Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing physical validation of for precluding improper installation and confirming appropriate installation of a consumable articles into a consumable article dispenser, and further monitoring the appropriate installation and consumption of a consumable article in real-time.

A power management system for a dispenser that includes a passive infrared radiation sensor arranged along the dispenser and configured to detect infrared radiation emitted by one or more users within a prescribed detection range, area, or zone of the dispenser. When the passive infrared radiation sensor does not capture infrared radiation within the prescribed detection range, area, or zone, the dispenser is placed in a low power state with the passive infrared sensor remaining connected to a power source and a controller, a dispensing mechanism, and/or the proximity sensor being disconnected from the power source. Other aspects also are described.

An apparatus, product monitoring system, and a method of measuring an amount of product on a roller are provided. The method includes receiving a first position distance between a position sensor and an exterior edge of the roller. The method also includes comparing the first position distance with a predetermined position distance. The predetermined position distance defines the distance between the position sensor and the exterior edge of the roller at a specific amount of product left on the roller. The method further includes determining the amount of product left on the roller based on the comparison of the first position distance and the predetermined position distance. The method still further includes causing the transmission of a signal relating to the amount of product left on the roller.

An exemplary dispenser includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit being removable and replaceable. The dispenser also includes a processor, memory, a dose count stored in memory that is indicative of the number of doses in a full refill unit, a level sensor for detecting a predetermined level the refill unit and a dispense count indicative of the number doses of product dispensed from the refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes memory and has logic stored in the memory for recalibrating the number of doses remaining in the refill unit as a function of the dose count, the number of doses of product dispensed and the predetermined level of product. The number of doses of product remaining in the refill unit may be displayed on the dispenser, on a remote station, or on both the dispenser and a remote station.

A detection and reporting device for determining a usage event indicating a use of a piece of hygiene equipment, the detection and reporting device comprising a positioning section that allows determining positional information indicating a position of the detection and reporting device; a sensor section configured to sense over a time span an observable indicating a use of the piece of hygiene equipment and to generate usage event information on the basis of the sensed observable; and a reporting section configured to generate and transmit a message on the basis of said usage event information and on information allowing an association to said positional information.

A system having a washroom controller configured to communicate with one or more hygiene dispensers in the washroom; a thermal sensor configured detect thermal events at the entrance and communicate data describing the thermal events to the washroom controller; and a data processing apparatus configured to access the data from the washroom controller and analyze the data to determine a number of thermal events over a given time period and a number of dispenses from the at least one of the one or more hygiene dispensers.

A tissue dispenser, a method, system, and a sensor unit for detecting level of a consumable tissue product (201, 301) in a tissue dispenser (103, 106) located in a washroom. This includes provided a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements (420, 430) each arranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located on the tissue product, reflected directly from the tissue product, or measure the absence of the tissue product. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to a server (901) for further handling, such as for instance notification to a janitor in charge of service of the washroom.

An apparatus, system and method for a consumable sheet-product level monitoring system for association with a sheet-product filled consumable package. The apparatus, system and method may include a receiver for receiving the consumable package upon insertion thereof; at least one sensor associated with at least one opening in the receiver; a sensing module for receiving sheet-product level data from the at least one sensor as the sheet product is removed through the at least on opening; an inventory monitor sensor associated with a storage point of the consumable package; and a communications module capable of communicating the sheet-product level remaining in the consumable package, and an amount of inventory of the consumable packages remaining at the storage point, to at least a mobile device display and over at least one network to at least one back end module, at least to enable an autoreplenishment of the consumable packages when needed.

A dispensing device for single-use articles is provided. In certain embodiments, the dispensing device comprises a wall-mounted unit or fixture that is capable of holding at least different articles and providing those articles to a user. Packaging devices for use and cooperation with the dispensing device are further provided, and various systems for storing and dispensing articles are provided.

An apparatus, product monitoring system, and a method of measuring an amount of product on a roller are provided. The method includes receiving a first position distance between a position sensor and an exterior edge of the roller. The method also includes comparing the first position distance with a predetermined position distance. The predetermined position distance defines the distance between the position sensor and the exterior edge of the roller at a specific amount of product left on the roller. The method further includes determining the amount of product left on the roller based on the comparison of the first position distance and the predetermined position distance. The method still further includes causing the transmission of a signal relating to the amount of product left on the roller.