Cleanliness monitoring

Abstract

A system for monitoring cleanliness in a store. The system may include a server, a database and at least one sensor. The database may be in communication with the server and may store cleanliness parameters. The system includes at least one sensor configured to transmit measured cleanliness characteristics to the server and the server is configured to transmit a message based on a comparison of the measured cleanliness characteristics and the cleanliness parameters stored in the database.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A mop comprising:
 a handle;   a mop head assembly attached to the handle;   a sensor configured to measure a usage characteristic of the mop and generate a usage measurement signal;   a processor configured to receive the usage measurement signal;   a transmitter configured to receive usage information from the processor and transmit a message based on the usage information.   
     
     
         2 . The mop according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a motion of the mop. 
     
     
         3 . The mop according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer attached to the mop. 
     
     
         4 . The mop according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a gyroscope attached to the mop. 
     
     
         5 . The mop according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure applied to the mop. 
     
     
         6 . The mop according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure moisture of a mop head material. 
     
     
         7 . A system for monitoring cleanliness of a retail store, the system comprising:
 a server;   at least one sensor configured to transmit measured cleanliness characteristics to the server, wherein the server is configured to generate and transmit a message based on the measured cleanliness characteristics.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the message is transmitted by the server to a store clerk, a store manager, or an equipment service company. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a location of a mop. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a pressure applied to the mop. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a water overflow. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a door usage. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a sink usage. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure a toilet usage. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure an amount of paper towels or toilet paper remaining in a dispenser. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises three sensors located at different positions and the server is configured to triangulate a location of the mop based on the three sensors. 
     
     
         17 . A system for monitoring cleanliness of a retail store, the system comprising:
 a server;   at least one sensor configured to transmit mop usage characteristics to the server, wherein the server is configured to generate and transmit a message based on the measured mop usage characteristics.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises three sensors located at different positions and the server is configured to triangulate a location of the mop based on the three sensors.