# US 2019/0379751 A1 · Dryer with communication interface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0379751 A1 - Document ID: US20190379751A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/386,560 - Filed: 2019-04-17 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-23 - Assignees: Excel Dryer, Inc. - Applicants: Excel Dryer, Inc. - Inventors: William Gagnon; Marc Schwartz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379751A1 ## CPC - H04L 67/535: {Tracking the activity of the user (network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34)} - A47K 10/48: Drying by means of hot air - H04L 41/0803: Configuration setting - A47K 5/1217: {Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism} - A47K 2010/3226: {collecting data of usage} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks] - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A forced air hand dryer includes a communication device that communicatively couples to a computing entity in provide data regarding the use of the hand dryer, and/or to set an operating configuration of the hand dryer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a forced air hand dryer; and a communication device coupled to the forced air hand dryer and configured to communicatively couple to a computing entity in order to provide data regarding the use of the forced air hand dryer to the computing entity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the computing entity in accordance with at least one of Wi-Fi communications and BLUETOOTH communications. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to provide an identification of the forced air hand dryer to the computing entity based on a scan. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data comprises statistics regarding the use of the forced air hand dryer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data relates to at least one of a cost associated with the use of the forced air hand dryer and a cost savings associated with the use of the forced air hand dryer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data is based on a maintenance mode associated with the forced air hand dryer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data is protected via a credential that comprises at least one of a personal identification number, a username, and a password. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at least one setting associated with the forced air hand dryer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one setting comprises at least one of a motor power setting, a heater temperature setting, and a motion sensitivity setting. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the communication device is configured to receive an adjustment to the at least one setting and apply the adjustment to the forced air hand dryer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the communication device is configured to apply the adjustment to the forced air hand dryer as part of a test of the forced air hand dryer, and wherein the computing entity comprises at least one of a server, a personal computer, and a mobile device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data is configured to be analyzed to identify at least one of cost and waste in a bathroom in which the forced air hand dryer is located. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data is configured to be analyzed to schedule a maintenance activity in a bathroom in which the forced air hand dryer is located. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a dispenser; and a second communication device coupled to the dispenser and configured to communicatively couple to at least one of the computing entity or a second computing entity in order to provide second data regarding the use of the dispenser. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second communication device is different from the communication device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense at least paper towels. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second data comprises at least one setting associated with the dispenser, wherein the at least one setting is configured to control at least one operation associated with the dispenser. ### Claim 18 An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: scan a dryer system to establish wireless communication with at least one communication device; identify at least one forced air hand dryer included in the dryer system based on the established wireless communication; and cause the identification of the at least one dryer to be presented. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to: receive a selection of the at least one hand dryer based on the presented identification; and provide data regarding the use of the at least one hand dryer based on the received selection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a display screen, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to present the identification of the at least one forced air hand dryer in association with a graphic of the display screen.