# US 2019/0378159 A1 · Method and System for Consumer Award Program for Washroom Usage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0378159 A1 - Document ID: US20190378159A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/551,049 - Filed: 2019-08-26 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-22 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Stephen Becker; Charlene Dunbar; Jason Kirkland; Warren Moede; Thomas H Schulz; Chrissy Sheehan; Peter W. Shipp, Jr.; Paul F. Tramontina; Matthew T Zielinski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190378159A1 ## CPC - G06Q 30/0233: {Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward} - G06Q 10/06: Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling - G06Q 10/0639: Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations - G06Q 10/06398: {Performance of employee with respect to a job function} - G06Q 20/127: {Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation} - G06Q 20/387: {Payment using discounts or coupons (relating to marketing G06Q30/02)} - G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising - G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A system and control method are provided for encouraging patron use of washrooms at commercial establishments. A plurality of commercial establishments are enrolled in a washroom rewards program, as well as patrons that may frequent or visit such establishments. Respective point values in the washroom rewards program are established for defined washroom activities performed by the patrons in the washrooms of the commercial establishments. The identity and location of the commercial establishments are provided to the patrons. Upon the patrons performing one of the defined washroom activities in one of the commercial establishments, the patron is identified and awarded credit of the points for the defined activity to a player account assigned to the patron. Provisions are made for the patrons to redeem accumulated points in their respective account for an award. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for encouraging patron use of washrooms at commercial establishments, comprising: enrolling a plurality of commercial establishments in a washroom rewards program; enrolling patrons in the washroom rewards program; assigning respective point values in the washroom rewards program for defined washroom activities performed by the patrons in the washrooms of the commercial establishments; one of the defined washroom activities comprising proper hand-washing activity verified by performance of an act by the patrons at a sink in the washroom; upon the patrons performing the hand-washing activity, identifying the patron and crediting the point value for the defined activity to a player account assigned to the patron; and providing for the patrons to redeem accumulated points in their respective account for an award. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the act by the patron comprises detection of actual run time of a faucet at the sink as determined by a sensor disposed at the sink. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as in claim 2, wherein a defined point value is credited to the patron for the actual run time of the faucet meeting a predetermined run time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as in claim 3, further comprising providing a timer display in the washroom facility that indicates the actual run time of the faucet to the patron. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the act by the patron comprises detection of a number of paper towels used by the patron as determined by a sensor disposed at a paper towel dispenser adjacent the sink. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as in claim 5, wherein a defined point value is credited to the patron for using up to a defined number of paper towels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6, wherein a point value is deducted from the player's account for exceeding the defined number of paper towels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, further comprising delivering a personalized message to the patron within the washroom, the personalized message identifying the patron by name and stating the point value earned by the patron for the performed washroom activity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the identity and location of the commercial establishments are provided to the patrons via an application running on a mobile smart device carried by the patrons, the application locating and identifying the commercial establishments within a defined distance from the patron's location and identifying the point value of one or more of the defined washroom activities at the commercial establishments. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as in claim 9, wherein one of the defined washroom activities includes entering the washroom, wherein the patron is awarded a point value for visiting the commercial establishment and entering the washroom. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein points are also earned by the patrons for non-washroom activities performed at the commercial establishments. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, further comprising configuring the washrooms in the commercial establishments with a transmitter device that broadcasts an ID signal unique to the commercial establishment, and providing the patrons with capability to receive the unique ID signals on a mobile smart device carried by the patron upon entry into the washroom, wherein a central server is in communication with the commercial establishments and the patron's mobile smart device and identifies the patron, the particular commercial establishment, and the washroom activity performed by the patron, the central server automatically crediting the patron's account with the point value for the washroom activity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as in claim 12, wherein the central server identifies the patron from the transmission from the patron's mobile smart device, and generates a personalized message to the patron that identifies the patron by name, the personalized message delivered to the patron via the patron's mobile smart device or via a broadcast device in the washroom.