Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to food conservation and food preservation, particularly to a food spoilage detection system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Food spoilage is a pervasive problem affecting both consumers and the food industry, contributing significantly to global food waste. Conventional methods of monitoring food freshness often rely on subjective factors such as appearance and smell, leading to inaccurate assessments and increased waste. Additionally, existing spoilage detection systems lack the precision and real-time capabilities required for optimal food preservation.
[003] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced food spoilage detection system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[004] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a food spoilage detection system. The system comprising: gas sensors installed inside of a storage facility. The gas sensors are adapted to measure a level of methane gas released by perishable items stored in the storage facility. The system further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the gas sensors. The control unit is configured to: receive the measured level of the methane gas released from the perishable items with an identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors; compare the received level of the methane gas with a predefined level; and actuate a notification unit to transmit an alert to a user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors, when the received level of the methane gas is greater than the predefined level.
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for detecting food spoilage using a food spoilage detection system. The method comprising steps of: receiving the measured level of methane gas released from the perishable items with an identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors; comparing the received level of the methane gas with a predefined level; and actuating a notification unit to transmit an alert to a user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors, when the received level of the methane gas is greater than the predefined level.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system that helps in prevention of food-borne diseases.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system that helps in reduction of deaths caused by consumption of spoiled food products.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system that contributes to high-quality food standards.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system that predicts a lifetime of the food products.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a food spoilage detection system that enhances a quality trust of a consumer regarding the food products.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a food spoilage detection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates the food spoilage detection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the food spoilage detection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for detecting food spoilage using the food spoilage detection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a food spoilage detection system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to detect spoilage of perishable items (perishable edible items). The system 100 may further be adapted to detect a state of the perishable items, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, upon detection of spoilage of the edible items, the system 100 may alert a user regarding spoilage of perishable items monitored by the system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] According to embodiments of the present invention, the state of the perishable items may be, but not limited to, a raw state, a cooked state, a ripped state, an edible state, a spoiled state, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any state of the perishable items that may be detected by the system 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the perishable items may be, but not limited to, cooked food, raw food, grains, fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, eggs, bakery products, beverages, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the perishable items, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise gas sensors 102a-102n (hereinafter referred individually to as the gas sensor 102, and plurally to as the gas sensors 102), an imaging unit 104, a control unit 106, a notification unit 108, a sound unit 110, a light unit 112a-112b (hereinafter referred individually to as the light unit 112, and plurally to as the light unit 112a-112b), a display unit 114, a communication unit 116, and a user device 118.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may be installed inside a storage facility. The gas sensors 102 may be adapted to measure a level of methane gas released by the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may have a corresponding identifier code. The identifier code may enable identification of the corresponding gas sensors 102 that may have measured exceeding the level of the methane gas release. Henceforth, a sector and/or an area of the storage facility may be identified using the identifier code of the corresponding gas sensors 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the identifier code may be, but not limited to, a string of alphabetic characters, a sting of numerical characters, a string of special characters, a string of alphanumeric characters, a color code, a combination of color codes, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the identifier code, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the storage facility may be, but not limited to, a godown, a storage room, a refrigerator, a container, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the storage facility, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may detect and measure gases such as, but not limited to, ammonia gas, gases with acidic traces, gases with basis traces, sulphuric gases, chloride gases, nitric gases, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may measure the methane gas. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any gases that may be detected and measured by the gas sensors 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may be, but not limited to, a Metal Oxide-based (MQ1) sensor, a Metal Oxide-based (MQ3) sensor, a Metal Oxide-based (MQ4) sensor, a Metal Oxide-based (MQ5) sensor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensors 102 may be a Metal Oxide-based (MQ2) sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the gas sensors 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may be installed in the storage facility. The imaging unit 104 may be adapted to capture images of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the images of the perishable items captured by the imaging unit 104 may be analyzed for monitoring a spoilage of the perishable items stored in the storage facility.
[0033] The imaging unit 104 may further be configured to record videos of a predefined duration of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be 2 seconds. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be 4 seconds. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the video clips may be of any duration such as defined by a system administrator.
[0034] The imaging unit 104 may also be configured to transmit the captured images and/or videos of the perishable items stored in the storage facility to a central monitoring unit (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the central monitoring unit may be configured for continuous monitoring of the captured images and/or videos of the perishable items stored in the storage facility. In an embodiment of the present invention, the central monitoring unit may be automated using a computer system. In another embodiment of the present invention, manual monitoring of the captured images and/or videos of the perishable items stored in the storage facility may be done by the system administrator.
[0035] According to other embodiments of the present invention, a resolution for the captured images and/or videos of the user using the imaging unit 104 may be in a range from 320 pixels by 240 pixels to 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any resolution for the captured images and/or videos of the user using the image capturing unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] According to the other embodiments of the present invention, the imaging unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a still camera, a video camera, a color balancer camera, a thermal camera, an infrared camera, a telephoto camera, a wide-angle camera, a macro camera, a Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, a web camera, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the imaging unit 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be connected to the gas sensors 102. The control unit 106 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be an Arduino. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the notification unit 108 may be adapted to generate and transmit an alert to the user via the user device 118. The notification unit 108 may generate and transmit the alert to the user device 118 upon detection of spoilage of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, along with the alert, the notification unit 108 may transmit the identifier code of the gas sensors 102 which may have measured exceeding levels of the methane gas released by perishable items stored in the storage facility.
[0039] The notification unit 108 may further comprise the sound unit 110 and the light unit 112, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 110 may be arranged in an auditory proximity of the user. The sound unit 110 may be adapted to generate an audible alert upon detection of spoilage of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sound unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a speaker, a siren, an earphone, a headphone, a headset, an earbud, a loudspeaker, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound unit 110 may be a buzzer. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sound unit 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light unit 112 may be arranged in a visual proximity of the user. The light unit 112 may be adapted to generate a visual alert upon detection of spoilage of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the light unit 112 may be, but not limited to, a bulb, a lamp, a tube light, a diffuser, a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL), and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light unit 112 may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the light unit 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 114 may be arranged in a visual proximity of the user. The display unit 114 may be adapted to display the state of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 114 maybe, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Further, the display unit 114 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may enable the notification unit 108 and the user device 118 to communicate. The communication may be facilitated using the communication unit 116 by generation and establishment of a communication link, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be adapted to transmit the alert generated by the notification unit 108 to the user device 118.
[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, a millimeter waves communication unit, an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communication unit, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be a NodeMCU ESP-8266 communication unit. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 118 may be a device utilized by the user to receive the alert from the notification unit 108. The user device 118 may further receive the state of the perishable items stored in the storage facility, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] The user device 118 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a consumer device, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the personal computer may be, but not limited to, a desktop, a server, a laptop, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the personal computer including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0048] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device may be, but not limited to, 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 consumer device including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0049] FIG. 1B illustrates the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may detect spoilage of the perishable items stored in the storage facility. The gas sensors 102 installed in the storage facility may measure the level of methane gas released, and along with the measurement of the release of the methane gas, the identifier code of the corresponding gas sensors 102 may be recognized for identification of the sector and/or area in the storage facility from where the exceeding level of the methane gas may be released.
[0050] Further, the measured level of the methane gas, along with the identifier code for the corresponding gas sensors 102 may be transmitted to the control unit 106. The control unit 106 may be configured to actuate the sound unit 110 and the light unit 112, upon detection of exceeding levels of the methane gas released. The control unit 106 may further be configured to engage the communication unit 116 to transmit the alert to the user device 118 upon detection of an exceeding level of the methane gas released, along with the identifier code of the corresponding gas sensors 102 that may have measured the exceeding level of the methane gas.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 106 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 106 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and an alert module 204.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the measured level of the methane gas released from the perishable items with the identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors 102. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the received level of the methane gas to the data comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the level of the methane gas from the data receiving module 200. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the received level of the methane gas with a predefined level, in an embodiment of the present invention. Upon comparison, if the received level of the methane gas is greater than a predefined level, then the data comparison module 202 may transmit an activation signal to the alert module 204.
[0054] According to embodiments of the present invention, the predefined level of the methane gas may be in a range from 200 parts per million (ppm) to 300 parts per million (ppm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined level of the methane gas may be 250 parts per million (ppm). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any predefined level of the methane gas.
[0055] Otherwise, the data comparison module 202 may reactivate the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the measured level of the methane gas released from the perishable items with the identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors 102.
[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the alert module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the activation signal from the data comparison module 202. The alert module 204 may be configured to actuate the notification unit 108 to transmit the alert to the user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may be alerted using a notification on the user device 118. The notification received on the user device 118 may be in a pre-defined form, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the pre-defined form of the notification received on the user device 118 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 notification that may be received on the user device 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0058] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for detecting food spoilage using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the measured level of the methane gas released from the perishable items with the identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors 102.
[0060] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the received level of the methane gas with the predefined level. Upon comparison, if the received level of the methane gas is greater than the predefined level, then the method 300 may proceed to the step 306. Otherwise, the method 300 may revert to the step 302.
[0061] At step 306, the system 100 may actuate the notification unit 108 to transmit the alert to the user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors 102.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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. A food spoilage detection system (100), the system (100) comprising:
gas sensors (102a-102n) installed inside of a storage facility, and adapted to measure a level of methane gas released by perishable items stored in the storage facility; and
a control unit (106) communicatively connected to the gas sensors (102a-102n), characterized in that the control unit (106) is configured to:
receive the measured level of the methane gas released from the perishable items with an identifier code associated with one of the gas sensors (102a-102n);
compare the received level of the methane gas with a predefined level; and
actuate a notification unit (108) to transmit an alert to a user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors (102a-102n), when the received level of the methane gas is greater than the predefined level.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an imaging unit (104) is installed in the storage facility and adapted to capture images of the perishable items stored in the storage facility.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification unit (108) comprises a sound unit (110) and a light unit (112a-112b).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas sensors (102a-102n) are Metal Oxide-based (MQ2) sensor.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined level of the methane gas is 250 parts per million (ppm).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display unit (114) adapted to display a state of the perishable items stored in the storage facility.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is an Arduino.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a communication unit (116) adapted to transmit the alert generated by the notification unit (108) to a user device (118).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perishable items are selected from cooked food, raw food, grains, fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, eggs, or a combination thereof.
10. A method (300) for detecting food spoilage using a food spoilage detection system (100), the method (300) characterized by steps of:
receiving the measured level of methane gas released from the perishable items with an identifier code associated with one of gas sensors (102a-102n);
comparing the received level of the methane gas with a predefined level; and
actuating a notification unit (108) to transmit an alert to a user along with the identifier code of the gas sensors (102a-102n), when the received level of the methane gas is greater than the predefined level.
Date: February 20, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)