Acoustic Emitter for Container Use Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking the use and validation of products, such as medication containers, face challenges due to the reliability of self-reporting and the susceptibility of electronic systems to damage and counterfeiting, particularly in harsh environments and cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses acoustic emissions produced by mechanical interactions within the container and closure, such as strikers and anvils, to encode data like product information and validation status without requiring a power source or sensors, facilitating detection and validation through characteristic sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic sensors and processors are incorporated into the container, then autonomous reporting capability is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors and processors with a purely mechanical acoustic emission system. The container closure mechanism itself generates acoustic emissions through mechanical interactions (strikers, anvils, springs) that encode product information and validation status. This eliminates the need for electronic components while maintaining autonomous reporting capability through the passive acoustic signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (strikers, anvils, springs) that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the container closure. These mechanical elements are designed to be disposable or single-use, eliminating the need for expensive, fragile electronic sensors and processors while providing sufficient functionality for the intended application.
2Extent of automation
If electronic sensors and processors are incorporated into the container, then autonomous reporting capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to susceptibility to damage from environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors and processors with a purely mechanical acoustic emission system. The container closure mechanism itself generates acoustic emissions through mechanical interactions (strikers, anvils, springs) that encode product information and validation status. This eliminates the need for electronic components while maintaining autonomous reporting capability through the passive acoustic signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical acoustic emission system is self-actuating through the natural opening and closing operations of the container. The springs and strikers automatically engage and fire acoustic signals without requiring external power sources, control systems, or electronic processing, making the system inherently more reliable in harsh environmental conditions.
3Device complexity
If self-reporting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but accuracy and reliability of data decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic emissions as an intermediary carrier of information between the container closure mechanism and the detection system. The acoustic signals serve as a passive intermediary that automatically conveys product information and validation status without requiring active self-reporting or electronic communication, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy through physical encoding of data in the acoustic signal characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides reliable, cost-effective, and durable means to track product use and validate authenticity, reducing reliance on electronic systems and enhancing accuracy and robustness against environmental stressors.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic emitter, the acoustic emitter including an anvil disposed on the shoulder of the container and integral with the container, pedestals engaged with the cap between the inner and outer walls and integral with the closure, and strikers disposed on the pedestals and integral therewith
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements are provided for “smart” functionality with “dumb” containers, such as for determining medication adherence, tracking product use, and validating product authenticity. An acoustic emitter is engaged with a container or other vehicle. Opening the container causes the acoustic emitter to produce an acoustic emission, without requiring power, processing capacity, or sensors. A cell phone or other station receives and registers acoustic emissions, such as by logging opening of the container, verifying authenticity of the acoustic emission, communicating with an oversight system, or similar. Data as may be encoded in an acoustic emission may include vehicle detection data (e.g., logging a container being opened), vehicle information (e.g., lot number, contents name), vehicle validation (e.g., valid or counterfeit numerical code), and audible user recognition (e.g., brand jingles, warning sounds).