# US 2014/0191726 A1 · System and Method for Powering and Monitoring an Automated Battery Powered Dispenser

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0191726 A1
- Document ID: US20140191726A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/235,336
- Filed: 2012-06-22
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2011-06-23
- Assignees: Proventix Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Avery Dallas Long
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191726A1

## CPC

- A47K 5/1217: {Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism}
- G01R 31/36: Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
- H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)}
- H01M 10/42: Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells (H01M10/60 takes precedence)
- H01M 50/213: adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic (H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence)
- H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads}
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A system and method for powering and monitoring use of battery powered automated dispensers is provided. In one embodiment, a pseudo battery assembly comprised of a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers powers and monitors use of an automated hand hygiene dispenser. More specifically, the pseudo battery receives an external power supply from a control unit that is part of a hand hygiene compliance (HHC) system, wherein the pseudo battery is operable to distribute the power to the dispenser and detect use thereof with a sensor. Further, a feedback device associated with the control unit is operable to display an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined amount of times. In other embodiments, the pseudo battery assembly powers and monitors use of battery powered automated dispensers, such as an automated towel dispenser or an automated gloves dispenser.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
installing a pseudo battery assembly in a battery-powered automated dispenser;
distributing power from an external power source to the pseudo battery assembly, wherein the pseudo battery assembly is operable to supply power to the dispenser; and
detecting use of the dispenser with the pseudo battery assembly when power is supplied to the dispenser.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pseudo battery assembly further
comprises a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the pseudo battery and each of the plurality of battery spacers have a standard battery form factor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the automated dispenser is selected from the group consisting of: an automated gloves dispenser, an automated hand hygiene dispenser, or an automated towel dispenser.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pseudo battery includes a sensor that is operable to detect distribution of power to the dispenser.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the external power source is a control unit that is associated with the dispenser and powered by an offline power supply.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying on a feedback device associated with the control unit an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined number of times.

### Claim 8

(canceled)

### Claim 9

A system 8 comprising:
a control unit comprising a power supply;
a pseudo battery assembly receiving power from said power supply, said pseudo battery assembly comprising a pseudo battery and a plurality of battery spacers and being adapted to fit into a battery compartment of a battery-powered automated dispenser and supply power thereto;
wherein said control unit receives a signal from said pseudo battery assembly in response to use of said dispenser.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the pseudo battery and each of the plurality of battery spacers have a standard battery form factor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the automated dispenser is selected from the group consisting of: an automated gloves dispenser, an automated towel dispenser, or an automated hand hygiene dispenser.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein said control unit comprises a feedback device, said feedback device being operable to display an alarm or notification once the dispenser has been used a predetermined number of times.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein said control unit is part of hand hygiene compliance system.

### Claim 14

A method comprising:
powering a battery-powered automated dispenser with a pseudo-battery assembly; and
communicating a signal from said pseudo-battery assembly in response to use of said dispenser.