Food storage apparatus and methods and systems for monitoring a food item
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsWilliam L. Reber, Cary D. Perttunen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A food storage apparatus comprises a container (140) for containing a food item, and a cover (142) for covering an opening of the container (140). A first electrical component (144) is associated with the container (140). A second electrical component (146) is associated with the cover (142). The first electrical component (144) communicates with the second electrical component (146) to monitor the food item.
Claims27
A food storage apparatus comprising:
- a container for containing a food item, the container having an opening;
- a first electrical component associated with the container;
- a cover for covering the opening of the container;
- and
- a second electrical component associated with the cover;
- wherein the first electrical component is in electrical communication with the second electrical component to monitor the food item.
A method of monitoring a food item comprising the steps of:
- determining a time duration that the food item is outside of a storage place;
- and
- generating an indication based on the time duration.
A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising:
- a receiver which receives a signal associated with a temperature proximate to the food item;
- a processor which determines a time duration that the temperature is beyond a predetermined temperature threshold;
- and
- an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.
A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising:
- a processor to determine a first time at which the food item is removed from a storage place, to determine a second time at which the food item is returned to the storage place, and to determine the time duration based upon the first time and the second time;
- and
- an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.
A food storage apparatus for monitoring a food item, the food storage apparatus comprising:
- a container for containing the food item;
- and
- an electronic tag which communicates with a tag communicating device to determine a time duration that the food item is outside of a temperature controlled storage place.
A method of monitoring a food item, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing communication between a tag communicating device and an electronic tag associated with the food item;
- detecting a loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag;
- reestablishing communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag;
- determining a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished;
- and
- generating an indication based upon the time duration.
A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising:
- a tag communicating device to establish communication with an electronic tag associated with the food item, to detect a loss of communication with the electronic tag, and to reestablish communication with the electronic tag, the tag communicating device having a processor to determine a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished;
- and
- an indicator responsive to the processor to generate an indication based upon the time duration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.