A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.

Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

Dispensers of the present technology are configured to receive a replaceable refill cartridge, and may include a back housing, a front cover, a control unit, a refill housing configured to receive a refill cartridge, and a switch board positioned between the refill housing and the back housing. Dispensers may also include at least one refill guide removably connected to the refill housing. The switch board may include at least one switch operatively connected to the control unit. The at least one switch may be a refill recognition switch configured to send at least a refill recognition signal to the control unit indicating that a refill cartridge is present in the refill housing, or a refill size switch configured to send a refill size signal to the control unit indicating a size of the refill cartridge.

A hybrid sensor for calibrating a primary active infrared (IR) sensor to more accurately locate, continuously calibrate, and conserve energy by more accurately detecting via the active IR detection is described herein. The hybrid sensor includes one or more infrared sensors and one or more time-of-flight sensors. The time-of-flight sensor may remain in a dormant state (e.g., low power or sleep mode) until the one or more infrared sensors detect an object. In response to detecting an object, the time-of-flight sensor may be activated to obtain several measurements of the object. After obtaining the measurements, the time-of-flight sensor may return to its dormant state. The hybrid sensor may use the measurements obtained by the time-of-flight sensor to calibrate the one or more infrared sensors to provide more accurate measurements on an object-by-object basis.

A method of filling a fluid dispenser is provided and a method for operating power driven pump in a dispenser is provided.

A method for controlling a touchless lavatory is disclosed herein. The method includes forming one or more groups of sensors from a plurality of sensors, determining that a trigger event is detected from the first sensor, and identifying a first group of sensors of the one or more groups of sensors to which the first sensor belongs. The method further includes requesting an ambient light measurement from each of the plurality of sensor. The method further includes computing an average ambient light value based on the ambient light measurement, comparing the ambient light measurement of the first sensor to the average ambient light value of all the sensors, determining that the ambient light measurement of the first sensor is less than the average ambient light value of all the sensors, and determining that the first sensor trigger event is valid.

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a dispenser housing, an object sensor, a near field communications reader, a power source, a processor and a memory. First logic is stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser. The first logic does not enable the object sensor. The system includes a refill unit having a container, a near field communications tag and a software or firmware update stored on the near field communications tag. The software or firmware update comprises second logic for updating the first logic stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser and wherein the second logic enables the object sensor.

Exemplary embodiments of energy efficient foam pumps and dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary foam dispenser included a housing, a reservoir for holding a foamable liquid, a motor, a motor shaft, and a turbine air pump. The turbine air pump is connected to the motor shaft. A cam is also attached to the motor shaft and is used for driving a liquid pump. Liquid from the liquid pump and air from the turbine air pump are mixed in a mixing chamber and dispensed through an outlet nozzle. The touch-free foam dispenser further includes a sensor for sensing an object, circuitry for receiving a signal from the sensor indicative of an object being present and circuitry for energizing the motor to dispense fluid in the form of a foam.

Technology is configured to monitor correct utilization of a dispensed substance, including dispensing units having environmental sensors. For example, this may include soap dispensers configured to monitor handwashing activity, and toothpaste dispensers configured to monitor brushing activity. Embodiments include both base units that are configured to operate with separate dispensing containers, and containers having electronic components built in.