Device, system, and methods for intelligent cooler monitoring

Abstract

A cooler pro device for monitoring the operation of a cooler, having a variety of sensors, a microprocessor, random-access-memory, storage memory, and a set of computer instructions that instruct the microprocessor to collect data from the variety of sensors and analyze the data to create information on the anticipated conditions within a cooler that may affect the contents of the cooler, which device may be networkable to a back office that may provide additional information and instructions, coordinate user notifications, and amalgamate information from multiple cooler pro devices to be used to monitor the state of a cooler's contents, for example temperature conditions internal and external to the cooler, measured by an assortment of varied sensors and sensing systems.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Device, System, and Methods for Intelligent Cooler Monitoring.BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

[0002] The present innovations generally relate to cooler monitoring, recording, and alerting of information regarding either or both metrics and states.

[0003] Coolers, also referred to as "ice chests", are widely known and used insulated containers designed to maintain temperatures and preserve the freshness of food and beverages, particularly useful in situations where fixed electrical power and climatecontrol systems are non-existent or not well-established. Coolers are typically equipped with insulation materials like foam or plastic, and can come in a variety of sizes, from small handheld versions to larger wheeled models. They often use ice packs, gel packs, ice cubes, or dry ice, to keep the contents chilled for extended periods, making them ideal for picnics, camping trips, outdoor events, or simply transporting groceries.

[0004] It would be an improvement to the field of art to provide one or more of a device, a system, and methods for providing cooler monitoring, recording, and alerting of information regarding more related metrics and states of the contents of the cooler. It would also be an improvement to the field of art to provide a variety of sensors capable of more accurately capturing ambient conditions surrounding the cooler. It would also be an improvement to the field of art to provide a processor, and analytical system capable of using the data from a variety of sensors to anticipate future conditions that would affect the contents of the cooler. It would also be an improvement to the field of art to provide a notification function that would inform a user of the system when anticipated conditions may fall outside conditions that the user may set as unacceptable.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary Cooler Pro System according to the present invention.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary Sensor Engine for an exemplary Cooler Pro System.

[0007] Fig. 3 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary Cooler Pro device.

[0008] Fig. 4 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary Cooler Pro device installed in an exemplary cooler, with the front section of the cooler removed.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a perspective schematic illustration of an exemplary Cooler Pro device installed in an exemplary cooler, with the interior and exemplary contents depicted.

[0010] Fig. 6 is an isometric exploded schematic illustration of an exemplary Cooler Pro device and mounting bracket for installation under an exemplary cooler lid.

[0011] Fig. 7 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary mobile device depicting an exemplary Cooler Pro application user interface.

[0012] Fig. 8 is an illustration of a user demonstrating an exemplary use of an exemplary Cooler Pro device.

[0013] Fig. 9 is a perspective schematic illustration of an exemplary Cooler Pro device installed in an exemplary cooler and in communication with a wireless device.

[0014] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for Detecting an abnormal temperature change in the cooler contents.

[0015] Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for Predicting future internal cooler temperatures.DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The specific details of a single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described system and methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood and projected onto the invention as a whole.

[0017] An exemplary embodiment may include multiple forms of temperature sensing elements including chip sensors, backup temperature sensors, infrared (IR) temperature sensing, and the implementation of combinations thereof. Such multiple, varied sensors may capture a more accurate assessment of the condition of the contents and may permit the anticipation of future conditions within the coolerand the effect those conditions may have on the contents. An exemplary sensor array allows the system to detect conditions that suggest a cooler has been left in an unexpected situation, which may include extreme or variable temperature, exposure to sunlight, the cooler being open, or the container being compromised, thus reducing its efficiency. This may be accomplished using a difference in values between the various sensors, such as a chip sensor and an IR sensor.

[0018] An exemplary embodiment may be connected via a network to a centralized system and repository of information, which may be referred to herein as a "back-office", so that information from multiple coolers may be compiled and analyzed to improve thecapabilities of the system to anticipate cooler performance and provide users with more information and control over the condition of the contents of their coolers.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include the ability to self-test and provide alerts of performance considered out of operational norms or standards. In an exemplary embodiment, a self-test may communicate with a back-office, and report malfunction or likely pending malfunction. In an exemplary embodiment, a back-office may use such information to inform the user of the cooler of current or future conditions of potential interest, and suggest and facilitate corrective action. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include the ability to show predicted temperatures and transmit an alert based on anticipated temperatures.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, information may be sent to a back-office to amalgamate lots of data to employ and train deep-learning algorithms and artificial intelligence ("Al") to get the best information out of the data the various sensors may provide.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple devices may be used to measure and analyze temperatures inside and outside the cooler to improve the predictions of conditions monitored and alerted by the device. The system may use data it has gathered and stored, and may communicate with services and weather reports to get the current and predicted future outside temperatures to improve the predictions provided by one or more of a Cooler Pro device, a corresponding application software, an associated back- office and back-office computational resources and software, or the combined elements that form a system.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, a power-saving system is included to turn off LED lights and / or display(s) to conserve power when the device is oriented downward. In an exemplary embodiment, alerts may be based on estimated melt rates based on geographic region and seasonal norms. In an exemplary embodiment, alerts may be based on FDA (United States of America Food and Drug Administration) recommendations. The user may select categories of food stored within the cooler to appropriately establish warning parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, operational parameters for optimal food-safety may be established for the embodiment by the FDA, or other authoritative information source, and such operational parameters may be communicated to the embodiment by a network.

[0023] Referring now generally to all the figures, and primarily to Figure 1, an exemplary embodiment of a Cooler Pro System 100 may include a Cooler Pro device 102. An exemplary Cooler Pro device 102 may include, without restriction, such elements as a microprocessor 104, memory 106, a power engine 108, a connectivity engine 110, a sensor engine 112, a diagnostic engine 114, a coherence engine 116, and an input / output ("I / O") engine 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the elements of a Cooler Pro device 102 may have capabilities inherent in their design and their interrelational configuration that permit them to accomplish a function for which they were designed, which may be referred to as the element being "capable of" or "configured to" accomplish their intended purpose, to include functionally interacting with the other related elements.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, a Cooler Pro device 102 may be functionally linked to a back-office 130 by a network 120. In an exemplary embodiment, a Cooler Pro device 102 may be functionally connected to a mobile device 150 by a network 120.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, a network 120 may be any form of suitable connection for data and information transfer, and may include the Internet, world-wide- web, radio frequency ("RF"), cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth®, among others. In an exemplary embodiment, with a stable and reliable network 120, elements of the Cooler Pro device 102 may either or both reside within the device 102 and exist remotely. In an exemplary embodiment, a back-office 130 may include, without restriction, a cloud server 132, a weather engine 134, a user data storage engine 136, a return merchandise authorization engine 138, and a consumer warranty information engine 140.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, a microprocessor 104 may execute a set of computer instructions to coordinate function and control the other elements of the Cooler Pro device 102. In an exemplary embodiment, memory 106 may include RAM, ROM, and stable memory. In an exemplary embodiment, with a connection over a network 120 to a back-office 130, memory 106 or a portion of memory 106 may be remote.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, a power engine 108 may provide power to elements of the Cooler Pro System 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a power engine 108 may include, without limitation, elements such as a battery, a line-power connection, static protection, surge protection, reverse polarity protection, a power gauge, a battery gauge, a coulomb counter, a power selection interface, a switching power supply, and abattery charging system, which may be connected or wireless, including a wireless charging coil. In an exemplary embodiment, the power engine 108 may enable the switching of power supplies to regulate voltage rails in the device due to temperature variations.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, a connectivity engine 110 may enable the Cooler Pro device 102 to connect to all the elements of the Cooler Pro device 102 and a network 120. In an exemplary embodiment, a connectivity engine 110 may include a connection between memory 106 and a microprocessor 104 to facilitate storage and delivery of a set of computer-coded instructions that may direct the function of a Cooler Pro device 102. In an exemplary embodiment, a connectivity engine 110 may support any form of suitable connection for data and information transfer, and may include the Internet, world-wide- web, LoRA, 802.15.4, radio frequency ("RF"), cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth®, among others.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, a diagnostic engine 114 may provide an assessment of the integrity of the data and signals that are transmitted within the Cooler Pro system 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a diagnostic engine 114 may assess the function and soundness of the operation of various components of the Cooler Pro system 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a diagnostic engine 114 may conduct self-testing of the Cooler Pro system 100. In an exemplary embodiment, self-testing may be conducted based on an event, as requested by a microprocessor 104, and periodically. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving an instruction to the microprocessor 104 may initiate a self-test. Testing of a component occurs, followed by assessing if the component passed the test. Clearing the test code, if the component passed, and triggering an error code if the component failed, followed by either or both storing the test results in memory 106 and informing a user 10 of the component failure.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, a coherence engine 116 may ensure that data and power may be transferred between elements in a safe, functional, and useful manner. In an exemplary embodiment, a coherence engine 116 may ensure connections to various elements may be constructed properly, and maintain operational parameters that may enable a functional performance. In an exemplary embodiment, elements of a coherence engine 116 may include, without limitation, signal conditioning circuits, amplifier circuits, converters between analog and digital signals, and a supplemental microprocessor.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, an input / output ("I / O") engine 118 may monitor, coordinate, and control forms of inputs to and outputs from the system with the physical world around a Cooler Pro system 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the I / O engine 118 may be a form of user interface ("Ul") 320, which may stimulate a user's 10 senses to communicate, including, without limitation, visual, mechanical, touch, haptic, illumination, sound, fragrance, and, with suitable communication elements, taste, and may employ methods such as, without limitation, audible signals and tones, light indicators, graphical displays, push buttons, and switches.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a return merchandise authorization engine 138 of a back-office 130 may be configured to employ a user interface 118 to execute a return merchandise authorization ("RMA"), and facilitate the return of a defective Cooler Pro device 102 or component. In an exemplary embodiment, user interface 118 may support RMA by Initiating a self-test that fails. Documenting the failure through a return merchandise authorization engine 138. Contacting the RMA service department through cloud server 132 connected to a network 120. Informing the user 10 of the error and suggesting ways to remedy the error. Authorizing return from the RMA service department. Informing the user 10 of a replacement device 102 or component being sent and requesting the user 10 send the defective device 102 or component back.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, a consumer warranty information engine 140 of a back-office 130 may be configured to employ a user interface 118 to execute a product warranty registration. In an exemplary embodiment, user interface 118 may support warranty registration by Securing the serial number and the purchase date through a consumer warranty information engine 140. The serial number and the purchase date may be obtained from a receipt and a package, or may be electronically acquired from the Cooler Pro device 102 upon use by a user 10. Establishing a user account. Storing the serial number, the purchase date, and the date of first use with a consumer warranty information engine 140.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, a cloud server 132 of a back-office 130 may include a specialized microprocessor and connection components to facilitate functional connection of the other elements of the back-office 130 to the balance of a Cooler Pro system 100 through network 120.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, a weather engine 134 of a back-office 130 may include connections to services and functionalities that assemble and distribute detailed weather information about geographical regions that include the immediate vicinity of a Cooler Pro system 100, and the ability to provide selected information upon request for the Cooler Pro device 102. In an exemplary embodiment, detailed weather information about geographical regions that include the immediate vicinity of a Cooler Pro system 100 may include ambient temperatures and forecasted temperatures for requestable time periods.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, a user data storage engine 136 of a back-office 130 may include forms of memory structured to receive, store, and make available, user data from a Cooler Pro device 102.

[0037] Referring now primarily to Figure 2, an exemplary embodiment of a sensor engine 112 may include, without restriction, an analog temperature engine 202, a digital temperature engine 204, an infrared ("IR") temperature engine 206, a light engine 208, a motion engine 210, and a sound engine 212. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor engine 112 may provide sensing for physical parameters in and around areas that may affect a Cooler Pro system 100, to include areas outside of and inside of a cooler 400. In an exemplary embodiment, a motion engine 210 may employ sensors to sense movement within a cooler 400, movement of a cooler 400, and movement outside a cooler 400. In an exemplary embodiment, the motion engine 210 may be configured to sense if a position of a cooler 400 lid is open, closed, and somewhere in between. In an exemplary embodiment, a light engine 208 may employ sensors to sense changes in light inside or outside a cooler 400. In an exemplary embodiment, a light engine 208 may be configured to detect a lid open condition when the ambient light level increases beyond the amount of light that is typical when the cooler 400 lid is closed. In an exemplary embodiment, a sound engine 212 may employ sensors to either or both sense and identify sounds that may indicate a condition that may affect either or both an operation of a cooler 400 and a condition of a content 408. In an exemplary embodiment, information a Cooler Pro system 100 may be able to determine with a sound engine 212 include time of day, cooler lid open or closed, ice melt, integrity of a content container, and compromised integrity of a cooler 400.

[0038] Several types of sensors are used to detect gases emitted by spoiling foods and may be included in an exemplary embodiment sensor engine 112. Spoiling fruits, vegetables, and meats can emit various gases, primarily due to microbial activity breaking down organic matter. Some of the gases produced may include, without limitation, ethylene, methane, ammonia, sulfur compounds, and carbon dioxide, which along with other byproducts, contribute to the distinct odors and changes observed in spoiled foods. Suitable sensors may include, without limitation, gas chromatography ("GC"), electronic nose ("E-Nose"), which is widely used in food quality monitoring, metal oxide sensors ("MOS"), photoionization detector ("PID"), flame ionization detector ("FID"), and IR gas sensors. Each sensor type has its advantages and limitations in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, cost, and application. For food spoilage detection, E-Noses and MOS sensors are commonly employed due to their relatively low cost, portability, and ability to detect a wide range of gases.

[0039] Referring now primarily to Figure 3, an exemplary embodiment of a Cooler Pro device 102 may include, without restriction, a housing 302, a display 304, an input button 306, an indicator light 308, a sensor 310, a night light 322, and a speaker 318. The collective components of the Cooler Pro device 102 that may receive input information from a user and may provide output information to a user may be referred to as a user interface 320. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor 310 may include a solar sensor 312, an IR detector 314, and a temperature sensor 316. An exemplary temperature sensor 316 may include an analog temperature sensor and a digital temperature sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, a solar sensor 312 may be configured as a solar cell to power the unit and recharge a rechargeable battery. In an exemplary embodiment, a night light 322 may be positioned to face into a cooler 400 when the lid is open. In an exemplary embodiment, a night light 322 may include a selective light color to preserve night vision. In an exemplary embodiment, a night light 322 may be configured to turn on when an ambient light sensor detects a certain level of darkness. In an exemplary embodiment, a night light 322 may be further configured with a programable timer to stay on for a period of time, regardless of the position of the lid, to preserve battery power. Other exemplary sensors 310 may include a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a sound sensor.

[0040] Referring now primarily to Figures 4 and 6, an exemplary embodiment of a Cooler Pro device 102 may include, without restriction, a mounting bracket 402 and amounting securement 404. In an exemplary embodiment, a Cooler Pro device 102 may be positioned within the interior of a cooler 400 so as to be positioned in proximity to the contents 408. A suitable mounting bracket 402 may be configured to securely interface with a housing 302 of a Cooler Pro device 102, to appropriately retain the Cooler Pro device 102 in a desired position. A suitable mounting securement 404 may provide fixation of the mounting bracket 402 to a cooler. In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting bracket 402 may be a flexible material that accommodates the insertion of a portion of a housing 302, and then securely retains a housing 302 by tension and friction. In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting securement 404 may be a double-sided adhesive that adheres to a mounting bracket 402 and the internal underside of a cooler lid 406. It is understood that reasonable equivalents to the exemplary mounting bracket 402 and exemplary mounting securement 404 are envisioned and included in this disclosure.

[0041] Referring now primarily to Figure 5, an exemplary embodiment of a Cooler Pro device 102 may include being integrated into a wall of a cooler 400, such as the lid 406. In an exemplary embodiment, a cooler lid 406 may have an open configuration, a closed configuration, and an intermediate configuration. Each of these configurations may be referred to as a respective "position". In an exemplary embodiment, a Cooler Pro device 102 may be positioned integral to cooler 400 to be in functional proximity to the contents 408, so that an appropriate sensor 310 of the sensor engine 112 may sense a condition of the contents 408. In an exemplary embodiment, a cooler 400 may have an alternate closure to a lid 406, while still having an open configuration, a closed configuration, and an intermediate configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the Cooler Pro device 102 may be oriented within a wall of a cooler 400 such that the user interface 320 and the power engine 108 may still be accessible to a user of the cooler 400 with the lid in a closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, a user interface 320 may include a component of an I / O engine 118, which may include such elements as a display 304, an input button 306, an indicator light 308, a sensor 310, and a speaker 318. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor engine 112 may include an external sensor 310 for ambient conditions, which may include a temperature, a lighting condition, a solar sensor 312, a humidity level, and a sound, external to the cooler 400. In an exemplary embodiment, asolar sensor 312 may be configured to detect when the cooler is in direct sunlight and a Cooler Pro 102 may alert a user 10 about the condition.

[0042] Referring now primarily to Figure 1, an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device 700 may be in functional communication with either or both a Cooler Pro device 102 and a back-office 130 through a Network 120. A Cooler Pro device 102 so connected to a mobile device 700 may include components of the mobile device 700 as a supplement to I / O engine 118 and integrated into I / O engine 118, making data sensed by device components of the mobile device 700 available to a Cooler Pro device 102 and a back- office 130. In an exemplary embodiment, such components of a mobile device 700 may include a temperature sensor, a GPS, a chronograph, and a light sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device 700 may also perform as a component of a network 120. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device 700 or elements thereof may be integrated into the Cooler Pro device 102, and so configured could provide remote location tracking. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device 700 may include a computer application 702, which may either or both provide output information to a user 10 and obtain input information from a user 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device 700 may be connectable to multiple Cooler Pro devices 102. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer application 702 may provide output from multiple Cooler Pro devices 102 and provide input to multiple Cooler Pro devices 102. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer application 702 may provide input to and output from a back-office 130.

[0043] Referring now primarily to Figure 8, an exemplary embodiment Cooler Pro 102 device may be used to assess a heat transfer source, such as radiant heat, conductive heat, and conductive cold, such as ice from an ice supply 800. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor engine 112 may be used remotely from a Cooler Pro device 102 and back-office 130. In an exemplary embodiment, a remote sensor engine 112 may possess dedicated memory 106 that can store collected data until connected to a Cooler Pro device 102 and back-office 130. In an exemplary embodiment, a remote sensor engine 112 may maintain a connection to a Cooler Pro device 102 and back-office 130 via network 120.

[0044] Referring now primarily to Figure 9, an exemplary embodiment of a Cooler Pro device 102 may include a sensor engine 112 with a sensor 310 capable of sensing that the cooler 400 is open and ambient conditions may access the interior of the cooler 400, impairing the cooler's capability to maintain a temperature in content 408. In anexemplary embodiment, an appropriate sensor 310 may include various sensors that employ sensing various physical parameters, such as a motion sensor, a 3-axis circuit, a light sensor, a manual switch, a hall effect sensor with a magnet, LiDAR, an acoustic sensor, and a temperature sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, a Cooler Pro device 102 may be connected to a mobile device 150 through network 120, to provide information on the status and predicted status of either or both a content 408 and a cooler 400 to a user 10 via a computer application 702.

[0045] Referring now primarily to Figure 10, an exemplary embodiment of a process for Detecting 1000 a cooler 400 has been left in a hot environment may proceed with Storing 1002 an initial cooler 400 temperature readings for the cooler 400 and the contents 408. Delaying 1004 for a period of time. Storing 1006 subsequent temperature readings for the cooler 400 and the contents 408. Comparing 1008 temperature readings over the period of time. If the changes in the temperature readings are similar, Assessing 1010 operation is normal, Clearing 1012 a detection alert, and Recording 1030 the latest temperature readings for use in the next detection routine in either or both memory 106 and User Data Storage Engine 136. If the changes in the temperature readings are divergent, Assessing 1020 the cooler 400 is heating faster than the contents 408, Triggering 1022 a detection alert to inform a user 10 through a user interface 320, and Recording 1030 the latest temperature readings and triggering event in either or both memory 106 and User Data Storage Engine 136. The process 1000 may return to Delaying 1000 for a period of time.

[0046] Referring now primarily to Figure 11, an exemplary embodiment of a process for Predicting 1100 a future cooler 400 condition may proceed with Determining 1102 the insulation constant of a cooler 400. Obtaining 1104 a current temperature inside the cooler 400. Obtaining 1106 an environmental temperature forecast for the immediate vicinity of the cooler 400 from a weather engine 134. Predicting 1108 an internal cooler 400 temperature for a future period based on the insulation constant, the environmental temperature for the immediate vicinity, and the internal temperature of the cooler 400. Providing 1110 the prediction to a user 10. In an exemplary embodiment, Determining 1102 the insulation constant of a cooler400 may be done by comparing the rate of change of temperature of the contents of the cooler 400 versus the temperature outside the cooler 400 from the weather engine 134 and knowledge of location from a mobile device,or another temperature sensor from sensor engine 112 outside the cooler 400, over the same period. Other exemplary ways to determine the insulation constant include using a lookup table for various brands and models of coolers, based on ice melt rates in various seasons, or based on ice melt rates for a given location and seasonal temperatures.

[0047] A system 100 for monitoring a cooler for maintaining the temperature of a content, comprising a Cooler Pro device 102 having a microprocessor, a power source, a temperature sensor other than IR, connectable with a network, which Cooler Pro device 102 may then have an IR temperature sensor with a detection zone. That system may be configured to detect when the cooler is in a hot environment, such as being exposed to the sun. Additionally or alternatively, that system may be configured to actively scan the temperature of an item placed in the detection zone of the IR temperature sensor.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, connection to a network may permit a system 100 to transmit information to a remote device, where such information may include data that represents historical temperatures of the operational area of a system or the contents of a system, data that represents the current conditions of a cooler or the content, such as temperature, status, informational alerts regarding a cooler, such the position of the lid, a temperature high, and a temperature forecast. In an exemplary embodiment, a remote device may request data over a network, and send software and operational instructions to a system.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, a system 100 may include a process for self-test for determining assorted failures in elements of the system 100, which failures may include low battery level, antenna malfunction, processor malfunction, sensor malfunction, power management malfunction, accelerometer malfunction, and network malfunction.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, a system 100 may include data that represents a range of acceptable responses to a request for response from a component of the device storable in memory. Such an exemplary system 100 may also include a diagnostic engine configured to send a request for response from a component of the device, compare a received response to the range of acceptable responses, and create a result of the comparison. In such an exemplary system 100, the result of the comparison may be a pass or a failure or "fail". The exemplary device may then be configured to provide the result to a user through a properly functioning component of the device selected from agroup of components of the device consisting of the I / O engine and the connectivity engine.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, a system 100 may be configured to provide power savings by disabling certain elements, such as a user interface 320, lights, and displays when the lid is in a closed position.

[0052] A system 100 for monitoring a cooler 400 for maintaining the temperature of a content, comprising a Cooler Pro device 102 having a microprocessor, a power source, a temperature sensor, connectable with a network, configured to provide a report of the status of the temperature of the content. That system 100 capable of providing the status by an audible alarm on the Cooler Pro device 102. That system capable of providing the status by an illuminated signal on the Cooler Pro device 102. That system capable of providing the status to a mobile device. That system 100 capable of affecting the alert, which affectation may include silencing, snoozing, and disabling the alert in response to an instruction, which instruction may include tapping, shaking, touching, and remotely signaling the Cooler Pro device 102.

[0053] A system 100 and process for generation of RMA comprising a Cooler Pro device 102 having a processor, the processorfunctionally connected to selected elements of the device and configured to execute instructions to test proper connection and function of those elements. The system and process may have connection to a back-office through a network, a process configured in computer code suitable to instructing the processor to conduct the test, assessing for conditions that would warrant return of the device, issuing the RMA, and contacting the owner of the device, who may be the user of the device to inform them the device needs to be replaced.

[0054] The examples and descriptions contained in this specification are merely possible implementations of the current development, and alternatives may still fall within the scope of the allowed claims. Wording that expresses the possibility, such as the word "may", is used throughout, and is intended to mean the existence of the particular characteristic or element in one possibly embodiment, but that the characteristic orelement is not automatically required in every embodiment. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents, since the provided exemplary embodiments are only examples of how the invention may be employed and are not exhaustive.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A device for monitoring a cooler, the cooler having a wall, an inside and an outside, and designed to maintain the temperature of a content inside the cooler, the device comprising: a microprocessor, memory, a power engine, a sensor engine having an IR temperature sensor, a connectivity engine, and an I / O engine; the connectivity engine capable of functionally connecting the device with a network, a network connectable to a remote device; the memory having stored data, and the capacity to receive and store data; the microprocessor capable of gathering data from the sensor and storing data in the memory; and the microprocessor capable of controllably directing data from the memory to a remote device with the connectivity engine.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine having a temperature sensor for sensing temperature outside the cooler.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine having a temperature sensor for sensing temperature inside and sensing temperature outside the cooler.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the I / O engine configured to receive a coefficient of insulation for the cooler from a user.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a temperature of a content inside the cooler at a first point in time, a temperature of a content inside the cooler at a second point in time, and periodic temperatures outside the cooler during the timespanbetween the first point in time and the second point in time, and the duration of the timespan between the first point in time and the second point in time; the microprocessor configured to calculate the average temperature outside the cooler during the timespan using the periodic temperatures outside the cooler during the timespan between the first point in time and the second point in time, and the duration of the timespan between the first point in time and the second point in time; the microprocessor configured to calculate the cooler coefficient of insulation using the change in temperature of a content inside the cooler during the timespan with respect to the average temperature outside the cooler during the timespan.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler and a current temperature outside the cooler; the cooler having a coefficient of insulation; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the current temperature outside the cooler, and the cooler coefficient of insulation to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the connectivity engine capable of providing a functional connection to a weather engine through a network, the weather engine capable of providing an approximate current temperature for outside the cooler; the cooler having a coefficient of insulation; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the approximate current temperature outside the cooler, and a coefficient of insulation for the cooler to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the connectivity engine capable of providing a functional connection to a mobile device, the mobile device capable of providing a mobile current temperature for outside the cooler; the cooler having a coefficient of insulation; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the mobile current temperature outside the cooler, and a coefficient of insulation for the cooler to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

9. A device for monitoring a cooler, the cooler having a wall, an inside and an outside, a coefficient of insulation, and designed to maintain the temperature of a content inside the cooler, the device comprising: a microprocessor, memory, a power engine, a sensor engine having an IR temperature sensor, a connectivity engine, and an I / O engine; the connectivity engine capable of functionally connecting the device with a network, a network connectable to a remote device; the memory having stored data, and the capacity to receive and store data; the microprocessor capable of gathering data from the sensor and storing data in the memory; and the microprocessor capable of controllably directing data from the memory to a remote device with the connectivity engine.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the sensor engine having a temperature sensor for sensing temperature outside the cooler.

11. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the sensor engine having a temperature sensor for sensing temperature inside and sensing temperature outside the cooler.

12. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler and a current temperature outside the cooler; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the current temperature outside the cooler, and the cooler coefficient of insulation to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

13. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the connectivity engine capable of providing a functional connection to a weather engine through a network, the weather engine capable of providing an approximate current temperature for outside the cooler; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the approximate current temperature outside the cooler, and a coefficient of insulation for the cooler to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

14. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the connectivity engine capable of providing a functional connection to a mobile device, the mobile device capable of providing a mobile current temperature for outside the cooler; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the mobile current temperature outside the cooler, and a coefficient of insulation for the cooler to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

15. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the microprocessor, the connectivity engine, and the memory configured to connect to a weather engine through a network to compile a forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler, said forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler comprising a plurality of temperature forecasts for the cooler vicinity spanning a future period of time from a weather engine.

16. The device of claim 15 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler, and the cooler coefficient of insulation to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

17. The device of claim 9 further comprising: the microprocessor and the memory configured compile a forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler, said forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler comprising a plurality of temperature forecasts for the cooler vicinity spanning a future period of time provided by the I / O engine from a user.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising: the sensor engine capable of sensing a current temperature of a content inside the cooler; the microprocessor configured to use the current temperature of a content inside the cooler, the forward-looking profile temperature for outside the cooler, and the cooler coefficient of insulation to create a prediction of a temperature of the content at a future point in time.

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