U.S. patent application number 17/052773 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-11 for apparatus, system, and method of providing a content level monitor.
This patent application is currently assigned to NYPRO INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is NYPRO INC.. Invention is credited to Toon Diels, Martin Johnson, Ying Hao Lee, Yu-Chang Lee, Julio Daniel Oropeza, Marc Theeuwes, Stefan Vaes, Amanda Williams.
Application Number | 20210072066 17/052773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005240569 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210072066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Amanda ; et
al. |
March 11, 2021 |
APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A CONTENT LEVEL
MONITOR
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for providing a consumable level
monitor for association with a content-filled consumable. The
embodiments may include a sensing module suitable to sense the
consumable level; and a communications module suitable for
receiving the consumable level from the sensing module, and for
communicating the consumable level to a user.
Inventors: |
Williams; Amanda; (St.
Petersburg, FL) ; Oropeza; Julio Daniel; (St.
Petersburg, FL) ; Lee; Yu-Chang; (St. Petersburg,
FL) ; Lee; Ying Hao; (St. Petersburg, FL) ;
Johnson; Martin; (St. Petersburg, FL) ; Theeuwes;
Marc; (St. Petersburg, FL) ; Vaes; Stefan;
(St. Petersburg, FL) ; Diels; Toon; (St.
Petersburg, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NYPRO INC. |
Clinton |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NYPRO INC.
Clinton
MA
|
Family ID: |
1000005240569 |
Appl. No.: |
17/052773 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
May 3, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/030592 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62666608 |
May 3, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F 15/061 20130101;
G01F 23/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01F 15/06 20060101
G01F015/06; G01F 23/18 20060101 G01F023/18 |
Claims
1. A level monitoring system for association with a content-filled
container, comprising: a sensing module suitable to sense a content
level; and a communications module suitable for receiving a content
level from a sensing module, processing data and system state, and
for communicating a consumable level to a user.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power module for
powering at least the sensing module and communications module.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing module comprises a
plurality of sensors that sense at least one of proximity, light,
weight, pressure, moisture, capacitance, oscillation frequency,
and/or resistance.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one module is embedded
in a label.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein a label is applied via an in-mold
labeling process.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein a label is applied by an end
user.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein a label consists of printed
electronics.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein a sensor itself is printed
directly onto a label.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the shape and size of the sensor
is tailored to the shape and size of a container.
10. The system of claim 1, comprising a consumable container.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a durable component
for association with a consumable container.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein a durable component functions
as a dispenser for the content.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein a dispenser comprises of a
crank, a spout, or a spigot.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein a durable component is
electrically connected to the consumable.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein a durable component supplies
power.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein a durable component provides a
communication and processing module.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein a communication module includes
a visual indicator located directly on a durable component.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensing module is, in part,
in a durable component and, in part, on a consumable container.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the content is a liquid.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the content is a bulk solid.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the content is comprised of
moist sheets.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein the content level comprises a
count of uniformly sized individual units or packets.
23. The system of claim 1, in which the container is agnostic to
content form factor.
24. The system of claim 1, wherein a communications module
comprises firmware for converting signals associated with content
level.
25. The system of claim 1, wherein a communication module includes
a visual indicator located directly on a container.
26. The system of claim 1, wherein communication to a user
comprises a client service that receives device data over at least
one network.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein a client comprises a smartphone
app.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein a client comprises a web
dashboard.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a national stage application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/030592, filed May
3, 2019, entitled: APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A
CONTENT LEVEL MONITOR, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/666,608, filed May 3, 2018, entitled
APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A CONTENT LEVEL MONITOR,
the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set
forth in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The disclosure relates generally to sensing, and, more
particularly, to an apparatus, system, and method of monitoring
content levels and indicating a need for replenishment.
Background of the Disclosure
[0003] It is well understood that various types of contents, such
as solids and liquids, may be carried within containers designed to
dispense those contents over extended time periods in discreet
doses. By way of nonlimiting example, detergent for use in a
washing machine is often provided in liquid form, and a large
bottle, such as having a spigot or other output type to allow for
the dispensing of the detergent outwardly from the bottle, enables
dispensing of that dose of detergent into a load of laundry within
the washer. Similarly, such as in an office environment, a large
bottle is used to provide water at a "water cooler", and the water
is dispensed responsive to independent actuations of a spigot.
[0004] In general, contents ultimately placed within the container
may be tracked, in bulk, prior to delivery to or purchase by the
ultimate consumer. For example, bulk tracking may be performed on
farmed goods as they are farmed, and as they are shipped for
distribution; warehoused solids may be tracked by production date,
such as by UPC code or the like, and/or such as by warehoused
pallet, and so on; once the goods reach a sales center, such as a
grocery store, they may be tracked, such as by UPC code or the
like, from an inventory perspective; but, once the contents reach
the consumer and/or are otherwise placed into a container, such as
for consumption, or when the contents are consumed from a purchased
container, there are no longer readily available tracking
methodologies at present.
[0005] However, in embodiments such as the aforementioned, it is
often the case that, for a user to monitor how much content remains
in the container, the user must periodically shake, lift, or
otherwise manipulate the container to allow for a qualified guess
by the user as to how much content remains therein. Further, there
is historically no methodology whereby proper dosing for use of the
content, such as per load dosing into a washing machine, may be
readily assessed. Unfortunately, in a washing machine embodiment by
way of example, too little soap may cause an inadequate level of
cleaning of clothes placed within the washing machine, and too much
soap may cause over-sudsing, which may damage the washing machine
or the laundry area. Yet further, there is presently no mechanism
whereby a seller of a containers having consumable contents, such
as dishwashing or laundry detergent, or water cooler bottles, can
assess a consumer's need for additional contents.
[0006] Therefore, the need exists for an apparatus, system, and
method of monitoring content levels within a consumable container,
such as a bottle or box, and of automatically indicating (herein
referred to as "autoreplenishment"), such as to at least one of a
consumer and/or a seller of the contents, when the need for
additional contents and/or a consumable containing the contents
occurs.
SUMMARY
[0007] The embodiments are and include at least an apparatus,
system and method for providing a consumable level monitor for
association with a content-filled consumable. The embodiments may
include a sensing module suitable to sense the consumable level;
and a communications module suitable for receiving the consumable
level from the sensing module, and for communicating the consumable
level to a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like references
indicate similar elements, and in which:
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a front view and side view of a
consumable and dispenser system;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary electrical block for use
with a dispenser;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary dispenser;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dispenser;
[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a top view of a
cross section of an exemplary dispenser;
[0014] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate exemplary aspects of a
consumable;
[0015] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary aspects of a
consumable;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary conductive strips for use in
the embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary printed circuit board;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary electrical contact;
[0019] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E illustrates exemplary
aspects in various views of a consumable and a dispenser;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates aspects of the embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates aspects of the embodiments; and
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary cloud-based system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been
simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear
understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and
methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other
aspects that may be found in typical similar devices, systems, and
methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements
and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement
the devices, systems, and methods described herein. But because
such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because
they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present
disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be
provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to
inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications
to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0029] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on",
"engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0030] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another element, component, region, layer or section.
Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when
used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly
indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,
layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,
component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the exemplary embodiments.
[0031] Processor-implemented modules, systems and methods of use
are disclosed herein that may provide networked access to a
plurality of types of digital content, including but not limited to
video, image, text, audio, metadata, algorithms, interactive and
document content, and which track, deliver, manipulate, transform
and report the accessed content. Described embodiments of these
modules, systems and methods are intended to be exemplary and not
limiting. As such, it is contemplated that the herein described
systems and methods may be adapted and may be extended to provide
enhancements and/or additions to the exemplary modules, systems and
methods described. The disclosure is thus intended to include all
such extensions.
[0032] Furthermore, it will be understood that the term "module" as
used herein does not limit the functionality to particular physical
modules, but may include any number of tangibly-embodied software
and/or hardware components having a transformative effect on at
least a portion of a system. In general, a computer program product
in accordance with one embodiment comprises a tangible computer
usable medium (e.g., standard RAM, an optical disc, a USB drive, or
the like) having computer-readable program code embodied therein,
wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be
executed by a processor (which may work in connection with an
operating system) to implement one or more functions and methods as
described below. In this regard, the program code may be
implemented in any desired language, and may be implemented as
machine code, assembly code, byte code, interpretable source code
or the like (e.g., via C, C++, C#, Java, Actionscript, Objective-C,
Javascript, CSS, XML, etc.).
[0033] Embodiments may include a liquid level monitoring apparatus,
system, and method, as well as an auto replenishment apparatus,
system, and method for liquids typically contained within a
consumable, such as a bottle, for which monitoring of the level of
those liquids has not historically occurred. The embodiments may
include a stand-alone dispenser, such as a base having a liquid
output, that is distinct from the one or more liquid consumables,
and which may include one or more printed circuit boards, firmware,
network communication capabilities, user interfaces and indicators,
provided power, and a spigot for dispensing liquid from a
consumable associated with the dispenser. The embodiments of the
dispenser may be associated with one or more consumables or similar
packages, such as may be formed of plastic, glass, paper, or pulp,
and which may have associated there with one or more electronic
labels having sensing capabilities.
[0034] Embodiments may also include a solids level monitoring
apparatus, system, and method, as well as an auto replenishment
apparatus, system, and method for solids typically within a
container, for which monitoring of the level of those solids has
not historically occurred. The embodiments may include a
stand-alone base that is distinct from the one or more containers,
and which may include one or more printed circuit boards, firmware,
network communication capabilities, user interfaces and indicators,
provided power, and/or a dispenser for dispensing solids from a
container associated with the base. The embodiments of the base may
be associated with one or more types of containers, such as may be
formed of plastic, cardboard, or glass, and may extend upward into
contact, in part or in whole, with one or more aspects of the
container placed into the base, such that the container is brought
into contact with aspects of the base in order that the
functionality discussed herein may be provided. Of note, the
container may have associated there with one or more aspects, such
as electronic labels, to provide the functionality herein, either
discretely or in conjunction with the encompassing and electronic
aspects of the base, as described throughout.
[0035] That is, as used herein, the disclosed systems and methods
may include two aspects, as discussed throughout. More
particularly, the first aspect may be a "consumable", such as the
food and liquids containers discussed herein, which may include a
disposable good comprised of a package which includes therein a
solid or liquid for consumption by user. The consumable may be
rigid or flexible, and may be or include, by way of non-limiting
example, a bottle, cartridge, bag, jar, such as with a closure, a
disposable dispenser, a box, such as may be formed of cardboard, or
the like.
[0036] Also included within the system may be the durable aspect
such as the dispensing units discussed throughout, by way of
example, such as may be physically and/or communicatively
associated with a consumable. The durable may, as referenced above,
also include communication capabilities. Unlike the consumable, the
durable aspect may have a usable life that spans the exhaustion of
a plurality of consumables, such as over a predetermined time
period, such as over the course of a month, a year, or the
like.
[0037] Further, included in the embodiments may be: cloud based
storage and communication with one or more of the dispensers; one
or more smartphone apps for communication with the one or more
dispensers and/or the cloud based communication site; and an
analytics dashboard, which may be app and/or web-based, such as may
be used by a seller of the solid or liquid contents and/or the
containers thereof. As used herein, a "liquid level", "solids
level", or "contents level" monitored in the disclosed apparatuses,
systems and methods is indicative of the amount of contents
remaining in a consumable associated with aspects of the
embodiments; a "dose" is an amount of contents dispensed, such as
from the liquid output/spigot/crank, for a given purpose; and an
"auto replenishment" may occur when the contents level in the
consumable reaches a point at which a reorder is required.
[0038] More particularly, a sensing microprocessor, and the
requisite processing power, may be resident in the durable
dispenser. Because the device must sense content levels inside a
consumable, the consumable may have associated there with, either
aftermarket or following manufacture, and by direct printing or
in-label, a smart label having sensing, such as conductive or
photosensitive strips or connective discrete sensors, covering some
portion of the consumable on at least one side thereof. These
conductive traces may become communicative with the sensing system
upon, and only upon, installation of the consumable into the
durable dispenser. Needless to say, a snug electromechanical
connection with the dispenser may be provided for the consumable,
and/or for variably sized consumables, via any known method. This
connection may occur only upon insertion of the consumable into the
dispenser, such as by a spring-loaded connector that snugs around a
bottleneck, and/or by using a keying mechanism, such as a slot,
associated with the consumable to ensure insertion of the
consumable at a proper orientation into the dispenser to allow for
an electromechanical connection, or using other like methods, by
way of example.
[0039] Thereby, the embodiments may provide a sensing solution that
"wakes up" only when the consumable is plugged into a durable,
permanent or semi-permanent, dispenser. Moreover, the embodiments
allow for enhanced convenience and control by the user, such as by
communicatively associating with the circuitry referenced herein of
one or more apps having resident therein settings that may be
adjusted by a user, such as for dosing of the contents within the
consumable. Further, the communication capabilities disclosed
herein may allow for enhanced value to sellers, such as by
increasing brand loyalty, reorder frequency, and by providing
experiential use data, by way of non-limiting example. In turn, it
will be understood in light of the disclosed embodiments that the
value to a user may be further enhanced, such as by providing for
the offering of discounts from a brand monitoring usage levels to a
high-volume user, or the like.
[0040] The consumable disclosed in the embodiments may be of any
suitable type to allow for reception by the durable dispenser. For
example, the consumable may hold between 1 and 3 L, and/or between
1 and 5 gallons, of liquid, and may have a substantially or
semi-cylindrical, rectangular, or like shape. The consumable may be
of any color or composition that will allow for the sensing
discussed herein. The consumable may have associated therewith
printed traces or sensors that may extend substantially along the
length/height of the consumable to allow for sensing, such as
capacitive or photoresistive sensing, by way of non-limiting
example. The labels may be also pressure sensitive and/or adhesive,
or of a polymer composition suitable for in-mold labeling, and may
be applied aftermarket or during the manufacturing and labeling
process. These traces may electrically associate with electrodes in
the dispenser in order to provide a signal or signals indicative of
the requisite contents level sensing.
[0041] The dispenser may include a dispenser, such as a spout,
crank, spigot, pump, or the like, for the dispensing of the
contents from a consumable received into the dispenser. The
dispenser may be, by way of non-limiting example, plastic in
composition, and may be substantially injection molded, such as
with one or more actuation elements, such as a handle, switch,
crank, button, or the like. The dispenser may include the
aforementioned electrodes for associating with the sensor strips on
the label physically present on the consumable associated with the
dispenser. The dispenser may include one or more printed circuit
boards having a connector to the electrodes suitable for receiving
signals from the sensors on the consumable label; a sensor module;
one or more indicator LEDs to indicate dosage, level and/or auto
replenishment; one or more network communication capable modules,
such as for communicating with a smart phone, local area network,
cellular network, or the like; one or more power modules to provide
power to the dispenser modules and the consumable sensor circuit,
and which may include batteries that may be permanent/semipermanent
(i.e., rechargeable) or replaceable; and or other optional
elements, such as one or more audio alarms to support or replace
the LED indicators of correct dosage or auto replenishment.
[0042] Further included may be firmware and software to provide the
functionality discussed throughout. For example, firmware may sense
the contents level based on the intercommunication of the sensing
chip and the conductive traces, and may use this information to
indicate dosing or auto replenishment. Likewise, dosing, and
perhaps auto replenishment, may be information provided remotely
from cloud-based algorithms to the firmware of the dispenser.
[0043] The disclosed communication capabilities may include
communication with one or more smartphone apps having user
information associated therewith, and which may receive user
feedback regarding content levels, dosing, auto replenishments, and
so on. Such a smart phone app may communicate with the dispenser
via, for example, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, or cellular communication
methodologies, and further, the firmware of the dispenser may be
suitable to batch information and data and/or otherwise piggyback
to a smart phone having resident thereon the referenced app.
[0044] Further, a cloud-based backend may store and serve received
data to and from the aforementioned app, and to or from one or more
web-based or app-based dashboards. Some or all of the additional
processing discussed throughout may be performed at the cloud based
backend, such as alerts or email confirmations in the circumstances
of auto replenishment, such as instead of drawing on the limited
resources of the dispenser's firmware or processors.
[0045] The aforementioned dashboard may be associated with one or
more sellers or brands of the referenced contents within the
consumable. In such circumstances, an analytics dashboard may be
available to the brand for user and use data indicative of certain
geography use, global use, use at times of the day, use by
demographic area, or the like. This and additional information
provided at the dashboard may allow for a brand to target or
otherwise send special offers, discount codes, or the like to
particular users, such as high-volume users.
[0046] Various of the disclosed embodiments may have associated
therewith one or more functional needs. By way of non-limiting
example, mechanical and electromechanical functionality may
include: dispensing of the contents when the spout or similar
output is held in the open position, without leaking in the open or
closed position; placement of the content output to enable
dispensing of contents "below level", such as into a pitcher or
other large container; in the event replaceable, rather than
rechargeable or permanent batteries are used, a battery compartment
may be included to allow for periodic changing of the batteries,
such as without special tools or the risk of breakage (for example,
the battery compartment may open using a simple flat or Phillips'
head screwdriver).
[0047] Of course, a key electro-mechanical functionality may
include detection of the contents level within the consumable. This
may be done using the aforementioned photoresistive or capacitive
sensing, such as via electrodes in the dispenser associated with a
sensor, such as a flexible and/or printed circuit on the
consumable. Similarly, a pressure sensitive label, having printed
electrodes associated therewith, may be employed. In each such
case, the sensing processor may preferably be included within the
dispenser and connectively associated with the sensor elements of
the consumable's label.
[0048] Further, the firmware of the dispenser may indicate when an
adequate dose of contents for a particular circumstance has been
dispensed, i.e., a proper "dosage event". For example, the firmware
of the printed circuit board may blink one or more LEDs for a
proper dosage timeframe, or may audibly indicate, such as using a
low-level buzzer, for the length of the dose or when a dose should
be stopped. Dose size may be set up using the app or a web-based
application, such as in small, medium, and large, increments, and
those increments may be particularly associated, such as by a
manufacturer's specifications, with a particular machine, such as a
particular washing machine brand and model. Alternatively, dosing
may be hard coded into the firmware, such as for a given consumable
size typically received by the dispenser, such as a 32 ounce
consumable.
[0049] Moreover, the firmware, such as absent intercommunication
with the cloud or in association with cloud communication, may
indicate and/or otherwise trigger an autoreplenishment event. This
auto replenishment may be automatic or semi-automatic--a
semi-automatic autoreplenishment event may show a confirmation
dialogue or other alert to the user, such as in the app, which may
allow for the user to cancel or confirm the order; or, the auto
replenishment order may be fully automated. An autoreplenishment
event may be communicated to the referenced cloud backend, such as
subject to an additional confirmation, such as by an app alert or
an email, to the ordering consumer. Further, such an auto
replenishment event may contribute to the data that may be provided
to a brand, such as on the brand dashboard. Data associated with an
autoreplenishment may include date, time, location, and/or user ID
of the app associated with the auto replenishment, percent content
level (which may be automatic as an autoreplenishment threshold, or
which may be set by the user), product SKU, or the like.
[0050] Functionality for the cloud may include storage of content
level updates, dosage events, and auto replenishment events.
Further, cloud functionality may include user activity data,
interactivity, reset capability, and the like. Decisions, such as
the reaching of thresholds for discounts, may optionally occur in
the cloud, and the brand dashboard may be enabled to approve such
discounts to send, such as for receipt by the consumer app,
discount codes and/or other targeted advertising to select
consumers. Select consumers may be particular consumers meeting
certain data thresholds, classes of consumers, app profile
information, or the like.
[0051] Auto replenishment events available in the dashboard may be
provided in list, mapped, or threshold formats, by way of
non-limiting example. Accessing an auto replenishment event may
open a particular consumer profile, and may make available to the
dashboard all data associated with that profile. Such data, which
may be in a map form as referenced above, may include latitude,
longitude, location, distance from nearest seller of the brand, use
date, use time, percent contents level, machine used with, and the
like. Also included in the brand dashboard data may be typical
frequency of use, recent frequency of use, time since last use, and
so on.
[0052] In accordance with the foregoing, there may be numerous
mechanical aspects of certain of the disclosed embodiments. For
example, one mechanical aspect may include the consumable. The
consumable may be associated with a custom, electronically
functional, pressure sensitive, photosensitive, and/or capacitive
label, by way of example. The label may include printed conductive
traces that are suitable for electrical connection to the printed
circuit board in the dispenser. The label and/or the bottleneck may
additionally include one or more insertion mechanisms to allow for
insertion of the consumable having the label thereon into the
dispenser, such as positional guides, latches, keys, or the
like.
[0053] Mechanical aspects of the dispenser may include one or more
outputs, such as a crank or spigot. The dispenser may be
substantially closed so as to avoid leakage, spill or shock, and
may allow for the dispenser output to hang over the edge of a level
surface to enable filling of larger containers. Further, the
dispenser may be suitable to receive the consumable when the
consumable is inverted and placed within, such as top-side down or
bottom side open, into the dispenser. As such and in certain
embodiments, the consumable may have associated therewith features
to simplify interaction with the dispenser. For example, the
consumable may be provided with a plastic top cap over the opening
of the consumable, and/or a foil seal under the plastic top cap
over the opening. Thereby, the plastic cap may be removed and the
consumable inverted and placed into the dispenser, and the
dispenser may include an element to pierce a seal, such as the foil
seal, to allow the contents to be released into the dispenser.
[0054] Also relevant to the embodiments may be several electrical
aspects. For example, the conductive traces of the consumable label
are associated with the electronics in the dispenser, as referenced
throughout. This may occur, for example, by the inclusion of a tab
along the neck of the consumable, wherein the conductive traces are
associated with the tab and the tab inserts into a slot within the
dispenser when the consumable is inverted and placed onto the
dispenser. Further included within the dispenser is the referenced
sensor module that interacts with the label.
[0055] Also associated with the dispenser and/or with one or more
printed circuit boards therein may be a communication chip or
module, such as a BLE or Bluetooth chip/module. This communication
module may have associated there with an antenna, such as a printed
circuit board trace antenna, to enable network communication from
the dispenser. The dispenser may additionally include one or more
processors, which may include or be in addition to the network
communications chipset and/or the capacitive sensing
chipset/module. Also included within the dispenser may be power for
the foregoing, such as one or more replaceable batteries, such as
coin batteries, AA batteries, or AAA batteries, by way of
non-limiting example.
[0056] The electrical aspects of the dispenser may include, as
referenced throughout, one or more printed circuit boards. Such
printed circuit boards may be or include a two-sided board having a
1.6 mm thickness, 1 ounce copper, and Nickel-Gold ENIG finish, by
way of non-limiting example. The printed circuit board may have,
electrically associated therewith, one or more indicators, such as
one or more LED and/or one or more audible indicators.
[0057] Firmware aspects of certain of the embodiments may include
level sensing algorithms. Further, the level sensing may include
interference avoidance techniques to maintain sensing accuracy,
such that even if a user touches the conductive traces of the label
or the dispenser. Further included within the firmware may be the
ability to define and communicate this level sensing. For example,
network communications, such as BLE communications, may be included
in, or otherwise controlled by, the firmware. As such, the
dispenser may be discoverable by a smart phone app, and pairing
between the dispenser and the smartphone app may occur. Thereby,
level sensed updates may be communicated from the dispenser to the
smart phone at appropriate or requested intervals.
[0058] The firmware may additionally exchange messages regarding
dosing events. For example, the firmware may receive a dosing event
indication from the user, the smartphone, or a sensor, and may
accordingly blink an LED or activate a buzzer to indicate proper
dosing. This dosing may comprise a message uploaded to the
firmware, such as wherein the dosing is defined either in the cloud
or in the app settings by a user. Yet further, autoreplenishment
indications to be generated from the firmware may comprise
intelligence within the user app or within the cloud backend.
Accordingly, network communications may be triggered by changes in
liquid level (such as continuously or periodically), the need for
auto replenishment, or the like, and hence communications may occur
on fixed time intervals, continuously, or at intervals of variable
frequency.
[0059] In accordance with the foregoing, the user app may
additionally include various aspects. For example, the smart phone
at may be enabled to discover and pair with the firmware of the
dispenser, such as when the dispenser is activated or on, as
mentioned above. The smart phone app may display autoreplenishment
requests or confirmation, such as in a user dialogue format.
Further, the smart phone app may display a current product level,
and the frequency of updates for the product level. Also indicated
may be proper dosing and the ability for the user to request
dosing.
[0060] The app may additionally include the capability to receive
discounts and targeted advertising, such as from the brand
dashboard. These may be in the form of a push notification or a
user dialogue that provides an app alert to accept and/or apply the
discount code, such as wherein the discount code may be saved for
the next order or applied to a current order. Of course, the app
may include the ability to change any one or more of the foregoing
settings or any additional settings, such as autoreplenishment
settings, such as wherein the liquid level percentage threshold may
be varied for an autoreplenishment indication. The app may also
allow for changes in dosage settings, machine type, such as washing
machine brand and model, liquid dispensing models and machine
types, and the receipt of or application of discount codes, and so
on. The foregoing may be available from a drop-down or similar
menu, a pop-up window, or via any known user interaction, by way of
example.
[0061] The dashboard referenced herein may additionally include
particular aspects. For example, the dashboard may include
autoreplenishment event data, particular user information,
location-based information, and the like. Further, the dashboard
may integrate third-party data, such as weather data, to allow for
data fusion between sensed data and publicly available data
sources, such as in order to optimize sales.
[0062] The dashboard may also include one or more search
capabilities. That is, a dashboard user may search for particular
data across one or more users, such as "frequent users", "fading
users" (i.e., a list of users whose frequency of use has fallen
relative to long-term usage), certain geographic searches, usage
associated with certain events (such as snowstorms), and the like.
Responsive to the search, and otherwise available from within the
dashboard, may be a consumer data display. That is, dashboard
events, such as autoreplenishment events, may include drill down
capabilities to obtain more detail on particular consumers. The
drill down may include basic information, such as delivery address
or locale, and more particular information, such as dosing events
or liquid levels over time.
[0063] The dashboard requirements may additionally include an
ability to design marketing campaigns and/or discount codes. For
example, discount codes may be provided based on the meeting of
certain thresholds by certain data of consumers. Thereby, the
discount codes may be automatically generated upon the trigger
event for one or more consumers, or may be "hard entered" by a
person controlling the dashboard. Moreover, the foregoing aspects
may overlap, such as wherein discount codes are readily executed,
such as responsive to a single click, to all consumers that have
been returned responsive to an entered search within the
dashboard.
[0064] Additional functional requirements may include those of the
cloud based backend. The cloud based backend may store data,
including autoreplenishment events, dosing events, and product
level events, by way of example, and may be suitable to serve that
data back to the smart phone app and/or to the dashboard as needed.
Further, certain of the decision-making algorithms discussed herein
throughout may also reside at the cloud based backend, such as
rather than residing in a smart phone app or in association with
the dashboard.
[0065] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate front and side views,
respectively, of a system 100 in which a consumable 102 is
associated with a dispenser 104 according to the embodiments. As
illustrated, a printed sensing label 106 may be associated with one
side of the consumable along its length, and may terminate in an
electrical "tab" 108 that, upon association of the consumable 102
with the dispenser 104, electrically connects to an electrical
contact 110 in the permanent dispenser. The electrical contact
shown may be at a single or multiple positions within the
dispenser, such that the need may or may not exist to align the
conductive strips 106 with the electrical contact 110 upon
insertion of the consumable 102 in order to complete the sensing
circuit.
[0066] Also as shown, the neck and/or cap portion 116 of the
consumable 102 may pass through a leak seal 120 upon association
with the dispenser 104, such that liquid within the consumable
cannot spill out and overflow the sides of the receiving portion of
the dispenser. The leak seal 120 may take the form of an o-ring
within the dispenser receiving portion, by way of non-limiting
example. Further illustrated in FIG. 1 is a mechanical adjustment
122, such as a spring-loaded orifice, that may snug the neck of the
consumable, once inserted through the leak seal 120, into the
dispenser 104, such as to further prevent leaks and provide support
to hold up the consumable 102.
[0067] Also illustrated in association with the dispenser is a
liquid output 128, such as a spigot. Of note, the spigot shown is
in fluid communication with a fluid pathway 130 that begins on the
side of the o-ring/leak preventer 120 opposite the body of the
consumable 102, and that terminates on the input side of the
spigot. Of note and as will be evident from the illustration of
FIGS. 1, the gravitational pull on the liquid provides sufficient
downward force/head pressure so that the liquid enters the fluid
pathway for output at the spigot.
[0068] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary "electrical block" 200 that
may be included in association with the aforementioned dispenser
104. Within the electrical block are illustrated a main printed
circuit board 202, which may include, by way of nonlimiting
example, processing, memory, and/or network communication
capabilities; a sensor board 204 that may electrically associate
with the conductive strips 106 of the consumable label to form a
capacitive or like-sensing circuit 206; a display module 210,
whereby liquid levels, power, or the replenishment, or the like may
be indicated to the user; and a power module 212 that powers the
electrical block and which may have associated therewith one or
more batteries 214. Of note, firmware, running in association with
the main printed circuit board 202 and/or with the display module
210 may apply one or more algorithms to use the available
indicators, such as the LED lights and/or audio indicators, in
different manners in order to indicate different functionality,
such as varying lighting, beeps, or the like to indicate different
states of the liquid levels and/or dosing to a user.
[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates a particular exemplary embodiment of a
dispenser 104 having associated therewith 6 LED indicators 302 and
a push button spigot 304. As further indicated in the breakout view
illustrated in FIG. 4, the dispenser 104 may include a top cover
402, which may include lighting or other indicators 302; a middle
frame 404, such as to provide structural support and at least a
portion of the fluid pathway 130 for receiving the consumable cap
and neck; a sealing ring 406, such as in order to prevent leakage
from a consumable placed within the dispenser 104; and a bottom
cover 408, such as may include a battery compartment door 410 for
insertion of power/batteries, and a stability enhancer 412, such as
a rubber pad, legs, or the like to enhance stability of the
dispenser.
[0070] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and top view,
respectively, of cross-sections of an exemplary dispenser 104. As
illustrated, the top most portion of the dispenser may include a
sensor board 502, a display board 504, a main PCB board 506, and so
on. Further illustrated is a portion of the aforementioned fluid
pathway 130. The bottom portion of the dispenser may include one or
more power modules 510, such as may include one or more batteries
and battery compartments.
[0071] FIG. 6 illustrates a consumable 102, such as is referenced
throughout. FIG. 6A illustrates a typical 5 gallon water cooler
consumable 102. FIG. 6B illustrates a plastic top cap 602 that may
typically associated with such a water consumable 102, and FIG. 6C
illustrates a foil barrier 604 that may be associated with the
upper neck/cap portion 606 of the watercooler consumable 102, and
which is visible only after removal of the plastic top cap 602. Of
note, the consumable of FIG. 6A may be inverted after removal of
the plastic top cap 602 and inserted into the dispenser 104
discussed throughout. Upon such an insertion, the foil barrier 604
of FIG. 6C may be pierced, and liquid may flow through the fluid
pathway 130 to provide availability of the liquid at the spigot of
the dispenser 104. Of note, the foil or like-cover of FIG. 6C may
have associated therewith an electronic identification, such that,
before or after piercing, the dispenser may "read" the type of
consumable and other consumable-related information, such as the
manufacturer of the consumable, the capacity of the consumable, the
composition of the contents of the consumable, and so on.
[0072] Figures at 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary sensing label
106 as may be associated with the label of a consumable 102. FIG.
7A illustrates a front view, and FIG. 7B a side view, of an
embodiment having a plurality of capacitive sensing strips 106 that
extend into a tab 702, wherein the tab may be inserted into/onto
the electrical contact 110 portion of the dispenser, such as the
electrical contact illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0073] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary one of the sensor/conductive
strips 106 for association with a consumable 102 and/or a
consumable label. These strips 106 may have any dimensions suitable
for association with or within the label, and suitable for forming
full electrical contact with an aspect of the dispenser. By way of
nonlimiting example, these sensing strips may have a length
substantially equivalent to the full length of the consumable, and
may have a width of, by way of nonlimiting example, 10 to 30 mm, or
20 mm.
[0074] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a main PCB board
902. Of note, an exemplary PCB board 902 such as the one shown may
have a circular form, such as with an outer diameter of
approximately 35 mm. Further, an exemplary thickness of the PCB may
be approximately 1 mm. The main PCB board shown 902, by way of
nonlimiting example only, includes receptivity to power 904, and
one or more flex connectors 906, such as may be associated with an
electrical contact 110, such as an electrical slot for receiving a
conductive strip tab as discussed throughout.
[0075] By way of nonlimiting example, FIG. 10 illustrates an
exemplary electrical contact 110 that may be located within a slot
for reception of the conductive strip, tab, or the like which may
be resident within that portion of the dispenser 104 receives the
neck of the consumable. As shown, the electrical contact may have a
number of spring contacts 1002 commensurate with the number of
conductive strips 106 associated with the bottle label, and these
electrical contacts 1002 may create an electromagnetic field around
the conductive strips 106, for which the rate of oscillation is
indicative of liquid levels. These oscillating current levels may
be passed electrically down the wires 1004 from the electrical
contact 110 to, for example, the sensing module, such that this
electrical signal information may be processed into a liquid level
indication.
[0076] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E illustrate a dispenser
104, and FIGS. 11A, 11C and 11D illustrate a consumable 102
associated with the dispenser 104. The conductive strips 106 that
may form part of the capacitive sensing module 206 are shown in
FIG. 11D. More particularly, Figure A illustrates a top view of the
dispenser 104 with a consumable 102 inserted. FIG. 11B illustrates
a bottom in view of the dispenser 104, with a door 1102 leading to
the battery compartment, and with a spigot 128 evident at the top
most portion thereof. FIG. 11E illustrates the portion of the
dispenser 104 that is receptive to the bottleneck and consumable
cap portion, but without the consumable 102 inserted therein.
Evident in FIG. 11E is the o-ring 128 to prevent leaks, and the
entrance to the fluid pathway 130 into which the liquid will be
dispensed upon inverted insertion of the consumable 102 into the
dispenser 104.
[0077] FIG. 12 illustrates the tracking of the solids performed
while the solids reside in a container. The container may be a
container 1100 in which the solids 1102 were purchased in the
example of FIG. 12, although other containers may be employed as
discussed throughout. The container may include one or more active
or passive capabilities for sensing 1104 of the contents of the
container, and/or sensing of doses dispensed from the container. By
way of non-limiting example, the container may be a cereal box and
hence the contents may be cereal, and additionally the active or
passive sensing aspect may be one or more smart labels placed upon
the cereal box.
[0078] The solids sensing employed herein may be any one or more
types of sensing suitable for sensing the contents of the box or
doses dispensed from the box. By way of example, the sensing may be
one or more photo conductive material sensors, which may be printed
around at least a portion of the label of the container. Thereby,
as portions of the label are uncovered, i.e., as the amount of
solids within the container decreases, the photo conductive
material senses the additional light that now hits the photo
conductive label sensor. Thereby, the level of solids is sensed as
indicated by the light received by the photo conductive label.
[0079] Of course, a variety of other sensing methodologies may be
employed, such as, but not limited to, infrared, ultrasound,
proximity sensing, other types of light sensing, derivative
sensing, weight sensing, sound sensing, or resistance/conductance
sensing, by way of non-limiting example. Needless to say, one or
more of the foregoing sensing methodologies may vary in the
uniformity of the sensing output, such as in accordance with the
type of bulk solid 1102 item or liquid placed within the container.
Therefore, adjustments may be necessary in the type of sensing
used, and/or in the processing of the sensor output, in order to
properly sense different types of items.
[0080] In accordance with the foregoing, the sensor output may be
active or passive, as discussed. By way of non-limiting example, a
photoconductive strip may measure ambient light (passive) or light
emitted by an LED powered by the system (active). In either case,
the output of the sensor must be provided to a processing system
1110. This may be done by any of a variety of methods. For example,
a highly simplistic processor may be included on the container in
association with the sensor. In such cases, the processor may
include some wireless communication capabilities, such as RF,
infrared, Bluetooth, Wi Fi, or the like, or communication with the
processing chip may occur based on an active external interrogation
of the processing chip. Alternatively, the one or more processors
may be off-container as discussed throughout, and hence may form
part of a system that actively interrogates the container to obtain
the requisite sensing output, as is also discussed further
hereinbelow with respect to FIG. 13.
[0081] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment in which either a
container 1290 is placed into a dispensing base unit 1292, or the
contents 1294 to be sensed are dispensed into a container
physically associated with a dispensing unit. As such, the cereal
dispensing unit may include a container, or may encompass a
container placed therein, in whole or in part.
[0082] In the embodiment of FIG. 13, and as discussed above with
respect to FIG. 12, the sensing capabilities may be provided on a
container placed into the dispensing unit. Additionally and
alternatively, the sensing may be provided in association with the
container of the dispensing unit, or in association with the
dispensing unit itself, such as wherein the sides of the dispensing
unit rise a substantial amount up to encompass a container placed
therein and allow association of sensing capabilities placed within
the dispensing unit with a container placed therein. Likewise, the
processing discussed above with respect to FIG. 12 and/or the
external communications discussed above with respect to FIG. 12 may
be provided in the dispenser unit of FIG. 13. As is the case with
the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, after processing the sensed
information may be wired or wirelessly communicated to one or more
information processing systems, such as telephonic or desktop
applications, suitable to convey information regarding the need to
replenish or the state of dispensing of the solids associated with
the container. This communication may occur directly with a
proximate device 1298, or may occur remotely, such as via the
internet, cloud communications, the cellular network, or the
like.
[0083] As referenced with respect to FIG. 12, the type of sensing
used, and/or the propriety of the use of different types of
sensing, may vary with the uniformity of the bulk solids within a
container. Needless to say, the foregoing may also vary with the
size and shape of a container, such as the size of the container
placed into a dispenser, and they also vary as to the most suitable
location for sensing. By way of non limiting example, the dispenser
in the embodiment of FIG. 13 may include the most suitable sensing
location within the dose dispenser associated with the dispensing
unit. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, different types of
sensing may be used or otherwise activated by the dispenser and/or
the processor associated with the dispenser, such as based on the
characteristics of the container or bulk solid placed within the
dispensing unit.
[0084] The dispensing base may include a dispenser 1293, such as a
crank, spout with spigot, or the like, for the dispensing of the
solids from the container received into the base. The dispenser
base and the dispenser may be, by way of non-limiting example,
plastic in composition, and/or may be substantially injection
molded, such as with one or more actuation elements, such as a
handle, switch, button, or the like.
[0085] The base may include one or more indicator LEDs 1295 to
indicate dosage and auto replenishment; one or more network
communication capable modules, such as for communicating with a
smart phone, local area network, cellular network, or the like; one
or more power modules to provide power to the base modules, and
which may include batteries that may be permanent/semipermanent
(i.e., rechargeable) or replaceable; and or other optional
elements, such as one or more audio alarms to support or replace
the LED indicators of correct dosage or auto replenishment.
[0086] Further included may be firmware and software to provide the
functionality discussed throughout. For example, firmware may sense
the solids level based on the intercommunication of the sensing and
the processing, and may use this information to indicate dosing or
auto replenishment. Likewise, dosing, and/or auto replenishment,
may be information provided remotely from cloud-based algorithms,
such as to the firmware of the base.
[0087] As referenced, the disclosed communication capabilities may
include communication with one or more smartphone apps 1297 having
user information associated therewith, and which may receive user
feedback regarding levels, dosing, auto replenishments, and so on.
Such a smart phone app may communicate with the base via, for
example, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, or cellular communication
methodologies, and further, the firmware of the base may be
suitable to batch information and data and/or otherwise piggyback
to a smart phone having resident thereon the referenced app.
[0088] Further, a cloud-based backend 1299 may store and serve
received data to and from the aforementioned app, and to or from
one or more web-based or app-based dashboards. Some or all of the
additional processing discussed throughout may be performed at the
cloud based backend, such as alerts or email confirmations in the
circumstances of auto replenishment, such as instead of drawing on
the limited resources of the dispensing base's firmware or
processors.
[0089] As discussed throughout, the automatic reordering envisioned
herein may reflect a need to reorder not only a consumable, but
additionally a durable aspect of the disclosed system. By way of
non-limiting example, durable and consumable pairs may include:
razors and razor blades; a soap dispenser and a soap or shampoo
bottle; a hand soap dispenser and a refill soap bag; a cereal box
and a turning crank cereal dispenser; a printer and an ink
cartridge; a disposable detergent bottle and an ergonomic spigot
dispenser; a spice rack and a spice bottle; a centrifuge and a vial
of bodily fluid; and a coffee machine and coffee, tea, or other
beverage pods.
[0090] In prior efforts, the smart label of a consumable has been
read by a durable with which the consumable is paired solely in
order to identify the consumable. That is, a consumable may
typically be associated with and RFID or NFC Tag, a Q.R. code, a
barcode, a UPC code, or the like, which, when read by a paired
durable, serves merely to identify the consumable. In contrast, the
proposed embodiments may, embed semi-smart and smart labels on or
in the consumables such that a wealth of information beyond
identification may be sensed or otherwise conveyed to and by the
paired durable, such as exclusively and only upon pairing of the
consumable with the durable. That is, the durable may include a
plurality of conventional electronics designed to sense/read the
detailed consumable information provided by the semi-smart label of
the consumable. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments may provide
functionality beyond mere identification, and may provide
significant cost advantages over RFID, NFC, or optical reading
methods previously provided for the consumable and durable
pair.
[0091] Such functionality may be provided, such as only upon
pairing of the consumable with the durable, by any of a variety of
methods that will be understood to the skilled artisan in light of
the discussion herein. For example, discussed throughout are
capacitive proximity sensing, light sensing (such as using photo
resistive sensors), and conductivity or resistivity sensing
(wherein electrically unconnected portions of the system are
subsequently connected to indicate a content level) to provide
content identification for consumable items.
[0092] By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 14A illustrates the use
of photo resistors 1301 to provide content sensing. In the
embodiment illustrated, a photo resistive label 1302, such as that
illustrated in FIG. 14B, is comprised of a conductive trace 1304
communicatively associated with a photo resistive trace 1306. As
will be understood, conductive trace 1304 may be silver based, and
the photo resistive trace may be a printed zinc oxide based ink, by
way of non-limiting example. The anode and cathode provided by the
connectively associated traces provide a sensing circuit 1308
which, upon variations in the level of product that blocks the
photo resistive trace 1306, indicates a level of the contents 1320
associated with the photo resistive label 1302.
[0093] Additionally, and alternatively, FIG. 15A illustrates the
use of a commoditized series of individual photo resistors 1402,
which also may be comprised of a photo resistive film 1404, such as
cadmium sulfide, provided between electrical contacts, wherein a
series of such photo resistors 1402 may be placed along a
conductive strip 1406 to provide similar functionality to the photo
resistive printed label of FIG. 14B. FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate,
schematically, and graphically, variations in content level that
may be sentenced based on the progressive exposure of photo
resistors. Of note, the illustrated photo resistors may comprise a
strip of individual photo resistors, as discussed with respect to
FIG. 15A, or may comprise a printed trace photo resistive label,
such as is discussed with respect to FIG. 15B.
[0094] In the illustration of FIG. 15, as the product content level
drops, more photo resistive sensors are exposed and the resistance
of the circuit drops. This is also graphically illustrated in
correspondence to the change in level sensing by the resistance
graph shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In such embodiments, level
sensing occurs at discrete levels correspondent to the presence of
each individual photo resistor along the strip in FIG. 15A, or
improved and substantially continuous resolution may be achieved by
using the photo resistors strip of FIG. 15B.
[0095] More particularly, FIG. 15B illustrates, schematically and
graphically, the level sentencing with the use of a photo resistive
printed trace 1404. As shown in the illustration of FIG. 15B, the
photo resistive strip may be printed to cover the full height of
the container/consumable 1420. As the content level within the
container 1420 drops, the exposure locations along the strip
increase and the resistance accordingly drops in a manner akin to
that discussed above with respect to FIGS. 15A and 14B. However, in
contrast to FIG. 15A, the embodiment of FIG. 15B provides
continuous level sensing and a linear drop in resistance, as is
illustrated graphically, in correspondence with the change in
container levels. Moreover, the resistance of the overall circuit
may be modified by changing the thickness of the ink layer and or
the width of the print of the photo resistive strip 1404. Thereby,
the range and/or resolution of the photo resistive sensing circuit
may be modified or calibrated for different contents that may
reside within the container 1420.
[0096] It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments may
also work for liquids having a certain opacity, and for uniformly
sized items that need to be counted, as well as for bulk solids
sensing discussed throughout. In fact, the same "universal
container" could be filled with any of several substances without
substantially affecting its ability to sense product level. That
is, provided herein is an inexpensive method to continuously detect
change in product level by sensing a change in resistance for
solids or liquids.
[0097] It will be understood that the durable discussed throughout
may be generic or proprietary. That is, a proprietary durable may
be operable only with a particular brand of consumables, and hence
other brands of the same type of consumable will not operate with
the proprietary durable. Modification of the aspects discussed
herein, such as customization in aspects of a printed photo
resistive label, may make it difficult to genericize a proprietary
durable. Thereby, a proprietary durable may enhance brand loyalty
for certain categories of consumables.
[0098] More particularly, FIG. 16 illustrates the association of a
durable 1502 and consumable 1504, such as for a proprietary
durable. As illustrated, both a sensing circuit 1506 and
motherboard 1508 may be provided in the durable, but may not be
connected to one another. The printed traces 1510, such as photo
resistive label traces, on the consumable 1504 may connect the
sensing circuit 1506 and the motherboard 1508 within the durable
1502 only when the consumable 1504 is placed within the durable.
Thereafter, level sensing of the product within the consumable 1504
may be performed as discussed throughout, such as based on the
resistance of the consumable as sensed by the sensor and
motherboard of the durable. As referenced above, the durable may
thus be generic, or may include proprietary modifications, such as
to the sensing circuit, the motherboard, the communication
protocols between the sensing circuit on the motherboard, the type,
size or makeup of the conductive traces, the printing label
printing methods, and so on.
[0099] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a resistance-based product
identification that may be provided in accordance with the
embodiments. Each consumable label 1602 may be printed with a
resistive trace 1604, such as a polymer resistive material. The
value of the resistive trace may be unique for each product
identification, as shown.
[0100] The durable 1606 may then have slots 1608 connectively
associated with power 1610 and the input-output of one or more
analog to digital convertors 1612 associated with a microprocessor
1614, such as to identify the different resistance values of the
resistive trace 1604 associated with a consumable placed within the
slot 1608. Thereby, if multiple consumable items may be used in a
single durable, the resistive sensing identifies which consumable
was used. If multiple consumables may be simultaneously placed
within the durable at multiple slots at the same time, the
disclosed embodiment may identify which consumable is in which
slot. It will be appreciated that the variations in resistance of
the resistive trace may be provided by any known methods, such as
variations in the shape, length, thickness, or type, such as the
material composition, of the trace used.
[0101] In relation to the proprietary or non-proprietary nature of
the durables as discussed above, the aforementioned dashboard may
be associated with one or more sellers or brands of the referenced
solids. In such circumstances, an analytics dashboard may be
available to the brand for user and use data indicative of certain
geography use, global use, use at times of the day, use by
demographic area, or the like. This and additional information
provided at the dashboard may allow for a brand to target or
otherwise send special offers, discount codes, or the like to
particular users, such as high-volume users.
[0102] FIG. 18 illustrates a system 1200 in which the dashboard
1202 and/or smartphone app 1204 housing the code to implement the
method(s) discussed herein throughout may be included. As shown, a
container 1200 having associated there with sensors 1206 is
inserted into a smart dispensing base 1224. The illustrated
dispensing base is then suitable to communicate with a smartphone
app to exchange the information discussed throughout. The
smartphone app may then communicate with the cloud 1208, although
it should be noted that the smart dispenser may additionally or
alternatively communicate directly with the cloud 1208, such as via
a Wi-Fi network. The cloud based backend 1210 may then communicate
with the smartphone app 1204 and with the brand dashboard 1202, as
discussed herein throughout.
[0103] In the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that
various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for
the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the embodiments require more features than are expressly recited
herein.
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