Systems and methods for monitoring consumption

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016180679-A1
Application number	US-201414580727-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2014
Priority date	Dec 23, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method monitors the consumption of materials, including determining the presence of materials in a smart receptacle using a sensor located in the smart receptacle. A server is alerted when an actionable item is detected.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for monitoring the consumption of foodstuffs, comprising:
a processor; a sensor to measure an amount of material in a smart receptacle; a communications device to transmit the amount; a storage device comprising instructions to direct the processor to:
measure the amount of material in the smart receptacle using the sensor; and
send the measured amount out using the communications device.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a smart receptacle for liquids, a cup, or a glass.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a smart receptacle for solid foods, a plate, a basket, or a platter.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a device attached to the smart receptacle, wherein the device comprises:
the processor; the sensor to measure an amount of material in the smart receptacle; the communications device to transmit the amount; the storage device comprising instructions to direct the processor to:
measure the amount of material in the smart receptacle using the sensor; and
send the measured amount out using the communications device.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the device is hermetically sealed.

6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , comprising a battery, wherein the battery is built into the device.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a display device on the smart receptacle.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a visible beacon, an auditory alarm, or both.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a radio communications device.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the radio communications device comprises a WiFi device, a Bluetooth device, a low energy Bluetooth device, a radio network device, or any combinations thereof.

11 . A method for monitoring the consumption of materials, comprising:
determining the presence of materials in a smart receptacle using a sensor located in the smart receptacle; and alerting a server when an actionable item is detected.

12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising:
measuring an amount in the smart receptacle; and sending the amount to a central device.

13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising locating a smart receptacle by triangulation.

14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising establishing an ad hoc network between a plurality of smart receptacles.

15 . The method of claim 14 , comprising determining a location for each of the plurality of smart receptacles by mapping a number of hops for each message in the ad hoc network to reach each of the plurality of smart receptacles.

16 . The method of claim 12 , comprising:
measuring an amount of liquid in an outflow smart receptacle, wherein the outflow smart receptacle includes a urine bag, a surgical drainage unit, or a liquid collection device; and sending the amount of liquid in the outflow smart receptacle to the central device.

17 . The method of claim 16 , comprising calculating a net amount of liquid intake for a patient.

18 . The method of claim 11 , comprising measuring the amount with a pressure sensor.

19 . A non-transitory, machine readable medium, comprising instructions to direct a processor to:
monitor a sensor located on a smart receptacle; and alert a server when an actionable item is detected.

20 . The non-transitory, machine readable medium of claim 19 , comprising instructions to direct a processor to communicate with a central device.

21 . The non-transitory, machine readable medium of claim 19 , comprising instructions to direct the processor to establish an ad hoc network between a plurality of smart receptacles.

22 . The non-transitory, machine readable medium of claim 19 , comprising instructions to direct the processor to send a location for a smart receptacle to a central location.

23 . The non-transitory, machine readable medium of claim 19 , comprising instructions to direct the processor to alert a server when the smart receptacle is substantially empty.

24 . An establishment that serves consumable items, comprising:
a plurality of smart receptacles, wherein each smart receptacle comprises:
a processor;
a sensor to detect material in the smart receptacle;
a communications device to transmit the result of the detection;
a storage device comprising instructions to direct the processor to:
detect material in the smart receptacle using the sensor; and
send a result of the detection using the communications device; and

a central device, comprising:
a communications device to receive the result; and
an alerting device to inform a server when an actionable threshold has been crossed.

25 . The establishment of claim 24 , wherein the central device comprises an internet connection to process payment information, database accesses, alerts, or any combinations thereof.

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Cowley Nicholas P
• Saraswat Ruchir
• Perry Colin L
• Aitken Matthew T
• Goldman Richard J
• Kan Chi Man

Classifications

• G08B21/02 Primary

  Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons · CPC title

• G08B3/10

  using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission · CPC title

• G08B5/36

  using visible light sources · CPC title

• G06Q50/12

  Hotels or restaurants · CPC title

• G06Q50/22

  Social work or social welfare, e.g. community support activities or counselling services · CPC title