MXPA00006287A - System and method for collecting data on product consumption - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of various washroom products. The system includes one or more product dispensers having a sensor associated therewith for determining product usage. The sensor communicates usage information to local transmitter which responsively generates a data signal. The data signal is transmitted, such as by wireless techniques, to a central data collection unit. The central data collection unit receives and stores the data signal for later analysis. In exemplary embodiments, usage from a plurality of dispensers can be monitored by a single data collection unit.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION ON PRODUCT CONSUMPTION Background of the Invention This invention relates broadly to the field of consumer absorbent paper products and other bathroom products, h include, among other products, toilet tissue, paper towels and liquid products such as soap. More specifically this invention involves an improved system and a method for collecting data on the individual and aggregate use of product for bathroom in a way that is not detectable to the people who are using the product.

A large amount of market and technical research is invested by the manufacturers of high quality absorbent paper products, such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation to design and manufacture products that are as consistent as possible with the preferences and needs of the consumer.

Unfortunately, for both cultural and logistical reasons, information on consumer habits for certain products such as toilet tissue has been extremely difficult to obtain. For example, data relating to factors such as the total amount of paper used, the length of time for h the paper is used, the number of discrete milestones on the paper taken by a user, and the amount of paper taken by the user per milestone. discreetly I will be very useful for both marketing and engineering purposes. However, until now there has been no efficient way to compile such data.

When this type of information is collected, it is important that consumers do not know that their activity is being monitored, this could change behavior. In addition, some consumers may have apprehension about the thought that they are being watched in this way.

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

Synthesis of the Invention Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for obtaining information on tissue consumer preferences and habits that are accurate, efficient and essentially undetectable by consumers.

In order to achieve the aforementioned other objects of the invention, a system for collecting data on the use of the toilet tissue 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 tissue for retreat in a particular assortment site; and a recorder, and communication with the sensor to receive and record sensor data, so that the use of the toilet tissue in the place of supply can be monitored and studied.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a system for analyzing the aggregate and individual use of a tis for a toilet in a particular toilet facility, includes a system for determining whether a person is present in a toilet cabinet, a sensor for perceive one or more characteristics of the use of toilet tissue in the toilet cabinet; an analyzer to analyze the data that is supplied by the sensor; and a recorder to record the data of at least one of the sensor and the analyzer, the determinant system, the sensor, the analyzer and the recorder are configured and placed as to be essentially n detectable to a user, so the use of the tissue for toilet in a toilet cabinet can be monitored and studied accurately.

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 the paper at a location of private assortment; and a recorder, in communication with the sensor, to receive and record sensor data, so that the use of paper in the assortment site can be monitored and studied.

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

In still a further aspect of the invention, this involves a system to monitor the use of the product in a particular location. The system comprises a product spout in which a sensor device is placed to detect the removal of the product. A local transmission unit is in operational communication with the sensor. The local transmission unit generates a data signal of a predetermined format representative of at least the use of the product, and wirelessly transmits the data signal. A data collection unit located and remote from the pump operates to receive data signal and store representative usage information.

The additional aspects of the invention are achieved by a system for monitoring the use of the product in a plurality of places. The system comprises a plurality of product dispensers, each of which includes a sensor device placed there to detect the removal of the product. A plurality of local transmission units are also provided, each associated with a respective assortment to receive the usage information from a respective sensor. The responsivament local transmission unit generates a data signal of a predetermined format. A data collection unit located remote from the pump is operative to receive data signals from all the local transmitters and store the user information representative thereof.

A roll fabric product dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a jet container having a roll support mechanism located there. The sensor element is operated to rotate when removed from the roll fabric by a user. The dispenser also includes a detector positioned to sense the rotation of the sensing element. A local transmission unit in operational communication with the detector is placed in the dispensing box.

A liquid product dispenser constructed according to the invention comprises a dispensing enclosure having a reservoir of liquid product located there. A drive mechanism is also provided to supply a quantity of product from the liquid product reservoir. A sensor is operated to detect the quantity of product that has been supplied.

A bent woven product dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a dispenser box adapted to hold the folded fabric product in a stack. A sensor is positioned to detect the removal of the individual product sheets from the stack.

These and various other advantages and features of the novelty characterizing the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims herein and form a part thereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form an additional part thereof, and to the description of the accompanying material in which illustrates 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 data on tissue consumption that is constructed according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view showing an alternate embodiment to that shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a component in the system shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic view showing an alternate version of the components shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a global system that can incorporate any of the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1-4; Figure 6 is a second embodiment of the overall system shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of the global system indicated in Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a usage data collection system according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a block diagram showing functional components of a data collection unit ta as they can be employed in the system of Figure 8; Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional components of a local array as it can be used with the various dispensers shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the interior of a dispensing cabinet for a wound tissue product constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a liquid product spout constructed in accordance with the present invention with certain characteristics shown phantom.

Figures 13A to 13C show folded tissue product jets constructed in accordance with the present invention having alternating optical sensor arrays.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view showing a bent woven product jet constructed in accordance with the present invention having an additional alternating sensor arrangement; Y Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a bent tissue product spout constructed in accordance with the present invention having an additional alternating sensing arrangement. _ _ Brief Description of Preferred Additions Referring now to the drawings, where like reference numbers designate a corresponding structure through the views, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, a system 10 for collecting data on the use of toilet tissue in a particular place includes a sensor 12 for sensing one or more characteristics of the toilet use for the toilet in a particular assortment site, and a control unit 14 which in the preferred embodiment analyzes records the data that is received from the sensor 12. In preferred embodiment, the sensor 12 is constructed and arranged to sense quantitative characteristics of the use of tissue for toilet, more preferably, the amount of tissue to be used by an individual or an aggregate use in the site. As can be seen in figure 5, the system 10 includes a personal computer 18 to analyze the information of the sens 12, and a 16 memory module to store the information and products of the analysis Looking again at Figure 1, it will be seen that system 10 includes a box 20 having a first compartment 22 and a second compartment 24 defined therein. A roller 26 a toilet tissue is held to rotate in the prime compartment 22 of the box 20 on a spindle 28 that rotates together with an axis 30. The shaft 30 extends in the second compartment 24 and is secured in a rotating member 32 which is constructed to rotate together with the axis 30. Therefore, the rotating member 32 will rotate when the consumer of the free end of the roll 26 of the toilet tissue is pulled.

The sensor 12 includes, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a magnetic motion detector 34 that senses the rotational movement of the member 32 in evenly spaced rotational increments, as can be seen in the diagrammatic view provided in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. Figure 3, the rotating member 32 has a number of magnets 4 provided in even increments along the circumference thereof, which are detectable by a magneto motion detector 34. These types of sensors are well known in the electromechanical arts. .

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 tissue for a number of pins 43 that are inserted on the side of the roll 26.

The plate 40 is secured to a spindle or shaft 38, which in turn is secured to a rotating member 44 which is essentially identical to the rotating member 32 described above. The rotational movement of the member 44 is therefore detected 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 any of the ways described above with reference to Figure 1, or that described with reference to Figure 3. The rotary member 50 includes a number of cam-lifting parts 52 which alternate around the circumference of rotary member 50 with a corresponding member d of cam depressions 54. A cam follower 56 is pressed against the rotary member 50 to drive a mechanical switch 58 to a first part when placed on one of the cam lifters, and to a second opposite condition when s placed on one of the cam depressions 54. In this manner the angular position of the rotary member 50 is indicated to control the unit 14, much in the manner described above with reference to Figure 3.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show alternate incorporations of the global system. To allow the control unit 14 to distinguish between individual user information and aggregate information, it will be necessary to monitor when each individual user enters and leaves the toilet cabinet or other similar defined space. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a sensor 60 is provided on the door of the toilet cabinet to indicate to the personal computer unit 18 of the control unit 14 when the cabinet door is opened and when it is closed. By processing this information, the control unit 14 can determine exactly when each user enters the cabinet and leaves the cabinet.

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

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

In operation, a user will enter the toilet cabinet area, and its presence will be noticed by the control unit 14 by one of the sensors 60, 62 or 64. When using the toilet paper and the individual, the roll rotational displacement The toilet unit is monitored and registered by the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can be programmed to calculate a number of different toilet usage characteristics based on this information, including the total amount of tissue used by each individual, the length of time d by which the tissue is used, the number of discrete jalone on the toilet tissue taken by a user, and the amount of toilet tissue taken by a user per discrete jal. The products of such analysis can also be stored in the memory area 16 of the control unit 1 for further analysis and / or retrieval. When the user leaves the cabinet area, this is also recorded by one of the sensors 60, 62 or 64. Throughout the entire process, the consumer will not be aware that his activity is being monitored, resulting in an undiminished feeling of l Privacy, and in an accuracy of the data that is recorded.

Additional aspects of the present invention are illustrated in Figure 8. A central data collection unit 100 is provided to receive the information of use of a plurality of dispensers in a predetermined area. For example, the use of product in a public restroom. Only one can be monitored and stored for further analysis to determine usage patterns. The use can also be monitored in real time to facilitate maintenance or cleaning functions.

In this case, the data collecting unit 10 receives the usage information through the wireless transmission from the respective dispensers. Although various types of wireless transmission such as infrared are also contemplated, the presently preferred embodiments of the invention use RF transmission. Each of the dispensers will have a local transmission unit associated with the same pa to transmit the usage information to the data collection unit 100.

A typical installation may include various combinations of product jets of different types. In the illustrated example, the system includes the roll dispensers 102a-c, the roll towel dispenser 104, the liquid product dispenser 106 and the folded sheet dispenser 108. Co is typical in public toilet facilities, Assortment of roll tissue are each placed in a confined toilet cabinet. Therefore, appropriate sensor arrays, such as the respective door sensors 11A-c, can be provided to determine when an individual enters or leaves a cabinet. In this case, the door sensors 11A-c and c comprise a respective movable magnet 112a-c mounted on the door, and a stationary transmitter / switch unit 114a c mounted on the stationary cabinet structure. S contemplates that other sensors such as lightning type sensors or seat sensors can be used.

Particularly when a dispenser is not located in a toilet cabinet, such as the dispensers 104, 106 and 108, it may be desirable to detect the presence of an individual user by employing various other appropriate techniques. For example, optoelectronics such as those used for activation of the toilets and urinals can be used to perceive a person located in the assortment front. Alternatively, a time base can be used to identify an "individual event". Therefore, according to this technique, each time the product is supplied, an electronic time stamp can be recorded. The event suppliers can be grouped into individual events on a basis of elapsed time.

Referring now to Figure 9, the data collection unit 100 includes a receiver 116 having an antenna 118 for receiving the use data signal from the various dispensers. The receiver 118 communicates with a suitable process 120, such as a relatively small "palmtop" computer. In this case, a removable data card 12 preferably of the PCMCIA type is provided to store usage information for further analysis. The receiver 1 and the processor 120 are activated by an energy supply 124, which can derive energy from either a battery or AC mains supply depending on the requirements of a particular application. Particularly, in a battery-powered embodiment, it is desirable that the L2 processor remain in a low-energy "sleep" mode except when it is required for processing functions. Typically, the receiver 116 will operate continuously at full strength to await the reception of the transmissions.

A transmission unit which can be used with the various arrangements for the perception of presence and use is illustrated in Figure 10. The transmission unit includes an appropriate detector 126 for perceiving the event or quantity of interest. The detector 126 communicates with a processor 128 which in turn supplies a suitable data signal transmitter 130. The transmitter 140 then transmits the data signal through the antenna 132. The transmission unit further includes a battery supply 136. for providing power for the operation of its various components. Preferably, the transmitter may send a "heart lati" signal at predetermined times so that the data collection unit 100 will know when the transmitter is operating properly.

In the battery-activated incorporations, the data collection unit 100 and the various transmitters may include circuits for recharging the batteries of the ambient lu in the installation. In addition, the incorporators have several rotating parts that can include regenerative means for recharging the transmitting batteries. For example, the rotating sensor wheels as described below with respect to FIG. 11, can be adapted with means for recharging batteries of the transmitting unit. local transmitter The data signal desirably includes and follows the address data, retrieved by the ROM 128 processor 128, to realize the identity of the particular transmission unit that sends the known information to the data collection unit 100. The signal of data can also be stamped with the date / time in any transmission or reception so that the patterns of us over a period of time can be accurately reviewed. Desirably, the data signal sent by each of the transmitters is also coded for improve the integrity of the data.

In some desired additions, signal them RF are frequency modulated (FM) instead of modulated amplitude (AM) to improve the immunity to noise. If several different sites are going to be monitored simultaneously, it will be advantageous to alternate the carrier frequencies between nearby facilities.

For example, systems installed in bathrooms on adjacent floors of a public building may use disparate carrier frequencies to eliminate undesirable cross talk. It is believed that two frequencies are suitable in this application and that they are the 418 MHz and 433.92 MHz. It is contemplated that other frequencies can also be used.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is illustrated an additional way in which the user data can be obtained in a tissue or roll towel dispenser. In this case, the dispenser has a stationary rear portion 138 which is connected to a door 140. The door 140 can be opened around a pivot point 142 by a maintenance worker who wishes to change the product roll. Otherwise, the door 140 will remain closed by an appropriate latch mechanism.

The roll fabric product 144 is maintained within the dispenser box, and is supported for rotation on a rotating spindle 146. As shown, a rotary sensor ta as a wheel 148 in this case engages the outer surface of the product 144 for turning the user tail the product tail 150. The wheel 148 is itself mounted for rotation at a distal end of the pivot arm 152 as shown. It should be understood that the rotary sensor may be any suitable device and may include one or more cylinders, wheels, discs, spheres or the like.

Because the diameter of the wheel 148e known, its rotation will be directly translatable in the length of the removed product. Any suitable means can be used to determine the rotations taken by the sensor rail 148. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a plurality of spaced apart magnets are located around the wheel 148. The magnets are detected when the wheel is rotated by a magnetic switch 156.

The information derived from the wheel 148 then converted to a data signal as described above and transmitted to the data collection unit 100 through the transmission unit 154. The transmitted signal can both include information in relation to the number of milestones and the length of product removed with each milestone. From these data, the total length of the product used by the individual can be determined. The data signal may also include information about the rate at which the product is removed. The usage information may be transmitted immediately, it may be transmitted in the form of a charge at predetermined times.

The information illustrated in FIG. 11 further includes a door sensor array to determine when the door 140 is open or closed. As described above with respect to the cabinet door sensors, such an arrangement can include a magnet 158 attached to the door 140 for movement therewith. A stationary detector 160 attached to the rear part 138 perceives the presence or absence of the magnet 158 Frequently, the roll towel dispensers can be equipped with multiple rolls, one of which is in position to supply at any time. In some cases, the cleaning staff can replace both rolls when one of the rolls, mentioned as a stump roll, contains some product. It will be appreciated that many embodiments of the data collection system described herein can be configured to determine roll waste.

Figure 12 illustrates a liquid product spout constructed in accordance with the present invention. E liquid can be a liquid soap, a wash for the body, creams, gels and the like. As can be seen, the dispenser included a box 162 containing a soap tank 163 there. The dispenser includes a presence detector 164 on its box, which can be of the optoelectronic type as described above. A dispenser tube 166 depends on the reservoir 163 to deliver the liquid product to the user when desired. The soap is supplied by the action of a pump lever 168.

Several methods are contemplated to determine the amount of liquid product supplied with each performance. For example, it may be possible to determine the use of the product by weighing the deposit before and after a quantity is filled.

In the illustrated embodiment, however, an estimate of the product removed from the tank 163 is derived by measuring the lever stroke 168. For this purpose, the actuating sensor 169 includes a moving part connected to the lever 168 and a stationary part connected to the box 162. A full hit is known to supply a certain nominal amount while a partial hit will typically yield less. Where a more accurate estimate is necessary, it may be desirable to use a more sophisticated neural network approach which "knows" the production amount of the spout based on the various input parameters.

Even when the spout shown in Figure 12 is manually operated, several liquid product spouts may also be equipped with sensors for use in accordance with the present invention. In fact, some automatic sensors are designed to provide a very accurate "shot" of the product every time. With these dispensers, the mere fact that a shot is stocked will translate directly into the amount of interest.

The remaining figures illustrate several alternative to determine the use of the product of a folded towel or a tissue dispenser. With dispensers of this type, a user usually removes a product sheet with each pull. The sheets may be doubled or each may have other fold configurations. Since the length of each known sheet, the total usage can be calculated based on number of milestones.

Referring particularly to Figure 13A, spout 170a includes a pair of dependent parts 172a and 17 located at opposite ends of the assortment throat 176a. A light source 178a located on the dependent pair 172a directs a light beam to a light detector 18 located on the dependent part 174a. When a user reaches to remove leaf 182a, the ray of light is. broken. This event can be considered as a milestone to determine the u as described above.

Figure 13B represents a variation of the technique shown in Figure 13A. In this case, the light source 178b and the light detector 180b are each located on the dependent part 172b. A reflector 184 is located on the dependent part 174b to reflect the ray of light between the light source 178b and a light detector 180b.

In the incorporation of figure 13C, the assortment 170c does not use the dependent parts on opposite sides of the throat dispenser. Instead, the light source 17 and the light detector 180c are mounted directly on the bottom of the dispenser box in convergent directions as shown. The user's hand functions as a reflector for completing the beam when the sheet 182c is withdrawal.

Figure 14 illustrates an additional alternative for determining when a folded fabric sheet has been removed. Here, one or more load sensors 186 are internally mounted in the spout below the stack of sheets. When the user removes the sheet 188, a downward pulse is measured by the load sensors. This impulse corresponds to a single milestone and which can be used to determine the product use as described above. _ An additional alternative is illustrated in FIG. 15. Here, an elongate sensing element 190 extends into the throat of the spout 192. The sheet 194 engages the element 190 as it is removed. Therefore, indicating that a single pull has occurred. In the example embodiments, element 190 may comprise a flexible variable resistor.

Several other sensor arrays have been described, the invention contemplates the use of any sensor d use that achieves the desired results. For example, various sonic sensors or body heat sensors may be used on one or more of the above described dispensers. Neural network media can also be used at any supplier, where it is appropriate for an exactly measured use. For example, a neural network can be used with a sonic sensor in a folded tissue dispenser to distinguish between the sound patterns created when a sheet or more than one sheet is removed. It will also be appreciated that the lever-operated roll towel dispensers may include sensing that senses the lever stroke. In this way, the quantity of the assorted product can be easily determined.

It should be understood, however, that even when numerous features and advantages of the present invention have set forth in the foregoing description, along with details of the structure and function of the invention, the description is only illustrative, and changes can be made to the present invention. detail, especially in matters of form, size and arrangement d parts within the principles of the invention in the full extent indicated by the general and broad meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, several systems described above can often be of hard wire installation instead of wireless depending on the requirements of a particular application. In addition, the characteristics of a modality can be exchanged with characteristics of other modalities to still provide other incorporations.

Claims (44)

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

1. A system to monitor the use of a particular place, said system includes: a product supplier; a sensor device placed in said assortment to detect the removal of said product; a local transmission unit in operational communication with said sensor, said transmission unit loc generates a data signal of a predetermined format representative of at least the use of product and wireless transmission of said data signal; Y a data collection unit located separately from said dispenser, said data collection unit operates to receive said data signal and stores the representative usage information thereof.

2. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said spout is configured to supply an absorbent roll fabric product.

3. A system as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said sensor comprises roller mounted to rotate against an outer surface of said absorbent roll fabric product to generate an output indicative of a length of product removed per user.

4. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said spout is configured to supply a folded fabric product.

5. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said spout is configured to supply the liquid soap product.

6. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said data collection unit stores said usage information on a removable data card.

7. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said data collection unit includes a receiver in operative communication with the processor device, said receiver being continuously actuated to await the reception of transmissions.

8. A system as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said processor device is normally maintained in a low energy mode.

9. A system as claimed in clause 1, further characterized because it comprises: means for determining when an individual user is in an area to remove the product from the supplier; Y a second unit of local transmission and operational communication with said means for determining, said second local transmission unit generates a second data signal of a predetermined format and wirelessly transmits said second data signal.

10. A system as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said spout is located in a toilet cabinet and said means for determining comprises a door sensor positioned to indicate the activity of the cabinet door.

11. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said data signal includes an address for identifying said dispenser with said data collection unit.

12. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said local transmission unit operates to wirelessly transmit said data signal as an RF signal.

13. A system as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that said RF signal is a frequency modulated signal.

14. A system as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said RF signal is transmitted to a frequency carrier of 418 MHz.

15. A system as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said RF signal is transmitted to a frequency carrier of 433.92 MHz.

16. A system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said local transmission unit operates to wirelessly transmit said data signal as an infrared signal.

17. A system to monitor the use of a product a plurality of places, said system comprises: a plurality of product jets; each of said product dispensers includes a sensing device placed there to detect the removal of said product; a plurality of local transmission units each of said local transmission units is associated with a respective dispenser to receive the usage information of said sensor, said local transmission unit generates a data signal of a predetermined format; Y a data collection unit located remote from said dispenser, said data collection unit operates to receive data signals from all local transmission units and stores the user information representative thereof.

18. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said local transmission unit operates to wirelessly transmit said data signal to said data collection unit.

19. A system as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said local transmission unit operates to wirelessly transmit the data signal as an RF signal.

20. A system as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said local transmission unit operates to wirelessly transmit said data signal as an infrared signal.

21. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said plurality of product assortment includes spouts configured to supply absorbent roll tissue product.

22. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said plurality of product assortment includes spouts configured to supply the folded fabric product.

23. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said plurality of product spouts include spouts configured to supply a liquid soap product.

24. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said data collection unit stores said data information on a removable data card.

25. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said data collection unit includes a receiver in operative communication with processor device, said receiver is continuously activated to wait for the reception of transmissions.

26. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said processed device is normally maintained in a low energy mode.

27. A system as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said data signal includes an address for identifying said dispenser with said data collection unit.

28. A system as claimed in clause 17, further characterized in that it comprises means for determining the presence of an individual user in a vicinity of one or more of said dispensers.

29. A roll fabric product dispenser comprising: an assortment box; a roll support mechanism located in said dispenser box; a sensor element operative to rotate when the product of woven fabric is removed by the user; a detector positioned to sense the rotation of said sensor element; Y a local transmission unit placed in said dispensing box, said local transmission unit being operative communication with said detector.

30. A dispenser as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that said dispensing box has a door member thereon to facilitate the replacement of said roll fabric product and said dispenser furthermore comprises a door sensor in operative communication with dich. local transmission unit.

31. A dispenser as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that said sensor element engages an outer surface of said roll fabric product.

32. A dispenser as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said sensor element is rotatably mounted at the distal end of a pivot arm.

33. A liquid product dispenser that comprises a dispenser box; a liquid product reservoir located said dispensing box; an actuator mechanism for supplying a quantity of product from said liquid product reservoir; Y a sensor that operates to detect that quantity of product is supplied.

34. A liquid product dispenser as claimed in clause 33, further characterized in that it comprises a local transmission unit placed in said dispenser box, said local transmission unit being in operative communication with said sensor.

35. A liquid product spout as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the actuating mechanism comprises a manual operating lever.

36. A liquid product spout as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that said sensor operates to detect the pivoting movement of said lever.

37. A bent tissue product dispenser comprising: a dispensing box adapted to hold the folded tissue product in a pile; Y a sensor placed to detect the removal of the individual product sheets of said stack.

38. A folded tissue product dispenser t and as claimed in clause 37, further characterized in that it comprises a local transmission unit placed in said dispenser box, said local transmission unit being operatively communicating with said sensor.

39. A folded tissue product dispenser ta and as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said sensor comprises a light source and a lu sensor positioned to indicate the presence of a user's hand.

40. A folded tissue product dispenser ta and as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that said light source and said light detector are positioned so that the user's hand will interrupt a beam of light extending therebetween.

41. A folded tissue product dispenser ta and as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that said light source and said light detector are positioned so that the user's hand will reflect a beam of light to extend between them.

42. A bent tissue product dispenser ta and as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said sensor comprises a load sensor array that operates to detect the force imposed on said pile when a product sheet is removed.

43. A folded tissue product dispenser ta and as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said sensor comprises an elongate element that extends into a throat of said dispenser box for engaging said product sheet during the removal thereof.

44. A bent fabric product jet t and as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said elongated element comprises a flexible variable resist element. SUMMARY A system and method for collecting data on an individual and the aggregate use of various bathroom products. The system includes one or more product jets that have a sensor associated therewith to determine product use. The sensor communicates the usage information to a local transmitter which responsively generates a data signal. The data signal is transmitted, as mediated by wireless techniques, to a central data collection unit. The central data collection unit receives "stores the data signal for further analysis." In the example embodiments, the use of a plurality of dispensers may be monitored by a single data collection unit.