Systems and methods for product level tracking of sheet product rolls

An apparatus for providing automatic product level tracking functionality to a sheet product roll dispenser, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to be coupled to the sheet product roll dispenser, the housing at least partially containing:
• a product level sensor configured to provide an indication when a quantity of sheet product on a sheet product roll mounted within the sheet product dispenser is depleted below a threshold quantity;
• a communications module configured to transmit product level data to a remote computing device based on a determination that the product level sensor provided the indication, wherein the product level data is indicative of the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll when the product level sensor provided the indication, wherein transmission of product level data to the remote computing device by the communications module includes transmission of other event data to the remote computing device;
• and
• an electrically conductive contact configured to be in contact with a terminal of one or more batteries for providing electrical power to the product level sensor and the communications module;
• and
• one or more mounting features configured to enable coupling of the housing to the sheet product dispenser.

A method of tracking product level of a sheet product roll dispenser, the method comprising:

• providing a product level tracking system comprising:
• a product level sensor configured to move from a first position to a second position when a quantity of sheet product on a sheet product roll mounted within the sheet product dispenser is depleted below a threshold quantity;
• determining, via the processor, one of occurrence of a high priority event or expiration of a pre-defined time interval;
• and,
• in response thereto:
• determining product level data indicative of a quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll mounted in the sheet product dispenser;
• causing transmission of the product level data to a remote computing device;
• and
• causing resetting of a timer for determining expiration of the pre-defined time interval,
• wherein the high priority event includes an event from a group of events including an instance in which the product level sensor moves to the second position,
• wherein the sheet product roll comprises a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis from a first side to a second side, wherein at least a portion of the product level sensor is configured to be disposed in contact with the first side of the sheet product roll when in the first position, and
• wherein the product level sensor is a first product level sensor and is mounted so as to contact the first side of the sheet product roll when in the first position at a first radial distance from the central bore, wherein the threshold quantity is a first threshold quantity, wherein the system includes a second product level sensor that is configured to move from a first position to a second position when a quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll mounted within the sheet product dispenser is depleted below a second threshold quantity, wherein the second product level sensor is mounted so as to contact the first side of the sheet product roll when in the first position at a second radial distance from the central bore, wherein the second radial distance is smaller than the first radial distance, and wherein the second threshold quantity is smaller than the first threshold quantity.