阅读说明：本技术 提供液位监测器的装置、系统和方法 (Apparatus, system and method for providing a liquid level monitor ) 是由 A·威廉姆斯 J·奥罗佩萨 Y·C·李 Y·H·李 M·约翰逊 M·特乌维斯 S·瓦尔斯 于 2018-05-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本实施例是并且包括用于与液体填充的消耗品相关联的液位监测分配器的装置、系统和方法。该装置、系统和方法可以包括：接收器，用于在消耗品倒置时接收所述消耗品；所述接收器内的至少一个电触点，用于与所述消耗品上的导电条通信关联；感测模块，所述感测模块与所述至少一个电触点通信并且具有与其相关联的固件，所述固件用于将与所述导电条相关联的并且在所述电触点处接收的信号转换成所述液位的指示；通信模块，用于将所述液位至少传送到用户显示器并通过至少一个网络传送；电源模块，用于至少为所述感测模块和所述通信模块供电；以及至少一个分配输出部，其与所述消耗品流体连通并且能够从所述消耗品分配所述液体以改变所述液位。(The present embodiments are and include apparatuses, systems, and methods for a liquid level monitoring dispenser associated with a liquid-filled consumable. The apparatus, system and method may include: a receiver for receiving a consumable when the consumable is inverted; at least one electrical contact within the receptacle for communicative association with a conductive strip on the consumable; a sensing module in communication with the at least one electrical contact and having firmware associated therewith for converting signals associated with the conductive strip and received at the electrical contact to an indication of the liquid level; a communication module for communicating the liquid level to at least a user display and over at least one network; a power module for supplying power to at least the sensing module and the communication module; and at least one dispensing output in fluid communication with the consumable and capable of dispensing the liquid from the consumable to change the liquid level.)

1. A liquid level monitoring dispenser for association with a liquid-filled consumable, comprising:

a receiver for receiving the consumable when the consumable is inverted;

at least one electrical contact within the receptacle for communicative association with a conductive strip on the consumable;

a sensing module in communication with the at least one electrical contact and having firmware associated therewith for converting signals associated with the conductive strip and received at the electrical contact into an indication of liquid level;

a communication module for communicating the liquid level to at least a user display and over at least one network;

a power module for supplying power to at least the sensing module and the communication module; and

at least one dispensing output in fluid communication with the consumable and capable of dispensing the liquid from the consumable to change the level.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a leak seal.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the leakage seal comprises an O-ring.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is cone-shaped and the consumer is a bottle.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the liquid level is additionally communicated to a consumable supply through the communication module.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the consumable supply provides automatic replenishment of the liquid when the liquid level reaches a predetermined level.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an application integrated into the communication module.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing output comprises a liquid outlet.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strip comprises a label for the consumable.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the conductive strips are printed.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strip includes one or more tabs for electrical association with the at least one electrical contact.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical adjuster to fit the consumable to the receiver,

13. the dispenser of claim 12, wherein the mechanical adjuster is spring loaded.

14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strip comprises a capacitive sensor.

15. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a sensor printed circuit board.

16. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a liquid level indicator.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the level indicator comprises an LED light.

18. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a usage indicator.

19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the usage indicator comprises an LED light.

20. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the power module comprises at least one battery.

Technical Field

The present application claims us provisional application 62/500,916 entitled "Apparatus, System and Method for Providing a Level Monitor" (filed on 3.5.2017), us provisional application 62/592,955 entitled "Apparatus, System and Method for Providing a Printed authentication and authentication function circuit" (filed on 30.11.2017), us provisional application 62/666,605 entitled "Apparatus, System and Method for Providing a solid Level Monitor" (filed on 3.5.2018), us provisional application 62/666,608 entitled "Apparatus, System and Method for Providing a solid Level Monitor" (filed on 3.5.5.2018, and us provisional application 62/666,608 entitled "Apparatus, System and Method for Providing a Level Monitor" (filed on 3.5.5.35), the contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

Drawings

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

fig. 1A and 1B show front and side views of a consumable and dispenser system;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary electrical block for use with the dispenser;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary dispenser;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dispenser;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front view and a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary dispenser;

6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate exemplary aspects of a consumable;

fig. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary aspects of a consumable;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary conductive strip for an embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary printed circuit board;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary electrical contact;

11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E illustrate exemplary aspects in various views of a consumable and a dispenser; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary cloud-based system.

Embodiments are and include apparatuses, systems, and methods for a liquid level monitoring dispenser associated with a liquid-filled consumable. The apparatus, system and method may include: a receiver for receiving the consumable when the consumable is inverted; at least one electrical contact within the receptacle for communicative association with a conductive strip on the consumable; a sensing module in communication with the at least one electrical contact and having firmware associated therewith for converting signals associated with the conductive strip and received at the electrical contact to an indication of the liquid level; a communication module for communicating the fluid level to at least a user display and over at least one network; a power module for supplying power to at least the sensing module and the communication module; and at least one dispensing output in fluid communication with the consumable and capable of dispensing liquid from the consumable to change the liquid level.

Accordingly, embodiments provide at least one device, system, and method for monitoring the level of liquid within a consumable (e.g., a bottle) and for automatically indicating (referred to herein as "auto-replenishment") when a need arises for additional liquid and/or the consumable containing it, such as indicating at least one of a consumer and a seller of the liquid.