Dispensing and monitoring systems and methods

A dispensing and monitoring system for a facility, comprising:

• a plurality of dispensers positioned at selected locations about the facility, each dispenser comprising:
• at least one passive infrared radiation sensor configured to capture infrared radiation of one or more individuals;
• and
• a control system in communication with a power source and the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor, wherein the control system is configured to disconnect from the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation of one or more individuals, and to connect to the power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor captures infrared radiation of one or more individuals,
• wherein the plurality of dispensers includes at least one lead dispenser and one or more drone dispensers in communication with the at least one lead dispenser and configured to communicate information captured thereby to the at least one lead dispenser;
• and
• wherein a power source of the at least one lead dispenser remains connected to a control system of the at least one lead dispenser when a passive infrared radiation sensor of the lead dispenser or any of the one or more drone dispensers captures infrared radiation of one or more individuals.

A method of monitoring movement of individuals in a facility, comprising:

• capturing infrared radiation emitted by one or more of individuals using at least one passive infrared radiation sensor of at least one dispenser of a plurality of dispensers located about the facility;
• transmitting information from a set of drone dispensers of the plurality of dispensers to a lead dispenser of the plurality of dispensers;
• monitoring movements and/or activities of each individual in relation to each dispenser that detects the individual;
• connecting a control system of the lead dispenser with a power source when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor of the lead dispenser or any of the drone dispensers captures infrared radiation of one or more individuals and
• disconnecting the control system of the lead dispenser from the power source of the lead dispenser when the at least one passive infrared radiation sensor of the lead dispenser or any of the drone dispensers does not capture infrared radiation of one or more individuals.