Systems and methods for locating a public facility

Abstract

In an exemplary method of locating a public facility, a public facility is provided at a fixed location and includes a facility locating module. A wireless signal is generated from the facility locating module. Software code accessible to the portable electronic device is provided. The software code causes the portable electronic device to detect the wireless signal and to generate a location indicating output from the portable electronic device to identify at least one of a location of the public facility, a distance to the public facility from the portable electronic device, and a direction from the portable electronic device to the public facility.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for locating a dispenser for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of dispensers for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer;   providing a central station remote from each of the plurality of dispensers, the central station in communication with each of the plurality of dispensers to maintain a database identifying the plurality of dispensers and a location of each of the plurality of dispensers;   accessing the database; and   using an estimated current location of the portable electronic device and the accessed database, generating a location identifying output corresponding to a location of a nearest one of the plurality of dispensers relative to a location of the electronic device, to identify at least one of a location of the nearest one of the plurality of dispensers relative to the portable electronic device, a distance to the nearest one of the plurality of dispensers from the portable electronic device, and a direction from the portable electronic device to the nearest one of the plurality of dispensers.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the location of each of the plurality of dispensers identified in the database is determined from a locating signal identifying a current location of the corresponding dispenser. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the locating signal identifying the current location of the corresponding dispenser is generated by transmitting an interrogation signal from a facility locating module associated with the corresponding dispenser to a wireless communication device within range of the interrogation signal, and receiving a locating signal from the wireless communication device, the locating signal corresponding to an estimated location of the corresponding dispenser. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a Bluetooth device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a WLAN access point. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the current location of the portable electronic device is estimated using a global positioning system. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of dispensers is fixed. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of dispensers is movable. 
     
     
         29 . A method for locating a dispenser for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of dispensers for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer, each at a fixed location;   providing a central station remote from each of the plurality of dispensers, the central station in communication with each of the plurality of dispensers to maintain a database identifying the plurality of dispensers and a location of each of the plurality of dispensers;   transmitting an interrogation signal from a first dispenser of the plurality of dispensers to a wireless communication device within range of the interrogation signal;   using a location of the wireless communication device to estimate a current location of the first dispenser;   transmitting a first locating signal to the central station to identify the estimated current location of the first dispenser to the central station; and   storing the estimated current location of the first dispenser in the database.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising transmitting a signal from the central station to a portable electronic device located proximate to the first dispenser for generation of a location identifying output corresponding to a location of the first dispenser relative to a location of the portable electronic device, to identify at least one of a location of the first dispenser relative to the portable electronic device, a distance to the first dispenser from the portable electronic device, and a direction from the portable electronic device to the first dispenser. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 transmitting an interrogation signal from a second dispenser of the plurality of dispensers to a wireless communication device within range of the interrogation signal;   using a location of the wireless communication device to estimate a current location of the second dispenser;   transmitting a second locating signal to the central station to identify the estimated current location of the second dispenser to the central station; and   storing the estimated current location of the second dispenser in the database.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the interrogation signal is configured to identify a condition of the corresponding dispenser. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the dispenser includes a sensor configured to detect a required maintenance condition, wherein the interrogation signal identifies the required maintenance condition. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the required maintenance condition comprises one of a low battery condition and a required refill condition. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a Bluetooth device. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a WLAN access point. 
     
     
         37 . A method for locating a dispenser for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of dispensers for dispensing one of a soap and a sanitizer, each at a fixed location;   providing a central station remote from each of the plurality of dispensers, the central station in communication with each of the plurality of dispensers to maintain a database identifying the plurality of dispensers and a location of each of the plurality of dispensers;   transmitting an interrogation signal from a first dispenser of the plurality of dispensers to a wireless communication device within range of the interrogation signal;   receiving, at a central station remote from each of the plurality of dispensers, a locating signal transmitted from the wireless communication device in response to receipt of the interrogation signal, to identify the wireless communication device's proximity to the first dispenser;   transmitting an identifying signal from the central station for generation of a location identifying output providing information specific to the fixed location of the first dispenser.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein transmitting the identifying signal from the central station comprises transmitting the identifying signal to a portable electronic device. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the portable electronic device is separate from the wireless communication device. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the information specific to the fixed location of the first dispenser comprises at least one of a location of the first dispenser relative to the portable electronic device, a distance to the first dispenser from the portable electronic device, and a direction from the portable electronic device to the first dispenser.