# US 11,317,480 B2 · Smart packaging, systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,317,480 B2 - Document ID: US11317480B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/591,698 - Filed: 2019-10-03 - Published: 2020-02-13 - Granted: 2022-04-26 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-28 - Assignees: Inductive Intelligence, LLC - Applicants: Inductive Intelligence, LLC - Inventors: Gregory L. Clark; David W. Baarman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11317480B2 ## CPC - H05B 6/062: {for cooking plates or the like} - H05B 6/065: {using coordinated control of multiple induction coils} - A47J 31/4492: {Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge} - A47J 31/52: Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus {; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus} - A47J 31/521: {the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device} - A47J 31/5251: {of pressure} - A47J 31/5253: {of temperature} - A47J 36/027: {Cooking- or baking-vessels specially adapted for use in microwave ovens; Accessories therefor} - A47J 36/2466: {with integral heating means} - A47J 36/321: {the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a handheld device} - G06K 7/10386: {the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader} - G06K 19/07758: {arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag} - H04M 1/72412: using two-way short-range wireless interfaces - H05B 6/1209: {induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them} - H05B 6/6441: {allowing the input of coded operation instructions, e.g. bar code reader} - A47J 36/2472: {of the cordless type, i.e. whereby the cup can be plugged into an electrically-powered base element} - G06K 7/1417: {2D bar codes} - H05B 2213/06: Cook-top or cookware capable of communicating with each other - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract Various smart package configurations may include a package intelligence and communication module (PICM) intelligently interacting with smart heating appliances and users. A thermodynamic load profile may correlate thermodynamic response characteristics of the package and be stored in or associated with a unique identifier in the PICM. The TLP enables efficient and safe heating of packages on a smart appliance as well as package validation and authentication. Package configurations also include structural elements for efficient heating of food, beverage, cosmetic and personal care products. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A smart package for use with a smart appliance for intelligently controlling heating of the smart package, the smart package comprising: a container for containing known thermodynamic contents to be heated; a package intelligence and communication module for storing and communicating package content related data, the package intelligence and communication module including: (a) a storage for storing an identifier unique to the package; (b) and a transponder for communicating the identifier to a reader on the smart appliance; the package content related data including a thermodynamic load profile representing a control curve of a thermodynamic response of the package and contents to dynamic heating energy over a heating operation sequence; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the product during a heating operation; wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes data representing a heating operation with a plurality of different heating operation steps, wherein the data representing the heating operation includes expected temperature measurements and expected power characteristics for each of the plurality of different heating operation steps; and wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes an ambient temperature-based offset. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes data correlating an expected internal temperature with power transmitted from a smart appliance over the heating operation sequence. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1 wherein the package related pre-measured thermodynamics has been calibrated and measured and the thermodynamics related information is included electronically on the package. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the package intelligence and communication module is located on an exterior surface of the package. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the package is a foil package. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the package is a steamer package having an inductive receptor disposed in the bottom of the package beneath a vented insert for permitting steam to pass from the bottom of the package to an upper section of the package containing a product to be steamed without the product touching the receptor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a base having a support for supporting an inductive heating plate, the base including the package intelligence and communication module therein, the base including a threaded portion and a bottle having a threaded neck for engaging the base threaded portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The smart package of claim 1, wherein the base is circular and wherein the package intelligence and communication module comprises a light-powered microtransponder disposed at the center of the circular base. ### Claim 9 A smart package for use with a smart appliance for intelligently controlling heating of the smart package, the smart package comprising: a container for containing known thermodynamic contents to be heated; a package intelligence and communication module for storing and communicating package content related data, the package intelligence and communication module including: (a) a storage for storing an identifier unique to the package; (b) and a transponder for communicating the identifier to a reader on the smart appliance; the package content related data including a thermodynamic load profile representing a control curve of a thermodynamic response of the package and contents to dynamic heating energy over a heating operation sequence; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the product during a heating operation; wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes data representing a heating operation with a plurality of different heating operation steps, wherein the data representing the heating operation includes expected temperature measurements and expected power characteristics for each of the plurality of different heating operation steps; and wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes an altitude-based offset. ### Claim 10 A method using a smart package in a heating operation, the smart package comprising a container for containing contents to be heated; a package intelligence and communication module for storing and communicating package related and package content related data, the package intelligence and communication module including (a) a storage for storing an identifier unique to the package; and (b) a transponder for communicating the identifier to a reader on the smart appliance; the package and package content related data including a thermodynamic load profile representing the thermodynamic response of the package and contents to heating energy; and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the product during a heating operation, the method comprising: receiving energy with the transponder from a reader on a smart appliance; retrieving the thermodynamic load profile in response to receiving the energy, the thermodynamic load profile representing a control curve of a thermodynamic response of the smart package and contents to dynamic heating energy over a heating operation sequence; controlling a heating operation of the package based on the thermodynamic load profile; wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes data representing a heating operation with a plurality of different heating operation steps, wherein the data representing the heating operation includes expected temperature measurements and expected power characteristics for each of the plurality of different heating operation steps; and wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes an ambient temperature-based offset. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of authenticating the product package. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of receiving energy comprises receiving light energy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of receiving information about the package contents from a remote data storage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of sending package related information to a user device linked to the package. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes an altitude-based offset. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising validating the package contents based on the retrieved thermodynamic load profile. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The smart package of claim 9, wherein the thermodynamic load profile includes data correlating an expected internal temperature with power transmitted from a smart appliance over the heating operation sequence. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The smart package of claim 9 wherein the package related pre-measured thermodynamics has been calibrated and measured and the thermodynamics related information is included electronically on the package.