Wireless Tracking Module for Perishable Spoilage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current storage systems lack the ability to track the spoilage status of food or perishables in storage containers, failing to provide users with real-time information on whether contents are safe for consumption or have spoiled, and do not offer a wireless system for maintaining and tracking storage containers without visual inspection.

Innovation Solution

A wireless tracking module integrated into storage containers, featuring a communications interface, timer, and indicator, which tracks the spoilage status of perishables and provides real-time indications of spoilage, eliminating the need for visual inspection and improving food safety and preservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection methods are used to track spoilage status, then users can determine whether food is safe to consume, but users must manually check each container which is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoilage status detection accuracyVSAvoidtime for manual inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container system performs self-monitoring of spoilage status through integrated sensors that automatically detect temperature, humidity, and gas composition changes. The system tracks its own conditions and communicates status to users without requiring manual inspection, enabling the container to serve itself in monitoring its preservation state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with electronic sensing and wireless communication systems. Sensors detect spoilage indicators (temperature, humidity, ethylene gas) and transmit data wirelessly to user devices, substituting the mechanical action of opening and visually checking containers with automated electronic monitoring and digital notification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If storage containers are used to preserve food, then food safety is improved, but users lack real-time information on spoilage status and cannot track contents without visual inspection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood safety preservationVSAvoidspoilage status information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors storage conditions (temperature, humidity, gas composition) and provides real-time feedback to users through wireless communication. Sensors detect changes in the storage environment and communicate spoilage status, enabling users to receive timely information about food safety without manual inspection and take appropriate action before spoilage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication modules and sensor systems as intermediaries between the stored food and the user. These intermediaries continuously monitor food conditions and transmit information about spoilage status, bridge the gap between the sealed storage container and the user, providing real-time information without requiring direct visual inspection or compromising the storage environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual tracking of storage containers is used, then users can maintain inventory records, but users must physically check each container which reduces operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management efficiencyVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container system performs multiple functions: it preserves food through controlled environment maintenance, monitors spoilage status through integrated sensors, tracks inventory through wireless communication, and provides user notifications. This multi-functional approach consolidates preservation, monitoring, and inventory management into a single integrated system, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically tracks and reports its own status and inventory information through wireless communication modules. Containers self-identify their contents and spoilage status, eliminating the need for manual inventory checks and reducing the operational complexity associated with tracking multiple containers, as the system manages its own information autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11392882B2Systems and methods for managing information associated with storage containers

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 WIDE AFTERNOON LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing information associated with storage containers. In accordance with some embodiments, a wireless tracking module includes a communications interface, a timer, and an indicator. The communications interface may receive instructions to track spoilage status of a perishable stored in a storage container and the timer may track a time duration associated with spoilage status of the perishable based on the received instructions. An indication may be provided by the indicator that reflects the spoilage status based on the time remaining in the tracked time duration. Further disclosed embodiments include a storage container including a wireless tracking module. Other embodiments disclose a tracking device that communicates with the wireless tracking module and includes a timer controller, a communications interface, and an alarm.