Container Sensor System for Automated Substance Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient methods to accurately determine the attributes of substances stored in containers, particularly in kitchen and laboratory environments, leading to challenges in tracking inventory, quality, and usage, which can result in ad hoc inventory management and potential misuse or spoilage.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensor system within containers that associates a sensing device with the substance, activating it during access events to measure attributes such as amount, type, and quality, and transmitting this information to a remote device for real-time tracking and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measuring and recordation methods are used to track substance attributes, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container system performs self-measurement of substance attributes using integrated sensors, eliminating the need for manual measurement and recordation. The system automatically detects attributes such as substance level, composition, or quality and transmits this data without human intervention, thereby improving measurement precision while the automated nature reduces long-term operational complexity despite initial system integration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical measurement processes are replaced with electronic sensing devices that automatically detect and report substance attributes. The sensor system substitutes for manual measuring tools and recordation methods, enabling precise, automated attribute determination that improves both measurement accuracy and operational efficiency.
2Productivity
If continuous monitoring systems are implemented, then productivity and inventory management improve, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during specific events such as container opening, closing, or at predetermined time intervals. This periodic operation maintains productive inventory tracking while significantly reducing energy consumption and system complexity compared to continuous monitoring, as the sensors remain dormant between activation events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensor data triggers automated responses or notifications when substance attributes reach threshold values or when inventory levels require attention. This feedback-based approach improves productivity by enabling timely inventory management decisions while keeping the system relatively simple, as it reacts to conditions rather than requiring complex proactive control systems.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are activated continuously, then measurement precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system uses periodic activation rather than continuous operation to maintain measurement precision while reducing energy consumption. Sensors are activated at specific trigger events such as container access, during scheduled intervals, or when changes in substance attributes are detected, providing real-time capability when needed while consuming minimal power during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service activation mechanisms where the sensor automatically detects changes in its environment (such as container opening or substance level changes) and activates itself without requiring continuous external power or control signals. This enables real-time attribute detection with minimal energy consumption, as the sensor only activates when actual changes occur rather than operating continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for determining an attribute of a substance in a container in response to an access event. The methods include a method for determining an attribute of a substance including activating the sensor in response to an access event and transmitting, in response to the activating, an output of the sensor providing an indication of an attribute of the contents. The methods also include a method having the steps of associating a sensor having an identifier with the container; and receiving the identifier and an output of the sensor providing an indication of the amount of the contents.