MXPA97006403A - System and method for data collection on det consumption - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for collecting data on the use of tissue for toilet in a particular place, comprising: sensor means to perceive one or more characteristics of the use of tissue for toilet in a particular assortment; communication with said sensor means for receiving and recording data from said sensor means, so that the use of the tissue for the toilet in the assortment place can be monitored and studied, and analyzer means for analyzing the information received from said sensor means, said analyzer means also to calculate a length of time during which the tissue uses

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA ON TISU CONSUMPTION Field of the Invention This invention relates broadly to the field of consumer absorbent paper products, which include, among other products, tissue for the toilet and paper towels. More specifically, this invention involves an improved system and method for collecting data on the individual and collective use of an absorbent paper product in a manner that is not detectable by the people who are using the product.

Description of Previous Art Much research and market research is invested by high-quality absorbent paper product manufacturers, such as Scott Paper Company, to design and manufacture products that are as consistent as possible with the needs and preferences of the consumer.

Unfortunately, for both cultural and logistical reasons, it has been notoriously difficult to obtain information on consumer habits for certain products such as toilet tissue. For example, data relating to factors such as the total amount of paper used, the length of time during which the paper is used, the number of discrete pulls on the paper taken by the printer, would be beneficial for both marketing and engineering purposes. the user and the amount of paper taken by a user by discrete milestone. However, until now there has not been an efficient way to collect such data.

When collecting this type of information, it is important that consumers do not know that their activities are being monitored, as this may change their behavior. In addition, some consumers may worry with the thought that they are being watched in this way.

It is clear that there has been a long and unmet need for a system and a method for obtaining information on tissue preferences and habits that is efficient, accurate and substantially not detectable by consumers.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system and method for obtaining information on the habits and preferences of the tissue consumer that is accurate, efficient and essentially not detectable by consumers.

In order to achieve these and other objects of the invention, a system for collecting data on the use of tissue for the toilet in a particular location includes, according to a first aspect of the invention, a sensor for sensing one or more characteristics of the use of the toilet tissue in a particular assortment location; and register, in communication with the sensor, to receive and record data from the sensor, so that the use of the toilet tissue in the assortment site can be monitored and studied.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a system to analyze the individual and collective use of the tissue for the toilet in a particular toilet box, includes a determination system to determine if a person is present in a toilet box; a sensor for perceiving one or more characteristics of the use of the tissue for the toilet in the toilet box; an analyzer to analyze the data that is supplied by the sensor; and a recorder to record the data from at least one of the sensor and the analyzer, the determination system, the sensor, the analyzer and the recorder being configured and placed so as not to be essentially detectable by a user, so that it can be monitored and properly study the use of tissue in the toilet in the toilet box.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a system for collecting data on the use of an absorbent commercial paper product in the form of a roll at a particular location includes a sensor for sensing one or more characteristics of the use of paper at a location of private assortment; and a recorder, in communication with the sensor, to receive and record the sensor data, so that the use of the paper in the assortment location can be monitored and studied.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for collecting the important data from an individual use of the paper product of absorbent roll type in a communal area includes the steps of: a) determining when a person enters an area that it is on the side of the dispenser for the paper product; b) monitor the person's use of the paper product in such a way that the person is not aware of such surveillance; and c) record the data obtained from the surveillance.

These and other various advantages and characteristics of the novelty characterizing the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed here and form a part of this. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by this use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a part of this, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which it is illustrated and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a system for collecting tissue consumption data that is constructed according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative mode to that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing a one component embodiment in the system shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing an alternate version of the component shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a general system that can incorporate any of the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1-4.

Figure 6 is a second embodiment of the system in general shown in Figure 5; Y Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of the general system shown in Figures 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring now to the drawings, where the like reference numbers designate a corresponding structure through the views, and referring in particular to Figure 1, a system 10 for collecting data on the use of tissue in the toilet in a particular place includes a sensor 12 for sensing one or more characteristics of the use of tissue in the toilet in a particular dispensing location, and a control unit 14, which in the preferred embodiment analyzes and records the data received from the sensor 12. In the Preferred embodiment, the sensor 12 is constructed and arranged to sense the quantitative characteristics of the use of tissue in the toilet, more preferably the amount of toilet tissue used by an individual or collective use in a location. As can be seen in Figure 5, the system 10 includes a CPU 18 for analyzing the information of the sensor 12, and a memory module 16 for storing the information and the products of the analysis.

Looking again at Figure 1, it can be seen that the system 10 includes a box 20 having a first compartment 22 and a second compartment 24 defined therein. A roll 26 of toilet tissue is held to rotate in the first compartment 22 of the box 20 on a spindle 28 that rotates together with an axis 30. The shaft 30 extends to the second compartment 24 and is secured to a rotating member 32. which is constructed to rotate together with the axis 30. Thus, a rotating member 32 will rotate as the consumer pulls the free end of the roll 26 of the toilet tissue.

The sensor 12 includes, in the embodiment of Figure 1, a magnetic motion detector 34 which senses the rotational movement of the member 32 in evenly spaced rotational increases, as can be seen in the diagrammatic view provided in Figure 3. As shown in FIG. Figure 3, the rotating member 32 has a number of magnets 46 provided in even magnifications along the circumference thereof, which are detectable by the magneto motion detector 34. This type of sensors are well known in the arts electromechanical Figure 2 shows a system 36 that is constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In the system 36, a plate 40 is secured to the roll 26 of the toilet paper tissue by a number of pins 42 that are inserted into one side of the roll 26. The plate 40 is secured to a spindle 38, which at its it is secured to a rotating member 44 that is essentially identical to the rotating member 32 described above. The rotational movement of member 44 is thus described by a magnetic motion detector 34 in the manner described above with reference to Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 4 shows a sensor 48 that is constructed according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a rotating member 50 is secured to rotate with the roll 26 of the toilet tissue in either the manner described above with reference to Figure 1, or that described with reference to Figure 3. The rotating member 50 it includes a number of cam lifter parts 52 which alternate around the circumference of the rotary member 50 with a corresponding member of cam housings 54. A cam follower 56 is pressed against the rotary member 50 to operate a mechanical switch 58 to a first position when placed on one of the cam lifters, and to a second opposite condition when it is placed on one of the cam troughs 54. In this manner, the angular position of the rotary member 50 is indicated for the control unit 14, much in the manner described above with reference to Figure 3.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show alternate modalities of the general system. To enable the control unit 14 to distinguish between the information of individual users and the collective information, it is necessary to monitor when each individual user enters and leaves the toilet box or other similar space defined. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a sensor 60 is provided on the door of the toilet box to indicate to the CPU unit 18 of the control unit 14 when the door of the box is opened and when it is closed. By processing this information, the control unit 14 can determine exactly when a user enters the box and leaves the box.

In the embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figure 6, a sensor is provided to determine when a person is present in the toilet box. The person sensor 62 may be a ray of light or sound that is broken by the person when he or she enters and leaves the box. Alternatively, the sensor can detect the presence of a person when he or she sits in the toilet.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7, a sensor 64 is provided under the toilet seat when an individual is sitting on the toilet. This will allow the control unit 14 to determine when an individual enters and leaves the area when he or she is expected to use the toilet tissue.

In the operation, a user will enter the toilet box and his presence will be noticed by the control unit 14 by one of the sensors 60, 62 or 64, When the individual uses the toilet paper, the rotational displacement of the toilet roll it is monitored and recorded by the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can be programmed to calculate the number of different characteristics of the use of tissue for toilet based on the information, including the total amount of tissue used by each individual, the length of time for which the tissue is used, the number of discrete milestones on the toilet tissue taken by the user, and the amount of toilet tissue taken by a user through a discrete pull. The products of such analysis can also be stored in the memory area 16 of the control unit 14 for further analysis and / or retrieval. When the user leaves the area of the box this is also recorded by a sensor 60, 62, 64. Through the whole process, the consumer will not have knowledge that their activity is being monitored, so this results in a feeling of unimpaired privacy, and results in the accuracy of the data that is recorded.

It will be understood, however, that while numerous features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of the invention, that the description is illustrative only, and that make changes in the detail, especially in the matters of form, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the attached clauses are expressed.

Claims (47)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A system for collecting data on the use of tissue in the toilet in a particular place, comprising: means of perception to perceive one or more characteristics of the use of the tissue for toilet in a particular assortment; Y means for recording, in communication with said means of perception, to receive and record data from said means of perception, so that the use of the tissue for toilet in that place of assortment can be monitored and studied.

2. A system as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said means of perception are to perceive quantitative characteristics of the use of tissue for the toilet.

3. A system as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that said means of perception are to perceive the amount of toilet tissue that is used.

4. A system as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that it also comprises means of analysis to analyze the information received from said means of perception.

5. A system as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said means of analysis are also for calculating a total amount of tissue used.

6. A system as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said means of analysis are furthermore to calculate a duration of time over which the tissue is used.

7. A system as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said means of analysis are further to calculate the number of discrete milestones on the toilet tissue carried out by a user.

8. A system as claimed in clause 4 characterized in that said means of analysis are also for calculating a quantity of the toilet tissue taken by a user by discrete pull.

9. A system as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said means of perception comprise a member that is mounted to rotate with a tissue roll for toilet, and movement detection means to perceive the movement of said member when a user does Twist the tissue roll by pulling a free end of the tissue.

10. A system as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that said motion detection means are constructed and arranged to perceive the movement of said member in increments that are less than a full rotation of the member.

11. A system as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

12. A system as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise magnetic sensing means for detecting the movement of said member.

13. A system as claimed in clause 1 further characterized in that it comprises means for determining when an individual enters and leaves an area in which said system is installed, so that the information can be recorded on a user-by-user basis.

14. A system as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said determining means comprise a sensor for determining whether a box door is in an open or closed position.

15. A system as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said means of determination comprises a sensor to determine whether or not an individual is sitting on a toilet seat.

16. A system as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said means of determination comprises a sensor for determining whether a person is present in a closed area such as a toilet box.

17. A system as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said means of perception and said recording means are configured and placed so as not to be essentially detected by a user, because accurate and unaltered data can be obtained.

18. A system for analyzing the individual and collective use of the tissue for a toilet in a particular toilet box, comprising: means of determining whether a person is present in a toilet box; sensor means for perceiving one or more characteristics of a tissue use for a toilet in the toilet box; analysis means for analyzing the data that is supplied by means of said sensor means; Y recording means for recording the data from at least one of said sensor means and said analyzing means, said determining means, said sensing means, said analyzing means and said recording means are configured and placed so as not to be essentially detectable by a user, so that the use of the tissue in the toilet in the toilet box can be monitored and studied exactly.

19. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of analysis are further to calculate a total amount of the tissue used.

20. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of analysis are furthermore to calculate a duration of time during which the tissue is used.

21. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of analysis are further to calculate the number of discrete milestones that take place by the user of the toilet tissue.

22. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of analysis are also to calculate a quantity of tissue for toilet taken by a user by discrete pull.

23. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of perception comprises a member that is mounted to rotate with a roll of toilet paper, and the means of motion detection to perceive the movement of said member when a user rotates the tissue roll by pulling on a free end of the tissue.

24. A system as claimed in clause 23 characterized in that said motion detection means are constructed and arranged to perceive the movement of said member in increases that are less than a full rotation of the member.

25. A system as claimed in clause 23 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be brought into contact by said member.

26. A system as claimed in clause 23 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise magnetic sensing means for detecting the movement of said member.

27. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said determining means comprise a sensor for determining whether a box door is in an open or closed position.

28. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of determination comprises a sensor to determine whether or not an individual is sitting on a toilet seat.

29. A system as claimed in clause 18 characterized in that said means of determination comprise a sensor for determining whether a person is present in a closed area such as a toilet box.

30. A system for collecting data on the use of a roll paper commercial absorbent paper product at a particular location, comprising: sensor means for sensing one or more characteristics of the use of paper in a particular assortment location; Y means of registration, in communication with said means of perception, to receive and record the data of said means of perception, so that the use of the paper in the assortment place can be monitored and studied.

31. A system as claimed in clause 30 characterized in that it comprises means of analysis to analyze the information received from said means of perception.

32. A system as claimed in clause 31 characterized in that said means of analysis are also for calculating a total amount of used paper.

33. A system as claimed in clause 31 characterized in that said means of analysis are furthermore to calculate a duration of time during which the paper is used.

34. A system as claimed in clause 31 characterized in that said means of analysis are also to calculate the number of discrete milestones that the user performs on paper.

35. A system as claimed in clause 31 characterized in that said means of analysis are also for calculating a quantity of paper taken by a user by discrete pull.

36. A system as claimed in clause 30 characterized in that said means of perception comprise a member that is mounted to rotate with a roll of paper, and means of detecting movement to perceive the movement of said member when a user rotates the roll the paper by pulling on the free end of the paper.

37. A system as claimed in clause 36 characterized in that said motion detection means are constructed and arranged to perceive the movement of said member in increases that are less than a full rotation of the member.

38. A system as claimed in clause 36 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise a mechanical switch that is constructed and arranged to be contacted by said member.

39. A system as claimed in clause 36 characterized in that said motion detection means comprise magnetic sensing means for detecting the movement of said member.

40. A system as claimed in clause 30 further characterized in that it comprises means for determining when an individual enters and leaves an area in which the system is installed, whereby the information can be recorded on a user-by-user basis.

41. A system as claimed in clause 30 characterized in that said means of perception and said recording means are configured and placed so as not to be essentially detected by a user, so that accurate data can be obtained without alteration.

42. A method for collecting data relevant to the individual use of an absorbent roll type paper product in a communal area, comprising the steps of: a) determining when a person enters an area that is adjacent to a paper product dispenser; b) monitor the use by the person of the paper product in such a way that the person is not aware of such surveillance; Y c) record the data obtained from said surveillance.

43. A method as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that it comprises the step of analyzing the data obtained in step (b).

44. A method as claimed in clause 42 characterized in that said step of analysis comprises calculating the total amount of paper used.

45. A method as claimed in clause 42 characterized in that said analysis step comprises calculating a length of time over which the paper is used.

46. A method as claimed in clause 42 characterized in that said analysis step comprises calculating the number of discrete milestones made by the paper user.

47. A method as claimed in clause 42 characterized in that said step of analysis comprises calculating a quantity of paper taken by a user by discrete pull. SUMMARY A system and method for collecting data on the individual and collective use of toilet tissue or other types of absorbent roll paper in a public restroom includes a perception system to perceive one or more characteristics of the use of paper in an assortment location. In particular, and a registration system to receive and record data of the perception system, so that the use of paper in the assortment place can be monitored and studied. The system also analyzes the data to determine such things as the amount of paper used, the duration of the milestones or the paper taken by a user and the amount of paper taken by the user by discrete milestone.