System and method for alerting attendants regarding service area dispenser refill needs
US11295271B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/04
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided for maintenance of service areas within a facility by a plurality of attendants, wherein each service area has one or more product dispensers that require periodic refill. Via a sensor configured with each product dispenser and a control system in communication with the sensors, a product level or amount of product in each dispenser is determined. Based on information from the sensors, a respective refill time is computed for refilling each of the dispensers. Location of the attendants is tracked on a continuous or periodic basis. As a function of the computed refill times and location of the various attendants, one of the attendants is selected to service one or more of the product dispensers in a particular service area. An alert message is generated and transmitted to the selected attendant that gives the location of the particular service area within the facility. Determination of the selected attendant is made such that the selected attendant reaches the particular service area at or near the computed refill time of the one or more product dispensers in the particular service area facility.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.