Smart Storage Container Sensing for Automated Refill Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household storage containers lack information about the contents, such as manufacturing date and expiry date, requiring manual tracking, which is laborious and prone to errors, and testing temperature is unsanitary and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A smart module equipped with sensors, a microcontroller, communication modules, and a display is integrated into storage containers to track content volume, weight, and provide alerts and information, connected to a container management server for automated ordering and recipe suggestions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tracking of content information is used in household containers, then users can keep track of contents, but the process is laborious and prone to error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of content trackingVSAvoideffort required for tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container system performs self-monitoring of content information including weight, temperature, and volume through integrated sensors. The smart module automatically tracks content status without requiring user intervention, eliminating manual tracking efforts while ensuring accurate and reliable content management throughout storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical tracking methods are replaced with electronic sensing and communication systems. The smart module uses sensors to detect content characteristics and transmits data wirelessly to mobile devices, substituting physical manual recording with automated electronic monitoring for improved accuracy and reduced user effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If users physically manipulate containers to check content level, then users can identify containers needing replenishment, but the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of content monitoringVSAvoidtime spent checking containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor content weight, volume, and temperature in real-time. This data is transmitted to mobile devices, enabling users to receive instant notifications about content status without physically checking containers, significantly reducing monitoring time while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A mobile device application serves as an intermediary between the container sensors and the user. The app consolidates information from multiple containers and presents it in a user-friendly interface, eliminating the need for users to physically inspect each container and reducing time spent on content monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If users touch or taste content to test temperature, then users can determine if beverage is safe to consume, but the method is unsanitary and may cause burns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitation and burn riskVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Physical temperature testing methods are replaced with electronic temperature sensors integrated in the container. The smart module continuously monitors content temperature and transmits data to mobile devices, providing accurate temperature measurements without requiring users to touch or taste the content, thereby eliminating sanitation risks and burn hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device application acts as an intermediary that displays temperature information to users without direct contact with the content. Users can view temperature readings and receive alerts about unsafe temperatures through the app, eliminating the need for physical temperature testing while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12579560B2System and method for managing the content in a storage assembly

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 ADAM RANI

AI summary

The present invention discloses a system and method for managing content in a storage assembly such as a container. The system comprises the container having a smart module, a user device associated with a user and a container management server comprising at least one computing device and a database. The container is adapted for storing at least one content and the smart module comprises at least one sensor configured to measure a volume of content in the container. The computing device is configured to enable the user to assign an identification name to the container and enter information related to the contents of the container. The computing device is further configured to provide information related to volume of the content in the container. The computing device is further configured to communicate with one or more vendors, and automatically order the content in the container when the content reaches a predetermined level.