KR-20260065922-A - Method and system for generating digital copies of restroom facilities

Abstract

A method for generating a digital copy of a toilet facility accommodating at least one dispenser is provided. The method includes the step of forming a scanned copy of the toilet facility by scanning the toilet facility with an image capturing device. The method also includes the step of inputting the scanned copy into an application, wherein the application is configured to convert the scanned copy into a digital copy, and the digital copy includes a visual representation of the toilet facility. The method also includes the step of converting the scanned copy into a digital copy through the application.

Inventors

• 드몬테이로, 반나라크
• 베커, 스티븐

Assignees

• 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크.

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20230922

Claims (20)

1. A method for generating a digital copy of a toilet facility that accommodates at least one distributor, A step of forming a scanned copy of the toilet facility by scanning the toilet facility with an image capturing device; A step of inputting the scanned copy into an application, wherein the application is configured to convert the scanned copy into a digital copy, and the digital copy includes a visual representation of the restroom facility; and A step of converting the above-mentioned scanned copy into the above-mentioned digital copy through the above-mentioned application A method including
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a camera or a video camera.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the scanned copy comprises a first scanned copy and a second scanned copy, the first scanned copy is a scanned representation of the toilet facility, and the second scanned copy is a scanned representation of the at least one distributor.
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a digital copy of the toilet facility to a user through the application.
5. In paragraph 4, the method wherein the application is configured to provide an augmented reality representation of the at least one distributor.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a sensor including at least one of a GPS (global positioning system), an accelerometer, or a gyroscope.
7. In paragraph 6, the method wherein the application is configured to provide on-screen measurements of the toilet facility.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the application includes an algorithm, and the algorithm includes a machine learning algorithm configured to convert the scanned copy into a three-dimensional (3D) digital representation of the toilet facility.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one distributor comprises at least two distributors, and the method further comprises the step of providing an identification for the at least two distributors, wherein the identification is configured to distinguish the at least two distributors from one another.
10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the digital copy to a user through the application.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing the location of at least one distributor within the toilet facility to the user through the application.
12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of providing the user with the model number or serial number of at least one distributor through the application.
13. As a method of notifying a worker that maintenance is required for at least one distributor housed within a toilet facility, A step of forming a scanned copy of the toilet facility by scanning the toilet facility with an image capturing device, wherein the scanned copy includes a scanned representation of the at least one dispenser; A step of inputting the scanned copy into an application, wherein the application is configured to convert the scanned copy into a digital copy; A step of converting the scanned copy into the digital copy through the application, wherein the digital copy includes a visual representation of the toilet facility and the digital copy further includes a digital representation of the at least one dispenser; A step of storing the digital copy within the application, wherein the application is configured to display the stored digital copy to the operator; A step of connecting at least one sensor within the at least one distributor to the application, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to report whether maintenance is required for the at least one distributor; and When the at least one sensor reports that maintenance is required for the at least one distributor, the step of providing a maintenance alert through the application A method including
14. In paragraph 13, the scanned copy comprises a first scanned copy and a second scanned copy, wherein the first scanned copy is a scanned representation of the toilet facility and the second scanned copy is a scanned representation of the at least one distributor.
15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of providing the status of at least one distributor in real time.
16. In paragraph 13, the method wherein the at least one distributor and the application are connected via a server.
17. In paragraph 13, the at least one distributor comprises at least two distributors, and the maintenance alarm identifies which of the at least two distributors requires maintenance.
18. In claim 17, the application is configured to provide a maintenance identifier for each of the at least two distributors, and the maintenance alert includes the maintenance identifier tagged to each of the at least two distributors that require maintenance.
19. In paragraph 18, the maintenance identifier is observable by an operator on a stored digital copy within the application.
20. In paragraph 13, the above at least one sensor can report a state requiring maintenance, and the maintenance is a method of indicating the state requiring maintenance.

Description

Method and system for generating digital copies of restroom facilities The present disclosure generally relates to a method and system for generating a digital copy of a restroom facility and using the digital copy to notify a worker that maintenance is required for the distributors housed within the restroom facility. In relation to typical restroom facilities, such as those located in airports, restaurants, medical facilities, office buildings, manufacturing plants, etc., dispensers for sanitary products are typically installed to allow individuals using the restroom facilities easy access to sanitary products. Specifically, the dispensers are typically attached permanently or semi-permanently at specific locations within the restroom facility. However, employees and workers responsible for providing restroom facilities and performing maintenance within them must enter the facilities to assess their condition. Additionally, they must directly interact with the dispensers housed within these facilities to determine whether they require maintenance. Such requirements take away time from employees and workers that could be better utilized elsewhere. One solution to this problem would be to provide cameras within the restroom facilities that offer a real-time view of the facilities. However, such a solution could infringe upon the privacy of the customers and employees of the business operating the restroom facilities. Therefore, there is a need to address the aforementioned concerns. In particular, there is a need to provide a digital representation of the restroom facilities to employees and workers while maintaining the privacy of customers and staff using the facilities. Additionally, there is a need to notify employees and workers that maintenance is required for the dispensers housed within the restroom facilities. Methods and systems used within restroom facilities comprising the aspects of the present disclosure are presented. The term “restroom facility” is generally used herein to encompass any type of public, semi-public, or private facility visited by customers to use washbasin or toilet facilities, bath facilities, changing facilities, etc. Such facilities are also known as washrooms, restrooms, public restrooms, men’s restrooms, women’s restrooms, etc. A typical public or semi-private restroom has multiple toilet facilities or urinals and washbasins. The methods and systems are particularly useful in "away-from-home" public or semi-private settings, but the methods and systems are not limited by the category of use. As used herein, the term "away-from-home" refers to a place or location where people gather for various reasons or purposes, located outside of a typical home. Examples of away-from-home locations include office buildings, offices, retail stores, and workplaces such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities; schools; hospitals and other types of medical facilities; places of worship; hotels and motels; conference centers, etc. The methods and systems are particularly well suited to structures where multiple restroom facilities are provided for use by building tenants, or to industrial or manufacturing sites where multiple on-site facilities are provided for the controlled public. It should be understood that the methods and systems can be demonstrated as useful in restroom facilities in residential or private settings, and that such uses are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. According to one aspect, a method for generating a digital copy of a toilet facility accommodating at least one dispenser is provided. The method comprises the step of forming a scanned copy of the toilet facility by scanning the toilet facility with an image capturing device. The method also comprises the step of inputting the scanned copy into an application, wherein the application is configured to convert the scanned copy into a digital copy, and the digital copy includes a visual representation of the toilet facility. The method also comprises the step of converting the scanned copy into a digital copy through the application. In one embodiment of the method, the image capturing device includes a camera or a video camera. In another embodiment of the method, the scanned copy comprises a first scanned copy and a second scanned copy, wherein the first scanned copy is a scanned representation of a toilet facility and the second scanned copy is a scanned representation of at least one dispenser. In an additional embodiment of the method, the method further includes the step of providing a digital copy of the restroom facility to a user through an application. In an additional embodiment of the method, the application is configured to provide an augmented reality representation of at least one distributor. In another embodiment of the method, the image capturing device includes a sensor comprising at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer, or a gyroscope. In another