Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pantry and inventory management and particularly to an edible management and refrigeration system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Managing food storage efficiently remains a challenge in both households and commercial settings. Food waste is a major issue, often caused by over-purchasing, forgotten expiration dates, and improper storage. Limited visibility into fridge contents leads to duplicate purchases and spoilage, while manual inventory tracking in commercial environments is time-consuming and error-prone. Food safety is another concern, as refrigeration systems must maintain optimal conditions to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. However, most conventional refrigerators lack automated monitoring and alert mechanisms for temperature fluctuations.
[003] Existing solutions, such as cameras for remote viewing and mobile apps for manual tracking, offer partial improvements but require significant user input. Smart shelves and weight sensors help detect stock changes but lack integration with real-time data processing for proactive food management. Despite advancements, current technologies do not fully address food waste reduction, real-time inventory tracking, and automated food safety monitoring, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive solution.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced edible management and refrigeration system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an edible management and refrigeration system. The system comprising a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag, adapted to be attached to edible items for managing an inventory data. The inventory data is selected from a name of the edible items, an expiry date of the edible items, a quantity of the edible items, or a combination thereof. The system further comprising a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader installed in a refrigerator. The Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader is adapted to scan the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag attached to the edible items. The system further comprising a weighing unit installed on shelves of the refrigerator. The weighing unit is adapted to measure a weight of the edible items and a change in the weight of the edible items. The system further comprising a detection unit adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items accommodated on the shelves of the refrigerator. The system further comprising a microcontroller communicatively connected to the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader, to the weighing unit, and to the detection unit. The microcontroller is configured to receive the inventory data embedded in the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag; compare an expiry date of the edible items with a present date; count a number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date; activate the detection unit adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items when the number of days is less than a predefined number; and add a set of corresponding edible items in a shopping list upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for edible management and refrigeration using an edible management and refrigeration system. The method comprising steps of receiving inventory data embedded in a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag; comparing an expiry date of edible items with a present date; counting a number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date; activating a detection unit adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items, when the number of days is less than a predefined number; and adding a set of corresponding edible items in a shopping list upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system that features automated and accurate inventory tracking.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system that features enhanced food safety monitoring.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system that features smart expiration management.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system that features seamless integration with meal planning and shopping.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an edible management and refrigeration system that features proactive waste reduction.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an edible management and refrigeration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for edible management and refrigeration using an edible management and refrigeration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an edible management and refrigeration system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be adapted to monitor and inspect edible items stored in a refrigerator 102. The edible items may be stored on shelves 104a-104n of the refrigerator 102. The system 100 may be adapted to check for rotting and spillage of the edible items stored in the refrigerator 102. The system 100 may further alert a user indicating a rotting and spillage of the edible items stored in the refrigerator 102. Further, the system 100 may be adapted to create and manage a shopping list by adding the rotten and spilled edible items, along with alerting the user for disposal of the rotten and spilled edible items. Further, the system 100 may be adapted to suggest dietary charts and recipes based on the edible items stored in the refrigerator 102.
[0023] The system 100 may comprise a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106, a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108, a weighing unit 110, a detection unit 112, a microcontroller 114, and a computing unit 116.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106 may be adapted to be attached to the edible items for managing an inventory data. The inventory data may be a name of the edible items, an expiry date of the edible items, a quantity of the edible items, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the inventory data, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108 may be installed in the refrigerator 102. The Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108 may be adapted to scan the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106 attached to the edible items. Further, upon scanning of the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106, the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108 may retrieve the inventory data associated with the set of the corresponding edible items.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the weighing unit 110 may be installed in the shelves 104a-104n of the refrigerator 102. The weighing unit 110 may be adapted to measure a weight of the edible items and a change in the weight of the edible items.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit 112 may be installed in the shelves 104a-104n of the refrigerator 102. The detection unit 112 may be adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items accommodated on the shelves 104a-104n of the refrigerator 102. The detection unit 112 may comprise sensors such as, but not limited to, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an image sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensors, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 114 may be connected to the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108, to the weighing unit 110, and to the detection unit 112. The microcontroller 114 may be configured to receive the inventory data embedded in the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106 from the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108.
[0029] The microcontroller 114 may be configured to compare the expiry date of the edible items with a present date. Upon comparison, if the expiry date is equal to the present date, then the microcontroller 114 may be configured to transmit an alert to the computing device. Else, the microcontroller 114 may further be configured to count a number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date. The microcontroller 114 may be configured to compare the counted number of days with a predefined number.
[0030] Upon comparison, if the number of days is less than a predefined number, then the microcontroller 114 may be configured to activate the detection unit 112 to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items. However, if the number of days is greater than the predefined number, then the microcontroller 114 may be configured to reactivate the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader 108 to continue receiving the inventory data.
[0031] Further, upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items, the microcontroller 114 may be configured to add a set of corresponding edible items in the shopping list and transmit the alert to the computing device, indicating the user for disposal of the one or more of the corresponding edible items.
[0032] The microcontroller 114 may be configured to receive fluctuations of temperature from the detection unit 112. Further, the microcontroller 114 may be configured to transmit the alert to the computing unit 116 upon detection of fluctuations of temperature outside a safe storage range.
[0033] The microcontroller 114 may be configured to manage the shopping list based on the change in the weight of the edible items and food consumption pattern. The microcontroller 114 may be configured for recipe suggestions and meal planning assistance. The microcontroller 114 may be configured to transmit a real-time inventory visualization to the computing unit 116. The microcontroller 114 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the microcontroller 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the computing unit 116 may be an electronic device used by the user. The computing unit 116 may be configured to receive the alert(s) from the microcontroller 114. The alert(s) may be received upon monitoring and detection of the spoilage and spillage of the edible items. The alert(s) may be received upon detection in the fluctuations of the temperature of the refrigerator 102. The alert(s) received on the computing unit 116 may be in a pre-defined form, in an embodiment of the present invention. The pre-defined form of the alert(s) received on the computing unit 116 may be, but not limited to a pop-up notification, a flash notification, a ringer notification, a silent notification, a push notification, a hidden notification, an electronic mail notification, a Short Message Service (SMS) notification, an always on-screen notification, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any pre-defined form of the alert(s) that may be received on the computing unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] The computing unit 116 may further be configured to receive the shopping list created by the microcontroller 114. The computing unit 116 may further be configured to receive the recipe suggestions and the meal planning assistance. The computing unit 116 may further be configured to receive the real-time inventory visualization. The computing device 116 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a desktop, a server, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the computing device 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for edible management and refrigeration using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 202, the system 100 may receive the inventory data embedded in the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag 106.
[0037] At step 204, the system 100 may compare the expiry date of the edible items with the present date. Upon comparison, if the expiry date may not be equal to the present date, then the method 200 may continue to a step 206. Else, the method 200 may proceed to a step 216.
[0038] At step 206, the system 100 may count the number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date.
[0039] At step 208, if the number of days may be less than the predefined number, then the method 200 may continue to a step 210. Else, the method 200 may revert to the step 202.
[0040] At step 210, the system 100 may activate the detection unit 112 adapted to monitor the spoilage and the spillage of the edible items.
[0041] At step 212, if the spoilage and the spillage of the edible items may be detected, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 214. Else, the method 200 may revert to a step 202.
[0042] At step 214, the system 100 may add the set of the corresponding edible items detected as spoiled or spilled in the shopping list.
[0043] At step 216, the system 100 may transmit the alert to the computing unit 116.
[0044] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An edible management and refrigeration system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag (106), adapted to be attached to edible items for managing an inventory data, wherein the inventory data is selected from a name of the edible items, an expiry date of the edible items, a quantity of the edible items, or a combination thereof;
a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader (108) installed in a refrigerator (102), adapted to scan the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag (106) attached to the edible items;
a weighing unit (110) installed in shelves (104a-104n) of the refrigerator (102), adapted to measure a weight of the edible items and a change in the weight of the edible items;
a detection unit (112) adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items accommodated on the shelves (104a-104n) of the refrigerator (102); and
a microcontroller (114) communicatively connected to the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) reader (108), to the weighing unit (110), and to the detection unit (112), characterized in that the microcontroller (114) is configured to:
receive the inventory data embedded in the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag (106);
compare an expiry date of the edible items with a present date;
count a number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date;
activate the detection unit (112) adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items when the number of days is less than a predefined number; and
add a set of corresponding edible items in a shopping list upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (114) is configured to transmit an alert to a computing unit (116) upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (114) is configured to transmit an alert to a computing unit (116) upon detection of fluctuations of temperature, from the detection unit (112), outside a safe storage range.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection unit (112) comprises a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an image sensor, or a combination thereof.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (114) is configured to manage the shopping list based on the change in the weight of the edible items and food consumption pattern.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (114) is configured for recipe suggestions and meal planning assistance.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (114) is configured to transmit a real-time inventory visualization to the computing unit (116).
8. A method (200) for edible management and refrigeration using an edible management and refrigeration system (100), the method (200) is characterized by steps of:
receiving inventory data embedded in a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tag (106);
comparing an expiry date of edible items with a present date;
counting a number of days remaining between the expiry date and the present date;
activating a detection unit (112) adapted to monitor spoilage and spillage of the edible items, when the number of days is less than a predefined number; and
adding a set of corresponding edible items in a shopping list upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, comprising a step of transmitting an alert to a computing unit (116) upon detection of spoilage and spillage of the edible items.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the detection unit (112) comprises a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an image sensor, or a combination thereof.
Date: February 26, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant