A container that automatically measures food quantity and quality

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for enabling a user to automatically observe the contents inside a container, the system including a base for holding the contents inside the container, a lid for the container base, a central processing unit within the container, an antenna connected to the central processing unit and for transmitting data, a software application running on a mobile terminal for communicating with the central processing unit, a remote server for connecting the central processing unit to the Internet, and 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 measuring the contents of the container.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container that can automatically measure the quantity and quality of food stored within the container and remotely communicate this data to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] People who run kitchens, such as restaurant chefs and household members, need to know the inventory status of ingredients so that meals can be prepared. When buying new ingredients at the shop, it is difficult to know the exact inventory status of ingredients remaining in the kitchen. Returning to the kitchen to check the inventory is often inefficient and inconvenient. People often tend to buy new ingredients when passing by the shop instead of returning to their home or kitchen to check the inventory. Restaurant owners need to ensure that there is an adequate supply of ingredients required for their menu, but they may not be aware of the inventory status of ingredients in the kitchen.

[0003] Some people have tried to solve this problem by installing live video feeds in refrigerators, but if the containers are opaque, the technology doesn't allow users to see how much of an ingredient is left in the container, making it difficult for users to check how much of an ingredient is needed when they're not in the shop or kitchen. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Another solution to this problem is to use devices like Google Home or Amazon Alexa to create shopping lists by voice command, but these devices cannot automatically keep track of the availability of ingredients in the kitchen, so users still need to manually check how much is left.

[0005] It would be very useful to have a way to automatically and remotely check if food has expired in a container and assess the amount of food remaining in that container.

[0006] There is a need for an automated and remote method for checking ingredient inventory levels and quality.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome or at least significantly ameliorate the aforementioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system that allows a user to automatically measure the contents of a container, the system including the following components: (a) a base that holds the contents within the container; (b) lid for container base; (c) a central processing unit within the vessel; (d) an antenna connected to the central processing unit for transmitting data; (e) software applications running on the mobile terminal to communicate with the central processing unit; (f) a remote server for connecting the central processing unit to the Internet; (g) a sensor device connected to a central processing unit for generating data relating to the vessel; The sensor device includes a particle detector.

[0009] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container that allows a user to automatically measure the contents of the container, the container comprising: (a) a base that holds the contents within the container; (b) lid for container base; (c) a central processing unit within the vessel; (d) an antenna for transmitting data; (e) software applications running on the mobile terminal to communicate with the central processing unit; (f) a sensor device connected to the central processing unit for generating data relating to the vessel; The sensor device includes a particle detector.

[0010] The "contents" mentioned above may be food, drink, or other items.

[0011] The particle detector may include a gas sensor. Preferably, the particle detector is removable. The particle detector may be powered by an internal battery.

[0012] Preferably, the central processing unit is programmed with gas profiles for various consumables and gases that indicate a consumable is expired. The software application can allow a user to identify the contents of the container by manual entry or by using a barcode reader program on the user's mobile device. The barcode reader program within the software application can log the product without placing it in the container.

[0013] The sensor device may include a laser, and the time of flight of the laser beam may determine the depth of the container, thereby measuring the volume or amount of contents within the container.

[0014] A laser is used to cauterize the contents, allowing a particle detector within the container to detect whether the contents have spoiled, preferably located within the lid of the container.

[0015] The sensor device can be activated manually by a user using a software application running on the mobile terminal, or can be activated automatically by a central processing unit.

[0016] The software application running on the camera-equipped mobile device may include a barcode reader program that the user can use to identify the product placed in the container. Data about the product is downloaded via a remote server and transmitted via an antenna to a central processing unit.

[0017] The container may include a weighing scale.

[0018] The software application can create a shopping list for the user based on the contents automatically measured by the container. The software application can also notify the user when the contents are about to expire and recommend consuming the contents. The software application can suggest appropriate recipes to the user based on the contents remaining in the container. The software application can also notify the user of the remaining amount of any item in the container. The software application can also connect with communication devices such as Google Home or Alexa Home, allowing the user to check the status of the contents in the container using those devices. The software application can be programmed to order new contents (consumables such as food or beverages) based on the level of the contents in the container. The software application can be programmed to make recipe suggestions based on the products in the container. The software application can be programmed to provide nutritional information about the products in the container.

[0019] The system of the present invention may include a separate scale connected to the software application for weighing products that cannot be placed in a container.

[0020] Any of the above features may be used in any suitable combination with other features within the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention for automatically measuring the quantity and quality of consumable food or beverage therein. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lid of the container of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 and 2 are perspective views of the underside of the container lid, showing a sensor device for detecting the contents of the container. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sensor device of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] In Figure 1, a perspective view of the container shows a weighing scale at the bottom of the container. [Figure 6] In the perspective view of the container in FIG. 1, the circuit board of the metering device at the bottom of the container is shown. [Figure 7] In the exploded view of the container in Figure 1, the base of the weighing scale attached to the body of the container is shown. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a container according to another embodiment of the present invention, having a separate weighing scale that can be used to measure the amount of food. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 shows a container that allows a user 12 to automatically measure the quantity and quality of the contents within the container 10. The contents of the container are most often food, but can also include beverages and other items. The container 10 shown in the figure is rectangular in shape, but can also have other shapes, such as a cylinder in the case of beverages.

[0023] Container 10 includes a body 14 for holding contents (not shown), a lid 16 for sealing the container, and a base 15 for body 14.

[0024] The container 10 has a sensor device 18 removably connected within the lid 16. The sensor device 18 includes a central processing unit 20 (see FIG. 4) and an antenna 22, which allows the central processing unit 20 to communicate with a mobile device 24 (see FIG. 1) running the inventive software application and a remote server 26, which provides an independent connection of the central processing unit to the Internet. The sensor device 18 is powered by an internal battery 28.

[0025] The mobile terminal 24 is equipped with a camera and can use a software application to scan barcodes to read data about the products. The data about the products is downloaded via a remote server 26 and transmitted to the central processing unit 20 via the antenna 22. The download is preferably performed via the remote server 26, allowing for independence from the user's mobile terminal 24 even when the mobile terminal 24 is out of range of the container 10. Often, the user 12 will want to view the contents of the container 10 when outside of the range of the Bluetooth connection, such as outdoors.

[0026] The sensor unit 18 is equipped with lasers 30 and 32 for measuring the depth of the container 10, creating a data file regarding the amount of food remaining in the container, and transferring the data file to the mobile device 24 and / or the central processing unit 20. If one laser temporarily fails to function properly, the central processing unit 20 can use the other laser or average the measurements from the lasers 30 and 32.

[0027] The sensor device 18 is also equipped with a particle detector 34, which is used to measure the gas conditions within the vessel.

[0028] The particle detector 34 sends the information to the central processing unit 20, which records the characteristic data of different gases. For example, if the particle detector detects sulfur gas, the sensor device can recognize that the food or drink inside the container has become spoiled. The central processing unit 20 also records the characteristic data of other toxic gases.

[0029] The central processing unit is programmed with the gas profiles of many food products. For example, chocolate has a specific gas profile that the sensor unit can detect. If the central processing unit does not recognize the gas profile of the contents, it prompts the user 12 through a software application on the mobile device 24 to identify the contents.

[0030] The software application includes a barcode scanner program (using the camera on the user's 12 mobile device 24) that is used to identify the product. Various data about the contents based on the barcode is downloaded to the central processing unit 20 via a remote server 26. This data may include, for example, the average expiration date of a consumable item such as milk.

[0031] The sensor device 18 is also equipped with a thermometer to record the temperature (i.e., refrigeration) of the contents of the container 10. This temperature data is communicated to the user 12 through a software application running on the mobile device 24.

[0032] Lasers 30 and 32 can cauterize food within container 10, allowing particle detector 26 within container 10 to measure gases released by the spoiled food, providing a more reliable method of detecting food quality than relying on expiration date labels. In some cases, food can spoil before its expiration date if overheated, and in other cases, food can remain fresh past its expiration date if stored frozen.

[0033] The sensor device 18 may be activated via a software application, but may also take periodic automatic readings of the contents within the container 10 as directed by the central processing unit 20 .

[0034] Container 10 has an internal scale 34 controlled by a circuit board 36 in base 15 to measure the weight of the contents within container 10. Circuit board 36 communicates with central processing unit 20 via antenna 22 and remote server 26.

[0035] Another embodiment of the present invention includes an external scale 38 shown in FIG.

[0036] The mobile device 24 is equipped with a software application that creates a shopping list for the user 24 based on the amount of food automatically measured by the container 10. The software application can suggest meal recipes based on the remaining food inventory. It can also send notifications to the user through the mobile device 20 if food is about to spoil. The software application can inform the user of the amount of an item remaining in the container 10. The software application can connect to communication devices such as Google Home or Alexa Home, allowing the user to query the contents of the container through those devices. The software application can also be programmed to order new contents (consumables such as food or beverages) based on the level of contents in the container 10.

[0037] The container of the present invention thereby provides an automatic and remote method of determining the remaining quantity and freshness of the contents within the container.

[0038] In this specification and claims (if any), the word "comprises" and its derivatives (such as "comprises" and "consisting of") means the inclusion of each listed element but not the exclusion of one or more other elements.

[0039] As used herein, the phrase "one embodiment" or "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "one embodiment" or "embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Also, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more suitable manners.

[0040] Although, as required by statute, the invention has been described in specific language with respect to structural or methodical features, the invention is not limited to the specific characteristics shown or described, and the methods set forth herein constitute preferred forms of practicing the invention. Accordingly, the invention is claimed in all its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims, if any, as interpreted by one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A system that allows a user to automatically measure contents within a container, comprising: (a) a base for holding the contents within the container; (b) a lid for the base of the container; (c) a central processing unit within the vessel; (d) an antenna connected to the central processing unit for transmitting data; (e) a software application running on the mobile device to communicate with the central processing unit; (f) a central processing unit and a remote server for connecting to the Internet; and (g) a system including a sensor device connected to a central processing unit for creating a data file relating to the container, the sensor device thus comprising a particle detector for measuring the contents of the container;

2. The system of claim 1, except that the particle detector includes a gas sensor for detecting whether the contents of the container are spoiled.

3. The system of claim 1, except that the sensor device includes a laser.

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

5. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the laser is adapted to ablate the contents of the container to assist the particle detector.

6. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device includes a thermometer.

7. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a weighing scale connected to the central processing unit via a software application running on the mobile device.

8. 1. A container that allows a user to automatically measure contents within the container, the container including: (a) a base for holding contents; (b) a base lid; (c) a central processing unit within the vessel; (d) an antenna for transmitting data; (e) a software application running on the mobile device for communicating with the central processing unit; and (f) a sensor device connected to a central processing unit for creating a data file relating to the container; The sensor device includes a particle detector.

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

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

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

12. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the laser is adapted to ablate the contents of the container to assist the particle detector.

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

14. 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the container includes a weighing scale.

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