U.S. patent application number 13/951460 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-29 for hand hygiene dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is William Bernard Norman. Invention is credited to William Bernard Norman.
Application Number | 20150028054 13/951460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52389619 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150028054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Norman; William Bernard |
January 29, 2015 |
HAND HYGIENE DISPENSER
Abstract
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are
provided for dispensing material using a hand hygiene apparatus.
The hand hygiene apparatus may comprise a dispensing device
configured to dispense at least some material. The hand hygiene
apparatus may comprise a first motion sensing device configured to
activate an alert responsive to detecting a movement. The hand
hygiene apparatus may comprise a second motion sensing device
configured to deactivate the alert or activate a second alert
responsive to detecting a second movement.
Inventors: |
Norman; William Bernard;
(Lakewood, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Norman; William Bernard |
Lakewood |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52389619 |
Appl. No.: |
13/951460 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 21/245 20130101;
A47K 5/1217 20130101; G06F 19/00 20130101; G16H 40/63 20180101;
G16H 40/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/52 |
International
Class: |
A47K 5/12 20060101
A47K005/12 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for dispensing at least some material, comprising:
a first motion sensing device configured to activate an alert
responsive to detecting a movement; and a second motion sensing
device configured to, responsive to detecting a second movement, at
least one of: deactivate the alert; or activate a second alert.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, the alert comprising at least one of:
an optical alert; or an auditory alert.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a dispensing device
configured to dispense at least some material.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, the second movement detected by the
second motion sensing device when a user activates the dispensing
device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, the activating of the dispensing
device by the user comprising at least one of: the second movement
detected by the second motion sensing device; or an activation by
the user of a physical trigger on the dispensing device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, at least one of: the first motion
sensing device configured to detect the first movement based upon
at least one of a first beam or a first radiation; or the second
motion sensing device configured to detect the second movement
based upon at least one of a second beam, a second radiation or a
physical trigger.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, at least one of the first motion
sensing device or the second motion sensing device comprising a
passive infrared sensor.
8. A method for dispensing at least some material, comprising:
activating an alert responsive to detecting a movement; and
deactivating the alert or activating a second alert responsive to
detecting a second movement.
9. The method of claim 8, the alert comprising at least one of: an
optical alert; or an auditory alert.
10. The method of claim 8, comprising using a dispensing device to
dispense at least some material.
11. The method of claim 10, the second movement detected by the
second motion sensing device when a user activates the dispensing
device.
12. The method of claim 11, the activating of the dispensing device
by the user comprising at least one of: the second movement
detected by the second motion sensing device; or an activation by
the user of a physical trigger on the dispensing device.
13. The method of claim 8, at least one of: the first motion
sensing device configured to detect the first movement based upon
at least one of a first beam or a first radiation; or the second
motion sensing device configured to detect the second movement
based upon at least one of a second beam, a second radiation or a
physical trigger.
14. The method of claim 13, at least one of the first motion
sensing device or the second motion sensing device comprising a
passive infrared sensor.
15. A hand hygiene apparatus for dispensing at least some material,
comprising: a dispensing device configured to dispense at least
some material; a first motion sensing device configured to activate
an alert comprising at least one of an optical alert or an auditory
alert responsive to detecting a movement based upon at least one of
a first beam or a first radiation; and a second motion sensing
device configured to, responsive to detecting a second movement
when a user activates the dispensing device based upon at least one
of a second beam, a second radiation or a physical trigger, at
least one of: deactivate the alert; or activate a second alert
comprising at least one of a second optical alert or a second
auditory alert, the activating of the dispensing device by the user
comprising at least one of: the second movement detected by the
second motion sensing device; or an activation by the user of a
physical trigger on the dispensing device.
16. The hand hygiene apparatus of claim 15, at least one of the
first motion sensing device or the second motion sensing device
comprising a passive infrared sensor.
17. The hand hygiene apparatus of claim 15, the auditory alert
indicative of at least one of a voice, a beep or a chime.
18. The hand hygiene apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus coupled
to a wall.
19. The hand hygiene apparatus of claim 18, the optical alert
configured to shine on the wall.
20. The hand hygiene apparatus of claim 18, the optical alert
configured to shine on the wall in a first color, the second
optical alert configured to shine on the wall in a second color
different than the first color.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The world suffers from millions of cases per year of
Hospital Acquired Infections ("HAI's")--also known in the medical
literature as Nosocomial Infections--which may comprise infections
that a patient did not have when they came into the health care
facility, but acquired during treatment. Estimates of the direct
costs of these infections are staggering.
[0002] With limited government spending on healthcare, the HAI's
will continue to be an important issue for the government and for
healthcare providers, and thus the healthcare providers may need to
address this issue if they want to avoid the costs associated with
HAI's consuming an increasing share of their profits.
[0003] According to the evidence from some scientific studies, an
effective way to prevent HAI's is through increasing proper hand
hygiene for health care workers, patients, and visitors. The
literature suggests that the most effective way to prevent HAI's
and/or increase hand hygiene compliance is to make hand hygiene
compliance a part of the culture.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify
key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0005] Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques
are described herein for dispensing material using a hand hygiene
apparatus. The hand hygiene apparatus may comprise a dispensing
device configured to dispense at least some material. The material
may be used for cleaning and may comprise, for example, alcohol.
The hand hygiene apparatus may comprise a first motion sensing
device configured to detect a movement. The movement may be
indicative of a presence (e.g., and/or an entrance) of a user
(e.g., in a room comprising the hand hygiene apparatus). In
response to the detection of the movement, the first motion sensing
device may activate an alert. The alert may comprise at least one
of an optical alert (e.g., a light) or an auditory alert (e.g., a
sound), and/or may activate an alert located on the healthcare
employee. The hand hygiene apparatus may comprise a second motion
sensing device configured to detect a second movement. The second
movement may be indicative of the user using the hand hygiene
apparatus and/or the dispensing device (e.g., to dispense the
material on a hand of the user). In response to the detection of
the second movement, the second motion sensing device may at least
one of deactivate the alert (e.g., by turning off a light or
stopping the playing of a sound) or activate a second alert (e.g.,
by turning on a different (e.g., color) light and/or playing a
different sound).
[0006] The following description and annexed drawings set forth
certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are
indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more
aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel
features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
annexed drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for
dispensing material for hand hygiene.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary apparatus for
dispensing material for hand hygiene.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary method for
dispensing material for hand hygiene.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary environment for
dispensing material for hand hygiene.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary environment for
dispensing material for hand hygiene.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary computer-readable
medium wherein processor-executable instructions configured to
embody one or more of the provisions set forth herein may be
comprised.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computing environment
wherein one or more of the provisions set forth herein may be
implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The claimed subject matter is now described with reference
to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used
to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description,
for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed
subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed
subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, structures and devices are illustrated in block
diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject
matter.
[0015] A person may enter a (e.g., hospital) room to visit a
patient, for example. The person may be a medical professional who
is responsible for treating the patient. Alternatively, the person
may be a friend, family member, or other visitor of the patient. It
may be appreciated that prior to entering the room, the person may
have been exposed to an infectious agent (e.g., virus, bacterium,
prion or fungus, etc.). For example, the person may have touched a
chair with the infectious agent while sitting in a waiting room,
and/or touched food comprising the infectious agent while eating at
a cafeteria. If the person enters the room to visit the patient
without taking proper precautions, the person may expose the
patient to the infectious agent, and may increase the probability
of the patient suffering from an additional illness and/or ailment
and may, for example, increase time spent in the hospital and
treatment cost. It may be appreciated that a patient suffering from
the additional illness and/or ailment associated with the
infectious agent may have a harder time overcoming the original
illness and/or ailment that prompted the patient to be in the
(e.g., hospital) room (e.g., due to a weakened immune system). It
may further be appreciated that the risk of the patient being
exposed to the infectious agent by the person (e.g., and/or other
infectious agents by other persons) may be mitigated if the person
applies one or more materials (e.g., comprising alcohol, soap,
etc.) (e.g., associated with hygiene). For example, the person may
apply the one or more materials to one or more hands of the person
(e.g., since the person may be most likely to touch the patient
and/or an object near the person with the hands of the person).
[0016] Accordingly, among other things, one or more systems and/or
techniques are provided herein for dispensing material using a hand
hygiene apparatus. In particular, a movement (e.g., indicating that
a person entered a room) may be detected by a first motion sensing
device. An alert (e.g., an optical alert, an auditory alert, etc.)
may be activated responsive to the detection of the movement. For
example, the alert may remind a person to interact with an
apparatus in order to apply one or more materials to at least a
portion of the person in order to mitigate a likelihood of carrying
one or more infectious agents. A second movement (e.g., indicating
that the person used a dispensing device to apply hand
hygiene-related material to one or more hands of the user) may be
detected by a second motion sensing device. In one embodiment, the
alert may be deactivated (e.g., the optical alert may be turned off
and/or the auditory alert may be turned off, etc.) responsive to
the detection of the second movement. For example, the alert may
stop reminding the person to interact with the apparatus. In
another embodiment, a second alert (e.g., a second optical alert, a
second auditory alert, etc.) may be activated responsive to the
detection of the second movement. For example, the second alert may
indicate that the person satisfactorily interacted with the
apparatus. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the
first motion sensing device may be coupled to and/or comprised in a
same apparatus as the second motion sensing device, while in other
embodiments, the first motion sensing device may be detached from
the apparatus and/or from the second motion sensing device, and/or
the second motion sensing device may be detached from the apparatus
and/or from the first motion sensing device.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus 100 configured
for dispensing (e.g., hand hygiene-related) material. The apparatus
100 may comprise a first sensor 102. The first sensor 102 may
comprise a first motion sensing device, and may be used to detect
movement (e.g., in front of the first sensor 102 and/or in front of
the apparatus 100). In one embodiment, the first sensor 102 may
provide a beam and/or detect the movement based upon (e.g., an
interaction with and/or an interruption of) the beam. In another
embodiment, the first sensor 102 may detect the movement based upon
radiation. For example, the first sensor 102 may comprise a passive
infrared sensor. It may be appreciated that the movement may
indicate that a person entered a (e.g., patient's hospital) room
and/or area, for example. In some embodiments, the first sensor 102
may be attached to and/or comprised in the apparatus 100. In other
embodiments, the first sensor 102 may be detached from the
apparatus 100. For example, if the apparatus 100 is comprised in a
room, the first sensor may be comprised in a different location in
the room, and/or may be comprised in a different room.
[0018] The apparatus 100 may comprise a first alert component 106.
The first alert component 106 may, for example, activate a first
alert responsive to the detection of the movement by the first
sensor 102. For example, the first alert may comprise an optical
alert (e.g., an LED and/or other light) and/or an auditory alert
(e.g., indicative of a sound of a voice, a beep, a chime, etc.)
(e.g., transmitted via a speaker, for example), among other things.
For example, the optical alert may comprise illumination of a light
of a first color (e.g., red), and/or the auditory alert may
comprise a sound of a voice requesting a user to observe (e.g.,
hand) hygiene-related regulations. In an embodiment, the first
alert may increase in intensity (e.g., the optical alert may become
brighter and/or blink at a higher rate and/or the auditory alert
may grow louder, etc.) (e.g., after a threshold amount of time)
(e.g., until a second movement is detected).
[0019] The apparatus 100 may comprise a dispenser 110. The
dispenser 110 may, for example, comprise at least some material
and/or dispense (e.g., release) the material (e.g., onto (e.g., a
hand of) a user). The material may be at least partially associated
with hygiene. For example, the material may comprise alcohol, soap,
and/or other materials associated with the observation of hygiene.
In one embodiment, the dispenser 110 may dispense the material when
a person interacts (e.g., touches, pulls, presses, etc.) a physical
trigger associated with the dispenser 110. In another embodiment,
the dispenser 110 may dispense the material when the person
interacts with a sensor that does not require the person to
physically touch the sensor. For example, the dispenser 110 may
dispense the material responsive to detection of movement (e.g., a
waving of a hand of the person below the dispenser 110 and/or below
the apparatus 100) using a beam-based sensor and/or a
radiation-based sensor.
[0020] The apparatus 100 may comprise a second sensor 104. The
second sensor 104 may comprise a second motion sensing device, and
may be used to detect a second movement (e.g., below the second
sensor 104 and/or below the apparatus 100). In one embodiment, the
second sensor 104 may provide a beam and/or detect the second
movement based upon (e.g., an interaction with and/or an
interruption of) the beam. In another embodiment, the second sensor
104 may detect the second movement based upon radiation. For
example, the second sensor 104 may comprise a passive infrared
sensor. In another embodiment, the second sensor 104 may detect the
second movement based upon a physical trigger. For example, the
second sensor 104 may detect a pulling, a pressing, a touching,
etc. of the second sensor 104 and/or (e.g., one or more other
portions of) the apparatus 100 by a person. It may be appreciated
that the second movement may indicate that the person used the
apparatus 100 and/or the dispenser 110 (e.g., to dispense (e.g.,
hygiene-related) material on at least part of the person), and/or
that the person at least performed an action believed to indicate a
high probability (e.g., if not definite confirmation) of use of the
apparatus 100 and/or the dispenser 110, for example.
[0021] The apparatus 100 may comprise a second alert component 108.
The second alert component 108 may, for example, deactivate the
first alert activated by the first alert component 106 responsive
to the detection of the second movement by the second sensor 104.
For example, the optical alert and/or the auditory alert associated
with the first alert component 106 may be turned off. Alternatively
and/or additionally, the second alert component 108 may, for
example, activate a second alert responsive to the detection of the
second movement by the second sensor 104. For example, the second
alert may comprise a second optical alert (e.g., an LED and/or
other light) and/or a second auditory alert (e.g., indicative of a
sound of a voice, a beep, a chime, etc.) (e.g., transmitted via a
speaker, for example), among other things. For example, the second
optical alert may comprise illumination of a light of a second
color (e.g., green), and/or the second auditory alert may comprise
a sound of a voice thanking a user for observing (e.g., hand)
hygiene-related regulations.
[0022] It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first
alert component 106 may be different than the second alert
component 108, while in other embodiments, the first alert
component 106 may be the same as (e.g., and/or coupled to) the
second alert component 108. For example, the first alert component
106 may comprise a first speaker, and the second alert component
108 may comprise the (same) first speaker. In another example, the
first alert component 106 may comprise the first speaker, and the
second alert component 108 may comprise a (e.g., different) second
speaker. For example, the first speaker may be associated with a
first sound while the second speaker may be associated with a
(e.g., different) second sound. In another example, the first alert
component 106 may comprise a first optical device (e.g., light
source), and the second alert component 108 may comprise the (same)
first optical device. In another example, the first alert component
106 may comprise the first optical device, and the second alert
component 108 may comprise a (e.g., different) second optical
device. For example, the first optical device may be associated
with a first (e.g., colored) light while the second optical device
may be associated with a (e.g., different) second (e.g., colored)
light. In an embodiment, the first speaker and/or the second
speaker may be comprised in and/or integrated with a speaker system
in the room (e.g., a speaker system of a hospital).
[0023] It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first
sensor 102 may be different than the second sensor 104, while in
other embodiments, the first sensor 102 may be the same as (e.g.,
and/or coupled to) the second sensor 104.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200 configured
for dispensing (e.g., hand hygiene-related) material. The apparatus
200 may comprise one or more features that may be similar one or
more features of the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. For example, the
apparatus 200 may comprise a first sensor 202 that may be similar,
at least in part, to the first sensor 102 of apparatus 100. The
apparatus 200 may additionally and/or alternatively comprise a
first alert component 206 that may be similar, at least in part, to
the first alert component 106 of apparatus 100, for example. The
apparatus 200 may additionally and/or alternatively comprise a
dispenser 210 that may be similar, at least in part, to the
dispenser 110 of apparatus 100, for example. The apparatus 200 may
additionally and/or alternatively comprise a second sensor 204 that
may be similar, at least in part, to the second sensor 104 of
apparatus 100, for example. The apparatus 200 may additionally
and/or alternatively comprise a second alert component 208 that may
be similar, at least in part, to the second alert component 108 of
apparatus 100, for example.
[0025] In the apparatus 200, the second sensor 204 may be coupled
(e.g., electrically, electronically and/or mechanically) with the
dispenser 210. For example, the second sensor 204, which may be
used to detect a second movement that causes a deactivation of a
first alert and/or an activation of a second alert, may also be
used to cause the dispenser 210 to dispense at least some (e.g.,
hygiene-related) material to a user. Alternatively and/or
additionally, the second sensor 204 may be coupled (e.g.,
electrically, electronically and/or mechanically) to a different
sensor that causes the dispenser 210 to dispense at least some
(e.g., hygiene-related) material to the user (e.g., upon sensing
the second movement and/or a different (e.g., third) movement).
[0026] In one embodiment, the second sensor 204 may provide a beam
and/or detect the second movement based upon (e.g., an interaction
with and/or an interruption of) the beam. In another embodiment,
the second sensor 204 may detect the second movement based upon
radiation. For example, the second sensor 204 may comprise a
passive infrared sensor. In another embodiment, the second sensor
204 may detect the second movement based upon a physical trigger.
For example, the second sensor 204 may detect a pulling, a
pressing, a touching, etc. of the second sensor 204 and/or (e.g.,
one or more other portions of) the apparatus 200 by a person.
[0027] One embodiment of dispensing (e.g., hand hygiene-related)
material is illustrated by an exemplary method 300 in FIG. 3. At
302, the method starts. At 304, an alert (e.g., an optical alert,
an auditory alert, etc.) may be activated. The alert may be
activated responsive to a detection of a movement (e.g., indicating
that a person entered a room). The movement may, for example, be
detected by a first motion sensing device. At 306, the alert may be
deactivated (e.g., the optical alert may be turned off and/or the
auditory alert may be turned off, etc.). The alert may be
deactivated response to a detection of a second movement (e.g.,
indicating that the person used a dispensing device to apply hand
hygiene-related material to one or more hands of the user). The
second movement may, for example, be detected by a second motion
sensing device. Alternatively and/or additionally, at 306, a second
alert (e.g., a second optical alert, a second auditory alert, etc.)
may be activated. The second alert may be activated responsive to
the detection of the second movement. At 308, the method ends.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an environment 400 for
dispensing (e.g., hand hygiene-related) material. The environment
400 may comprise a first room 402. The first room 402 may, for
example, comprise a hospital room. The first room 402 may comprise
a first area 404 (e.g., comprising a first bed) for a first patient
and/or a second area 406 (e.g., comprising a second bed) for a
second patient. The first room 402 may also comprise a doorway 408,
which may be used by one or more persons to enter the first room
402, for example.
[0029] The first room 402 may comprise an apparatus 410. The
apparatus 410 may be similar to the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 and/or
the apparatus 200 in FIG. 2. For example, the apparatus 410 may
have one or more features that may be similar one or more features
of the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 and/or the apparatus 200 in FIG. 2.
For example, the apparatus 410 may comprise a first sensor 414 that
may be similar, at least in part, to the first sensor 102 of
apparatus 100 and/or the first sensor 202 of apparatus 200. The
apparatus 410 may additionally and/or alternatively comprise a
first alert component that may be similar, at least in part, to the
first alert component 106 of apparatus 100 and/or the first alert
component 206 of apparatus 200, for example. The apparatus 410 may
additionally and/or alternatively comprise a dispenser that may be
similar, at least in part, to the dispenser 110 of apparatus 100
and/or the dispenser 210 of apparatus 200, for example. The
apparatus 410 may additionally and/or alternatively comprise a
second sensor 412 that may be similar, at least in part, to the
second sensor 104 of apparatus 100 and/or the second sensor 204 of
apparatus 200, for example. The apparatus 410 may additionally
and/or alternatively comprise a second alert component that may be
similar, at least in part, to the second alert component 108 of
apparatus 100 and/or the second alert component 208 of apparatus
200, for example.
[0030] The first sensor 414 may, for example, comprise a first
motion sensing device, and may detect a movement when a person
enters the first room 402 via the doorway 408. In one embodiment,
the first sensor 414 may comprise a passive infrared sensor and/or
may detect the movement based upon radiation of the person (e.g.,
when the person is within a window of detection of the first sensor
414) and/or using infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the
first sensor 414 may emit a beam 416 and/or detect the movement
based upon (e.g., an interaction with and/or an interruption of)
the beam 416. The beam 416 may, for example, be emitted
horizontally away from a wall of the first room 402. For example,
the beam 416 may be (e.g., substantially) perpendicular to the wall
of the first room 402 and/or (e.g., substantially) parallel to a
ceiling and/or floor of the first room 402. The beam 416 may be at
a first angle away from a wall of the first room 402 that the
apparatus 410 may be coupled and/or mounted to, for example. In one
or more embodiments, the first angle may be less than 90 degrees,
while in other embodiments, the first angle may be greater than 90
degrees. In some other embodiments, the first angle may be 90
degrees. Upon detection of the movement, the first alert component
of the apparatus 410 may be activated.
[0031] The second sensor 412 may, for example, detect a second
movement when the person approaches and/or uses the apparatus 410.
For example, the second sensor 412 may comprise a second motion
sensing device, and may be used to detect a second movement (e.g.,
below and/or in front of the second sensor 412 and/or below and/or
in front of the apparatus 410). In one embodiment, the second
sensor 412 may provide a beam 418 and/or detect the second movement
based upon (e.g., an interaction with and/or an interruption of)
the beam 418. The beam 418 may, for example, be emitted (e.g.,
substantially) vertically below the apparatus 410. For example, the
beam 418 may be (e.g., substantially) parallel to the wall of the
first room 402 and/or (e.g., substantially) perpendicular to a
bottom portion of the apparatus 410, a ceiling and/or floor of the
first room 402. The beam 418 may be at a second angle away from the
bottom portion of the apparatus 410, for example. In one or more
embodiments, the second angle may be less than 90 degrees, while in
other embodiments, the second angle may be greater than 90 degrees.
In some other embodiments, the second angle may be 90 degrees.
[0032] Alternatively and/or additionally, in some embodiments, the
beam 418 may be emitted horizontally away from a wall of the first
room 402. For example, the beam 418 may be (e.g., substantially)
perpendicular to the wall of the first room 402 and/or (e.g.,
substantially) parallel to a ceiling and/or floor of the first room
402. The beam 418 may be at a third angle away from a wall of the
first room 402 that the apparatus 410 may be coupled and/or mounted
to, for example. In one or more embodiments, the third angle may be
less than 90 degrees, while in other embodiments, the third angle
may be greater than 90 degrees. In some other embodiments, the
third angle may be 90 degrees.
[0033] In another embodiment, the second sensor 412 may detect the
second movement based upon radiation. For example, the second
sensor 412 may comprise a passive infrared sensor. In another
embodiment, the second sensor 412 may detect the second movement
based upon a physical trigger. For example, the second sensor 412
may detect a pulling, a pressing, a touching, etc. of the second
sensor 412 and/or (e.g., one or more other portions of) the
apparatus 410 by a person. Upon detection of the second movement,
the second alert component of the apparatus 410 may be activated
and/or the first alert component of the apparatus 410 may be
deactivated.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an environment 500 for
dispensing (e.g., hand hygiene-related) material. The environment
500 may comprise a first room 502. The first room 502 may, for
example, comprise a hospital room. The first room 502 may comprise
a first area 504 (e.g., comprising a first bed) for a first patient
and/or a second area 506 (e.g., comprising a second bed) for a
second patient. The first room 502 may also comprise a doorway 516,
which may be used by one or more persons to enter the first room
502, for example. The environment 500 may (e.g., also) comprise a
second room 518. The second room 518 may, for example, comprise
another hospital room, which may, for example, be used for cleaning
and/or hygiene-related purposes.
[0035] The second room 518 may comprise an apparatus 510. The
apparatus 510 may be similar to the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1, the
apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 and/or the apparatus 410 in FIG. 4. For
example, the apparatus 510 may have one or more features that may
be similar one or more features of the apparatus 100 in FIG. 1, the
apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 and/or the apparatus 410 in FIG. 4. For
example, the apparatus 510 may comprise a first sensor 514 that may
be similar, at least in part, to the first sensor 102 of apparatus
100, the first sensor 202 of apparatus 200 and/or the first sensor
414 of apparatus 410. The apparatus 510 may additionally and/or
alternatively comprise a first alert component that may be similar,
at least in part, to the first alert component 106 of apparatus
100, the first alert component 206 of apparatus 200 and/or the
first alert component of apparatus 410, for example. The apparatus
510 may additionally and/or alternatively comprise a dispenser that
may be similar, at least in part, to the dispenser 110 of apparatus
100, the dispenser 210 of apparatus 200 and/or the dispenser of
apparatus 410, for example. The apparatus 510 may additionally
and/or alternatively comprise a second sensor 512 that may be
similar, at least in part, to the second sensor 104 of apparatus
100, the second sensor 204 of apparatus 200 and/or the second
sensor 412 of apparatus 410, for example. The apparatus 510 may
additionally and/or alternatively comprise a second alert component
that may be similar, at least in part, to the second alert
component 108 of apparatus 100, the second alert component 208 of
apparatus 200 and/or the second alert component of apparatus 410,
for example.
[0036] The first sensor 514 may, for example, comprise a first
motion sensing device, and may detect a movement when a person
enters the second room 518 via a doorway 508. Upon detection of the
movement, the first alert component of the apparatus 510 may be
activated. The second sensor 512 may, for example, detect a second
movement when the person approaches and/or uses the apparatus 510.
Upon detection of the second movement, the second alert component
of the apparatus 510 may be activated and/or the first alert
component of the apparatus 510 may be deactivated. In an
embodiment, the second alert component may unlock and/or open the
doorway 516. That is, the person may be granted access to the first
room 502 only after indicating that the person used the apparatus
510 in the second room 518. In some embodiments, an override option
may be available to enable the person to access the first room 502
without using the apparatus 510 (e.g., in case of an emergency).
Information (e.g., time, date, context, etc.) about instances when
the override option is used may be recorded (e.g., in memory).
[0037] In one or more embodiments, one or more features may further
be incorporated. For example, a hand hygiene dispensing apparatus
may control a dispensing of (e.g., hygiene-related) material and
may, for example, limit a frequency of dispensing of the material.
In another example, an (e.g., first, second, etc.) alert component
and/or an alert (e.g., an optical alert, an auditory alert, etc.)
may be directed in one or more directions. The one or more
directions may comprise a direction of an area of a patient and/or
a direction of an area of a doorway, for example. For example, one
or more optical alerts may be illuminated (e.g., mainly) in a
direction of an area of a patient, while one or more auditory
alerts may be played (e.g., mainly) in a direction of an area of a
doorway, for example. A (e.g., physical) trigger may in some
embodiments comprise a rubber band and/or a hard physical trigger.
In one embodiment, an alert may comprise a message (e.g., sent via
email, text message, etc.) to a user (e.g., a person who was
detected by a motion sensing device and/or an administrator of the
apparatus). The alert comprising the message may be sent responsive
to detection of a person by a motion sensing device and/or after a
determination that the person did not properly interact with the
apparatus and/or comply with one or more regulations (e.g., within
a threshold amount of time).
[0038] It may further be appreciated that one or more components,
devices, and/or aspects disclosed herein may be (e.g., physically)
coupled together, and/or may be (e.g., physically) separate. For
example, one or more separate components, devices, and/or aspects
may communicate using one or more wireless technologies.
[0039] In an embodiment, a first alert component may shine a first
(e.g., optical) alert on a wall (e.g., in a hospital room) in a
first color (e.g., red) and/or a second alert component may shine a
second (e.g., optical) alert on the wall (e.g., and/or another
wall) in a second color (e.g., green) different than the first
color. The first color may indicate that one or more persons in a
room have not yet complied with one or more hand hygiene related
regulations, while the second color may indicate that (e.g., all of
the) one or more persons in the room have complied with one or more
hand hygiene related regulations.
[0040] An apparatus may be configured to (e.g., selectively) track
and/or store one or more user interactions with the apparatus. For
example, data associated with and/or representative of one or more
user interactions with the apparatus may be stored in memory. In an
embodiment, data associated with (e.g., merely) one or more user
interactions associated with a failure to properly interact with
the apparatus and/or comply with one or more regulations may be
stored (e.g., while data associated with one or more user
interactions associated with a successful proper interaction with
the apparatus and/or compliance with the one or more regulations
may not be stored). In another embodiment, at least some data may
be tracked and/or stored based upon one or more users associated
with one or more user interactions with the apparatus. For example,
one or more users (e.g., employees of a hospital) may carry one or
more tracking devices (e.g., a near field communication (NFC)
device, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, a mobile
phone, etc.) that may identify (e.g., to the apparatus) the one or
more users (e.g., as employees of the hospital). In the example,
when a first user with a tracking device is detected by (e.g., a
first motion sensing device of) an apparatus, the apparatus may
store, in memory, a time of the detection and/or information about
how the first user interacted with the apparatus (e.g., whether
and/or how quickly the first user properly interacted with the
apparatus (e.g., by being detected by a second motion sensing
device and/or using a dispensing device) and/or complied with
regulations).
[0041] Data stored by the apparatus may be accessed (e.g., by one
or more computers) via one or more wired or wireless methods, for
example. In one example, data may be stored (e.g., by the
apparatus) on a removable chip. In another example, the apparatus
(e.g., and/or one or more other apparatuses (e.g., in one or more
other rooms in a hospital)) may be connected (e.g., via a network)
to one or more computers (e.g., an administrative computer of a
hospital), and the data may be accessed by the one or more
computers via the connection (e.g., via the network) (e.g.,
automatically via a feed). In another example, the apparatus may be
connected to a computer via a wireless connection, such as a
Bluetooth connection, and/or NFC and/or RFID.
[0042] In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise and/or be
coupled to one or more (e.g., video) cameras. For example, the
apparatus may be connected (e.g., via wire or wireless connection)
to one or more security cameras (e.g., in a hospital). In the
example, if a user interaction with the apparatus is determined to
meet one or more criteria (e.g., failure to comply with
regulations, etc.), the apparatus may request that at least one of
the one or more security cameras record and/or store one or more
images (e.g., and/or video). In another example, the apparatus may
comprise a built-in camera.
[0043] It may be appreciated that one or more tablet devices may be
used in association with an apparatus. For example, the apparatus
may be coupled to a tablet device. In another example, a tablet
device may store data (e.g., images, video, audio, etc.) in
association with the apparatus. In another example, a tablet device
may be used by a user to identify the user to the apparatus (e.g.,
for purposes of tracking interactions of the user with the
apparatus). In another example, a tablet device may be used (e.g.,
by an administrator and/or auditor) to collect data from one or
more apparatuses (e.g., via wireless and/or wired connections).
[0044] In some embodiments, an apparatus may be comprised in and/or
encased by a plastic and/or metal case. The apparatus may be
coupled (e.g., and/or removable from) a dispensing device
configured to dispense (e.g., hygiene-related) material. For
example, one or more parts of the apparatus may be able to fasten
to (e.g., and/or click into, strap onto, wrap around, etc.) one or
more parts of the dispensing device.
[0045] Still another embodiment involves a computer-readable medium
comprising processor-executable instructions configured to
implement one or more of the techniques presented herein. An
exemplary computer-readable medium that may be devised in these
ways is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the implementation 600
comprises a computer-readable medium 602 (e.g., a CD-R, DVD-R, or a
platter of a hard disk drive), on which is encoded
computer-readable data 604. This computer-readable data 604 in turn
comprises a set of computer instructions 606 configured to operate
according to one or more of the principles set forth herein. In one
such embodiment 600, the processor-executable computer instructions
606 may be configured to perform a method, such as at least some of
the exemplary method 100 of FIG. 1, for example. In another such
embodiment, the processor-executable instructions 606 may be
configured to implement a system, such as at least some of the
exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2, at least some of the exemplary
system 300 of FIG. 3, at least some of the exemplary system 400 of
FIG. 4, and/or at least some of the exemplary system 500 of FIG. 5,
for example. Many such computer-readable media 602 may be devised
by those of ordinary skill in the art that are configured to
operate in accordance with the techniques presented herein.
[0046] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
[0047] As used in this application, the terms "component,"
"module," "system", "interface", and the like are generally
intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a
combination of hardware and software, software, or software in
execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to
being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an
executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By
way of illustration, both an application running on a controller
and the controller can be a component. One or more components may
reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component
may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or
more computers.
[0048] Furthermore, the claimed subject matter may be implemented
as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a
computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term
"article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a
computer program accessible from any computer-readable device,
carrier, or media. Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration
without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject
matter.
[0049] FIG. 7 and the following discussion provide a brief, general
description of a suitable computing environment to implement
embodiments of one or more of the provisions set forth herein. The
operating environment of FIG. 7 is only one example of a suitable
operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation
as to the scope of use or functionality of the operating
environment. Example computing devices include, but are not limited
to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop
devices, mobile devices (such as mobile phones, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), media players, and the like), multiprocessor
systems, consumer electronics, mini computers, mainframe computers,
distributed computing environments that include any of the above
systems or devices, and the like.
[0050] Although not required, embodiments are described in the
general context of "computer readable instructions" being executed
by one or more computing devices. Computer readable instructions
may be distributed via computer readable media (discussed below).
Computer readable instructions may be implemented as program
modules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform
particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Typically, the functionality of the computer readable instructions
may be combined or distributed as desired in various
environments.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a system 700 comprising a
computing device 702 configured to implement one or more
embodiments provided herein. In one configuration, computing device
702 includes at least one processing unit 706 and memory 708.
Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,
memory 708 may be volatile (such as RAM, for example), non-volatile
(such as ROM, flash memory, etc., for example), or some combination
of the two. This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 7 by dashed
line 704.
[0052] In other embodiments, device 702 may include additional
features and/or functionality. For example, device 702 may also
include additional storage (e.g., removable and/or non-removable)
including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical storage,
and the like. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 7 by
storage 710. In one embodiment, computer readable instructions to
implement one or more embodiments provided herein may be in storage
710. Storage 710 may also store other computer readable
instructions to implement an operating system, an application
program, and the like. Computer readable instructions may be loaded
in memory 708 for execution by processing unit 706, for
example.
[0053] The term "computer readable media" as used herein includes
computer storage media. Computer storage media includes volatile
and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in
any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer readable instructions or other data. Memory 708 and
storage 710 are examples of computer storage media. Computer
storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM,
flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile
Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic
tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or
any other medium which can be used to store the desired information
and which can be accessed by device 702. Any such computer storage
media may be part of device 702.
[0054] Device 702 may also include communication connection(s) 716
that allows device 702 to communicate with other devices.
Communication connection(s) 716 may include, but is not limited to,
a modem, a Network Interface Card (NIC), an integrated network
interface, a radio frequency transmitter/receiver, an infrared
port, a USB connection, or other interfaces for connecting
computing device 702 to other computing devices. Communication
connection(s) 716 may include a wired connection or a wireless
connection. Communication connection(s) 716 may transmit and/or
receive communication media.
[0055] The term "computer readable media" may include communication
media. Communication media typically embodies computer readable
instructions or other data in a "modulated data signal" such as a
carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any
information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" may
include a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or
changed in such a manner as to encode information in the
signal.
[0056] Device 702 may include input device(s) 714 such as keyboard,
mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared
cameras, video input devices, and/or any other input device. Output
device(s) 712 such as one or more displays, speakers, printers,
and/or any other output device may also be included in device 702.
Input device(s) 714 and output device(s) 712 may be connected to
device 702 via a wired connection, wireless connection, or any
combination thereof. In one embodiment, an input device or an
output device from another computing device may be used as input
device(s) 714 or output device(s) 712 for computing device 702.
[0057] Components of computing device 702 may be connected by
various interconnects, such as a bus. Such interconnects may
include a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), such as PCI
Express, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), firewire (IEEE 1394), an
optical bus structure, and the like. In another embodiment,
components of computing device 702 may be interconnected by a
network. For example, memory 708 may be comprised of multiple
physical memory units located in different physical locations
interconnected by a network.
[0058] Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices
utilized to store computer readable instructions may be distributed
across a network. For example, a computing device 720 accessible
via a network 718 may store computer readable instructions to
implement one or more embodiments provided herein. Computing device
702 may access computing device 720 and download a part or all of
the computer readable instructions for execution. Alternatively,
computing device 702 may download pieces of the computer readable
instructions, as needed, or some instructions may be executed at
computing device 702 and some at computing device 720.
[0059] Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. In
one embodiment, one or more of the operations described may
constitute computer readable instructions stored on one or more
computer readable media, which if executed by a computing device,
will cause the computing device to perform the operations
described. The order in which some or all of the operations are
described should not be construed as to imply that these operations
are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art having the benefit of this
description. Further, it will be understood that not all operations
are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.
[0060] Moreover, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or
design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather,
use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a
concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is
intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or".
That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X
employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive
permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs
both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the
foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used
in this application and the appended claims may generally be
construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear
from context to be directed to a singular form. Also, at least one
of A and B or the like generally means A or B or both A and B.
[0061] Although the disclosure has been shown and described with
respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and
modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based at
least in part upon a reading and understanding of this
specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all
such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope
of the following claims. In particular regard to the various
functions performed by the above described components (e.g.,
elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such
components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated,
to any component which performs the specified function of the
described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even
though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which
performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary
implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular
feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to
only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined
with one or more other features of the other implementations as may
be desired and advantageous for any given or particular
application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes",
"having", "has", "with", or variants thereof are used in either the
detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be
inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising."
* * * * *