Systems and methods for product level tracking of sheet product rolls

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021106187-A1
Application number	US-202017065807-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2020
Priority date	Oct 9, 2019
Publication date	Apr 15, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for providing a sheet product dispenser with automated product level tracking functionality are provided herein. Various product level sensors are disclosed herein including a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal. The product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll. Other example embodiments include mechanical product level sensors. Various communication protocols may be employed to limit transmission of data to conserve battery life while still maintaining desired communication functionality.

First claim

1 . A sheet product roll dispenser comprising:
a housing sized to at least partially contain a sheet product roll; a spindle coupled to the housing and extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the spindle is configured to receive the sheet product roll; a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of the sheet product roll installed on the spindle and to receive a reflected signal therefrom, wherein the product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll; and a processor configured to determine the quantity of sheet product remaining on the sheet product roll based on the parameter of the reflected signal.

2 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a communications module configured to transmit product level data to a remote computing device for notifying a user regarding the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll, wherein the product level data is indicative of the quantity of sheet product remaining on the sheet product roll.

3 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 2 , wherein notification to the user occurs upon a determination that the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll is depleted below a threshold quantity.

4 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 2 , wherein a first notification to the user occurs upon a determination that the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll is depleted below a first threshold quantity and a second notification to the user occurs upon a second determination that the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll is depleted below a second threshold quantity, wherein the first threshold quantity is greater than the second threshold quantity.

5 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the first threshold quantity corresponds to when the reflected signal changes from being reflected off a side surface of the sheet product roll to being reflected off the outer circumference of the sheet product roll.

6 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the quantity of sheet product remaining at intervals, and wherein the duration between the intervals is reduced when the quantity of sheet product roll is below the first threshold quantity.

7 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 6 , wherein the duration between the intervals is further reduced when the quantity of sheet product roll is below the second threshold quantity.

8 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 2 , further comprising a housing at least partially containing the product level sensor, the communications module, and at least one electrically conductive contact, wherein the housing is configured to be coupled to the sheet product dispenser between an inner surface of the sheet product dispenser and a side of the sheet product roll mounted on the spindle within the sheet product dispenser.

9 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises an outer plate, an inner plate, and sidewall extending therebetween, wherein the inner plate comprises one or more optical windows configured to allow the signal to be transmitted and received therethrough.

10 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the parameter of the reflected signal comprises one of time-of-flight, phase shift, shape, or illuminance.

11 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the product level sensor comprises an emitter configured to emit the signal such that a central axis of the emitted signal exhibits an angle in a range of about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

12 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the angle is in a range of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees.

13 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to limit transmissions initiated by the communications module until the detection of at least one high priority event.

14 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the at least one high priority event is one of an event requiring service at the dispenser and an event of service being provided at the dispenser.

15 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 14 , wherein the event requiring service at the dispenser is selected from the group consisting of the processor determining that the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll is depleted below a threshold quantity, a charge remaining on one or more batteries coupled to the at least one electrically conductive contact being below a threshold level, and a detection of a fault.

16 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 14 , wherein the event of service being provided at the dispenser is selected from the group consisting of the processor determining that the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll is refilled above a threshold quantity and the replacement of one or more batteries.

17 . The sheet product roll dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to limit transmissions initiated by the communications module to pre-defined intervals until the detection of at least one high priority event.

18 . A system for providing automatic product level tracking functionality to a sheet product roll dispenser, the system comprising:
a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal therefrom, wherein the sheet product roll is rotatably mounted on the spindle, wherein the product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll; a processor configured to determine the quantity of sheet product remaining on the sheet product roll based on the parameter of the reflected signal; a communications module configured to transmit product level data to a remote computing device for notifying a user regarding the quantity of sheet product on the sheet product roll, wherein the product level data is indicative of the quantity of sheet product remaining on the sheet product roll; and an electrically conductive contact configured to be in contact with a terminal of one or more batteries for providing electrical power to at least one of the product level sensor, the processor, and the communications module, wherein the product level sensor, the processor, the communications module, and the at least one electrically conductive contact are configured to be coupled to the sheet product roll dispenser.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the system is configured to be coupled to the sheet product roll dispenser while the sheet product roll dispenser is installed on one of a wall or a structure such that the sheet product roll dispenser is retrofitted.

20 . A system for providing automatic product level tracking functionality to a sheet

Assignees

• Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Murphy David Warren
• Robertson Timothy Andrew
• Swanson Kevin Michael
• Goltz Ryan Anthony
• Mueller Andrew Mark

Classifications

• A47K10/38 Primary

  the web being rolled-up · CPC title

• A47K2010/389

  Accessories or combination with other devices, e.g. music boxes, clocks, heating devices or shelfs · CPC title

• G01B11/026

  by measuring distance between sensor and object (G01B11/0608 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01B11/043

  for measuring length · CPC title

• G01B11/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) · CPC title