阅读说明：本技术 液体暴露感测装置和控制器 (Liquid exposure sensing device and controller ) 是由 阿克塞尔·纳克尔特斯 于 2019-08-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：一个例子公开一种液体暴露感测装置,所述液体暴露感测装置包括：第一传感器,被配置成联接到参考材料；其中所述第一传感器被配置成响应于物质的液相和/或蒸气相通过所述参考材料产生第一信号；第二传感器,被配置成联接到暴露材料；其中所述第二传感器被配置成响应于所述物质的所述液相和/或蒸气相通过所述暴露材料产生第二信号；和控制器,所述控制器联接到所述第一传感器和第二传感器并且被配置成响应于超过阈值时间延迟的在所述第一信号和所述第二信号之间的时间延迟而产生液体检测信号。(One example discloses a liquid exposure sensing device, comprising: a first sensor configured to be coupled to a reference material; wherein the first sensor is configured to generate a first signal through the reference material in response to a liquid and/or vapor phase of a substance; a second sensor configured to be coupled to the exposed material; wherein the second sensor is configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; and a controller coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to generate a liquid detection signal in response to a time delay between the first and second signals exceeding a threshold time delay.)

1. A liquid exposure sensing device, comprising:

a first sensor configured to be coupled to a reference material;

wherein the first sensor is configured to generate a first signal through the reference material in response to a liquid and/or vapor phase of a substance;

a second sensor configured to be coupled to the exposed material;

wherein the second sensor is configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; and

a controller coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to generate a liquid detection signal in response to a time delay between the first and second signals exceeding a threshold time delay.

2. The sensor of claim 1:

wherein the first sensor is configured to be in galvanic contact with the reference material and the second sensor is configured to be in galvanic contact with the exposed material.

3. The sensor of claim 1:

wherein the exposure material is configured to be in direct contact with the liquid phase of the substance before the reference material is in direct contact with the liquid phase of the substance.

4. The sensor of claim 1:

wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to measure both capacitance and conductance; and is

Wherein the controller is configured to generate the liquid detection signal in response to the first and second signals exceeding a threshold capacitive time delay and third and fourth signals from the first and second sensors exceeding a threshold conductance time delay.

5. The sensor of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to generate a liquid condensate signal in response to the first signal or the second signal exceeding an amplitude threshold signal level.

6. The sensor of claim 1:

characterised in that the controller comprises a memory element which records when and/or whether the liquid and/or vapour phase of the substance passes through the exposed material and/or the reference material during one or more legs of a physical transport journey.

7. The sensor of claim 1:

characterized in that it further comprises a coating separating the first sensor and the reference material from the surrounding environment;

wherein the coating is permeable to the vapor phase but impermeable to the liquid phase.

8. The sensor of claim 1:

wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are both responsive to the vapor phase of the substance.

9. The sensor of claim 1:

characterized in that it further comprises a substrate;

wherein the first sensor is on one side of the substrate and the second sensor is on an opposite side of the substrate.

10. A liquid exposure controller circuit, comprising:

a controller circuit configured to be coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor;

wherein the first sensor is configured to be coupled to a reference material and configured to generate a first signal through the reference material in response to a liquid and/or vapor phase of a substance;

wherein the second sensor is configured to be coupled to an exposed material and configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; and is

Wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate a liquid detection signal in response to a receive time delay between the first signal and the second signal exceeding a threshold time delay.

Technical Field

The present description relates to systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, articles, and instructions for detecting liquid exposure.

Background

Moisture detection in cardboard packaging material and detection by liquid water wetting; and the ability to detect high humidity conditions are important parameters (next to temperature) for monitoring logistics operations; however, current moisture meters and relative humidity measurement systems focus on the measurement of moisture and do not focus on finding the cause of the moisture change.

In many logistics, warehousing and delivery applications, changes in package moisture due to relative humidity are allowed, but changes due to wetting are not allowed. It should be noted that direct contact with water, for example, is different from 100% humidity and condensation that can occur without direct wetting. For example, moving the package from a freezer to a hot, high humidity environment will result in condensation but not direct wetting as defined herein. However, splashed liquid, rain, spills, etc. are in the form of direct wetting.

Whether the package has experienced high humidity or wetness can be very important in the shipping and storage of various pharmaceuticals, package mail items, and other important packaging. The customer typically pays additional money to verify that the customer's package is not wetted during delivery, or to identify whether the package is indeed wetted. Such information can have an impact on package integrity, quality control, and insurance claims.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an example embodiment, a liquid exposure sensing device includes: a first sensor configured to be coupled to a reference material; wherein the first sensor is configured to generate a first signal through the reference material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; a second sensor configured to be coupled to the exposed material; wherein the second sensor is configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material in response to the liquid phase and/or the vapor phase of the substance; and a controller coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to generate a liquid detection signal in response to a time delay between the first signal and the second signal exceeding a threshold time delay.

In another example embodiment, the first and second sensors are impedance sensors and the first and second signals are impedance signals.

In another example embodiment, the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitive sensors and the first signal and the second signal are capacitive signals.

In another example embodiment, the amplitude of the capacitance signal increases in response to an increase in the vapor phase of the substance.

In another example embodiment, the first sensor and the second sensor are conductive sensors and the first signal and the second signal are conductive signals.

In another example embodiment, the amplitude of the conduction signal increases in response to an increase in the liquid phase of the substance.

In another example embodiment, the first sensor is configured to be in galvanic contact with the reference material and the second sensor is configured to be in galvanic contact with the exposed material.

In another example embodiment, the exposed material and the reference material are the same type of material.

In another example embodiment, the exposed material and the reference material are different types of materials.

In another example embodiment, the exposed material and the reference material have the same material thickness.

In another example embodiment, the exposed material and the reference material have different material thicknesses.

In another example embodiment, the exposure material is configured to be in direct contact with the liquid phase of the substance before the reference material is in direct contact with the liquid phase of the substance.

In another example embodiment, the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to measure both capacitance and conductance; and the controller is configured to generate the liquid detection signal in response to the first and second signals exceeding a threshold capacitive time delay and the third and fourth signals from the first and second sensors exceeding a threshold conductance time delay.

In another example embodiment, the controller is configured to generate the liquid condensate signal in response to the first signal or the second signal exceeding an amplitude threshold signal level.

In another example embodiment, the controller includes a memory element that records when and/or whether the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance passes through the exposed material and/or the reference material during one or more legs of the physical transport trip.

In another example embodiment, additionally comprising a coating separating the first sensor and the reference material from the ambient environment; wherein the coating is permeable to the vapor phase but impermeable to the liquid phase.

In another example embodiment, both the first sensor and the second sensor are responsive to a vapor phase of the substance.

In another example embodiment, the exposed material and/or the reference material is at least one of: paper, cardboard, cloth, mesh or fiber.

In another example embodiment, a package having a cavity is additionally included; wherein the inner surface of the cavity is lined with an exposed material; and wherein the reference material is outside the cavity.

In another example embodiment, a package having a cavity is additionally included; wherein the outer surface of the cavity is lined with an exposed material; and wherein the reference material is inside the cavity.

In another example embodiment, a substrate is additionally included; wherein the first sensor is on one side of the substrate and the second sensor is on an opposite side of the substrate.

According to an example embodiment, a liquid exposure controller circuit includes: a controller circuit configured to be coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor; wherein the first sensor is configured to be coupled to a reference material and configured to generate a first signal through the reference material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; wherein the second sensor is configured to be coupled to the exposed material and configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance; and wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate the liquid detection signal in response to a receive time delay between the first signal and the second signal exceeding a threshold time delay.

The above discussion is not intended to present each example embodiment or every implementation within the scope of the present or future claim sets. The figures and the detailed description that follow also illustrate various example embodiments.

Various example embodiments may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an example of a liquid exposure sensing device.

Fig. 2 is an example of a portion of a liquid exposure sensing device prior to folding.

Fig. 3 is an example of a liquid exposure sensing device after coating.

Fig. 4A and 4B are example first sets of a first signal from a first sensor and a second signal from a second sensor.

Fig. 5A and 5B are example second sets of a first signal from a first sensor and a second signal from a second sensor.

Fig. 6A and 6B are example third sets of a first signal from a first sensor and a second signal from a second sensor.

Fig. 7A and 7B are example fourth sets of a first signal from a first sensor and a second signal from a second sensor.

Fig. 8A and 8B are example fifth sets of a first signal from a first sensor and a second signal from a second sensor.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible in addition to the specific embodiments described. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Discussed now are example embodiments of liquid exposure sensing devices that, if applied to an enclosure, medical device, or other object to be monitored, will distinguish between whether the enclosure, medical device, or other object to be monitored is exposed to and/or dropped in water or another liquid, or whether the enclosure is only experiencing a high humidity ambient environment that causes possible condensation during one or more legs of the transport stroke of the enclosure.

In some example embodiments, the liquid exposure sensing device includes two materials (i.e., an exposure material, a material under test, etc., and a reference material), where the two materials are separated such that the two materials do not simultaneously experience any wetting, and/or the moisture content of both is allowed to change due to a change in relative humidity rather than due to wetting (e.g., to protect the "reference material from being wetted"). Such protection from wetting is in contrast to normal encapsulation which prevents not only the reference material from wetting but also exposure to relative humidity.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of aAn example of a liquid exposure sensing device 100. The liquid exposure sensing device 100 includes a substrate support 102, a sensor substrate 104, a first sensor 106 coupled to a reference material 116, a second sensor 110 coupled to an exposure material 114, a first ground plate 108 for shielding the first sensor 106 from the exposure material 114, and a second ground plate 112 for shielding the second sensor 110 from the reference material 116.

The exposed material 114 (e.g., the material under test) is exposed to the ambient environment to be monitored. As such, the ambient environment may be the vapor phase 120 or the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118. In an example embodiment, the exposed material 114 is an outward facing surface of the package.

It should be noted that in some examples, the vapor phase 120 of the substance 118 is dominated by pore forces in the materials 114, 116, and the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118 is dominated by capillary forces in the materials 114, 116.

The reference material 116 is semi-protected from the ambient environment to be monitored (e.g., may be exposed to a vapor phase 120 of the substance 118 but not to a liquid phase 122 of the substance 118). In one example embodiment, the reference material 116 is somewhere inside the package. For example, if the package has a cavity, the outer surface of the cavity may be lined with the exposed material 114 and the reference material 116 is inside the cavity. Alternatively, the inner surface of the cavity may be lined with the exposed material 114, and the reference material 116 is outside of the cavity.

In various embodiments, the enclosure and any of the materials 114, 116 may be made of paper, cardboard, cloth, mesh, and/or fiber.

In some example embodiments, the substrate 104 is a flexible material (e.g., 50um thin PET foil) and also houses other circuit components (e.g., batteries, controllers, integrated circuits, etc.). The support 102 may be a 1mm thick foam spacer with the substrate 104 folded over the support 102. In an alternative example embodiment, the support 102 and the substrate 104 may be printed circuit boards.

In some example embodiments, depending on which substances 118 the liquid exposure sensing device 100 is designed to monitor, either or both of the support 102 and the substrate 104 repel a particular substance 118 (e.g., water). In some examples, the first sensor 106 is on one side of the substrate 104 and the second sensor 110 is on an opposite side of the substrate 104.

In some example embodiments, the liquid exposure sensing device 100 is permanently attached to the packaging (e.g., via glue or adhesive) and is disposable.

In the liquid exposure sensing device 100, the first sensor 106 is configured to generate a first signal in response to the passage (i.e., diffusion of liquid and/or gas) of the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance through the reference material 116. The second sensor 110 is configured to generate a second signal through the exposed material 114 in response to the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance.

Controller (seeFIG. 2) Coupled to the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110, and configured to generate a liquid detection signal in response to a time delay between the first signal and the second signal exceeding a threshold time delay (see, e.g., FIG. 1)FIGS. 4 to 8). With two sensors 106, 110, liquid exposure can be detected using either only two capacitance measurements, only two conductance measurements, or two sets of capacitance and conductance measurements.

The first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 may be impedance sensors, capacitance sensors, and/or conductive sensors.

Note that in some example embodiments, the increase in capacitance measurement is correlated to an increase in vapor concentration level (e.g., humidity if the substance is water) because the dielectric strength of the vapor phase 120 of the substance 118 varies with the vapor concentration level. Similarly, an increase in conductance measurement correlates to an increase in condensation of the liquid phase 122, as the condensation acts as a short circuit and shortens the path length between the electrodes, thereby increasing conductance.

Thus, if the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 are capacitive sensors and the first signal and the second signal are capacitive signals, the amplitude of the capacitive signals increases in response to the vapor phase of the substance increasing. In some example embodiments, sensors 106, 110 are configured to measure capacitance at 1 MHz.

Further, if the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 are conductive sensors and the first signal and the second signal are conductive signals, the amplitude of the conductive signals increases in response to an increase in the liquid phase of the substance. In some example embodiments, the sensors 106, 110 are configured to measure conductance under direct current.

In some example embodiments, the first sensor 106 is configured to be in galvanic contact with the reference material 116 and the second sensor 110 is configured to be in galvanic contact with the exposed material 114.

In some example embodiments, the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 are configured to measure both capacitance and conductance; and the controller 206 is configured to generate the liquid detection signal in response to the first and second signals exceeding a threshold capacitance time delay and the third and fourth signals from the first and second sensors 106, 110 exceeding a threshold conductance time delay.

The controller 206 includes a memory element that records when and/or whether the liquid and/or vapor phase of the substance passes through the exposed material 114 and/or the reference material 116 during one or more legs of the physical transport stroke.

In some example embodiments, the exposed material 114 and the reference material 116 have the same thickness. In other examples, materials 114, 116 have different thicknesses. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the exposed material 114 and the reference material 116 are the same type of material. In other examples, materials 114, 116 are different. In still other example embodiments, the liquid exposure sensing device 100 uses matching exposed material 114 and reference material 116 that both have the same thickness and are made of the same type of material.

When different types and/or thicknesses of materials 114, 116 are used, adjustments to the circuitry, logic, instructions, etc. of controller 206 may need to be made in response to the temperature behavior of materials 114, 116. For example, the dielectric constant may vary with temperature, as may the absorption/desorption characteristics. These properties of materials 114, 116 may also be stored in the memory element.

Fig. 2 is an example of a portion 200 of the liquid exposure sensing device 100 prior to folding. Portion 200 of liquid exposure sensing device 100 includes first sensor 106 having first electrode pair 202, second sensor 110 having second electrode pair 204, controller 206, which may have a memory element (not shown), and fold region 208.

The electrode pairs 202, 204 (e.g., "finger capacitors") may be equally sized, made of conductive material, each about 1cm²A printed or etched interdigitated electrode pair with a spacing between the finger electrodes similar to the thickness of material 114, 116 (e.g. etched aluminum, 6 finger electrodes 0.5mm wide and with 1mm spacing, 3 finger electrodes connected on each side).

In various example embodiments, electrodes 202, 204 are not covered by an insulating material, thus allowing galvanic contact between electrodes 202, 204 and the packaging material. If either of the electrode pair 202, 204 is covered with an insulating material, a capacitance measurement can be taken primarily from that electrode pair.

Ground plates 108, 112 may also be equally sized printed or etched ground planes. In some examples, ground plates 108, 112 are at least the thickness of support member 102 greater than the interdigital electrode and extend equally (e.g., 12mm by 12mm) on each side. The first ground plate 204 shields the exposed material 110 from the first electrode pair 202 and the second ground plate 208 shields the reference material 116 from the second electrode pair 206.

The controller 206 measures the signals from the two sensors 106, 110 at predetermined time intervals to capture any changes in capacitance and/or conductance. In some example embodiments, the controller 206 operates the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 at a frequency that preferably allows for detection of wetting caused by the one or more liquids to be monitored. For example, frequencies less than 100kHz may be used to detect liquid water and humidity. The controller 206 may be configured to measure ambient temperature, and simple or complex impedance (i.e., capacitance (μ F) and/or conductance (mho)).

A power source (not shown), such as a printed battery, may also be included on the substrate 104.

In some example embodiments, the electrode pairs 202, the electrode pairs 204 and the ground plates 108, 112 are printed on the flexible substrate 104, which flexible substrate 104 is then folded about the support 102 along fold lines in the fold region 208 and held in place with an adhesive or glue. The reference material 116 is then attached to the first sensor 106, and the second (e.g., exposed material) sensor 110 and the first ground plate 108 are attached to the exposed material 114 (e.g., inside or outside of the package).

FIG. 3An example 300 of a liquid exposure sensing device 100 after coating. In some examples, a coating 302 is applied that separates the first sensor 106 and the reference material 116 from the surrounding environment. The coating is permeable to the vapor phase 120 of the substance 118, but impermeable to the liquid phase 122. Thus, the coating 302 is vapor-permeable, but water-impermeable (e.g., such as a breathable membrane/fabric).

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4BA first set 400 of examples of a first signal from the first sensor 106 and a second signal from the second sensor 110. The first set of sensor signals 400 shows areas 402 and 404 where the relative humidity is low and areas 406 and 408 where the relative humidity is increased.

In such asFIG. 4AIn some example embodiments shown therein, the change in capacitance of the first (e.g., reference material) sensor 106 lags the change in capacitance of the second (e.g., exposed material) sensor 110, having a time constant based on (e.g., limited by) the diffusion of water vapor through the outer packaging material.

If both the inboard and outboard capacitance and conductance measurements are low (i.e.,FIG. 4AArea 402 andFIG. 4BMedium area 404), then the moisture level is low due to low relative humidity. However, both the inside and outside capacitances are measured if compared to the previous measurement cycleIncreased, but the conductance is still low (i.e.,FIG. 4ARegion 406 andFIG. 4BRegion 408) then the moisture level increases due to the increase in relative humidity.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5BA second set 500 of examples of the first signal from the first sensor 106 and the second signal from the second sensor 110. The second set of sensor signals 500 shows a time delay 502, a threshold capacitance time delay 504, a time delay 506, a threshold capacitance time delay 508, and a condensation level 510.

A change in capacitance of the two sensors 106, 110 having a time delay 502 less than the threshold capacitance time delay 504 and/or a change in conductance of the two sensors 106, 110 having a time delay 506 less than the threshold conductance time delay 508 is correlated to a change in relative humidity of the exposed material 114.

For example, liquid water vapor may permeate relatively quickly through the exposed material 114 and thereby also relatively quickly alter the signals from the two sensors.

If excessive humidity causes condensation, the conductance measurement will also have a time delay 506 that is less than the threshold conductance time delay 508 (i.e., both sensors will register a large increase in material conductance relatively quickly).

If the inside and outside capacitance are both high and the conductivity increases (seeFIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) Then an increase in relative humidity has caused an increase in condensation and the capacitance value corresponds to the ambient saturation level.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6BA third set 600 of examples of the first signal from the first sensor 106 and the second signal from the second sensor 110. A third set 600 of sensor signals shows a condensation threshold level 602 and conductance 604. Presentation of these figuresFIG. 5A and FIG. 5BIn which there is a large amount of condensation.

If both the inside and outside conductance 604 exceed the condensation threshold level 602, then condensation caused by very high humidity will likely cause structural failure of the packaging material. The actual damage threshold 602 depends on the packaging material used (e.g., a paper package may have a lower threshold than a cloth package).

In some example embodiments, this situation is associated with a slow rise in temperature (i.e., the package is cold and in contact with humid air, and slowly heats up).

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7BA fourth set 700 of examples of the first signal from the first sensor 106 and the second signal from the second sensor 110. The fourth set 700 of sensor signals includes a time delay 702 and a threshold capacitance time delay 704.

Change in capacitance with a second (e.g., exposed material) sensor 110 (seeFIG. 7A) In contrast, a change in capacitance of the first (i.e., reference material) sensor 106 having a time delay 702 that is greater than the threshold capacitance time delay 704 is associated with the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118 contacting the exposed material 114.

In this example, the exposed material 114 has been in direct contact with a liquid substance and becomes wet as the liquid diffuses through the exposed material 114 (e.g., possibly due to, for example, external rain, internal contents spillage, etc.).

Because there is substantially no physical contact between the exposed material 114 and the reference material 116, the reference material 116 will be substantially free of contact with liquid species, and thus the capacitance at the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 (see FIG. 1)FIG. 7A) There will be a large time delay 702 between responses.

By comparing the time delay 702 to the threshold capacitance time delay 704, the controller 206 may distinguish between condensation wetting due to high humidity only and direct liquid wetting that may negatively impact the quality of a device or substance carried and/or enclosed by the exposed material 114 (e.g., an enclosure).

In another example embodiment, if the capacitance of the first sensor 106 is low, the conductance of the first sensor 106 is low, the capacitance of the second sensor 110 is high, and the conductance of the second sensor 110 is low (see FIG. 1)FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) Then the exposed material 114 has been contacted with the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118. Here either a small amount of liquid is present or this is an early stage in the start of additional wetting. The time scale is governed by the diffusion of water through the packaging material.

Thus, by comparing the time delay 702 to the threshold capacitance time delays 704 of the first and second signals, the controller 206 may distinguish between rapid wetting of the exposed material 114 (e.g., via liquid immersion, rain, spillage, etc.) and the exposed material 114 being only in a wet environment.

In some example embodiments, wetting causes only the second (e.g., on the exposed material) sensor 110 to become wet, while the first (e.g., reference material) sensor 106 remains dry or at least delays becoming wet.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8BA fifth set 800 of examples of the first signal from the first sensor 106 and the second signal from the second sensor 110. The fifth set of sensor signals 800 includes a time delay 802, a threshold capacitance time delay 804, a time delay 806, and a threshold conductance time delay 808.

A change in capacitance and/or conductance of the first sensor 106 or the second sensor 110 having a time delay 802 greater than a threshold capacitance time delay 804 or having a time delay 806 greater than a threshold conductance time delay 808 is associated with the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118 contacting the exposed material 114.

This example can be understood as temporally extending the fourth set 700 of sensor signals (see FIG. 1)FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) Thereby producing a fifth set of sensor signals 800. Where the capacitance signal has reached the ambient saturation level (e.g., 100% humidity) (seeFIG. 8A) And now the condensation signal also starts to increase (see alsoFIG. 8B)。

In this example 800, the ratio of time that the exposed material 114 has been in direct contact with the liquid substance is beforeFIG. 7A and FIG. 7BThe time shown in (a) is long and as the liquid continues to diffuse through the exposed material 114, the exposed material 114 becomes even more wetted.

These different measurements between the first sensor 106 and the second sensor 110 are related to the wetted outer packaging material rather than due to an increase in ambient humidity.

In some example embodiments, the controller 206 makes this determination if the capacitance of the first sensor 106 is low, the conductance of the first sensor 106 is low, the capacitance of the second sensor 110 is high, and the conductance of the second sensor 110 is high(seeFIG. 8A And FIG. 8B) Then the exposed material 114 undergoes both humidity saturation and condensation; while the reference material 116 only begins to experience an increase in humidity due to an increase in local (e.g., inside the package) relative humidity caused by evaporation of the liquid phase 122 of the substance 118 from the interior surfaces of the exposed material 114.FIG. 8BIt is shown that the first sensor 106 has not measured any condensation since the first sensor 106 has not been wetted.

It should be noted that in some example embodiments, both condensation and external wetting exposure will result in a slight but permanent change in the exposed material 114 properties (e.g., new < > value old). Thus, after a condensation event, both the inner material 114 and the outer side 116 may return to different but still equal measurements (e.g., inner-outer); however, it is not equally possible to return to its previous measurement (e.g., medial < > lateral) with wetting of medial material 114 and lateral material 116. Thus, in such embodiments, even if no measurements by the controller 206 are made during a wetting event, they may still be detected after the wetting event.

The above example embodiments are applicable to smart sensors. These example embodiments for measuring various types of moisture may also be of interest to manufacturers of packaging (e.g., food, packages, pharmaceuticals, etc.). The above example embodiments not only report moisture levels and temperatures, but also distinguish the cause of such moisture (e.g., direct wetting versus ambient humidity).

While the above discussion gives examples of a single liquid sensing device applied to a package, other applications are possible. For example: multiple liquid sensing devices may be applied at different locations on the package. Furthermore, additional and/or redundant liquid exposure sensing devices 100 may be added.

While embodiments of "outside wet" but "inside dry" have generally been discussed above, the liquid exposure sensing device 100 may also be applied to packages that are "inside wet" but "outside dry" for monitoring internal food or drug spills.

The liquid exposure sensing device 100 can also be used to monitor an object, food item, or device as it passes through various manufacturing steps to ensure quality control.

The liquid exposure sensing device 100 may also be part of an RFID/NFC tag. Additional antennas are then required for communication. This will log the NFC tag with a temperature similar to what we have developed in the past years, but moisture can also be monitored. Without considering essential parts of the invention.

The various instructions and/or operational steps discussed in the above figures may be executed in any order, unless a specific order is explicitly stated. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that while some example sets of instructions/steps have been discussed, the materials in this specification can be combined in various ways to produce other examples, and should be understood in the context provided by this detailed description.

In some example embodiments, these instructions/steps are implemented as functions and software instructions. In other embodiments, the instructions may be implemented using any of logic gates, special purpose chips, firmware, and other hardware forms.

When implemented as a set of executable instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable or computer-usable medium, the instructions are implemented on a computer or machine programmed with and controlled by the executable instructions. The instructions are loaded for execution on a processor, such as one or more CPUs. The processor includes a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a processor module or subsystem (including one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers), or other control or computing devices. A processor may refer to a single component or a plurality of components. The computer-readable or computer-usable storage medium may be considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article may refer to any manufactured component or components. Non-transitory machine or computer usable media as defined herein do not include signals, but such media may be capable of receiving and processing information from signals and/or other transitory media.

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in view of the description herein, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.