Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container within which a material is contained. The dispensing system includes a nozzle, attached to the container, having a first portion and a second portion. The dispensing system includes a magnet attached to the first portion and a compliance system attached to the second portion. The compliance system includes a transmitter and a magnet sensor, coupled to the transmitter, for detecting a presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in a closed position, and for detecting a non-presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in an opened position. The transmitter transmits a wireless compliance signal indicative of the magnet sensor detecting at least one of the presence or the non-presence of the magnet.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for automatically forming a wireless sensor network, implementing power management for the wireless sensor network, and/or self-healing within the wireless sensor network. For example, hub devices, configured to forward messages through the wireless sensor network to a gateway device having access to a network, may automatically join and configure into the wireless sensor network by locating and connecting to master devices using signal frequencies representing numbers of hops to the gateway device. A hub device may be configured to transition between a low power sleep state for power conservation and an awakened normal operational state for transmitting timing signals according to a duty cycle, and thus the hub device may be capable of operating from a battery. If a hub device determines that a master device has become inoperable, the hub device may automatically search for a new master device.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing power to a plurality of dispensers. For example, a supply coupler, such as an alternating current to direct current power converter, is coupled to an energy storage component and/or a load coupler of a power distribution apparatus. The supply coupler provides power over the load coupler to one or more dispensers for operation. The supply coupler provides power to the energy storage component for energy storage. Responsive to a load on the power distribution apparatus exceeding a supply current of the power provided by the supply coupler (e.g., multiple dispensers may attempt to perform concurrent dispense events), the energy storage component may discharge energy to provide additional power to one or more dispensers to facilitate concurrent dispense events. Because the power distribution apparatus may connect to multiple dispensers, a cord management device may be used for power cord management.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for harvesting thermal energy for utilization by a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise one or more thermal scavenging devices configured to collect thermal energy from a user. For example, a first thermal scavenging device, coupled to a top housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a palm of a user hand; a second thermal scavenging device, coupled to a bottom housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a top portion of the user hand; and/or other thermal scavenging devices may be operatively coupled to the dispensing system. In this way, the collected thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy for powering the dispensing system (e.g., powering a current dispense event, stored for a subsequent dispense event, validation of a refill container, detection of a user, etc.).

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for harvesting thermal energy for utilization by a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise one or more thermal scavenging devices configured to collect thermal energy from a user. For example, a first thermal scavenging device, coupled to a top housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a palm of a user hand; a second thermal scavenging device, coupled to a bottom housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a top portion of the user hand; and/or other thermal scavenging devices may be operatively coupled to the dispensing system. In this way, the collected thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy for powering the dispensing system (e.g., powering a current dispense event, stored for a subsequent dispense event, validation of a refill container, detection of a user, etc.).

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container within which a material is contained. The dispensing system includes a nozzle, attached to the container, having a first portion and a second portion. The dispensing system includes a magnet attached to the first portion and a compliance system attached to the second portion. The compliance system includes a transmitter and a magnet sensor, coupled to the transmitter, for detecting a presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in a closed position, and for detecting a non-presence of the magnet when the first portion with respect to the second portion is in an opened position. The transmitter transmits a wireless compliance signal indicative of the magnet sensor detecting at least one of the presence or the non-presence of the magnet.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).

Abstract: A dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor and a controller. The first electronic sensor may be configured to detect a first change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The controller may be coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change. The dispensing system reservoir may be disposed in the dispensing system. A method for determining a remaining service interval for a dispensing system reservoir is also provided.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing power and/or communication to a device, such as a dispenser, a flush valve of a bathroom device, a hygiene opportunity measurement device, a hands free faucet, etc. For example, a mounting system comprises a mounting plate that may attach to a structure, such as a wall. The mounting plate may comprise a mounting connector that may be configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection. Power may be provided to the device through the connection. A communication may be provided for the device through the connection. For example, the device may send current device statuses, usage metrics, and/or other information to a remote source. The remote source may send instructions, data collection requests, functionality changes, and/or other information to the device.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for detecting an object, such as a person. For example, a sensing system may comprise a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement may comprise a passive sensor and an active sensor. The active sensor may be placed into a sleep state (e.g., a relatively low powered state) until awakened by the passive sensor. For example, responsive to detecting a presence of an object (e.g., a nurse entering a patient's room), the passive sensor may awaken the active sensor from the sleep state to an active state for detecting motion and/or distance of the object within a detection zone to create object detection data (e.g., an indication of a hygiene opportunity for the nurse). The active sensor may transition from the active state to the sleep state responsive to a detection timeout and/or a determination that the object left the detection zone.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for evaluating dispenser functionality of a dispenser for dispensing a material. In an example, a non-loaded electrical characteristic and/or a loaded electrical characteristic of the dispenser may be measured and evaluated to determine whether to perform a dispense event. In another example, current measurements, such as peak current, may be measured during a dispense event. The current measurements may be evaluated to determine whether a problem exists, such as a mechanical stall, a gear train problem, an actuator problem, a pump problem (e.g., a clogged pump), a mechanical impedance, and/or other issue. Such information may be collected, stored as historical data, and/or used to determine whether to perform subsequent dispense events.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for harvesting thermal energy for utilization by a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise one or more thermal scavenging devices configured to collect thermal energy from a user. For example, a first thermal scavenging device, coupled to a top housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a palm of a user hand; a second thermal scavenging device, coupled to a bottom housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a top portion of the user hand; and/or other thermal scavenging devices may be operatively coupled to the dispensing system. In this way, the collected thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy for powering the dispensing system (e.g., powering a current dispense event, stored for a subsequent dispense event, validation of a refill container, detection of a user, etc.).

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).