Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An IoT enabled smart container system (201), the IoT enabled smart container system (201) comprising:
a smart container (205) communicatively coupled with a user device (204), wherein the smart container (205) further comprises
one or more sensors (207) capable of sensing a plurality of parameters associated to the smart container (205), wherein the plurality of parameters comprises at least a parameter indicating the total weight of the content inside the smart container (205) and at least other parameter indicating current atmospheric condition of the smart container (205);
a controller (301); and
a memory (303) coupled with the controller (301), wherein the controller (301) is capable of executing programmed instructions stored in the memory (303) for:
continuously monitoring a plurality of parameters captured by the one or more sensors (207);
comparing values of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold;
notifying the user device (204) with an event indicative of an atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of the content consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold;
analysing the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content and nutritional intake of the content by the user;
monitoring, for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region; and
recommending an ideal nutritional intake and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the users.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors (207) comprises at least a weight sensor, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of the smart container (205) comprises a mixture of a plurality of food items.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters of the smart container (205) comprises at least a temperature of the smart container, humidity of the smart container and the total weight of the content within the smart container.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (301) is further configured to execute programmed instructions to
enable the user to select the content or
dynamically modify the content of the smart container (205), via the user device (204), based upon the preference of the user or the consumption pattern of the user.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smart container (205) is communicatively coupled with remotely located one or more master containers (206).

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user device (204) is capable of receiving notification from the one or more master containers (206) based upon the event indicative of real time availability of the content and geographical coordinates of the one or more master container (206).

8. A method implemented for an IoT enabled smart container, the method comprising:
continuously monitoring, via a controller (301), a plurality of parameters captured by one or more sensors (207), wherein the one or more sensors (207) are embedded into a smart container (205), and wherein the plurality of parameters is associated to the smart container and comprises at least a parameter indicating the total weight of the content inside the smart container and at least other parameter indicating current atmospheric condition of the smart container;
comparing, via the controller (301), values of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold;
notifying, via the controller (301), the user device (204) with an event indicative of an atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of content consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold;
analysing, via the controller (301), the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content and nutritional intake of the content by the user;
monitoring, via the controller (301), for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region; and
recommending, via the controller (301), an ideal nutritional intake for and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the users.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising:
enabling the user to select the content on the user device (204) or
dynamically modifying the content of the smart container (205), via the user device (204), based upon the preference of the user or the consumption pattern of the user.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising receiving notification from the one or more master container (206) based upon the event indicative of at least a real time availability of the content and geographical coordinates of the one or more master container (206).

Dated this 14th day of June 2019
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
AN IoT ENABLED SMART CONTAINER SYSTEM AND A METHOD THEREOF

APPLICANT
Zensar Technologies Limited,
An Indian entity having address as:
Zensar Knowledge Park, Plot # 4, MIDC, Kharadi, Off Nagar Road,
Pune-411014, Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to the field of Internet of Things (IoT) and more particularly to an IoT enabled smart container system and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
Due to proliferation of internet technology, there has been a significant growth in online shopping and ecommerce markets. Consumers have shifted in ordering items through ecommerce portals like Amazon™, Ebay™, Flipkart™, BigBasket™, and Grofers™ etc. The items being order through electronic route are not only limited to electronic goods but also includes goods from Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market.

As is known, the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods are products that are sold quickly and at a relatively low cost. Therefore, the consumption of these products is high and there is a huge demand for these products. Thus, in order to meet the demands of the end consumers pertaining to these products, efficient demand-supply management is required. Specifically, proper demand planning of essential food items is of utmost importance. Figure 1 illustrates a conventional supply chain environment facilitating supply of food items from a warehouse location to customer’s/user’s place.

As can be seen from figure 1, in the conventional supply chain environment, the manufacturing unit obtains raw materials for production from multiple suppliers. The manufacturing unit communicates current production level to a demand planning system. The demand planning system further receives stock level information from the warehouse. The warehouse further receives a request to restock from the retailers. The warehouse communicates the request to restock to the manufacturing unit. The manufacturing unit restocks the warehouse which may further restock the retailers.

The demand planning system which receives the current production level information from the manufacturing unit and the stock level information from the warehouse, further communicates the current production level and the stock level information of the warehouse to marketing department. The marketing department then performs demand forecasting and demand planning based upon the current production level and the stock level information received from the warehouse. Further, such demand forecasted and planned by the marketing department is communicated to the manufacturing unit.

However, the conventional supply chain suffers from several drawbacks. As the demand forecasting and demand planning is based on the current production level and the stock level information, it fails to capture ad-hoc demand occurring in real time. Therefore, the suppliers time and often faces with huge uncertainty in demand which is largely variable. Further, since the ideal stock is difficult to be estimated due to unavailability of data in real time, the cost of stocking materials is also high.
Further, the demand forecasted may not be fruitful as it fails to capture the changing user preferences and tastes over a period of time and thereby the suppliers cannot target the consumers with recommendations of products that suits the consumer’s preferences and tastes.

Further, the conventional supply chain management rely on the manual re-ordering of the food items by the consumer after being consumed and thereby delaying the delivery of the respective food items being reordered. This is because, there is no way for the existing systems to keep track of actual amount of consumption of the food items and notify the consumer about pre-emptive ordering of the food items after the current stock is about to be exhausted.

Further, often the consumers order food items that can be consumed for longer duration of time. Therefore, these food items need to be stored at secured and convenient place such that the food items are readily available for immediate consumption. Usually a container such as a carton is used for storing the food items at the consumer’s location. However, such cartons storing these food items should be kept at certain specific atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, etc) so that the food items stored therein remains fresh and does not gets spoiled or perished. It may often be a scenario wherein the food items that are being stored in a conventional container may get spoiled if the atmospheric conditions inside the container varies.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce the concepts related to an IoT enabled smart container system and a method thereof and the concepts are further described in the detail description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor it is intended to use in determining or limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.

In one implementation, the present subject matter describes an IoT enabled smart container system. The system may comprise a smart container communicatively coupled with a user device. The smart container may further comprise one or more sensors capable of sensing a plurality of parameters associated to the smart container, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises at least a parameter indicating the total weight of the content inside the smart container and at least other parameter indicating current atmospheric condition of the smart container. The system may further comprise a controller and a memory coupled with the controller. The controller is capable of executing a plurality of programmed instructions stored in the memory. The controller may execute one or more programmed instructions for continuously monitoring the plurality of parameters captured by the one or more sensors. The controller may further execute one or more programmed instructions for comparing value of each of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold. The controller may further execute one or more programmed instructions for notifying the user device with an event indicative of the current atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of content, in the container, being consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold. The controller may further execute one or more programmed instructions for analysing, the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content and nutritional intake of the content by the user. The controller may further execute one or more programmed instructions for monitoring, for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region. The controller may further execute programmed instructions for recommending, an ideal nutritional intake and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the plurality of users.
In another implementation, the present subject matter describes a method implemented for an IoT enabled smart container. The method may comprise continuously monitoring, via a controller, a plurality of parameters captured by one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are embedded within a smart container, wherein the plurality of parameters are associated to the smart container and comprises at least a parameter indicating the total weight of the content inside the smart container and at least other parameter indicating current atmospheric condition of the smart container, and wherein the smart container is communicatively coupled with a user device. The method may further comprise comparing, via the controller, value of each of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold. The method may further comprise notifying, via the controller, the user device with an event indicative of the current atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of content being consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold. The method may further comprise analysing, via the controller, the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content and nutritional intake of the content by the user. The method may further comprise monitoring, via the controller, for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region. The method may further comprise recommending, via the controller, an ideal nutritional intake and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the plurality of users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional supply chain environment for supplying food items from warehouse to a customer’s/user’s place.

Figure 2 illustrates a network implementation (200) of a computer implemented system (201) for an IoT enabled smart container, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

Figure 3 illustrates the computer implemented system (201) and its components, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

Figure 4 illustrates the supply chain environment containing the smart containers connected to the system (201), in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

Figure 5 illustrates a method implemented for an IoT enabled smart container, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Referring to Figure 2, a network implementation (200) of a computer implemented system (201) for an IoT enabled smart container is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

In an embodiment, the computer implemented system (201) (also referred to as the system (201) hereinafter interchangeably) may be connected to the user devices (203) and (204) through a network (202). It may be understood that the system (201) may be accessed by multiple users through one or more devices (203-1), (203-2).….(203-n), collectively referred to as a user device (203) (or a vendor device (203) interchangeably) and (204-1), (204-2), (204-3)…(204-n) collectively referred to as a user device (204) (or a consumer device (204) interchangeably), respectively, hereinafter, or applications residing on the user device (203) and the user device (204), respectively.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in figure 2, the system (201) may capture information provided by multiple users using the user device (203) and (204), to register the respective user with the system (201). The user may be any person, machine, software, automated computer program, a robot or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in figure 2, the system (201) may be implemented in a server. It may be understood that the server used for the purpose of the present subject matter may be an electronic device that stores a computer programmes, or the like.

In an embodiment, it may be understood that system (201) may also be implemented in a variety of devices such as, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a mobile device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile computing device, a communication device, a telephone, a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a handset, a one-way pager, a two-way pager, a messaging device, a computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a work station, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a mini-computer, a network appliance, a web appliance, a mainframe computer, a local node, and the like.

In one implementation, the network (202) may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network (202) can be accessed by the user device (203) and (204) using wired or wireless network connectivity means including updated communications technology.

In one implementation, the user device (204-1), (204-2), (204-3).…(204-n) may be communicatively coupled with one or more smart containers (205-1), (205-2), (205-3)……(205-n) respectively (also referred to as one or more smart containers (205) or a smart container (205), hereinafter interchangeably). Further, the user device (203-1), (203-2).……(203-n) may be communicatively coupled with one or more master containers (206-1), (206-2), (206-3).…(206-n) respectively (also referred to as one or more master containers (206) or a master container (206), hereinafter interchangeably). Further, the smart container (205) may be communicatively coupled with the master container (206).

Each of the smart container (205) and the master container (206) may comprise one or more sensors (207-1), (207-2), (207-3), (207-4).……(207-n) (also referred to as one or more sensors (207) or sensors (207), hereinafter interchangeably).The one or more master containers (206) may be located at a warehouse location. Further, the one or more smart containers (205) may be located at a customer’s/user’s location. The master container (206) may possess same structure and functionality as that of the smart container (205). The master container (206) may be an enlarged version of the smart container (205). Hereinafter, although the implementation of the system (201) will be now be described with reference to the smart container (205) but similar implementation can be enabled for the master container having the similar capabilities as that of the smart container (205).

Figure 3 illustrates the computer implemented system (201) for the IoT enabled smart container and its components, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. The components of the computer implemented system (201), may comprise a controller (301), an input/output (I/O) interface (302) and a memory (303). The memory (303) may further comprise modules (304) and data (309). In one embodiment, the at least one controller (301) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory (303).

The controller (301) may be implemented as one or more microcontrollers, microcomputers, digital signal controllers, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

In one embodiment, the I/O interface (302) may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface (302) may allow the system (201) to interact with the user device (203) and (204). Further, the I/O interface (302) may enable the user device (203) and (204) to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface (302) may facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, Bluetooth network or satellite. The I/O interface (302) may include one or more ports for connecting to another server.

In one embodiment, the I/O interface (302) is an interaction platform. The I/O interface (302) may allow commands for a command line interface or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which may enable a user to create, modify and delete either of data, metadata, program, logic, algorithm, parameters associated with encryption method, encryption program and encryption language.

In an implementation, the memory (303) may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, memory cards and magnetic tapes.

The aforementioned computing devices may support communication over one or more types of networks in accordance with the described embodiments. For example, some computing devices and networks may support communications over a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, a telephone network (e.g., analog, digital, POTS, PSTN, ISDN, xDSL), a mobile telephone network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, NDAC, TDMA, E-TDMA, NAMPS, WCDMA, CDMA-2000, UMTS, 3G, 4G, 5G), a radio network, a television network, a cable network, an optical network (e.g., PON), a satellite network (e.g., VSAT), a packet-switched network, a circuit-switched network, a public network, a private network, and/or other wired or wireless communications network configured to carry data. Computing devices and networks also may support wireless wide area network (WWAN) communications services including Internet access such as EV-DO, EV-DV, CDMA/1×RTT, GSM/GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA, and others.

The aforementioned computing devices and networks may support wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) data communications functionality in accordance with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, protocols, and variants such as IEEE 802.11 (“WiFi”), IEEE 802.16 (“WiMAX”), IEEE 802.20x (“Mobile-Fi”), and others. Computing devices and networks also may support short range communication such as a wireless personal area network (WPAN) communication, Bluetooth® data communication, infrared (IR) communication, near-field communication, electromagnetic induction (EMI) communication, passive or active RFID communication, micro-impulse radar (MIR), ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) communication, and others.

In one embodiment, the modules (304) includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structure, etc., which performs particular tasks, functions or implement abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules (304) may further include a data monitoring module (305), a data comparison module (306), a notification module (307) and a data processing module (308). The data (309) may further comprise a centralised repository (310) and other data (311).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the data monitoring module (305) may be configured to continuously monitor a plurality of parameters captured by the one or more sensors (207), wherein the plurality of parameters being monitored are associated to the smart container (205). The one or more sensors (207) monitoring the plurality of parameters may include, but are not limited to, a weight sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like. In one embodiment, the plurality of parameters may comprise at least one parameter indicating the total weight of content inside the smart container and at least one other parameter indicating the current atmospheric condition of the smart container (205).

In one embodiment, the one or more sensors (207) configured to capture values of plurality of parameters may communicate or transmit the values of the plurality of parameters to the user device (204) using a communicator patch (not shown in figure) present within the smart container (205). The communicator patch may comprise an Integrated Circuit (IC) and a Wi-Fi sensor (not shown). The plurality of parameters may include, but are not limited to, current temperature of the smart container, current humidity of the smart container, and the total weight of the contents of the smart container.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the data comparison module (306) may be configured to compare values of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold. Specifically, corresponding to each parameter being captured, a predefined threshold may be set within the memory of the system (201). The data comparison module (306) may be configured to compare the value of each of the plurality of parameters with the respective predefined threshold set for each of the plurality of parameters.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the notification module (307) may be configured to notify the consumer device (204) with an event indicative of the current atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of content consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold. In one exemplary embodiment, the notification module (307) may notify the consumer device (204) with an event indicative of the current atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition if the current temperature within the container is exceeding a set threshold temperature of 37 degree Celsius. In another exemplary embodiment, the notification module (307) may notify the consumer device (204) with an event indicative of the amount of content being consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold, e.g. 90% of the total content within the smart container (205).

It must be noted herein that the notification is generated to enable the user of the consumer device (204) to take appropriate actions, e.g. maintaining the atmospheric conditions of the smart container matching with the ideal atmospheric conditions and re-ordering of the content consumed beyond the threshold value such that it is readily available for consumption once exhausted.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the data processing module (308) may be configured to analyse the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content by a user and nutritional intake of the content by the user. In an embodiment, the content of the smart container may comprise a mixture of plurality of food items. In one example, the content may be a mixture of food items including, but are not limited to, pluses, grains, nuts, corn grits, rolled oats, resins, rice and rolled barley. Further, the data processing module (308) may be configured to monitor for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user i.e. past orders of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region. The plurality of users in the similar demographic may comprise users having same age, gender, location, food preference, and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, consider a smart container associated with a user ‘A’ (Age: 25 years, Gender: Male) captures following parameters:
• Total Content in the smart container comprises mixture of pluses: 20 kg, nuts: 15 kg, grain: 15 kg
• Total quantity intake of the content by the user ‘A’: 30 Kg
• Total nutritional intake derived from the total quantity intake: Protein: 50%, vitamins: 30% and fats: 20%.
• Food preference: User ‘A’ prefers more pulses
• Consumption pattern: The user consumes 25-30 kg food, having nutritional content Protein: 30-50%, vitamins: 10-30% and fats: 20-25%, per month.

In this exemplary embodiment, assume the data processing module (308) monitors the afore-mentioned consumption pattern of the user ‘A’ for 3 months. Similarly, the data processing module (308) may monitor the consumption pattern of the plurality of other users, having similar demographics, say user ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ for 3 months as below.

• Consumption pattern of user ‘B’: The user consumes 22-28 kg food items comprising mixture of pluses, grains, nuts, rolled oats and resins, having nutritional content including Protein: 35-40%, vitamins: 15-20%, fats: 25-30%, minerals 10-20% and iron 15-30% per month.

• Consumption pattern of user ‘C’: The user consumes 23-35 kg food comprising mixture of pluses, nuts, rolled oats and resins, having nutritional content including protein: 32-45%, vitamins: 18-20%, fats: 23-28% and minerals 5-10% per month.

• Consumption pattern of user ‘D’: The user consumes 25-40 kg food comprising mixture of pluses, grains, nuts and rolled oats, having nutritional content including Protein: 10-25%, vitamins: 30-40%, fats: 5-10%, iron 12-18% per month

In an embodiment, the data processing module (308) may recommend an ideal nutritional intake for the user and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the users. The recommended ideal nutritional intake for the user and an ideal content for the user may be notified to the user on the consumer device via the notification module (307).

In the above exemplary embodiment, the data processing module (308) may recommend following ideal nutritional intake for the user ‘A’ and an ideal content for the user ‘A’, based upon the consumption pattern monitored for the users: ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ as below.

• Ideal content for the user ‘A’: 28 kg
• Ideal content comprising mixture of food items: pulses, nuts, resins, rolled oats and grains.
• Ideal nutritional intake for the user ‘A’: Protein: 40 %, vitamins: 20 %, fats: 25%, minerals: 8% and iron 10%.

In one embodiment, the data processing module (308) may select the same content or may dynamically modify the content of the smart container using the consumer device (204), based upon the preferences of the user or the consumption pattern of the user. Once the same content is selected or modified, the data processing module (308) may enable the user to place the order for the content. The consumption pattern of the user may include, but are not limited to, nutritional intake of the user, taste of the user, preference of the user, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, the following scenarios may be applicable for the ordering of the content for the user after the previous content in the smart container is consumed to its fullest extent:

• The data processing module (308) may select the same content (as indicated by the user on the user device) i.e. the content having mixture of pluses: 20 kg, nuts: 15 kg, grain: 15 kg.

• The data processing module (308) may dynamically modify the content of the smart container (205) based upon the user’s preferences and tastes such as pluses: 30 kg, nuts: 15 kg, grain: 11 kg, and resins: 10 kg.

• The data processing module (308) may dynamically modify the content, based upon the recommendation generated by the data processing module (308), by selecting the content having pluses: 12 kg, nuts: 3 kg, grain: 5 kg, rolled oats: 5 kg and resins: 5 kg.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, as-soon-as the order is generated from the consumer device (204), the vendor device (203) transmits a notification of the order generated to the master containers (206) communicatively coupled with the vendor device (203). Upon receiving the notification for the generated order, the one or more master containers (206) which may contain different food items may be utilized to accurately mix the appropriate amount of the plurality of food items in order to make the content ordered by the user.

In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of items mixed using the multiple master containers to make the content is as below:
Master container M1 contains: 500 kg of pluses
Master container M2 contains: 300 kg of nuts
Master container M3 contains: 250 kg of grains
Master container M4 contains: 150 kg of rolled oats
Master container M5 contains: 150 kg of resins.

Therefore, the master containers M1 – M5 may enable appropriate mixing of the multiple items to prepare the content ordered by the consumer device (204).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the real-time consumption pattern of the users may be provided to the vendor device (203) which may further enable the vendor device (203) for demand planning/forecasting of the multiple items required for making the contents ordered by the users (204). Due to this, the warehouse associated to the vendor device (203) may be capable of ensuring the availability of the food items in order to fulfil the orders. The vendor device (203) may be capable of reducing the safety stock and defining re-order point. Further, the vendor device (203) may enable the warehouse to provide personalized offer benefits, discounts and promotional offers to the users.

The consumer device (204) may receive notification from the vendor device (203) communicatively coupled with the master container (206), based upon the event indicative of real-time availability of the content and geographical coordinates of the nearest master container (206), time of fulfilment of the order, etc.

Now referring to Figure 4 is a supply chain framework containing smart containers (e.g. Smart connectors (205)) connected to the system (201), in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

In one embodiment, the manufacturing units obtain raw materials for primary sectors for production. The user, using the user device (204), may order the content comprising mix of food items based upon the value of the plurality of parameters of the smart container (205). The one or more master containers (206) may enable preparing the content ordered by the user by appropriately mixing the food items. The content prepared using the one or more master containers (206) may be supplied to the delivery partners. The delivery partners may further deliver the content the customer’s place.

In one embodiment, the content prepared using the one or more master containers (206) may be supplied to the vending machine kiosks or supermarkets. The user may collect the ordered content from the vending machine kiosks or supermarkets. Based upon the quantity of contents ordered by plurality of user devices (204), the warehouse is enabled to maintain the availability of stock.

In an exemplary embodiment, consider the total content ordered by the users: ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ is as below:

Pulses: 300 kg
Grains: 150 kg
Rolled oats: 90 kg
Resins: 100 kg
Nuts: 150 kg

Based upon the total content ordered from the warehouse, an automatic event may be triggered to the demand planning system. The demand planning system may communicate the request for restocking to the manufacturing unit. The demand planning system may utilize afore-mentioned data or information from the one or more smart containers (205) and the one or more master containers (206) in order to calculate the next batch production level/amount of plurality of food items to be produced and supplied to the warehouse. In this scenario, the accurate and real time demand planning and the demand forecasting may be performed by automatically using real time data or information from the one or more smart containers (205) and the one or more master containers (206).

Now, referring to Figure 5 is a method implemented for the IoT enabled smart container, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

At step 501, the data monitoring module (305) may continuously monitor a plurality of parameters captured by the one or more sensors (207), wherein the plurality of parameters is associated to the smart container, and wherein the plurality of parameters comprises at least a parameter indicating a total weight of content inside the smart container and at least other parameter indicating the current atmospheric condition of the smart container.

At step 502, the data comparison module (306) may compare values of the plurality of parameters with a corresponding predefined threshold.

At step 503, the notification module (307) may notify the user device (204) with an event indicative of an atmospheric condition deviating from an ideal atmospheric condition and amount of content consumed beyond the corresponding predefined threshold.

At step 504, the data processing module (308) may analyse the values of the plurality of parameters in order to derive total quantity intake of the content by a user and nutritional intake of the content by the user.

At step 505, the data processing module (308) may monitor for a predefined period of time, a consumption pattern of the user i.e. past orders of the user and a consumption pattern of the plurality of users within the similar demographic or region.

At step 506, the data processing module (308) may recommend an ideal nutritional intake for the user and an ideal content for the user based upon the consumption pattern of the users. The content of the smart container comprises mixture of a plurality of food items.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs or the description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

Although implementations for the IoT enabled smart container system and a method thereof have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for the IoT enabled smart container system and a method thereof.