Abstract:
A hand towel dispenser capable of data capture and transmission. The hand towel dispenser includes a reel shell for holding a hand towel roll that includes fresh dispenser material, a rotatably held reel that takes up used dispenser material, a measuring apparatus for capturing measured values that represent the quantity of used dispenser material, and a radio module that is connected to the measuring apparatus to receive the measured values captured by the measuring apparatus. The radio module is designed to transmit radio signals, each of which contains at least one measured value. The measuring apparatus includes at least one first sensor for capturing the quantity of used dispenser material. And, the sensor is connected to the radio module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to a hand towel dispenser and means for data capture and transmission, to a device with a hand towel dispenser, to a kit for retrofitting a hand towel dispenser, to a method for monitoring and servicing a hand towel dispenser, and to a method for retrofitting a hand towel dispenser. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A device for capturing and transmitting data that concerns the individual consumption in the total consumption of washroom products is known from the document WO 99/33008 KIMBERLEY-CLARK. This known device comprises one or more product dispensers that are provided with a portion meter for the dispensed product. The dispensed portions are detected by a sensor integrated in the product dispenser. The data captured by the sensor is transmitted to a local data transmission unit that generates a data signal with a predetermined format from the data obtained from the sensor and transmits this data signal wirelessly to a central data capture unit at a distance from the product dispenser, wherein the data signal generated by the local data transmission unit represents at least the product consumption. The data signal transferred from the local data transmission unit to the central data capture unit is stored by the central data capture unit for later analysis. The use of several product dispensers can be monitored by a single central data capture unit. This known device has the disadvantage that no reusable dispenser material can be used and that the measuring device and the data capture device are arranged in such a manner that the retrofitting of an existing device without a measuring- and data transmission device can be achieved only with significant expense. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention intends to help this situation. The invention has the basic task of creating a hand towel dispenser with reusable dispenser material and with a measuring- and data transmission device whose measuring- and data transmission device is constructed in a simple manner. 
     The invention solves the posed task with a hand towel dispenser, with a device with a hand towel dispenser, with a kit for retrofitting a hand towel dispenser, with a method for monitoring and servicing the hand towel dispenser and with a method for retrofitting a hand towel dispenser as disclosed herein and as claimed. 
     The advantages achieved by the invention are essentially that by virtue of the device in accordance with the invention an existing, commercial hand towel dispenser can be readily retrofitted with a reusable textile dispenser material by including the measuring- and data transmission device arranged in a radio module. 
     Other advantageous embodiments of the invention can be commented on as follows: 
     In a special embodiment the measuring device comprises a first signal-initiating element, preferably a first magnet, that can be fastened on a drive roller driving the reel roll. 
     In another embodiment the measuring device comprises a second sensor and a second signal-initiating element, preferably a second magnet, wherein the second signal-initiating element is fastened on a deflection shaft for the dispenser material to be dispensed. It can be determined by the second magnet arranged on the deflection shaft via the second sensor when a hand towel is rolled off from the fresh hand towel roll to be rolled off. Since it is determined by the measuring device when dispenser material is wound onto the reel roll reeling the used dispenser material, it can therefore be determined when only fresh hand towel is wound off and no used hand towel is wound off, i.e., a “floor loop” reaching the floor can be reported by a radio signal “dispenser not drawing in” to the service personnel. Furthermore, the number of dispenser events can be determined by the second sensor and the second magnet for statistical purposes. 
     In another embodiment the measuring device comprises a third sensor and a third signal-initiating element, preferably a third magnet, wherein the third signal-initiating element is stationarily fastened on the housing. The reel shell shifts against the housing roof when dispenser material is wound off from the fresh hand towel roll so that a third supply state “dispenser full” is captured by the measuring device when the reel shell is in its lower in position removed from the housing roof. Furthermore, the remaining supply of dispenser material is determined until a remaining supply of 80% has been reached by the measuring device when the reel shell shifts against the housing roof. In this manner the remaining supply determined by the first sensor and the first magnet can be checked and any error detected. 
     In another embodiment the radio module and the first sensor are fastened on the reel shell. As a result, the hand towel dispenser can be readily retrofitted by replacing the reel shell. 
     The second and/or the third sensor are also preferably arranged on the reel shell. 
     In yet another embodiment an indication of the supply can be determined by the measuring device with a first supply state “dispenser almost empty” given a residual supply of dispenser material of less than 25% and a second supply state “dispenser empty”. 
     This can achieve the advantages that:
         the supply states “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty” are readily detected in the hand towel dispenser and can be forwarded to the service personnel. The detection of these measured values and the transfer of data for “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty” takes place in real time so that therefore an early warning system for the service personnel can be set up; and   the using of the service personnel can be optimized by the detection and transmission of both supply states “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty”, so that the hand towel dispenser can be filled before the message “dispenser empty” takes place.       

     In another embodiment the first supply state “dispenser almost empty” indicates a remaining supply of dispenser material of less than 15%. 
     In another embodiment the radio module comprises a microcontroller with which the used amount of dispenser material can be determined from the measured values captured by the measuring device. 
     In another embodiment the hand towel dispenser comprises a protocol converter, preferably a gateway with which the data transmitted by the radio module is received and can be forwarded wirelessly to an external communication network. The data signals from several product dispensers distributed, e.g., in a floor of a building can be captured by the gateway and forwarded to an external network. The data signals forwarded in the external communication network can then be received by a central data processing system, stored and further processed. 
     The gateway preferably comprises a clock so that a forwarded radio signal also comprises, in addition to the at least one measured value, the time of its forwarding. The wirelessly transmitted protocols also comprise, in addition to the data for “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty”, the time at which the corresponding state was captured in the product dispenser and transmitted. 
     In yet another embodiment a level indication representing the current amount of used dispenser material is transmitted in a periodically transmitted radio signal by the radio module, wherein preferably four of these periodic radio signals are transmitted per hour. The total transmission time of the radio module can therefore be reduced. 
     In another embodiment the radio module transmits a periodic signal that indicates that the radio module is in operation. The periodic transmission of a signal, e.g., every 15 minutes, that indicates that the radio module is in operation (alive message) ensures that communication problems are rapidly recognized and can be eliminated and can also be used to transmit the indication of level and other measured values and data. 
     The radio module preferably transmits radio signals in a frequency range between 868 MHz and 870 MHz. 
     The transmission time of a radio signal of the radio module ( 2 ) is preferably between 55 ms and 65 ms, typically 60 ms. 
     In another embodiment the number of revolutions that the real roll that winds up the used dispenser material carries out can be captured by the measuring device. 
     In another embodiment a drive roller is fastened on the reel shell with which the used dispenser material can be wound on the reel axis of the reel roll. 
     In another embodiment the hand towel dispenser comprises drive means, preferably a spring storage drive with which the drive roller is driven. 
     In another embodiment a deflection roller is arranged on the housing and is driven during a winding off of dispenser material from the fresh hand towel roll and by which the spring storage drive can be pre-tensioned. 
     In yet another embodiment the drive means comprises a time-delay device that is activated during the winding off of dispenser material from the fresh hand towel roll and after the course of a set time span activates the drive means for drawing in the used dispenser material. 
     In another embodiment the drive roller forms with the reel roll comprising the used dispenser material a rotatable frictional contact or also called a non-positive connection. 
     The drive roller is preferably provided with nubs on its jacket surface, as a result of which an increase of the rotatable, non-positive connection between the drive roller and the reel roll can be achieved. 
     In another embodiment the hand towel dispenser comprises a signal amplifier or signal preparer, preferably a repeater, that is arranged between the radio module and the gateway. The repeater makes possible a data transfer between the product dispenser and the gateway over great distances. 
     In another embodiment the radio module comprises a battery and the loaded state of the battery is captured by the radio module and transmitted as another data signal. 
     In another embodiment the hand towel dispenser comprises a manual defect switch connected to the radio module so that upon actuation of the defect switch a message “dispenser defect” is transmitted by the radio module. 
     In another embodiment the radio signals that comprise the supply states “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty” can be transmitted in real time by the radio module. 
     In another embodiment the radio signals transmitted by the radio module comprise an identification of the product dispenser. 
     The radio signals transmitted by the radio module preferably additionally comprise the location of the product dispenser. 
     The device in accordance with the invention comprises a central data processing system that is connected for the data transmission via an external communication network to the gateway. The data contained from the product dispensers can be stored in the central data processing system and further processed. Furthermore, communications concerning maintenance and service work to be performed can be transmitted from the central data processing system to maintenance companies. 
     In a special embodiment of the device the external communication network is a mobile telephone network and the data transmission from the gateway to the central data processing system takes place via the mobile telephone network. The mobile telephone network is preferably a standard network such as the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). 
     In a special embodiment the method comprises the further steps:
         Capture of the used amount of dispenser material on the winding-up reel roll by the measuring device;   Forwarding of the captured, used amount of dispenser material in a periodically transmitted radio signal from the radio module to the gateway;   Forwarding of this radio signal together with the indication of the time of the transmission from the gateway to the central data processing system;   Storing the captured, used amount of dispenser material in a data memory of the central data processing system; and   Processing the detected amounts of dispenser material with the particular indications of time with the central data processing system to data concerning the frequency of use and the product consumption of the hand towel dispenser.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention and further developments of the invention are explained in detail in the following using the partially schematic views of several exemplary embodiments. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a lateral view of an embodiment of the hand towel dispenser in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view through the embodiment of the hand towel dispenser in accordance with the invention shoreline in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the hand towel dispenser in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  again shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiment of the hand towel dispenser  1  in accordance with the invention for a reusable textile dispenser material  4  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  substantially comprises a housing  22  comprising a reel shell  7  for receiving a hand towel roll  8  comprising the fresh dispenser material  4  and comprising a pivot module  13  for the rotatable reception of a reel roll  9  that winds up the used dispenser material  4 , a measuring device  3  for capturing measured values that comprise the amount of used dispenser material  4  and a radio module  2  that is connected to the measuring device  3  for receiving the measured values captured by the measuring device  3 , and is constructed for transmitting radio signals that each contain at least one measured value. 
     The amount of used dispenser material  4  on the reel roll  9  that winds up the used dispenser material  4  can be captured by the measuring device  3 , wherein in addition an indication of the supply can be determined by the measuring device  3  with a first supply state “dispenser almost empty” at a remaining supply of dispenser material  4  of selectively between less than 25% and less than 15% and a second supply state “dispenser empty”. 
     The hand towel dispenser  1  comprises a manual defect switch  24  connected to the radio module  2  so that upon actuation of the defect switch  24  by the radio module  2  a message “dispenser defect” is transmitted. 
     The radio module  2  is fastened on the reel shell  7  and serves to receive and transmit the measured values captured by the measuring device  3  in the form of data signals. 
     The number of executed dispenser events is transmitted in a periodically transmitted radio signal by the radio module  2 , wherein in general four of these periodic radio signals are transmitted per hour. It can additionally be detected by the periodically transmitted radio signal that the radio module  2  is in operation. Furthermore, the radio module  2  comprises a battery whose loaded state is detected by the radio module  2  and transmitted as another data signal. 
     The radio module  2  comprises a microcontroller with which the used amount of dispenser material  4  can be determined from the measured values captured by the measuring device  3 . 
     A level indication defining the amount of used dispenser material  4  is transmitted in a periodically transmitted radio signal by the radio module  2 , wherein preferably four of these periodic radio signals are transmitted per hour. In addition, the radio module  2  sends a periodic signal that indicates that the radio module  2  is in operation. The data signals are transmitted by the radio module  2  with a frequency of 868 MHz, whereby the transmission time of a radio signal is 60 ms. 
     Furthermore, the radio signals transmitted by the radio module  2  contain an identification and/or the location of the hand towel dispenser  1 . 
     The number of revolutions that the reel roll  9  that winds up the used dispenser material  4  executes can be can be captured by the measuring device  3 . The measuring device  3  comprises a first sensor  5  and a first magnet  11 , wherein the first magnet  11  is fastened on a drive roller  19  driving the reel roll  9 , comprises a second sensor  20  and a second magnet  17 , whereby the second magnet  17  is fastened on a deflection shaft  18  for the dispenser material  4  to be dispensed, and a third sensor  23  and a third magnet  12 , whereby the third magnet  12  is stationarily fastened on the housing  22 . The number of dispenser events can be determined by the second sensor  20  and the second magnet  17  that can be used for statistical purposes. 
     The reel shell  7  shifts against the housing roof  30  when dispenser material  4  is wound off from the fresh hand towel roll  8  so that a third supply state “dispenser full” can be captured by the measuring device  3  when the reel shell  7  is in its lower in position removed from the housing roof  30 . Furthermore, the remaining supply of dispenser material is determined until a remaining supply of 80% has been reached by the measuring device when the reel shell  7  shifts against the housing roof  30 . In this manner the remaining supply determined by the first sensor  5  and the first magnet  11  can be checked and any error detected. The second and third sensors  20 ;  23  are also connected to the radio module  2 . The three sensors  5 ;  20 ;  23  are constructed as so-called Reed sensors for detecting a magnetic field. The three sensors  5 ;  20 ;  23  are constructed as so-called Reed sensors for detecting a magnetic field. 
     Furthermore, a drive roller  19  is fastened on the reel shell  7  with which the used dispenser material  4  can be wound on the reel axis  26  of the reel roll  9 . The hand towel dispenser  1  comprises drive means constructed as a spring storage drive  28  with which the drive roller  19  is driven. 
     In addition, a deflection roller  31  is arranged on the housing  22  and is driven during a winding off of dispenser material  4  from the fresh hand towel roll  8  and by which the spring storage drive  28  can be pre-tensioned. A transmission  29  is arranged between the spring storage drive  28  and the drive roller  19 . 
     The drive means comprises a time-delay device that is activated during the winding off of dispenser material  4  from the fresh hand towel roll  8  and after the course of a set time span activates the drive means for drawing in the used dispenser material  4 . 
     The drive roller  19  forms with the reel roll  9  comprising the used dispenser material  4  a rotatable frictional contact that is improved in that the drive roller  19  is provided with nubs on its jacket surface. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  the hand towel dispenser  1  comprises a protocol converter, preferably a gateway  14  with which the data transmitted by the radio module  2  is received and can be forwarded further wirelessly to an external communication network  15 . The gateway  14  comprises a clock  27  so that a forwarded radio signal also comprises, in addition to the measured value, the time of its forwarding. 
     The data signals transmitted by the radio module  2  are received by the gateway  14  and forwarded together with the indication of the time of the transmission wirelessly to an external communication network  15 . The external communication network  15  is a mobile telephone network, e.g., a standard network such as the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). 
     The embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 4  comprises several hand towel dispensers  1  and additionally a central data processing system  16  that is connected to the gateway  14  for data transmission via the external communication network  15 . Furthermore, the device for those hand towel dispensers  1  that are arranged far from the gateway  14  comprises a signal amplifier or signal preparer, preferably a repeater  21 , that is arranged between the corresponding radio module  2  and the corresponding gateway  14 . The data from the central data processing system  16  is forwarded via a cable network, e.g., the Internet or wirelessly via a mobile telephone network to another data processing system  25  arranged, e.g., in a maintenance company. Alternatively or additionally, the data can also be transmitted from the central data processing system  16  via a mobile telephone network to a mobile telephone of the maintenance personnel. 
     The method for monitoring and servicing the device in accordance with the invention shown in  FIG. 4  substantially comprises the steps: 1) Capturing the supply state “dispenser almost empty” or “dispenser empty” in at least one hand towel dispenser  1  by the measuring device  3 ; 2) Receiving the radio signal “dispenser almost empty” or “dispenser empty” transmitted from the radio module  2  in real time by the protocol converter, preferably by the gateway  14 ; and 3) Furthering the received radio signal “dispenser almost empty” or “dispenser empty” together with the indication of the time of the transmission via the gateway  14  by an external communication network  15  to a central data processing system  16 . 
     Furthermore, the following steps can be carried out by the device: 
     Capture of the used amount of dispenser material  4  on the winding-up reel roll  9  by the measuring device  3 ;
         Forwarding of the captured, used amount of dispenser material  4  in a periodically transmitted radio signal from the radio module  2  to the gateway  14 ;   Forwarding of this radio signal together with the indication of the time of the transmission from the gateway  14  to the central data processing system  16 ;   Storing the captured, used amount of dispenser material  4  in a data memory of the central data processing system  16 ; and   Processing the detected amounts of dispenser material  4  with the particular indications of time with the central data processing system  16 , e.g., to data concerning the frequency of use and the product consumption of the hand towel dispenser  1 .       

     The data signals captured by the measuring device  3  and transmitted by the radio module  2  substantially comprise the following messages:
         1) dispenser almost empty   2) dispenser empty   3) dispenser defective   4) dispenser not drawing any dispenser material in   5) portion meter   6) battery alive   7) battery almost empty.       

     Starting from the above-cited messages, the following real-time information and long-time reports can be obtained and prepared by the central data-processing system  16 : 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Dispenser almost empty 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Dispenser almost empty” &lt; 20% 
                 SMS (cleaning 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 personnel) 
               
               
                   
                 cleaning team 
                 email 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                 Status with traffic 
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                 light system: 
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped) 
                 Green = dispenser 
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
                 OK 
               
               
                   
                   
                 orange = “dispenser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 almost empty” 
               
               
                   
                   
                 red = “dispenser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 empty” 
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 Survey of “dispenser almost empty” 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 adjustable time span 
                 web portal (graphic, 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                 tables, diagrams, 
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping) 
                 floor plans) 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with the cleaning personnel (by cell phone number, 
                   
               
               
                   
                 email address) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 dispenser empty 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Dispenser empty” = 0% 
                 SMS (cleaning 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 personnel) 
               
               
                   
                 cleaning team 
                 email 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                 Status with traffic light 
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                 system: 
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped) 
                 Green = dispenser OK 
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
                 orange = “dispenser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 almost empty” 
               
               
                   
                   
                 red = “dispenser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 empty” 
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 Survey of “dispenser empty” 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 adjustable time span 
                 web portal (graphic, 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                 tables, diagrams, floor 
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping) 
                 plans) 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with the cleaning personnel (by cell phone 
                   
               
               
                   
                 number, email address) 
                   
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 Reaction time of filling the dispenser 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 measuring the time span between info “dispenser 
                 web portal (graphic, 
               
               
                   
                 empty” to stop of info (dispenser was refilled) 
                 tables, diagrams, floor 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable time span; also course of time over a 
                 plans) 
               
               
                   
                 certain time period 
                   
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                   
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with the cleaning personnel (by cell phone 
                   
               
               
                   
                 number, email address) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Information from the messages “dispenser almost empty” and “dispenser empty” 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 Reaction time from “dispenser almost empty” to 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 “dispenser empty” 
                 web portal (graphic, 
               
               
                   
                 measuring of the dispensers whose information 
                 tables, diagrams, 
               
               
                   
                 jumps from “dispenser almost empty” to “dispenser 
                 floor plans) 
               
               
                   
                 empty”. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 adjustable time span; also course of time over a 
                   
               
               
                   
                 certain time period 
                   
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                   
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with the cleaning personnel (by cell phone number, 
                   
               
               
                   
                 email address) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Dispenser defect 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Dispenser defect” 
                 SMS (CWS 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 service) 
               
               
                   
                 cleaning team 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                 Status with traffic 
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                 light system: 
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                 green = dispenser 
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped) 
                 OK 
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
                 red = “dispenser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 defect” 
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 Survey of the “dispenser defect” 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 adjustable time span 
                 web portal (graphic, 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                 tables, diagrams, 
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping) 
                 floor plans) 
               
               
                   
                 adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with the CWS service (by cell phone number) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Dispenser does not draw in 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Dispenser does not draw in” 
                 email and later SFDC.- 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 case (CWS-service or 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                 FM partner) with 
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                 possible re-confirmation 
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                 to the client that info has 
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped, 
                 been received (per 
               
               
                   
                 kitchen, etc. + washroom for personnel) 
                 SMS/email to FM 
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
                 partner) 
               
               
                   
                 FM-personnel can eliminate this defect or 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 directly decide whether the message “dispenser 
                 Status with traffic light 
               
               
                   
                 service” is initiated. 
                 system: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Green = dispenser OK 
               
               
                   
                   
                 red = “dispenser defect” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Portion meter 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Long-time 
                 “Frequency of use” &amp; “Roll use” 
                 email 
               
               
                 report 
                 Measuring of the roll use by portion meters and 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 Reset function during refilling of the roll 
                 (graphic, tables, 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable survey for the real roll use of one or more 
                 diagrams, floor 
               
               
                   
                 dispensers 
                 plans) 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable survey for the average real roll use of one or 
                   
               
               
                   
                 more dispensers 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable time span; also time course for a 
                   
               
               
                   
                 certain time period; comparison of time spans, 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Possibility on the basis of past values to 
                   
               
               
                   
                 indicate future trends of the roll use 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable for a certain time of day 
                   
               
               
                   
                 (morning, 
                   
               
               
                   
                 noon, evening, night); comparison of times of day 
                   
               
               
                   
                 possible 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable survey of certain dispensers in certain 
                   
               
               
                   
                 areas/washrooms (grouping); 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Comparison of dispensers, washrooms and buildings 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable survey of certain dispensers associated with 
                   
               
               
                   
                 the cleaning personnel (by cell phone number, email 
                   
               
               
                   
                 address) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Battery alive 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Battery alive” 
                 SMS (cleaning 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 personnel) 
               
               
                   
                 cleaning team 
                 email 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                   
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                   
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Battery almost empty 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Shipment 
               
               
                 Information 
                   
                 type/distribution 
               
               
                 type 
                 Report content 
                 type 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Real-time info 
                 “Battery almost empty” 
                 SMS (cleaning 
               
               
                   
                 clock time 
                 personnel) 
               
               
                   
                 cleaning team 
                 email 
               
               
                   
                 building (No./name) 
                 web portal 
               
               
                   
                 floor number/floor plan 
                 Status with traffic 
               
               
                   
                 room number 
                 light system: 
               
               
                   
                 washroom type (men, women, handicapped) 
                 Green = battery OK 
               
               
                   
                 dispenser identification number 
                 orange = “battery 
               
               
                   
                   
                 almost empty” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Although different embodiments of the present invention were described above, they are to be understood in such a manner that the different features can be used individually as well as also in any desired combination in other embodiments. Furthermore, it is not intended to limit the protective scope of the present application to the special embodiments of the device and of the method presented in the specification.