Leakage detection system
AssigneeToshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Joseph Hunt, David John Steiner, Craig Lynn Compton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for detecting a leakage condition are provided. In one embodiment, a container integrity system can obtain sensor data associated with a sensor pad placed on or integrated with shelves or similar surfaces. Containers or items susceptible to leakage can be positioned on the sensor pad, and sensors distributed throughout the sensor pad can measure force profiles exerted by the items. The container integrity system can identify the presence or absence of a leakage condition using the sensor data from the sensor pad.
Claims17
A system comprising:
- a sensor pad configured with a plurality of force-measuring sensors distributed throughout the sensor pad, wherein each force-measuring sensor is configured to measure a force exerted on a respective force-measuring sensor;
- one or more processors communicatively coupled to the sensor pad, the one or more processors configured to:
- determine sensor data indicative of forces exerted on the sensor pad;
- identify a force profile distributed across a subset of the force-measuring sensors, the force profile corresponding to a presence of a container positioned atop the sensor pad;
- determine a presence of a first condition, wherein the first condition is characterized by a change in the force profile over time,
- wherein the change in the force profile over time manifests as a decremental change in force across the subset of force-measuring sensors over a first time period, the decremental change being indicative of a leak;
- and
- based on the presence of the first condition, associate a leakage condition with the container.
A method, comprising:
- obtaining sensor data indicative of forces exerted on a sensor pad, the sensor pad configured with a plurality of force-measuring sensors distributed throughout the sensor pad, wherein each force-measuring sensor is configured to measure a force exerted thereupon;
- identifying a force profile distributed across a subset of the force-measuring sensors, the force profile corresponding to a presence of a container positioned atop the sensor pad;
- determining a presence of a first condition, wherein the first condition is characterized by at least one of a decremental change in force across the subset of the force-measuring sensors that crosses a lower force threshold but does not cross a null force threshold, the null force threshold corresponding to a removal of the container from the sensor pad;
- or
- an incremental change in force across a second set of force-measuring sensors that are in immediate spatial adjacency to, yet distinct from, the subset of force-measuring sensors, wherein the incremental increase includes a transition from a null or near-null force measurement to a non-null force measurement across the second set of force-measuring sensors;
- and
- based on the presence of the first condition, associating a leakage condition with the container.
Non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer executable instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
- obtain sensor data indicative of forces exerted on a sensor pad, a sensor pad configured with a plurality of force-measuring sensors distributed throughout the sensor pad, wherein each force-measuring sensor is configured to measure a force exerted thereupon;
- identify a force profile distributed across a subset of the force-measuring sensors, the force profile corresponding to a presence of a container positioned atop the sensor pad;
- determine a presence of a first condition, wherein the first condition is characterized by at least one of a decremental change in force across the subset of the force-measuring sensors that crosses a lower force threshold but does not cross a null force threshold, the null force threshold corresponding to a removal of the container from the sensor pad;
- or
- an incremental change in force across a second set of force-measuring sensors that are in immediate spatial adjacency to, yet distinct from, the subset of force-measuring sensors, wherein the incremental increase includes a transition from a null or near-null force measurement to a non-null force measurement across the second set of force-measuring sensors;
- and
- associate a leakage condition with the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.