Container for automatically measuring residual quantity and mass of food

Abstract

The invention is a system for allowing a user to automatically measure contents in a container. The system comprises a base for bearing contents in the container, a cover for covering the base of the container, an antenna connected with a central processing unit and used for transmitting data, a software application program used for communicating with the central processing unit and running at a mobile equipment end, and a remote server connected with the central processing unit and networking the central processing unit, and the sensor device is used for generating relevant data of the container and is connected with the central processing unit. The system is characterized in that the sensor device comprises a particle detector which is used for observing the condition of the contents in the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly to a container capable of automatically generating data regarding the amount and quality of food therein and communicating the data to a remote user. Background Art

[0002] When people work in the kitchen (including restaurant chefs and everyday home cooking), they need to know the inventory of ingredients in the kitchen in order to prepare food. However, when people buy new ingredients at the store, it is difficult to know the exact inventory of ingredients left in the kitchen. Since ingredients can only be confirmed by people returning to the kitchen, it is usually neither practical nor convenient for people to check the inventory of ingredients when buying ingredients in the store. People are often more inclined to buy a certain amount of new ingredients when passing by the store, rather than returning home or returning to the kitchen to confirm the inventory of ingredients before purchasing new ingredients. Restaurant owners need to ensure that the corresponding ingredients for menu items are in sufficient supply, but they may not know the specific inventory status of the corresponding ingredients in the kitchen.

[0003] Some have attempted to address this issue by installing live video feeds in refrigerators. However, with opaque containers, this technology prevents users from knowing exactly how much food is left. This makes it difficult for users to know how much food they need to stock up when they're at the store or away from the kitchen.

[0004] Another way to solve this problem is to use devices such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa to easily create lists of ingredients to buy by voice input. However, such devices cannot automatically understand the inventory of ingredients in the kitchen, and users still need to manually check the remaining ingredients.

[0005] It would be very useful if people could automatically and remotely confirm whether the food in the container has expired and the remaining food inventory in the container.

[0006] Therefore, people need a method that can automatically and remotely check the inventory balance and quality of food.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome or at least significantly reduce the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing a user to automatically measure the contents of a container, the system comprising:

[0009] (a) a base for supporting the contents of the container;

[0010] (b) a cover on the base of the container;

[0011] (c) the central processing unit within the container;

[0012] (d) an antenna connected to the central processing unit for transmitting data;

[0013] (e) software applications running on mobile devices for communication with the central processing unit;

[0014] (f) a remote server for connecting the central processing unit to the network;

[0015] (g) a sensor device connected to a central processing unit for generating data related to the container;

[0016] Wherein, the sensor device includes a particle detector.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for allowing a user to automatically measure the contents of the container, the container comprising:

[0018] (a) A base for holding the contents;

[0019] (b) a cover for the base;

[0020] (c) the central processing unit within the container;

[0021] (d) an antenna for transmitting data;

[0022] (e) software applications running on mobile devices for communication with the central processing unit;

[0023] (f) A sensor device connected to a central processing unit for generating relevant data of the container.

[0024] Wherein, the sensor device includes a particle detector.

[0025] “Contents” can be food, beverages or other items.

[0026] The particle detector may include a gas sensor. Preferably, the particle detector is detachable. The particle detector may be powered by an internal battery.

[0027] Preferably, the central processor records gas signature data for various consumables, as well as a gas indicative of consumable expiration. The software application can allow the user to manually enter the data or automatically identify the contents of the container using a barcode reader on the user's mobile device. The barcode reader in the software application can be used to record the products without having to physically place them in the container.

[0028] The sensor device may include a laser. The time of flight of the laser beam may be used to determine the depth of the container and thereby the volume or remaining amount of the contents within the container.

[0029] A laser can be used to ablate the contents so that a particle detector within the container can detect whether the contents have spoiled. The particle detector is preferably housed within the container lid.

[0030] The sensor device may be activated manually by a user through a software application on a mobile device, or automatically by a central processor.

[0031] A software application running on a mobile device equipped with a camera can include a barcode reader that allows the user to identify the product placed in the container. Data about the product can be downloaded from a remote server and transmitted to a central processor via an antenna.

[0032] The container may include a weighing device.

[0033] The software application can create a shopping list for the user based on the contents of the container automatically observed. The software application can also recommend that the user use the contents that are about to expire as soon as possible. The software application can also provide the user with corresponding recommended recipes based on the remaining contents of the container. The software application can inform the user of the remaining amount of any specific item in the container. The software application can be connected to a communication device such as Google Home or Alexa Home so that the user can query the contents of the container through such a device. The software application can be programmed to purchase new contents (including consumable items such as food and beverages) based on the remaining contents of the container. The software application can be programmed to provide the user with corresponding recommended recipes based on the products in the container. The software application can be programmed to provide the user with nutritional information related to the products in the container.

[0034] The system of the present invention may also include a separate scale connected to the software application for weighing products that cannot fit into the container.

[0035] Any of the features described above may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the container is used to automatically measure the remaining amount and mass of consumable food or beverage in the container.

[0038] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the lid of the container shown.

[0039] Figure 3 for Figure 1and Figure 2 A perspective view of the bottom of the lid of a container is shown, illustrating a sensor arrangement for the contents of the container.

[0040] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Exploded view of the sensor assembly.

[0041] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the container is shown, illustrating the weighing device in the base of the container.

[0042] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the container is shown with the circuit board of the weighing mechanism exposed in the base of the container.

[0043] Figure 7 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the container is shown showing the scale base separated from the container body.

[0044] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention, which features a separate scale for measuring food quantities. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1 A container 10 is shown, through which a user 12 can automatically monitor the remaining quantity and quality of the contents within the container 10. In most cases, the contents of the container are food, but may also include beverages or other items. The container 10 shown in the figure is in the shape of a rectangular prism, but other shapes are also possible (for example, a cylindrical shape may be used when the contents are beverages).

[0046] The container 10 includes a main body 14 for containing contents (not shown), a lid 16 for sealing the container, and a base 15 for supporting the main body 14 .

[0047] The container 10 has a removable sensor assembly 18 connected to the inside of the lid 16. The sensor assembly 18 includes a central processing unit 20 (e.g. Figure 4 ) and an antenna 22, which enables the central processor 20 to communicate with a mobile device 24 (such as a mobile device running the software application of the present invention) Figure 1 The sensor device 18 is powered by an internal battery 28.

[0048] Mobile device 24 is equipped with a camera, which a software application can use to read barcodes and obtain product-related data. This product data can be downloaded by the user and transmitted to central processing unit 20 via antenna 22. This download can be performed via remote server 26 or by user 12 using a software application on mobile device 24. However, since user 12's mobile device 24 may be out of range of container 10, downloading this data via remote server 26 is preferred. In many cases, user 12 may wish to check the status of container 10's contents while outdoors, for example, outside of Bluetooth connection range.

[0049] The sensor assembly 18 is equipped with lasers 30 and 32 for measuring the depth of the container 10, generating a data file related to the amount of food remaining in the container, and transmitting the data file to the mobile device 24 and / or the central processing unit 20. If one laser temporarily fails to work properly, the central processing unit 20 can use the other laser or take the average reading of the two lasers 30 and 32.

[0050] The sensor device 18 is further provided with a particle detector 34. The particle detector 34 is used to measure the gas condition in the container.

[0051] Particle detector 34 transmits information to central processing unit 20, which has already recorded characteristic data for various gases. For example, if the particle detector detects sulfur gas, the sensor device can sense that the food or beverage inside the container has spoiled. Central processing unit 20 can also record characteristic data for various other toxic and hazardous gases.

[0052] The central processing unit can record the gas signature data of many foods. For example, chocolate has a specific gas signature that can be sensed by the sensor device. If the central processing unit cannot identify the gas signature of the contents, it will request the user 12 to identify the contents themselves through the software application on the mobile device 24.

[0053] The software application includes a barcode scanner (used via the camera on the user's 12 mobile device 24) for product identification. Various other data captured by the barcodes on the contents can be downloaded to the central processor 20 via the remote server 26. Such data might include the average shelf life of various consumables (e.g., milk, etc.).

[0054] The sensor device 18 also includes a thermometer for recording the temperature of the contents of the container 10 (ie, the refrigeration status of the contents). The user 12 can obtain the temperature data by running a software application on the mobile device 24.

[0055] Lasers 30 and 32 ablate the food in container 10, allowing particle detector 26 in container 10 to measure the gases released by the spoiled food. This method provides a more reliable way to assess food quality than simply checking expiration date labels. In some cases, food may spoil before its expiration date due to overheating. In other cases, food may remain fresh even after its expiration date if stored refrigerated.

[0056] The sensor device 18 can be activated by a software application or can be instructed by the central processor 20 to periodically and automatically read the data of the contents of the container 10.

[0057] The base 15 of the container 10 includes an internal weighing device 34 controlled by a circuit board 36 for measuring the weight of the contents of the container 10. The circuit board 36 can communicate with the central processor 20 via the antenna 22 and the remote server 26.

[0058] Another embodiment of the present invention is provided with an external scale 38, such as Figure 8 shown.

[0059] The software application on the mobile device 24 can create a to-buy list for the user based on the remaining food inventory automatically monitored by the container 10. The software application can provide the user with recommended recipes based on the remaining food inventory. The software application can also send notifications to the user via the mobile device 20 to remind the user to consume food that is about to go bad as soon as possible. The software application can inform the user of the remaining amount of a specific item in the container 10. The software application can be connected to a communication device (such as Google Home or Alexa Home) so that the user can query information about the contents of the container through such a communication device. The software application can be programmed to purchase new contents (including food and beverages) based on the remaining contents of the container 10.

[0060] Therefore, the container of the present invention can provide people with a way to remotely and automatically obtain the remaining amount and freshness of the container contents.

[0061] In this specification and claims (if any), the word "comprise" and its derivatives (including "comprising" and "consisting of") include each integer recited and do not exclude the inclusion of one or more other integers.

[0062] Throughout this specification, reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0063] As required by law, the description of the invention may be more or less specific in terms of structural or methodological features. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown or described, as the methods described herein constitute preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. Accordingly, the invention claims protection in any form or modification within the proper scope of the appended patent claims (if any) as appropriately interpreted by one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system for allowing a user to automatically measure the contents of a container, the system comprising: (a) a base for supporting the contents of the container; (b) a cover for the base of the container; (c) a central processing unit within the container; (d) an antenna connected to the central processing unit for transmitting data; (e) a software application running on a mobile device for communicating with the central processing unit; (f) a remote server for connecting the central processing unit to a network; (g) a sensor device connected to the central processing unit for generating data related to the container; Wherein, the sensor device includes a particle detector for observing the contents of the container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the particle detector comprises a gas sensor for detecting whether the contents of the container have deteriorated.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a laser.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the laser is used as a time-of-flight sensor to determine the height of the contents within the container.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the laser can be used to ablate the contents of the container to assist the particle detector in observing the contents. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises a thermometer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a weighing device connected to the central processor via a software application running on the mobile device.

8. A container for allowing a user to automatically measure the contents of the container, the container comprising: (a) a base for carrying the contents; (b) a cover for the base; (c) a central processing unit within the container; (d) an antenna connected to the central processing unit for transmitting data; (e) a software application running on a mobile device for communicating with the central processing unit; (f) a sensor device connected to the central processor for generating data related to the container; Wherein, the sensor device includes a particle detector.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the particle detector comprises a gas sensor for detecting whether the contents in the container have deteriorated.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises a laser.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the laser is used as a time-of-flight sensor to determine the level of the contents within the container.

12. The container according to claim 10, wherein the laser can be used to ablate the contents in the container to assist the particle detector in observing the contents.

13. The container of claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises a thermometer.

14. The container of claim 8, wherein the container comprises a weighing device.

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