Smart Beverage Container with Sensor-Based Hydration Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of fitness and health apps need to manually track their fluid consumption, which is inefficient and prone to errors, as existing beverage containers lack automatic recording capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled beverage container with a sensor unit in the lid that automatically records liquid consumption and transmits data to a user's mobile device via a wireless communication unit, allowing for seamless integration with health apps and providing notifications on hydration status, while also detecting organic pollutants and vital signs through the sensor unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual input is used to record liquid consumption, then users can track their fluid intake, but the process is inefficient and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container automatically records liquid consumption without requiring user intervention. The sensor unit detects the amount of liquid consumed and the wireless communication unit transmits this data automatically, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user input for tracking fluid intake
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of writing down or entering consumption data with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor unit electronically detects liquid consumption and wireless transmission replaces the mechanical act of manual data entry, eliminating errors associated with human input
2Extent of automation
If a sensor unit and wireless communication unit are added to the beverage container, then automatic liquid consumption recording is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit serves multiple functions: it detects both the amount of liquid consumed and can detect organic pollutants and vital signs. The wireless communication unit handles both data transmission for consumption tracking and health monitoring information, allowing one component to perform multiple tasks rather than requiring separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor unit and wireless communication unit into an integrated system within the lid of the beverage container. Rather than having separate devices for sensing and communication, these functions are merged into a unified automated recording system that operates together as a single integrated unit
3Loss of information
If the wireless communication unit continuously transmits data, then real-time hydration monitoring is available, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the wireless communication unit transmits data periodically or on-demand based on specific events such as when the lid is opened or closed. This periodic action ensures that hydration data is available when needed while avoiding unnecessary continuous transmission that would deplete battery power
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage container (2) comprising: - a cup (4) with an inner wall (6) that defines a receiving chamber (8) for liquid open at an upper surface (O) of the cup (4), wherein the cup (4) further comprises an outer wall (10), wherein an intermediate space (12) open at the upper surface (O) is formed between the inner wall (6) and the outer wall (10), and - a lid (14) that is detachably arranged on the upper surface (O) of the cup (4) such that it fluid-tightly seals a receiving chamber opening (16) and an intermediate space opening (18), wherein a sensor unit (20) is arranged in the lid (14) for detecting a quantity of liquid taken from the cup (4) by a user, and the lid (14) has a wireless communication unit (26) which is configured such thatto establish a data connection with a mobile device (28) of the user and to transmit the recorded quantity of liquid to the mobile device (28) of the user for evaluation.