Dryer with communication interface

Abstract

A forced air hand dryer includes a communication device that communicatively couples to a computing entity in provide data regarding the use of the hand dryer, and/or to set an operating configuration of the hand dryer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a forced air hand dryer; and   a communication device coupled to the forced air hand dryer and configured to communicatively couple to a computing entity in order to provide data regarding the use of the forced air hand dryer to the computing entity.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the computing entity in accordance with at least one of Wi-Fi communications and BLUETOOTH communications. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is configured to provide an identification of the forced air hand dryer to the computing entity based on a scan. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises statistics regarding the use of the forced air hand dryer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data relates to at least one of a cost associated with the use of the forced air hand dryer and a cost savings associated with the use of the forced air hand dryer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data is based on a maintenance mode associated with the forced air hand dryer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data is protected via a credential that comprises at least one of a personal identification number, a username, and a password. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises at least one setting associated with the forced air hand dryer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one setting comprises at least one of a motor power setting, a heater temperature setting, and a motion sensitivity setting. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the communication device is configured to receive an adjustment to the at least one setting and apply the adjustment to the forced air hand dryer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the communication device is configured to apply the adjustment to the forced air hand dryer as part of a test of the forced air hand dryer, and wherein the computing entity comprises at least one of a server, a personal computer, and a mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data is configured to be analyzed to identify at least one of cost and waste in a bathroom in which the forced air hand dryer is located. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data is configured to be analyzed to schedule a maintenance activity in a bathroom in which the forced air hand dryer is located. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a dispenser; and   a second communication device coupled to the dispenser and configured to communicatively couple to at least one of the computing entity or a second computing entity in order to provide second data regarding the use of the dispenser.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second communication device is different from the communication device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense at least paper towels. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second data comprises at least one setting associated with the dispenser, wherein the at least one setting is configured to control at least one operation associated with the dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to:
 scan a dryer system to establish wireless communication with at least one communication device; 
 identify at least one forced air hand dryer included in the dryer system based on the established wireless communication; and 
 cause the identification of the at least one dryer to be presented. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to:
 receive a selection of the at least one hand dryer based on the presented identification; and   provide data regarding the use of the at least one hand dryer based on the received selection.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a display screen,   wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to present the identification of the at least one forced air hand dryer in association with a graphic of the display screen.