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US 12,357,131 B2Granted
Power management system for dispensers
OwnerCharles Agnew Osborne, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power management system for a dispenser that includes a passive infrared radiation sensor arranged along the dispenser and configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by one or more users within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser. When the passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, the dispenser is placed in a low power state with the passive infrared sensor remaining connected to a power source and a controller, a dispensing mechanism, and/or the proximity sensor being disconnected from the power source. Other aspects also are described.
Claims20
A dispenser, comprising:
- a feed roller located configured to engage and feed a length of a sheet material;
- a motor coupled to the feed roller;
- at least one detector;
- a controller in communication with the motor and the at least one detector;
- a power source;
- and
- a power management system connected to the power source and comprising at least one passive infrared radiation sensor configured to detect infrared radiation emitted within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser;
- wherein the power management system is operable to turn on power to the controller when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, and turn off power to the controller when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone;
- and
- wherein in response to a signal from the at least one detector to initiate dispensing of the sheet material, the controller activates the motor to rotate the feed roller to feed the length of the sheet material.
7 more elements
A dispensing system, comprising:
- a network;
- a plurality of dispensers;
- wherein at least one dispenser of the plurality of dispensers is configured to receive information from remaining ones of the plurality of dispensers, and communicate the information received from therefrom to the network;
- wherein each of the dispensers comprises:
- a controller configured to initiate and control one or more operations thereof;
- a power source;
- and
- a power management system in communication with the controller and the power source, and comprising at least one passive infrared radiation sensor configured to capture infrared radiation within a prescribed detection range, area;
- wherein the power management system for each dispenser is operable to disconnect the controller thereof from the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone;
- and
- wherein the power management system for each dispenser is operable to connect the controller thereof to the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone.
8 more elements
A dispenser system, comprising:
- a plurality of dispensers positioned at selected locations throughout a facility;
- wherein the dispensers each include:
- a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a prescribed amount of a liquid or a sheet material;
- a controller in communication with the dispensing mechanism and configured to control operation of the dispensing mechanism to dispense the prescribed amount of the liquid or sheet material;
- a power source;
- and
- a power management system connected to the power source and comprising at least one passive infrared radiation sensor configured to detect infrared radiation emitted within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser;
- wherein the power management system is operable to turn on power to the controller when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, and turn off power to the controller when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone;
- and
- wherein the controller of each dispenser is further configured to generate and store dispenser information relating to use of the dispenser, activation of the dispenser, low power, low supply, error condition, or combinations thereof.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.