# US 10,373,477 B1 · Hygiene compliance modules for dispensers, dispensers and compliance monitoring systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,373,477 B1 - Document ID: US10373477B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/717,058 - Filed: 2017-09-27 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-28 - Assignees: GOJO Industries, Inc. - Applicants: GOJO Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Chet J. Bonner; Jackson W. Wegelin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373477B1 ## CPC - G08B 21/245: {Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands} - A47K 5/12: for liquid or pasty soap - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES ## Abstract Compliance modules for fluid dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments of the compliance modules include a housing, a processor, memory, wireless communication circuitry and voltage monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in voltage of a dispenser power supply. The processor, memory and voltage monitoring circuitry are located within the housing. A connector for electrically connecting the module to a power supply of the dispenser is also included. The compliance module receives power from the dispenser. The processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in voltage detected by the voltage monitoring circuitry. The processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compliance module for a touch-free fluid dispenser, the compliance module comprising: a module housing; a connector on the housing for releasably connecting to a communication port of the touch-free fluid dispenser and placing the compliance module in circuit communication with the touch-free fluid dispenser that contains a touch-free fluid dispenser power supply; a module power supply located at least partially within the module housing and electrically separated from the touch-free fluid dispenser power supply in the touch-free fluid dispenser when the compliance module is connected to the dispenser through the communication port; a processor; a memory; a wireless communication circuitry; a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in an electrical parameter indicative of a dispense event; wherein the processor, memory and parameter monitoring circuitry are located within the module housing; and wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in an electrical parameter in the touch-free dispenser circuitry is detected by the parameter monitoring circuitry through the connector; and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and wherein the module housing is configured to fit within a housing that contains the touch-free fluid dispenser housing components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in voltage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the parameter change is a change in current. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The compliance module of claim 1 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification. ### Claim 5 A touch-free fluid dispenser having a removable compliance module comprising: a touch-free dispenser enclosure; a pump housing; a first battery for powering the touch-free dispenser; a communications port; and a compliance module removably inserted in the dispenser enclosure; the compliance module including: a module housing; a connector for connecting to the communications port; a module processor; a second battery for powering the compliance module; a memory; a wireless communications circuitry; and a parameter monitoring circuitry for detecting a signal through the communications port; wherein the processor, memory, wireless communications circuitry and parameter monitoring circuitry are in circuit communication with one another and are located within the module housing; wherein the compliance module receives power from the second battery in the dispenser; and wherein the processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a signal from the communications port; and wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event; and wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the electrical parameter detected by the monitoring circuitry is a drop in voltage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the processor causes the wireless communication circuitry transmits a signal indicative of a dispense event and a badge identification. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the connector connects to a communication port of a dispenser. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The fluid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the connector connects to one or more batteries in the dispenser. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The fluid dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a refill unit containing a fluid to be dispensed. ### Claim 11 A dispenser comprising: a dispenser enclosure; a receptacle for receiving a container for a fluid product; an actuator for actuating a pump to pump the fluid product; a first power supply located within the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser; a dispenser processor for controlling the dispenser; the dispenser processor powered by the first power supply; a communication port in circuit communication with the processor; a module housing; a connector secured to the module housing for releasably connecting to the communication port of a fluid dispenser; a second power supply located in the module housing; a module processor powered by the second power supply; a memory; a wireless communication circuitry; wherein the, module processor and memory and at least a portion of the wireless communication circuitry are located within the module housing; wherein the processor receives a signal from the dispenser that is indicative of a dispense event from the dispenser; and wherein the processor and wireless communication circuitry are powered from the second power supply; and wherein the second power supply in the module is separate from the first power supply in the dispenser; and wherein the module housing is located within the dispenser enclosure.