0004] On the other hand, there's no established synergy between marketing a commercial establishment and using its restroom facilities, beyond the immediate opportunity for convenience store or service station customers to purchase items out of a sense of guilt or obligation stemming from using the establishment's restroom facilities. Customers may be interested in staying at a particular restaurant or service station because they are loyal to or enjoy the establishment's products / services, but generally not because they are motivated to use one establishment's restroom over another. With perhaps some limited exceptions, restroom facilities do not drive traffic (and potential customers) into a particular establishment.

[0005] Industry personnel and the public generally would benefit from methods and systems that not only encourage proper restroom practices, but also create marketing synergies and returns for establishments that sponsor or otherwise make their restrooms freely available to the public. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0007] According to aspects of the present invention, a system and related methods are provided for encouraging patrons to use restrooms at commercial establishments. The type or number of commercial establishments is not a limiting factor. The establishments may be any combination of restaurants (e.g., fast food restaurants), service stations, convenience stores, retail establishments, and the like. A plurality of these commercial establishments may be enrolled in a restroom incentive program. The incentive for the commercial establishment is that the incentive program will tend to drive traffic to the establishment that would otherwise not occur, thereby generating increased sales / services.

[0008] The term "restroom" is used herein generally to encompass any type of public, semi-public, or private facility where patrons come to use washbasins or toilet facilities, bathing facilities, changing facilities, etc. Such facilities are also known as restrooms, toilets, public restrooms, men's restrooms, women's restrooms, etc. A typical public or semi-private restroom has multiple toilet facilities or urinals and washbasins.

[0009] Patrons also register for the restroom rewards program and can be any member of the public. Patrons may be solicited through any conventional means, including direct advertising to the public. Patrons may register through their workplace or any other organization. The registration process is conducted through a website maintained by the rewards program administrator, where patrons may also establish their unique patron account.

[0010] The method also includes assigning corresponding point values ​​in a restroom rewards program for defined restroom activities performed by patrons in the commercial establishment's restrooms. Such activities may include, for example, simply visiting the restroom facility, washing hands in the restroom, using soap, dispensing paper products in the restroom, dispensing limited amounts of paper products (to prevent waste), and the like. The point values ​​for such activities may be the same across different commercial establishments or may vary from one commercial establishment to another. The point values ​​assigned to different restroom activities are communicated to patrons via any convenient means, such as via a website where patrons can track their personal account status, via an application downloaded to their mobile smartphones, via printed materials at the commercial establishment, and the like. In certain embodiments, the system and method are integrated with a "smart" restroom facility that has the ability to track and monitor the amount of product dispensed from certain types of dispensers (e.g., soap dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and the like). One of the defined restroom activities to which a point value is assigned may be the amount of product dispensed from the dispensers in the restroom facility. For example, customers can earn points by actually using soap when washing their hands or by using an appropriate amount of paper towels (as opposed to a wasteful amount) to dry their hands. The washbasins in such smart restrooms can also be equipped with sensors that detect the actual operating time of the faucets, where one of the defined restroom activities to which a point value is assigned is the time a customer spends washing their hands. One of the displays in the restroom facility can provide a timer that displays to the customer the actual time the customer spends washing their hands.

[0011] The customer is provided with the identities and locations of participating businesses in the rewards program. Again, this can be accomplished through a variety of means. In one embodiment, the customer is provided with an application or downloaded to a mobile smart device such as a smartphone, PDA, computer, etc., wherein the application identifies participating businesses within the customer's desired area or within a certain proximity to the customer's current location. This embodiment is particularly beneficial when the customer is traveling and needs a break. The application will provide the traveling customer with the ability to select businesses in the rewards program, which benefits both the customer and the business.

[0012] When a patron performs one of the defined restroom activities at one of the participating establishments, the patron is identified and the patron's personal account is credited with the points value assigned to the defined activity. Under conditions established by the rewards program administrator, the patron may redeem the accumulated points in their respective accounts for a reward or other value. For example, a reward may be a gift certificate, merchandise, a discount at one of the participating establishments, or any other reward incentive that encourages patrons to enroll in the program.

[0013] In one particular embodiment, a personalized message is transmitted or displayed to a patron within a restroom, identifying the patron by name and the point value earned for performing a restroom activity. The personalized message may include any desired content. For example, the message may encourage the patron to engage with the establishment (e.g., make a purchase at the establishment), thereby earning additional points or "reward" points for such activity.

[0014] The personalized messages can be transmitted via broadcasting devices within the washroom facilities, which can be any one of audio devices, video devices, or audio-video devices, or a combination thereof. For example, the broadcasting device can be an audio-video screen that displays personalized messages in audio and visual formats. In one embodiment, a plurality of such devices are spread throughout the washroom facilities and are operably connected to a common receiver so that the plurality of devices display substantially the same message. In an alternative embodiment, the washroom facilities include a plurality of separate functional locations, such as a plurality of toilet stalls or a plurality of washbasins, each functional location having a corresponding receiver and an associated broadcasting device. When this configuration is adopted, multiple customers at each functional location can be provided with their own personalized messages at the same time.

[0015] The system and method of the present invention can also be integrated with commercially available personal health tracking devices worn by customers. Information from these devices can be used to generate personalized messages to customers in the washroom facility, which also include personal health information obtained from the personal health tracking device worn by the customer.

[0016] In certain embodiments, restrooms in commercial establishments are equipped with a transmitter device that broadcasts a unique ID signal for the commercial establishment, either continuously or intermittently. Patrons are provided with the ability to receive the unique ID signal on their mobile smart devices (e.g., smartphones) when entering the restroom. A central server communicates with the commercial establishment and the patron's mobile smart device via a suitable wireless communication network. The central server identifies the patron, the specific commercial establishment, and the restroom activities performed by the patron, and automatically credits the patron's account with points earned for the restroom activities. This can be achieved through various means. For example, in one system configuration, the transmitter device is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacon that transmits a unique BTLE ID signal for the commercial establishment. The patron's mobile smart device is equipped with an application that enables the device to receive the BTLE ID signal and transmit all or part of the BTLE ID signal (including a reconfiguration or modification of the BTLE ID signal) to the central server. This transmission provides the central server with information identifying the establishment and the patron (via content in the signal unique to the patron's smart mobile device). The central server can then generate a personalized message for the patron based on their name. The message may be delivered to the patron via the patron's mobile smart device or via a broadcast device in the washroom, such as an audio-visual ("A / V") display in the washroom. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a restroom facility within a commercial establishment incorporating systems and methods associated with a restroom rewards program according to aspects of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a restroom facility within a commercial establishment;

[0019] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a component diagram illustrating certain control components of a system and associated method for a restroom rewards program according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 is a screenshot of a service that may be provided to customers to locate businesses participating in the restroom rewards program. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of the present invention, which are examples of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. The present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations, as well as other modifications and variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0022] As stated above, the present invention generally relates to a method and system wherein patrons are encouraged to use restroom facilities at a particular commercial establishment. Figure 1 , an embodiment of the system 10 is shown as a public or semi-private restroom facility 14 within a particular commercial establishment 12. A plurality of these commercial establishments 12 are enrolled in a restroom incentive program, wherein the incentive program tends to drive traffic to the establishments 12 that would not otherwise occur, thereby generating increased sales / service. The various establishments 12 can be, for example, any combination of restaurants (e.g., "fast food" restaurants), service stations, convenience stores, retail establishments, and the like.

[0023] Figure 1 The design and features of the depicted restroom facility 14 are shown for illustrative purposes only. The restroom facility 14 is depicted as a men's restroom facility having one or more individual toilet stalls 18 (with individual toilet bowls) and a urinal 16. A plurality of lavatories 20 are also provided. Any combination of other conventional restroom components may also be provided in the restroom facility 14, such as a toilet paper dispenser 22, a soap dispenser 24, a paper towel dispenser 26, and the like. The individual toilet stalls 18, urinals 16, and lavatories 20 may be considered functional locations 37 where a single patron 30 may perform desired restroom functions within the facility 14. It should be understood that any number of additional functional locations 37 may also be included within the restroom facility 14, such as shower stalls, powder rooms, baby changing stations, and the like.

[0024] Patrons 30 also register for the restroom rewards program and can be any member of the public. Patrons 30 can be recruited through any conventional means, including direct advertising to the public. Patrons 30 can register through their workplace or any other organization. The registration process can be conducted through a website maintained by the rewards program administrator, where patrons 30 can also establish their own unique patron account, in which points earned in the program are automatically credited and tracked. It should be understood that the manner in which patrons 30 register for the restroom rewards program is not a limiting factor.

[0025] The restroom rewards program assigns corresponding point values ​​to defined activities performed by patrons in restrooms 14 of participating commercial establishments 12. Such activities may include, for example, simply visiting the restroom facility 14, washing hands in the facility, dispensing paper products in the facility, etc. The point values ​​for such activities may be the same between different commercial establishments 12, or may vary from one commercial establishment 12 to another.

[0026] The point values ​​assigned to different restroom activities are published to patrons 30 in any convenient manner, such as via a website where patrons 30 can track their personal account status, via an application downloaded to the patron's mobile smartphone, via printed materials at the establishment 12, and the like.

[0027] Provide the customer 30 with the identity and location of participating businesses 12. Again, this can be accomplished by a variety of means. Figure 3 In one embodiment, an application is provided to the customer 30 or downloaded to a mobile smart device such as a smartphone, PDA, computer, etc., wherein the application identifies participating businesses 12 within the customer's requested area or within a proximity to the customer's current location. Figure 3 A screenshot 52 is depicted in which participating establishments 12 are identified on a map 54 centered on the customer's specific location, or at a location entered via a menu by the customer 30. Each establishment 12 on the map 54 is also assigned a point value tag that only visits the restroom facilities of the specific establishment. This particular configuration is particularly beneficial when the customer 30 is traveling and needs to rest.

[0028] When a patron 30 performs one of the defined restroom activities at one of the participating establishments 12, the patron 30 is identified and the patron's personal account is credited with the point value assigned to the defined activity by the central server system 58. Under conditions established by the rewards program administrator, the patron 30 can redeem the accumulated points in their respective accounts for rewards or other value. For example, the reward can be a gift certificate, merchandise, discount, coupon, or any other reward incentive to encourage patrons to register for the program at one of the participating establishments 12.

[0029] See also Figure 1 and 2 To perform the above steps, the washroom facility 14 is configured with one or more transmitter devices 36 positioned within the washroom facility 14 to transmit an ID signal 38 that is unique to the particular commercial establishment 12. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the washroom facility 14 includes a transmitter device 36 positioned above or near the entrance or door 15 of the facility 14. At this location, the transmitter device 36 is used to detect each patron 30 as they enter the facility 12. Each transmitter device 36 may also be positioned at various functional locations within the washroom facility 14. Figure 1 As shown, transmitter devices 36 are positioned in the restroom 18, adjacent to the urinal 16, and adjacent to the wash basin 14. The ID signals 38 emitted by these transmitter devices 36 may also include information about their respective locations within the washroom facility 14.

[0030] Patrons 30 carry receivers 34 that receive unique ID signals 38 emitted by various transmitter devices 38. These receivers 34 can be small, portable devices provided to patrons 30 by program administrators, such as bracelets, tokens, keychains, and the like. In a particularly unique embodiment shown in the figures, receiver 34 is a mobile smart device 35 carried by patrons 30, such as a smartphone, tablet, PDA, or other network-enabled device (all of which are generally referred to herein as "mobile smart devices"). Mobile smart device 35 runs a low-power background application previously downloaded by patron 30 from a source maintained by the rewards program administrator (e.g., a website). This application allows mobile smart device 35 to act as a scanner or receive unique ID signals 38 if within range of a transmitter device 36. Once mobile smart device 35 detects signal 38 from transmitter device 36, it initiates certain other application functions. For example, the mobile smart device 35 will automatically "react" to the received signal 38 and launch other communication applications, wherein the smart device 35 automatically generates and transmits a communication 40 that is unique to the patron 30 and received by the central server system 58 maintained by the program administrator. This communication or transmission 40 identifies the specific establishment 12 and the specific patron 30, as discussed in more detail below.

[0031] Transmitter devices 36 are also strategically located at various functional locations 36 within the washroom facility 14, where use of such a location 37 is inferred by detecting a patron 30 at that location. For example, if a transmitter device 36 located near the wash basin 20 detects a patron 30 for a defined period of time, it can be inferred that the patron 30 has washed his hands. A transmitter 36 located adjacent to a paper towel dispenser 26 that detects a patron 30 for a defined period of time can infer that the patron 30 has used a paper towel from the dispenser 26.

[0032] See also Figure 1 , the system 10 includes a controller 44 that communicates wired or wirelessly with a transmitter 36 located within the washroom fixture 14. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 44 is located within the facility 14, such as within a control cabinet or other location within the facility 14. The controller 44 communicates with a central server 58 of a program administrator via any suitable communication network 56 and includes any form of hardware and software configuration to perform the functions described herein, such as setting up / controlling the various functions of the transmitter device 36 and the various broadcast devices 42, 43, as described in more detail below.

[0033] As described above, once the smart device 35 detects a unique ID signal 38 from one of the transmitter devices 36, the patron's mobile smart device 35 generates and transmits a signal 40. This signal identifies the specific patron 30 (e.g., via the smart device ID tag within the signal 40) as well as all or part of the ID signal 38 identifying the establishment 12 and the specific transmitter 36 within the restroom facility 14. The central server system 58 maintains a file 56 for each participating establishment 12 and accesses the file 56 for the specific establishment 12 identified in the transmission 40 from the participant's mobile smart device 35. The file 56 includes the point values ​​assigned to different restroom activities at the establishment 12 (specifically, a specific functional location 37 within the restroom facility 14), as well as any other relevant information about the establishment 12. The central server system 58 also maintains a file 50 for each patron 30 enrolled in the rewards program. Upon identification of a patron, the corresponding file 50 is accessed, which can include any personal information authorized by the patron, such as name, contact information, etc., as well as the patron's personal account number to which the rewards points have been added and accumulated.

[0034] exist Figure 1 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, the patron's profile information is retrieved by the central server system 58 and used to generate and transmit a personalized message 32 for the particular patron 30 back to the washroom facility 14, the personalized message identifying the patron by name and informing the patron that points have been credited to their account for a particular activity performed in the washroom facility 14. The message is transmitted via the controller 44 and broadcast devices 42, 43 within the washroom facility 14. For example, Figure 1 As depicted, an announcement device 42 in the form of a loudspeaker is provided near the wash basin 20 and transmits a personalized message 32 informing the patron 30 that he has earned 20 points for washing his hands. Another announcement device 43 is provided on a wall of the facility and is an audio / visual (A / V) device 64 that informs the patron that he has earned 10 bonus points simply for visiting the washroom facility 14. The A / V device can be used to display any other type of information to the patron 30, such as items for sale at the commercial establishment 12, menu items, etc. All of these devices 42, 43 communicate with the controller 44 via a wireless communication network, such as via Figure 1 Depicted by the dotted line in .

[0035] exist Figure 1, a transmitter device 36 is at or near the door 15 of the washroom facility 14 to transmit an ID signal 38 within a limited range that is received by a patron 30 upon initial entry to the facility 14. However, once a patron 30 is within the facility 12, they may move beyond the range of the initial transmitter 36. If a rewards program for a particular establishment 12 awards points for additional restroom activities at other functional locations within the facility 14, additional transmitter devices 36 may be strategically located throughout the restroom facility 14. For example, additional transmitter devices 36 are associated with the lavatory 20 with a transmission range such that a patron 30 using the lavatory facility detects the signal 38 transmitted by the lavatory transmitter device 36. The signal 38 not only identifies the establishment 12, but also identifies the specific location of the device 36 within the restroom 14. With this information, the central server system 58 can credit the patron 30 with the correct reward points for a specific activity within the restroom facility 14. Transmitter devices 36 may be located at toilet stalls 18 and urinals 16, such as Figure 1 As shown. Thus, using this embodiment, multiple different patrons 30 can utilize a different functional location within a washroom facility 14 and be individually detected by the system. Furthermore, each functional location can be configured with a corresponding broadcast device 42, 43, such that a corresponding patron 30 utilizing each functional location 37 can receive a personalized message 32 via the broadcast device associated with that functional location. For example, a patron 30 at one of the washbasin locations 20 can detect a unique ID signal 38 from a transmitter adjacent to the washbasin 20, wherein the patron's mobile smart device 35 generates a signal 40 that notifies the central server system 50 that the specific patron 30 is located at a washbasin 20 at a specific establishment 12 that is included in the rewards program. The server system 58 generates and transmits a personalized message 32 that is played to the patron 30 at the washbasin 20, notifying the patron by name that their account has been credited with the allocated reward points for performing handwashing activities at the commercial establishment 12. Simultaneously, a different patron can enter the washroom facility 14, and the same process can be applied to that patron to identify and award points associated with their visit to the washroom. Therefore, the system can distinguish between different customers and different restroom activities at the same time.

[0036] The personalized message 32 may be broadcast based on a time function. For example, the personalized message 32 may be broadcast repeatedly during a fixed time period during which the customer 30 is expected to stay in the facility 12.

[0037] As compared to Figure 1 and Figure 2As discussed, each restroom fixture 14 is equipped with wireless communication capabilities between a transmitter 36 and a transmitter 34 carried by a patron 30, wherein intermittently transmitted data packets (i.e., a unique ID signal 38) are transmitted and received within a limited range. In this regard, the restroom fixture 14 is considered a "communications-enabled" fixture. Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) technology has been found to be particularly well-suited for achieving the purposes of the method and system 10 according to the present subject matter. For example, the transmitter device 36 can be a BTLE beacon that transmits the unique ID signal 38 in a BTLE-formatted signal, and the receiver 34 carried by the patron 30 can be a BTLE scanner configured to receive and identify the BTLE-formatted signal 38. As discussed, the patron's mobile smart device 35 can be configured to act as a BTLE scanner via an application downloaded to the device 35.

[0038] BTLE devices are well known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description of their functionality and operation is not necessary to understand and appreciate the present invention. In short, a BTLE beacon is a type of low-energy, low-cost radio transmitter that notifies a receiver running a BTLE application of their presence, which in turn enables the receiver to perform certain actions when in proximity to the beacon. These devices are commonly referred to as "iBeacons," the name chosen by Apple for its implementation of BTLE technology. Each BTLE beacon broadcasts a unique identifying signal using the BTLE standard format. These unique signals are also known as iBeacon "advertisements." A BTLE receiver runs an application that enables the device to scan for and receive signals within the transmission range of a BTLE beacon. The receiver will automatically "react" to the received signal and can launch other BTLE-enabled applications for various purposes, including communicating with a central server, in this case the rewards program administrator's central server 58.

[0039] A typical application of BTLE technology is relatively precise indoor geolocation ("microlocation"). A BTLE-enabled application on a receiver (e.g., a mobile smart device 35) detects when the receiver moves out of range of a BTLE beacon (transmitter 36) and is therefore able to determine the receiver's distance from the transmitter 36. The exact geographic location of the transmitter 36 is known, so the exact location of the receiver (and patron 30) can be calculated based on the relative distance from the transmitter 36, which is a function of signal strength. Using this location information, the central server system 58 can generate personalized messages 32 to patrons 30, informing them of, for example, available nearby functional locations within the facility 14, or any other information related to a rewards program, such as the status of a participant's account or points awarded for various activities within the restroom facility 14 or the commercial establishment 12 generally.

[0040] It should be understood that the present invention also includes embodiments in which a device carried by a patron 30 serves as a transmitter and receivers are strategically located throughout the washroom facility. For example, in one embodiment, the BTLE beacon functionality can be integrated with a patron's mobile smart device 35, which runs a low-power background application previously downloaded by the patron 30 from a source (e.g., a website), which allows the mobile smart device to act as a BTLE beacon that intermittently transmits a BTLE signal unique to the patron 30 at certain times of the day (e.g., during normal travel or work hours, or other times programmed by the patron 30). Upon detecting a BTLE signal from a patron 30, the BTLE receiver in the washroom facility 14 will transmit a signal to the controller 44, which in turn can transmit information identifying the commercial establishment 12 and from the BTLE signal to the central server system 58, which enables the system 58 to identify a specific patron and access their files 56.

[0041] It should be understood that the systems and methods of the present invention are not limited to BTLE technology. Other transmitter / receiver technologies may also be used to practice the present invention. For example, near field communication (NFC) may be used. In another embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology may be used. Other communication technologies are also within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 An embodiment of the system 10 is depicted in conjunction with a "smart" washroom fixture 14. In this type of fixture, consumable product dispensers such as the paper towel dispenser 26, toilet paper dispenser 22, and soap dispenser 24 are equipped with respective sensors 25 that detect product usage based on any of a variety of operating principles, such as the operating time of the dispenser or direct measurement of the amount of product dispensed. Many types of these product dispensers are well known in the industry and need not be explained in detail for purposes of this disclosure. The product dispensers 22, 24, 26 communicate with the monitoring system 45 via any type of suitable wireless communication system (e.g., via a Figure 2 ). Typically, the monitoring system 45 is a computer-implemented system that can be located remotely from the washroom facility 14. The monitoring system 45 can monitor multiple similarly configured washroom facilities 14 in a building or on-site location. When using this particular system 10, the processor system 44 is also in communication with the monitoring system 45 and can therefore receive information related to product usage in any of the dispensers 22, 24, 26 located in the washroom facility 14. The information from the monitoring system 45 can be used as the basis for awarding points and reflected in one or more of the personalized messages 32 generated and displayed or transmitted to the customer 30.

[0043] For example, see Figure 2, the sensor 25 associated with the paper towel dispenser 26 detects that the customer 30 has used only two paper towels (as opposed to wasting a number of paper towels). This information is passed by the monitor system 45 to the processor system 44 (and the central server 58), where bonus points are allocated based on the correct amount of paper towels used, and a personalized message 32 informs the customer that he has earned ten points for using the correct number of paper towels. Although Figure 2 It is not reflected in the message, but it is within the scope of the present method and system 10 to have points deducted from a customer's account due to wasteful or improper use of one of the dispensers 22, 24, 26. For example, if the customer 30 has used five paper towels, the personalized message may inform him that five reward points have been deducted from his account.

[0044] Figure 2 Also reflected is the sensor 25 associated with the soap dispenser 24 confirming to the monitoring system 45 that the patron 30 actually dispensed soap for their hand washing activity. This activity may qualify for bonus points, as indicated by the personalized message 32 informing the patron 30 that five bonus points were credited for using the soap.

[0045] See also Figure 2 Sensors 25 are associated with each of the wash basins 18 and detect, for example, the actual operating time of a faucet dispensing water for hand washing activities. Points may be awarded for a minimum amount of time a patron 30 spends washing their hands (as measured by the wash basin sensors 25). This information may be conveyed to the patron 30, for example, via an A / V display 43 located near the paper towel dispenser 26, which informs the patron 30 that five reward points will be credited to their account for spending at least thirty seconds washing their hands. Any of the display devices 43 may initiate a timer that is visible to the patron and actually tracks the operating time of the faucet (and therefore the hand washing time).

[0046] The method and system 10 of the present invention also encompasses transferring data from a personal health monitoring device 33 ( Figure 2 ) is incorporated into a personalized message 32 displayed or transmitted to the customer 30. For example, Figure 2A personal health monitoring device 33 worn by a patron 30 is depicted. The device 33 can be any of a number of commercially available devices, such as the "UP3 Fitness Tracker" available from Jawbone, having its principal place of business in San Francisco, California, or one of the fitness trackers available from FITBIT, Inc., having its principal place of business in San Francisco, California. These devices are compatible with most mobile smart device operating systems, such as the patron's mobile phone 35, so that health tracking data can be uploaded and displayed via their smart phone. As discussed above, in embodiments where the patron's mobile smart device 35 is configured to act as a BTLE scanner via an application downloaded to the device 35, such an application can also transmit the health tracking information from the device 33 along with the signal 40 to the central server system 50. The server system 50 can use such information to generate a personalized message 32 that is provided to the patron 30 in the washroom facility 14. For example, Figure 2 A message 32 is depicted displayed on the A / V device 43, informing the customer of his daily calorie burn and the status of his heart rate and pulse.

[0047] Figure 3 Certain aspects of the present system and method are depicted, in which multiple different types of commercial establishments 12 are enrolled in a rewards program. For example, one such enrollee is a group of five gas stations ("Gas-Up" stations). Another participant ("Abe's Diners") has three restaurants in the program. A third participant ("Fast-Mart") has nine convenience stores in the program. All of these establishments 12 communicate with a central server system 58 of the program administrator via any suitable communications network. System 58 includes a file 56 for each establishment 12, as discussed above. Multiple program members 30 (customers) communicate with central server system 58 via BTLE-enabled devices 46 (such as the aforementioned mobile smart devices), configured as BTLE-enabled beacons or BTLE-enabled receivers. As discussed, system 58 maintains a file 50 for each patron 30, containing the participant's updated rewards points account. Program members 30 can access their personal accounts at any desired time via computers 48, smartphones 35, PDAs, tablets, or any other internet-enabled device that provides access to a website maintained by the program administrator. Personal accounts can be password protected.

[0048] Certain types of commercial establishments 12 may have multiple washroom facilities 14 in a single building or multiple buildings connected to a single central controller 44, which in turn is connected to a central server system 58. In this regard, a communication network is configured for these functions, wherein the various components (e.g., transmitters 36, broadcasting devices 42, 43) are considered to be network-enabled devices that can be directly connected to the network via multiple direct network links, thereby eliminating the need for buses, routers, or other networking devices. It should also be understood that each network-enabled device (or group of such devices) in this configuration can represent a node, which in turn can be directly connected and / or multiplexed to the network via a direct network link. In addition, the direct network link can represent a secure communication channel that is physically hardened to prevent tampering, and / or the communication can be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access to the information transmitted thereon.

[0049] The central server system may include a host computer, which may be an integrated server, or any type of peripheral server or other hardware structure. The central server system 58 may be a single networked computer, or a series of interconnected computers that access the network via a gateway or other known networking system. Generally speaking, the central server system 58 may include a central controller that is configured to manage, execute, and control each transmitter 63, as well as interact with the network-enabled broadcast devices 42, 43 for retrieving / generating and playing the personalized messages described herein. The central controller may include a memory for storing reward program processes and routines, a microprocessor (MP) for executing stored programs, a random access memory (RAM), and an input / output (I / O) bus. These devices may be multiplexed together via a common bus, or each may be directly connected via a dedicated communication line, depending on the needs of the system.

[0050] The central server system 58 may be connected directly or indirectly via an I / O bus to any variety of peripheral devices, such as storage devices, wireless adapters, printers, etc. In addition, a database (DB) may be communicatively connected to the central controller and provide a data repository for storing and correlating information collected from the messages 40 transmitted from the customers 30.

[0051] It should be understood that network-enabled devices (e.g., individual transmitters and / or display devices) may include similar features or may be configured with functionality that allows for the exchange of information necessary to function as described herein. A network-enabled device may include multiple internal components, such as a controller with program memory, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP), random access memory (RAM), and an input / output (I / O) bus, all of which may be interconnected via an address or data bus. The controller may include multiple, even redundant, program memories and random access memories to increase scalability, capacity, and / or processing speed.

[0052] The program memory and random access memory can be implemented as solid-state memory, integrated circuit, magnetically readable memory and / or optically readable memory. In addition, the program memory can be a read-only memory (ROM) or a read / write memory such as a hard disk. In the case of using a hard disk as the program memory, the data bus can include multiple address / data buses, which can be of different types and independent I / O circuits can exist between the data buses.

[0053] The devices supporting the network may be located throughout a single organization and connected to a LAN, or they may be located across multiple sites and connected to a WAN. In addition, the LAN and / or WAN connecting each device may include one or more independent and secure buses, routers, web servers, gateways, and other networking devices to provide continuous and / or redundant connectivity to the network.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the subject matter encompassed by the present invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, the subject matter of the present invention is intended to include all replacements, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for encouraging proper use of restrooms and restroom components at a commercial establishment by patrons, comprising: Enrolling multiple businesses in the restroom incentive program; enrolling a patron in the restroom rewards program; assigning corresponding point values ​​in the restroom rewards program for defined restroom activities performed by the patron in the restroom of the commercial establishment, wherein the restroom comprises a plurality of separate functional locations; deploying a transmitter device that broadcasts a unique ID signal of the commercial establishment to each functional location of the restroom in the commercial establishment, wherein the ID signal also includes information about the corresponding location of the transmitter device in the restroom; providing the patron with the ability to receive the unique ID signal on a mobile smart device carried by the patron upon entering the restroom, wherein the mobile smart device generates and transmits a communication to a central server in response to the received signal, the communication identifying the particular commercial establishment and the particular patron; deploying a sensor to at least one lavatory component in the lavatory facility at each functional location to detect and transmit information related to usage of the at least one lavatory component to a central server, wherein the central server identifies a lavatory activity performed by a particular patron at a particular establishment based on received communications identifying the particular establishment and the particular patron and the information related to usage of the at least one lavatory component; providing the customer, on the mobile smart device, with the characteristics and locations of businesses participating in the restroom rewards program that are located within a defined distance from the customer's physical location or within a geographic area identified by the customer; identifying the patron and crediting the point value for the defined activity to a participant account assigned to the patron when the patron performs one of the defined restroom activities at one of the establishments, wherein the central server communicates with the establishment and the patron's mobile smart device and identifies the patron, the particular establishment, and the restroom activity performed by the patron, the central server automatically crediting the point value for the restroom activity to the patron's account, wherein one of the defined restroom activities to which the point value is assigned is an amount of product dispensed from a dispenser in the restroom facility or an amount of time the patron spends washing their hands at a sink; and The customer is enabled to redeem the accumulated points in his / her corresponding account for rewards.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a personalized message to the patron in the restroom facility, the personalized message identifying the patron by name and specifying a point value earned by the patron for the performed restroom activity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristics and location of the commercial establishment are provided to the customer via an application running on a mobile smart device carried by the customer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the application identifies the point value for one or more of the defined restroom activities at the establishment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the defined restroom activities comprises entering the restroom, wherein the patron is awarded a point value for visiting the establishment and entering the restroom.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the customer also earns points for activities performed at the establishment.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter device is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacon that transmits a BTLE ID signal unique to the commercial establishment, and the customer's mobile smart device is configured with an application that enables the mobile smart device to receive the BTLE ID signal and transmit all or part of the BTLE ID signal to the central server.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the central server identifies the customer based on the transmission from the customer's mobile smart device and generates a personalized message to the customer identifying the customer by name.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the personalized message is conveyed to the customer via the customer's mobile smart device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the personalized message is communicated via a broadcast device in the washroom.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a timer display in the restroom facility that indicates to the patron actual hand washing time.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating and transmitting a personalized message to the patron in the restroom facility, wherein the personalized message includes health information obtained from a personal health tracking device worn by the patron.

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