Wireless Hygiene Dispenser Beacon Communication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hygiene compliance data transmission in hygiene dispenser systems poses security concerns and high installation costs due to reliance on customer-owned networks and proprietary protocols, and can strain relationships between customers and data monitoring entities, while also risking security breaches through firewall openings.
Innovation Solution
A low-bandwidth wireless communication system using sensors, hubs, and a cellular network to transmit hygiene dispenser status data securely and cost-effectively, minimizing infrastructure impact and allowing secure data analysis off-site, with features like self-powered sensors, overlapping hub ranges for redundancy, and proprietary protocol resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted over a customer-owned network using hard-wire connections, then data transmission reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hard-wire connections with wireless communication technology. The hygiene dispenser system uses wireless transmitters to send data to remote servers, eliminating the need for physical cable installations while maintaining data transmission reliability through protocol encryption and secure communication channels.
2Productivity
If a different entity monitors hygiene data using proprietary protocols, then data analysis capability is improved, but security risk and customer trust decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of encrypted communication protocols and security mechanisms between the hygiene dispenser and remote servers. This intermediary protects data transmission while allowing third-party monitoring, balancing security requirements with data analysis capabilities through authentication protocols and secure data exchange standards.
3Productivity
If firewall ports are opened for data collection, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but network security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the customer's internal network by using wireless communication that does not require opening firewall ports. The system transmits data externally through wireless channels, eliminating the need to create security vulnerabilities in the customer's network infrastructure while maintaining efficient data collection.
4Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for data transmission, then installation cost and ease of deployment are improved, but data transmission bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only essential hygiene compliance data through the wireless channel rather than all possible data types. The system selectively monitors and transmits critical parameters such as handwashing frequency and duration, optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining deployment ease through wireless communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system for hygiene compliance monitoring comprising a plurality of hygiene dispensers for dispensing hygiene product, each dispenser having a transmitter for transmitting data indicating the status of dispenser, such as product remaining in the dispenser to a central monitoring station.