Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR ANALYSING PERISHABLE ITEM”

APPLICANTS:
Name : ARKASHINE INNOVATIONS PVT. LTD.

Nationality : INDIAN

Address : No. 9-12-226, 11th Cross, Bhavani Rice Mill Road, Vidyanagar Colony, Bidar, Karnataka - 585403

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to analysis of perishable items, and more specifically related to a system and device for analyzing a perishable item e.g. food, drink, etc., to determine quality of the item for consumption.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] These days, the problem of dangerous food due to contamination or adulteration has aggravated and broadened for the average consumer. There are numerous cases of unintentional and intentional contamination of food. To increase the amount of profit and extend food sales quantity cheap and dangerous additives are being incorporated in the food items. For e.g., injection of water in meat or fish to increase the weight, mixing of salts or spice powder, sweetening wine by anti-freezing agent or sale of recycled oil as frying oils are few of the cases to report.
[0003] An increasing number of these food falsifications or adulterations are detected using conventional methods at laboratories that consume time and money per test to be conducted. Those working within and associated with the food industry strive for user-friendly methods to detect food fraud and contamination, fast and high screening methods for the analysis of food in general. The task of deciding which analytical method is suitable to collect and analyze within complex food supply chains is more challenging.
[0004] Spectroscopy is a non-destructive analysis technique that enables the identification of material composition using absorption and emission of an incoherent light that hits the surface. The reflected light brings some more information apart from color. If we illuminate a material with white light (visible spectrum frequencies) and it reflects only violet light it means all other frequencies have absorbed. The set of frequencies that an object or item holds is called absorbed spectrum and it becomes the unique identifier of the material itself. The sample absorbs the energy from source and the intensity of absorption varies with frequency with incident electromagnetic spectrum.
[0005] The spectroscopy gives a detailed information about the composition of C-H, N-H and OH bonds of the sample under test. As the composition of many products in agriculture and food are relying on this technique, a relationship between the component of interest in both solid and liquid sample is carried out. The amount of absorption is related to chemical bond of molecule. The bond among the atoms of material or sample under test will vibrate, the higher state of excitement requires more energy. Different molecules vibrate and excite to next level under different light wavelength and this variation in energy is seen as a spectrum and provides the information to analyze the type of molecule in the samples of food.
[0006] United States Patent No.: US 8,808,628 B2 discloses a device for measuring calories of food items, wherein near-infrared rays are irradiated at a specific wavelength region to the food items and calories of the food item are calculated in accordance with measurement values of absorbances of the near-infrared rays at the specific wavelength region based on the light reflected from the food item.
[0007] The main drawback of the conventional system is that they are bulky in size and require step by step processing for completion of a task which is very time taking and thereby decreases the efficiency of the conventional system.
[0008] The rising awareness of consumers is striving to obtain a reliable, rapid, non-destructive, and non-invasive technique for maturity determinations during harvesting, packaging and racking processes of the food items.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[0009] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a system for analyzing perishable goods such as food, drink, etc., to determine quality of the goods for consumption.
[0010] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a system for analyzing perishable goods, capable of predicting a lifetime of the perishable goods in a non-destructive, and non-invasive way, without affecting packaging and racking processes.
[0011] A further object is to provide a device for analyzing perishable goods in a quicker and accurate way without a need for expensive and complex setup.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, embodiments herein disclose a device for analyzing a perishable item. The device comprises a base part defining a containing space capable of holding the item and an opening for accessing the space. A closure part is provided for placing over the base part, such that the closure part substantially closes the opening. At least one imaging sensor is capable of imaging the item, and at least one microcontroller is provided for controlling the sensor. At least one processing unit is capable of receiving and processing sensor data to determine a quality of the item. At least one output unit is capable of outputting the determined quality.
[0013] The sensor is located in/on the closure part, such that a closing action of the closure part moves the sensors over the item while capturing one or more images of the item. Preferably, the closing action includes rotation of the closure part with respect to the base part. More preferably, the closing action includes rotation of the closure part at an angle of X° with respect to the base part, wherein a number of the sensors is at least 360/X.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is provided on an underside surface of the closure part. The sensor is capable of operating in at least one of ultraviolet (UV) region, visible region and near infrared (NIR) region. Determining the quality includes determining at least one of damage, adulteration, calorie level, harmful components, biological impurities and spoilage in/of the item.
[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the microcontroller controls the sensor to capture one or more images of the item during the rotation of the closure part.
[0016] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a transceiver module communicatively connected to the processing unit, wherein the microcontroller controls the transceiver module for communicating a sensor data to the processing unit.
[0017] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a control means for setting temperature and/or humidity of the containing space. Preferably, the microcontroller controls the control means based on analysis of the sensor data.
[0018] The item is at least one of a grocery item, a food item, a drink and a pharmaceutical item.
[0019] In one embodiment, the closing action includes pivoting of the closure part with respect to the base part.
[0020] The present invention also discloses a system for analyzing a perishable item. The system comprises at least one device in the form of a container unit, at least one processing unit and at least one output unit. The device includes a base part, a closure part, at least one imaging sensor, at least one microcontroller and a transceiver module. The base part defines a containing space capable of holding the item, wherein an opening is provided in the based part for accessing the space. The closure part is provided for placing over the base part, such that the closure part substantially closes the opening. The imaging sensor is capable of imaging the item and the microcontroller is provided for controlling the sensor. The transceiver module is capable of communicating sensor data to the processing unit. The processing unit is capable of receiving and processing the sensor data from the device to determine a quality of the item. The output unit is capable of outputting the determined quality.
[0021] The sensor is located in/on the closure part, such that a closing action of the closure part moves the sensor over the item while capturing one or more images of the item.
[0022] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the scope thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0023] The device and the system are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the system for analyzing a perishable item, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] FIGURE 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the system for analyzing a perishable item, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system (1) comprises at least one device for analyzing a perishable item (100) and at least one processing unit (20) capable of communicating with the container unit (10). In a preferred embodiment, the device is in the form of a container unit (10) capable of holding the item (100). More preferably, the container unit (10) is a casserole, a hot box or any other conventional storage container. The container unit (10) includes a base part (11) and a closure part (12).
[0026] The base part (11) defines a containing space (not shown) capable of holding the item (100) and an opening (not shown) for accessing the space. The closure part (12) can be placed over the base part (11), such that the closure part (12) substantially covers the opening of the containing space. The closure part (12) includes one or more imaging sensors (13) located on an inner surface of the closure part (12), such that the sensors (13) are capable of imaging the item (100) placed in the containing space and a transceiver module (14) for communicating data with the processing unit (20).
[0027] The closure part (12) is rotatable with respect to the base part (11) for securing/removing the closure part (12) with/from the base part (11), such that the imaging sensors (13) capture images of multiple points on the item (100) as the closure part (12) is rotated with respect to the base part (11). Preferably, the closure part (12) is rotatable with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A’) of the base part (11). Alternatively, the closure part (12) can also be rotatable with respect to a horizontal axis. The rotational action of the closure part (12) allows the imaging sensors (13) to move over the item (100). Thereby, the present invention is capable of capturing different views of the item (100) with a need for any complex arrangement, while enabling better analysis of the item (100) with multiple views and provide more accurate results.
[0028] The closure part (12) includes a microcontroller (not shown), a handle (not shown) incorporated with a switching means (not shown) such as touch sensor, push button and the like, capable of activating the microcontroller, imaging sensors (13) and the transceiver module (14) when the handle is held by a user or a robotic arm for securing/removing the closure part (12) with/from the base part (11). When activated, the microcontroller controls the imaging sensors (13) to capture images e.g. still image and video, of the item at regular intervals or continuously and controls the transceiver module (14) to communicate the sensor data to the processing unit (20). Thereby, the present invention avoids need for powering the microcontroller and the imaging sensors (13) at all the time, which in turn minimizes power consumption.
[0029] Since the closure action of the closure part (12) allows the image sensors (13) to cover 360° of the item, the present invention is capable of analyzing the item (100) in a quicker and accurate way without a need for expensive and complex setup for capturing 360° image of the item (100). The closure action may refer to rotation of the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11) for locking the closure part (12) to the base part (11) and/or for unlocking the closure part (12) from the base part (11).
[0030] The transceiver module (14) is electrically connected to the sensors (13) for receiving and communicating sensor data to the processing unit (20) for processing the sensor data to determine quality of the item (100) for consumption. Further, the sensor data is analyzed using a machine learning (ML) model in the processing unit (20) to identify the item (100) and to predict a shelf life of the item (100) for consumption, which avoids a need for opening the container unit (10) regularly to check the condition of the item (100). Thus, the present invention is capable of predicting a lifetime of the item (100) in a non-destructive, and non-invasive way, without affecting packaging and racking processes.
[0031] Preferably, the processing unit (20) is a handheld device such as a smartphone, personal digital assistant or any other conventional wireless communication device, capable of wirelessly communicating with the transceiver module (14). Alternatively, the processing unit (20) can be a part of the container unit (10), wherein the processing unit (20) is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit for directly receiving the sensor data, thus avoiding the need for the transceiver module (14).
[0032] In one embodiment, the sensor data is processed in a processor located in the processing unit (20). Alternatively, the processing unit (20) communicates the sensor data to a cloud server or a remote server for processing and/or storage purposes, wherein the process results are communicated back to the processing unit (20) and/or to one or more output units such as mobile phones, display devices, audio devices, indicator lights and the like. Furthermore, the processing unit (20) can also communicate the process results to the output device for alerting a user to take necessary action when an incident e.g. end of shelf life, spoilage, damage, adulteration or the like, with respect to the item (100) is determined. Preferably, the output unit is a part of the processing unit (20). Alternatively, the output unit can be a separate unit wirelessly connected to the processing unit (20).
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the sensors (13) are capable of operating in at least one of ultraviolet (UV) region, visible region and near infrared (NIR) region. More preferably, the sensors (13) include at least one sensor (13) operating in each of the UV region, visible region and NIR region.
[0034] The container unit (10) includes one or more light sources (15) such as LED and the like, for irradiating the item (100) with electromagnetic rays in the UV region (200 nm to 800 nm.), Visible light region (400–750 nm) and/or NIR region (750–2500 nm), wherein the reflected rays from different points on the item (100) are captured using the sensors (13) as the closure part (12) is rotated with respect to the base part (11). In an alternate embodiment, the base part (11) and/or the closure part (12) is partially transparent to allow external electromagnetic rays to enter the container unit (10) and incident on the item (100), which when reflected is captured by the sensors (13) for analysis. The microcontroller is programmed to operate the sensors (13) to capture the images as the closure part (12) is being rotated with respect to the base part (11).
[0035] Optionally, the container unit (10) includes one or more temperature and/or humidity control devices, wherein the microcontroller is capable of controlling the temperature and/or humidity control devices for setting temperature and/or humidity of the containing space for keeping the item (100) in an optimum condition for longer shelf life. Furthermore, based on the analysis results, the processing unit (20) can determine the optimum temperature and/or humidity condition for keeping the item (100) fresh for a longer duration and communicate corresponding control signals to the controller through the transceiver module (14).
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the number and positioning of the image sensors (13) are decided based on the rotation angle of the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11), such that the closing action of the closure part (12) allows the image sensors (13) to capture at least 360° of the item (100). For example, if the closure part (12) is rotatable at an angle of more than 360°, then the device can include one image sensor (13) and the image sensor is operated to capture a 360° video image of the item (100) or multiple images covering 360° of the item (100). Similarly, if the closure part (12) is rotatable at an angle of 90°, then the device includes at least four image sensors (13) located at equal intervals. By this way, the present invention is capable of capturing and processing 360° view of the item (100), and thereby analyzing the item (100) in a quicker and accurate way without a need for expensive and complex setup for capturing 360° image of the item (100).
[0037] Furthermore, the container unit (10) includes a power module for powering powered components of the container unit (10). Preferably, the power module includes one or more batteries for powering the powered components. Alternatively, the power module can include a power adapter connected to an external power source such as AC mains, for powering the powered components.
[0038] In one embodiment, determining the quality includes determining damage, adulteration, calorie level, harmful components, biological impurities, spoilage and the like in the item. Similarly, the item (100) can be a grocery item such as grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, eggs, etc., food items such as cooked food, processed food, packed food, liquid food, etc., drinks such as milk, cold beverages, packaged drinks, alcoholic beverages, hot beverages, etc., and pharmaceutical item such as capsules, tablets, oral liquids, inhalers, etc.
[0039] In one aspect of the present invention, the container unit (10) and the processing unit (20) are connected by means of any conventional wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, near field communication (NFC) and the like. The processing unit (20) can include but limited to a smartphone, a palmtop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a handheld scanner device.
[0040] Furthermore, the machine learning model includes a Binary Tree (BT) model, Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, Naïve Bayes (NB) model, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model, Cubist regression (CB) model, Principal Component Regression (PCR) model, Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) model, Least-Square SVM (LS-SVM) model, Extreme Learning Machines (ELM) model, Ordinary Least Square Estimation (OLSE) model, Ant Colony Optimization-interval Partial Least Squares (ACO-iPLS) model, Deep Learning (DL) model, Fully Connected Neural Network (FNN) model, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model, Regression Tree (RT) model, Random Forest (RF) model, Generalized Additive Model (GAM) model or Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model.
[0041] In one embodiment, the closure part (12) functions as a device for analyzing a perishable item (100), wherein the closure part (12) includes the imaging sensor (13), the microcontroller, the processing unit (20) and the output unit, all integrated as a single unit. The closure part (12) can placed over a receptacle capable of holding the item (100), such that the closure part (12) substantially closes an opening of the receptacle when placed over the receptacle. The sensor (13) is located in/on the closure part (12), such that a closing action of the closure part (12) moves the sensor (13) over the item (100) while capturing one or more images of the item (100).
[0042] The closure part (12) is rotatable or pivotable with respect to the receptacle. The receptacle is selected from a group consisting of a casserole, a hot box, a fruit basket, a chafing dish, a bag and a sack. Additionally, the closure part (12) includes a transceiver module (14) for communicating the sensor data and the quality data to an external device such as a wireless communication device, a server and the like, for further processing such as storage, monitoring, etc.
[0043] The technique adopted is spectroscopy in combination with ultra-violet (UV) wavelength, visible light spectrum and near infrared (NIR) wavelength for a detailed chemical composition analysis of the items. The sensors (13) not only provides a multi-source analysis but also a complete food product analysis from various angles giving abundant data to analyze the samples under test, by simple rotational action of the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11). Thereby, the present invention system provides a complete analysis of quality of the item (100) for consumption.
[0044] Even though the above embodiments show the present invention to be applied for analyzing a perishable item, it is to be understood that the present invention can also be applied for other applications, wherein the stored item tend to change/degenerate over time and go useless. Such items include but not limited to organs, blood, cells, tissues and the like stored for transplantation purposes and to plants, animal and insects, parts thereof, microorganisms and the like stored in a laboratory for research studies. Furthermore, the closing action can also include pivoting the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11), wherein the container unit (10) is in the form of a chafing dish.
[0045] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A device for analyzing a perishable item (100), comprising:
• a base part (11) defining a containing space capable of holding the item (100) and an opening for accessing the space;
• a closure part (12) for placing over the base part (11), such that the closure part (12) substantially closes the opening;
• at least one imaging sensor (13) capable of imaging the item (100);
• at least one microcontroller for controlling said sensor (13);
• at least one processing unit (20) capable of receiving and processing sensor data to determine a quality of the item (100); and
• at least one output unit capable of outputting the determined quality,
characterized in that: said sensor (13) is located in/on the closure part (12), such that a closing action of the closure part (12) moves said sensor (13) over the item (100) while capturing one or more images of the item (100).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor (13) is capable of operating in at least one of ultraviolet (UV) region, visible region and near infrared (NIR) region.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor (13) is provided on an underside surface of the closure part (12).
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closing action includes rotation of the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11).
5. The device as claimed in 4, wherein the microcontroller controls said sensor (13) to capture one or more images of the item (100) during said rotation of the closure part (12).
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said closing action includes rotation of the closure part (12) at an angle of X° with respect to the base part (11).
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a number of said sensors (13) is at least 360/X.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closing action includes pivoting of the closure part (12) with respect to the base part (11).
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver module (14) communicatively connected to the processing unit (20), wherein the microcontroller controls the transceiver module (14) for communicating a sensor data to the processing unit (20).
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control means for setting temperature and/or humidity of the containing space.
11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the microcontroller controls said control means based on analysis of the sensor data.
12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item (100) is at least one of a grocery item, a food item, a drink and a pharmaceutical item.
13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the quality includes determining at least one of damage, adulteration, calorie level, harmful components, biological impurities and spoilage in/of the item (100).
14. A system (1) for analyzing a perishable item (100), comprising:
i. at least one device in the form of a container unit (10) including:
- a base part (11) defining a containing space capable of holding the item (100) and an opening for accessing the space;
- a closure part (12) for placing over the base part (11), such that the closure part (12) substantially closes the opening;
- at least one imaging sensor (13) capable of imaging the item (100);
- at least one microcontroller for controlling said sensor (13); and
- a transceiver module (14) capable of communicating sensor data; and
ii. at least one processing unit (20) capable of receiving and processing sensor data from the device to determine a quality of the item (100); and
iii. at least one output unit capable of outputting the determined quality,
characterized in that: said sensor (13) is located in/on the closure part (12), such that a closing action of the closure part (12) moves the sensor (13) over the item (100) while capturing one or more images of the item (100).
15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the device is a storage container.
16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the processing unit (20) is a wireless communication device.
17. A device for analyzing a perishable item (100), comprising:
• at least one imaging sensor (13) capable of imaging the item (100);
• at least one microcontroller for controlling said sensor (13);
• at least one processing unit (20) capable of receiving and processing sensor data to determine a quality of the item (100); and
• at least one output unit capable of outputting the determined quality,
characterized in that:
- said device is configured as a closure part (12) for placing over a receptacle capable of holding the item (100), such that the closure part (12) substantially closes an opening of the receptacle when placed over the receptacle; and
- said sensor (13) is located in/on the closure part (12), such that a closing action of the closure part (12) moves said sensor (13) over the item (100) while capturing one or more images of the item (100).
18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said closure part (12) is rotatable or pivotable with respect to the receptacle.
19. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the receptacle is selected from a group consisting of a casserole, a hot box, a fruit basket, a bag and a sack.
20. The device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a transceiver module (14) communicatively connected to the processing unit (20), wherein the microcontroller controls the transceiver module (14) for communicating a sensor data and/or quality data to at least one external device.