Claims:1. A controller device configured to control environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage, wherein the controller device comprises a user input selection module configured to enable a user to select at least one product from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least one product is stored, and wherein selection of the at least one product from the set of listed product enables change in environmental conditions of the least one compartment of the cold storage to those that are most optimal for the selected at least one product.

2. The controller device of claim 1, wherein in case the cold storage comprises a single compartment, environmental conditions of the single compartment are changed.

3. The controller device of claim 1, wherein in case the one or more compartments comprise at least two compartments, the user selects the compartment of whose the environmental conditions are to be changed/controlled.

4. The controller device of claim 1, wherein in case the one or more compartments comprise at least two compartments, each compartment having a defined mapping with a product to be stored therein, selection of the at least one product from a set of listed products enables controlling of the environmental conditions of the compartment that is mapped to the at least one product.

5. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device is operatively coupled with a server that receives the selected at least one product, retrieves optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a database, and issues instructions to a microcontroller to control the environmental conditions.

6. The controller device of claim 5, wherein the database comprises a mapping between the set of listed products and respective optimal environmental conditions.

7. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device is a portable device configured to enable controlling environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage.

8. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device is selected from any or a combination of a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Computer, Tablet PC, Smart Phone, and a computing device, wherein the controller device is configured with an77 application that enables selection of the at least one product, and controlling of environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage.

9. The controller device of claim 8, wherein the application is any or a combination of a client-server based application, a standalone application, a web-based application, and an online application.

10. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device is operatively coupled with a microcontroller that receives the selected at least one product, retrieves optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a memory that is operatively coupled with, and issues instructions to control the environmental conditions.

11. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device is remotely or through wired means coupled with the cold storage.

12. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the environmental conditions are selected from one or a combination of temperature, moisture, and humidity.

13. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the cold storage comprises one or a combination of valves, thermal controls, sensors, PLC/PID systems to enable change to the desired environmental conditions.

14. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device comprises an authentication means to authenticate the user before the user is allowed to select the at least one product.

15. The controller device of claim 1, wherein the controller device communicates through any or a combination of Wi-Fi, wireless, GPRS, Bluetooth, RF means, RFID means, or a communication means.

16. A system comprising a centralized device that is operatively coupled with a user controller device and a cold storage, said system comprising:
a product selection module configured to, at a controller device, receive, from a user,at least one product selection from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least product is stored;
a selected product based optimal environment condition retrieval module configured to, at the centralized device, receive the selected at least product from the controller device, and retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the selected at least product based on stored mapping information; and
a retrieved optimal environment condition based cold storage control module configured to, at a microcontroller that is operatively coupled with the cold storage, receive the retrieved optimal environmental conditions from the centralized device, and control the environmental conditions at least one compartment where the selected at least product is stored based on the retrieved optimal environmental conditions.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein in case the cold storage comprises a single compartment, environmental conditions of the single compartment are changed.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein in case the cold storage comprises a plurality of compartments, the user, through the product selection module, selects the compartment of whose the environmental conditions are to be changed/controlled.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein in case the cold storage comprises a plurality of compartments with each compartment having a defined mapping with a product to be stored therein, selection of the at least one product from a set of listed products enables controlling of the environmental conditions of the compartment that is mapped to the at least one product.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the centralized device is a server.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the mapping information is configured in a database that stores a list of products that are mapped to respective optimal environmental conditions.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller device is a portable device configured to enable controlling environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller device is selected from any or a combination of a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Computer, Tablet PC, Smart Phone, and a computing device, wherein the controller device is configured with an application that enables selection of the at least one product, and controlling of environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the application is any or a combination of a client-server based application, a standalone application, a web-based application, and an online application.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller device is operatively coupled with the microcontroller that receives the selected at least one product, retrieves optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a memory that is operatively coupled with, and issues instructions to control the environmental conditions.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the environmental conditions are selected from one or a combination of temperature, moisture, and humidity.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the cold storage comprises one or a combination of valves, thermal controls, sensors, PLC/PID systems to enable change to the desired environmental conditions.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the system enables the user to change the environmental conditions manually at desired configurations.
, Description:FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of cold storage environment control system. More particularly, the present disclosure aims to describe a control interface, and cold storage controller for regulating different environmental control parameters of one or more compartments of a cold storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] One of the primary concerns for agricultural products and dairy products is storage of these products in a safe environment for longer durability. To protect the agricultural products, dairy products, and other similar products such as foods, drugs, medicines, etc., a closed controlled environment is required where the temperature and other environmental parameters can be controlled based on the product stored in the closed controlled environment. These closed controlled environments are also referred to as cold storage or refrigerator system as the temperature inside the closed environment is controlled through the refrigerator unit. A traditional cold storage includes a plurality of cold storage units and refrigeration units, also referred to as compartments hereinafter, temperature of which can independently be controlled. In known solutions, separate control systems and user interface units are used for adjusting the control parameters of different compartments of the cold storage. Placing an independent control system and a control interface for each compartment unnecessarily adds to the set-up costs and also requires an operator to visit the different control systems and control interfaces for adjusting the parameters.
[0004] In general, in a typical multi-compartment type refrigerator, the entire storage compartment is partitioned into a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of evaporators, valves, thermal control units, sensors PLC etc, which are positioned in each of the storage compartments for independently controlling the temperature and other environmental parameters. In such a multi-compartment type refrigerator, temperatures of respective storage compartments are detected by a plurality of temperature sensors, each positioned in the respective storage compartment, wherein the detected temperature information is transmitted to a control unit for controlling the operation of the multi-compartment type refrigerator, and starting of the compressor is controlled on the basis of the temperature information. Additionally, a plurality of opening/closing valves, which are selectively opened or closed by the control signal of the control unit, are positioned on a refrigerant conduit connected to the evaporators, and control the supply of refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporators.
[0005] Accordingly, in the conventional multi-compartment type refrigerator, rise in temperature of any storage compartment over a preset reference temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor, and refrigeration of the respective storage compartment is performed by the controller of the control unit in such a way that the refrigerant conduit connected to the corresponding storage compartment is opened by controlling the opening/closing valve and the compressor is started.
[0006] As there may be different products/items (such as food items, medicines, among others) stored in different compartments, different control settings are required for controlling the environmental condition such as temperature of each compartment. For instance, it is possible that at one particular date, compartment-1 stores vegetables and on another day, the same compartment-1 stores fruits, and hence the environmental settings need to be changed. Therefore, environmental settings of different compartments need to change based on the product stored inside the each compartment.
[0007] Therefore, there exists a need for a cold storage control system, and a control interface for regulating environment control parameters of one or more compartments of the cold storage depending on the product stored inside different compartments. The control interface needs to be user friendly so as to enable even a normal operator to be able to perform the control setting for one or more compartments depending on the product stored inside the one or more compartments.
[0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0009] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[00010] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00011] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00012] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

[00013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide control systems and control interfaces for regulating different control parameters of one or more compartments of cold storage depending on product stored inside each of these different compartments.
[00014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a remote control interface that allows a remotely placed user to monitor and control environmental parameters of one or more compartments of cold storage.
[00015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a wired or wireless user interface that allows automatic detection and execution of pre-stored environmental parameters for controlling environmental parameters inside the compartments of the cold storage based on user selection.
[00016] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a wired or wireless user interface that allows manual setting of one or more parameters for one or more compartments of cold storage.
[00017] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a user friendly control interface that allows even a normal operator to be able to perform the control setting for one or more compartments depending on the product stored inside the one or more compartments.
[00018] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a control interface that can be operated even by a blind person.
[00019] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic visual indication of the environmental parameters of one or more compartments to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[00020] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cold storage control system for regulating environmental parameters of one or more compartments of a cold storage.
[00021] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a user controller device that is configured to control environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage, wherein the user controller device comprises a user input selection module that can be configured to enable a user to select at least one product from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least one product is stored, and wherein selection of the at least one product from the set of listed product enables change in environmental conditions of the least one compartment of the cold storage to those that are most optimal for the selected at least one product.
[00022] In an aspect, the in case the cold storage comprises a single compartment, environmental conditions of the single compartment are changed based on product selection as the product would be kept in the single compartment itself. On the other hand, in case the cold storage has at least two compartments, the user can be enabled/configured to select (can specify) the compartment (through a number of position or location or any other means) of whose the environmental conditions are to be changed/controlled. In another exemplary embodiment, in case the cold storage includes at least two compartments with each compartment having a defined/direct mapping with a product to be stored therein (for instance through markings such as compartment 1 has to store bananas and compartment 2 has to store medicines), selection of the at least one product from a set of listed products automatically enables controlling of the environmental conditions of the corresponding compartment that is mapped to the at least one product.
[00023] In another aspect, the controller device can be operatively coupled with a server that can receive the selected at least one product, retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a database, and issue instructions to a microcontroller to control the environmental conditions. In another aspect, the database can include a mapping between the set of listed products and respective optimal environmental conditions.
[00024] In another aspect, the controller device can be a portable device that can be configured to enable controlling environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another embodiment, the controller device can be selected from any or a combination of a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Computer, Tablet PC, Smart Phone, and a computing device, wherein the controller device can be configured/installed with an application that enables selection of the at least one product, and controlling of environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another aspect, the application can be any or a combination of a client-server based application, a standalone application, a web-based application, and an online application.
[00025] In an aspect, the controller device can be operatively coupled with a microcontroller that can receive the selected at least one product, retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a memory that is operatively coupled with, and issue instructions to control the environmental conditions. In another embodiment, the controller device can be remotely or through wired means coupled with the cold storage. In yet another embodiment, the environmental conditions can be selected from one or a combination of temperature, moisture, and humidity. In yet another embodiment, the cold storage can include one or a combination of valves, thermal controls, sensors, PLC/PID systems to enable change to the desired environmental conditions, wherein such components can receive instructions from the micro-controller and implement such instructed environmental conditions. In another aspect, the controller device can include an authentication means to authenticate the user before the user is allowed to select the at least one product. In yet another aspect, the controller device can communicate through any or a combination of Wi-Fi, wireless, GPRS, Bluetooth, RF means, RFID means, or a communication means.
[00026] Aspects of the present disclosure further relate to a system having a centralized device that is operatively coupled with a user controller device and a cold storage, wherein the system can include a product selection module that can be configured to, at a controller device, receive, from a user, at least one product selection from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least product is stored. System can further include a selected product based optimal environment condition retrieval module configured to, at the centralized device, receive the selected at least product from the controller device, and retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the selected at least product based on stored mapping information. System of the present disclosure can further include a retrieved optimal environment condition based cold storage control module configured to, at a microcontroller that is operatively coupled with the cold storage, receive the retrieved optimal environmental conditions from the centralized device, and control the environmental conditions at least one compartment where the selected at least product is stored based on the retrieved optimal environmental conditions. In an aspect, the proposed system can further enable the user to change the environmental conditions manually at desired configurations.
[00027] In an exemplary implementation, a user, through the user controller device, can send product/item selection detail or command signal to a cold storage micro-controller for dynamically controlling/setting the environmental condition of the one or more compartments of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller, upon receipt of the selection details, can determine and select an appropriate control profile from the plurality of pre-configured control profiles, and send control parameters to environment control units of selected compartment.
[00028] It is to be appreciated that although few embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained with reference to a server/centralized device that is coupled with multiple user controller devices, and stores a mapping between products/items and their respective optimal environmental conditions to retrieve the optimal environmental conditions when they receive a product selection from a user and send such retrieved optimal environmental conditions to the micro-controller that is associated with a cold storage and therefore implements such optimal environmental conditions using various components such as sensors/valves/thermal control units/PLC, such a functionality can also be implemented directly at the micro-controller’s end as well, wherein the micro-controller can have a separate memory to store such mapping information and use the same to implement the optimal environmental conditions once they receive a product selection from the user. Therefore, in context of the present disclosure, use of server or centralized device or micro-controller should be treated in an overlapping manner wherein the fundamental principle revolves around selection of a product/item at the user controller device such as through an application installed on a mobile phone or through a dedicated controller device/remote control, and implementing the optimal environmental conditions that correspond to the selected product/item.
[00029] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can be configured to allow a user/operator to select a compartment for which the control setting needs to change, and choose one or other preconfigured product that is stored inside the selected compartment on the cold storage. The user controller devices can be configured to send the user selection details, which may include compartment ID and/or product ID to the cold storage micro-controller, which on receipt of the user selection, determines a control profile from plurality of control profiles stored in the control profile database. In an exemplary implementation, the control profile database can include a plurality of control profiles, each for different types of product, for each of the compartments of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller/server can be configured to select/determine an appropriate control profile based on the user selection for setting the control parameters for the selected compartment of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller can send appropriate command(s) to environment control units such as valve for controlling supply of refrigerant, thermal control unit for setting a desired temperature, sensors to activate/deactivate one or more sensors, and local PLC for controlling other environmental parameters.
[00030] In an exemplary embodiment, the user controller device may be a remote control unit that can issue a remote command or can send the user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller/server, over a short range and/or long range wireless communication channel. In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can be a smart phone on which a cold storage application may be installed, and may use cellular network for sending the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller/server. In another exemplary implementation, the user controller device may be a dedicated remote control unit that can be configured to include plurality of selection button sowing icon of product to allow a user to select an appreciate product, and send the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage controller over Zigbee, Bluetooth, infrared, or any other short range communication medium. In another exemplary implementation, the user controller device can be connected with the micro-controller through a suitable RF communication. Yet, in another example implementation, the user controller device can be connected to the cold storage micro-controller through a wired means.
[00031] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can also include one or more user authentication means such as biometric authentication means or pin based authentication means, voice based authentication means, username/password based authentication means, which can be configured to authenticate the user using a single factor or multi factor authentication before sending any remote/control command from the user interface device to the cold storage micro-controller/server. In an example implementation, user can be authenticated using a separate authentication server or through a cold control micro-controller, which can also be configured to authenticate the user before executing any commands received from the user.
[00032] As one may appreciate, different compartments of the cold storage can be designed to stored different kinds of products, including but not limiting to dairy products, agricultural products, food items, drugs, vaccines, and any other products, which needs to be stored in closed controlled environment. The cold storage environmental control system of present disclosure enables an operator to create specific profile for different products stored in cold storage.
[00033] In an exemplary implementation, the user interface device can be designed to include Braille interface so as to allow a visually impaired to interact with the cold storage environment control system of present disclosure. In another exemplary implementation, the user interface can be voice command based remote control unit.
[00034] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00035] The diagrams are for illustration only and are not limitations of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[00036] FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary implementation architectures of cold storage environmental control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00037] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cold storage having multiple compartments that can be controlled independently through a controller device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00038] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary functional module diagram of cold storage control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00039] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary control interface for regulating different control parameters of compartments of cold storage in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00040] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[00041] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[00042] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[00043] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[00044] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[00045] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cold storage control system for regulating environmental parameters of one or more compartments of a cold storage.
[00046] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a user controller device that is configured to control environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage, wherein the user controller device comprises a user input selection module that can be configured to enable a user to select at least one product from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least one product is stored, and wherein selection of the at least one product from the set of listed product enables change in environmental conditions of the least one compartment of the cold storage to those that are most optimal for the selected at least one product.
[00047] In an aspect, in case the cold storage comprises a single compartment, environmental conditions of the single compartment are changed based on product selection as the product would be kept in the single compartment itself. On the other hand, in case the cold storage has at least two compartments, the user can be enabled/configured to select (can specify) the compartment (through a number of position or location or any other means) of whose the environmental conditions are to be changed/controlled. In another exemplary embodiment, in case the cold storage includes at least two compartments with each compartment having a defined/direct mapping with a product to be stored therein (for instance through markings such as compartment 1 has to store bananas and compartment 2 has to store medicines), selection of the at least one product from a set of listed products automatically enables controlling of the environmental conditions of the corresponding compartment that is mapped to the at least one product.
[00048] In another aspect, the controller device can be operatively coupled with a server that can receive the selected at least one product, retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a database, and issue instructions to a microcontroller to control the environmental conditions. In another aspect, the database can include a mapping between the set of listed products and respective optimal environmental conditions.
[00049] In another aspect, the controller device can be a portable device that can be configured to enable controlling environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another embodiment, the controller device can be selected from any or a combination of a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Computer, Tablet PC, Smart Phone, and a computing device, wherein the controller device can be configured/installed with an application that enables selection of the at least one product, and controlling of environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another aspect, the application can be any or a combination of a client-server based application, a standalone application, a web-based application, and an online application.
[00050] In an aspect, the controller device can be operatively coupled with a microcontroller that can receive the selected at least one product, retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a memory that is operatively coupled with, and issue instructions to control the environmental conditions. In another embodiment, the controller device can be remotely or through wired means coupled with the cold storage. In yet another embodiment, the environmental conditions can be selected from one or a combination of temperature, moisture, and humidity. In yet another embodiment, the cold storage can include one or a combination of valves, thermal controls, sensors, PLC/PID systems to enable change to the desired environmental conditions, wherein such components can receive instructions from the micro-controller and implement such instructed environmental conditions. In another aspect, the controller device can include an authentication means to authenticate the user before the user is allowed to select the at least one product. In yet another aspect, the controller device can communicate through any or a combination of Wi-Fi, wireless, GPRS, Bluetooth, RF means, RFID means, or a communication means.
[00051] Aspects of the present disclosure further relate to a system having a centralized device that is operatively coupled with a user controller device and a cold storage, wherein the system can include a product selection module that can be configured to, at a controller device, receive, from a user, at least one product selection from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least product is stored. System can further include a selected product based optimal environment condition retrieval module configured to, at the centralized device, receive the selected at least product from the controller device, and retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the selected at least product based on stored mapping information. System of the present disclosure can further include a retrieved optimal environment condition based cold storage control module configured to, at a microcontroller that is operatively coupled with the cold storage, receive the retrieved optimal environmental conditions from the centralized device, and control the environmental conditions at least one compartment where the selected at least product is stored based on the retrieved optimal environmental conditions. In an aspect, the proposed system can further enable the user to change the environmental conditions manually at desired configurations.
[00052] In an exemplary implementation, a user, through the user controller device, can send product/item selection detail or command signal to a cold storage micro-controller for dynamically controlling/setting the environmental condition of the one or more compartments of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller, upon receipt of the selection details, can determine and select an appropriate control profile from the plurality of pre-configured control profiles, and send control parameters to environment control units of selected compartment.
[00053] It is to be appreciated that although few embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained with reference to a server/centralized device that is coupled with multiple user controller devices, and stores a mapping between products/items and their respective optimal environmental conditions to retrieve the optimal environmental conditions when they receive a product selection from a user and send such retrieved optimal environmental conditions to the micro-controller that is associated with a cold storage and therefore implements such optimal environmental conditions using various components such as sensors/valves/thermal control units/PLC, such a functionality can also be implemented directly at the micro-controller’s end as well, wherein the micro-controller can have a separate memory to store such mapping information and use the same to implement the optimal environmental conditions once they receive a product selection from the user. Therefore, in context of the present disclosure, use of server or centralized device or micro-controller should be treated in an overlapping manner wherein the fundamental principle revolves around selection of a product/item at the user controller device such as through an application installed on a mobile phone or through a dedicated controller device/remote control, and implementing the optimal environmental conditions that correspond to the selected product/item.
[00054] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can be configured to allow a user/operator to select a compartment for which the control setting needs to change, and choose one or other preconfigured product that is stored inside the selected compartment on the cold storage. The user controller devices can be configured to send the user selection details, which may include compartment ID and/or product ID to the cold storage micro-controller, which on receipt of the user selection, determines a control profile from plurality of control profiles stored in the control profile database. In an exemplary implementation, the control profile database can include a plurality of control profiles, each for different types of product, for each of the compartments of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller/server can be configured to select/determine an appropriate control profile based on the user selection for setting the control parameters for the selected compartment of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller can send appropriate command(s) to environment control units such as valve for controlling supply of refrigerant, thermal control unit for setting a desired temperature, sensors to activate/deactivate one or more sensors, and local PLC for controlling other environmental parameters.
[00055] An embodiment of the present disclosure allows a user to create plurality of control profiles, each for different types of products and store such control profiles in a control profile database. In an exemplary implementation, a typical control profile may include a plurality of control parameters such as volume of refrigerant that needs to be supplied through the valve for cooling a compartment, minimum and maximum temperature to be achieved by the thermal control unit, selection of sensors which needs to be activated or deactivated and other control command for PLC controlling other environmental parameters.
[00056] In an exemplary embodiment, the user controller device may be a remote control unit that can issue a remote command or can send the user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller/server, over a short range and/or long range wireless communication channel. In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can be a smart phone on which a cold storage application may be installed, and may use cellular network for sending the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller/server. In another exemplary implementation, the user controller device may be a dedicated remote control unit that can be configured to include plurality of selection button sowing icon of product to allow a user to select an appropriate product, and send the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage controller over Zigbee, Bluetooth or any other infrared short range communication medium. Yet, in another example implementation, the user controller device can be connected to the cold storage micro-controller through a wired means.
[00057] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device can also include one or more user authentication means such as biometric authentication means or pin based authentication means, voice based authentication means, username/password based authentication means, which can be configured to authenticate the user using a single factor or multi factor authentication before sending any remote/control command from the user interface device to the cold storage micro-controller/server. In an example implementation, user can be authenticated using a separate authentication server or through a cold storage micro-controller, which can also be configured to authenticate the user before executing any commands received from the user.
[00058] As one may appreciate, different compartments of the cold storage can be designed to store different kinds of products, including but not limiting to a dairy products, agricultural products, food items, drugs, vaccines, and any other products, which needs to be stored in closed controlled environment. The cold storage environmental control system of present disclosure enables an operator to create specific profile for different products stored in cold storage.
[00059] In an exemplary implementation, the user interface device can be designed to include Braille interface so as to allow a visually impaired to interact with the cold storage environment control system of present disclosure. In another exemplary implementation, the user interface can be voice command based remote control unit.
[00060] FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary architectures showing cold storage environmental control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, system 100 of the present disclosure can include a user controller device 102 that can be operatively coupled with a server and/or a centralized device, server 104 and/or a micro-controller 106, wherein the micro-controller 106 is operatively coupled with a cold storage unit 110 such as a refrigerator, and can optionally also include a external/internal memory 108.
[00061] In an exemplary implementation, server 104 can be operatively coupled with many other user controller devices 102 and/or cold storage devices 110 (through respective micro-controllers 106) so as to receive selections of one or more products/items (such as banana or a vegetable) from the controller devices 102, and retrieve from its local/remote database/repository optimal environment conditions for the one or more products/items, and issue instructions to the microcontroller 106 to accordingly control the cold storage 110 configuration. In case, on the other hand, the cold storage 110 comprises multiple compartments, user of the controller device 102 can also be expected to input the compartment of which he/she wants to control the temperature (depending on where the product/item has been stored), and based on the product and/or the compartment information, the server 104 can determine optimal environment conditions for the product/item and issue control instructions to the micro-controller 106.
[00062] In another exemplary architecture, product/item selection can also be directly sent by the controller device 102 to the micro-controller 106, which can have an internal/external memory device 108, wherein the memory 108 can retrieve optimal environment conditions that are mapped to the selected product, and issue instructions to one or more components including but not limited to the valves 114, thermal control units 116, sensors 118, and/or PLC 120 to be operated in a manner such that the desired optimal environment conditions are implemented. In case the product is stored in a defined compartment say 112-1 from among other compartments 112-2 to 112-N of the cold storage 110, compartment 112-1 in which the selected product is stored can be identified, and optimal environment conditions for only such a compartment 112-1 can be implemented. As mentioned above, compartment information can be sent along with the product code selected by the user of the controller device 102 itself. In another aspect, user can also be given the flexibility to manually change the optimal environment conditions once set (or even before).
[00063] In an aspect, with respect to FIG. 1A, a user, through the controller device 102, can send product selection detail or command signal to a cold storage micro-controller106 and/or to a server 104 (also referred to as a centralized device 104 that is connected with multiple controller devices 102 and/or cold storages 110) for dynamically controlling/setting the environmental condition of the one or more compartments of the cold storage 110. The cold storage micro-controller 106, upon receipt of the selection details/ command signal from user controller device 102, can determine and select an appropriate control profile from plurality of pre-configured control profiles and send control parameters to environment control units of selected compartment. The user controller device 102 can be configured to allow a user/operator to select a compartment 112 for which the control setting needs to change, and choose one or other preconfigured product that is stored inside the selected compartment112 on the cold storage 110. The user controller device 102can send the user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller 106, which upon receipt of the user selection, can determine a control profile from plurality of control profiles stored in its memory 108 at the server 104. In an exemplary implementation, the control profile database stored in memory 108 or server 106 can include a plurality of control profiles, each for different types of product, for each of the compartments of the cold storage. The cold storage micro-controller 106 can be configured to select/determine an appropriate control profile based on the user selection for setting the control parameters for the selected compartment of the cold storage 110. The cold storage micro-controller 102 can send appropriate command to environment control units such as valve 114 for controlling supply of refrigerant, thermal control unit 116 for setting a desired temperature, sensors 118 to activate/deactivate one or more sensors, and local PLC 120 for controlling other environmental parameters.
[00064] In an example implementation, a control profile can be configured by an operator of cold storage or a technician, through a control profile configuration device (not shown). In example implementation, separate control profile can be created for each agricultural/dairy product or a group of products. Ina multi compartment cold storage 110, which stores different products in different compartments 112, different environments parameters may be required and hence control profile of one compartment 112 may be different from the control profile of another compartment. Similarly, as a compartment 112 may store different products, which require different environment, the control parameters for a compartment 112 need to change depending on the product being stored inside. An embodiment of the present disclosure allows a user to create plurality of control profile, each for different types of product and store those control profiles in the control profile database. In an example implementation, a typical control profile may include plurality of control parameters, such as volume of refrigerant that needs to be supplied through the valve 114 for cooling a compartment, a minimum and maximum temperate to be achieved by the thermal control unit 116, selection of sensors 118 that need to be activated or deactivated, and other control command for PLC controlling other environmental parameters.
[00065] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user controller device 102 that may be configured to allow a user to select a user friendly icon of product that is stored in compartment of the cold storage 110, and to send the selected details to cold storage micro-controller 106 that can determine/select a control profile associated with the product that the icon represent and send the control parameters based the selected control profile for adjusting the environmental conditional of the selected compartment 112.
[00066] In an embodiment, the user controller device 102 may be remote control unit that can issue a remote command or user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller 106, over a short range and/or long range wireless communication. In an example implementation, the user interface device 104 can be a smart phone on which a cold storage application may be installed, and may use cellular network for sending the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller 106. In another example implementation, the user controller device 102 may be a dedicated remote control unit which can be configured to include plurality of selection button showing icon of product to allow a user to select an appropriate product, and send the remote command or user selection details to the cold storage micro-controller 102 and/or to the server 104 over Zigbee, Bluetooth, RF, infrared, or any other short range communication medium. Yet, in another example implementation, the user controller device 102 can be connected to the cold storage micro-controller 106 through a wired means.
[00067] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device 104 can include one or more user authentication modules, such as biometric authentication module or pin based authentication module, voice based authentication module, which can be configured to authenticate the user using a single factor or multi factor authentication, before sending any remote/control command from the user controller device 102 to the cold storage micro-controller 106. In an example implementation, user can be authenticated using a separate authentication user or through a cold storage micro-controller 106 which can also be configured to authenticate the user before executing any commands received from the user.
[00068] As one may appreciate, different compartments of the cold storage 110 can be designed to store different kinds of products, including but not limiting to dairy products, agricultural products, food items, drugs, vaccines, and any other products, which needs to be stored in closed controlled environment. The cold storage environmental control system of present disclosure enables an operator to create specific profile for different products stored in cold storage 110.
[00069] In an exemplary implementation, the user controller device 102 can be designed to include Braille interface so as to allow a visually impaired to interact with the cold storage environment control system of present disclosure. In another exemplary implementation, the user interface can be voice command based remote control unit.
[00070] Though FIG. 1A illustrates cold storage 110 as a single unit, it should be noted that in different implementations, cold storage 110 may have a plurality of compartments 112, each designed to store a particular type of product to store.
[00071] FIG. 1B shows another exemplary representation of the proposed architecture, wherein the user controller device 102 is a mobile phone 152 that can incorporate/install a cold storage control application 154. In an exemplary implementation, application 154 can provide an interface to a user to select a product/item from a pre-configured/pre-populated list of products, wherein based on the selection, a communication having the product selection can be sent to a server 156 and/or to a micro-controller 158 of a cold storage 162. The server 156 and/or the micro-controller 158, based on the actual configuration/implementation of the proposed system, can retrieve optimal environment conditions such as temperature, humidity, moisture, among other environment conditions for the selected product and send instructions to one or more control units such as valves 166, thermal control units 168, sensors 170, and programmable logic controller (PLC) 172 of the cold storage 162. In an aspect, each compartment 164 can include these control units, wherein along with the selected product, specific compartment 164 in which the optimal environment conditions are to be implemented (i.e. where the selected product is stored) can be determined, and control units of the determined compartment 164 can be operated to achieve the optimal environment conditions.
[00072] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cold storage having multiple compartments that can be controlled independently through a controller device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, cold storage 202 can include a plurality of compartments such as compartment-1 204-1, compartment-2 204-2, compartment 204-3, compartment 4 204-4 and compartment 204-5, collectively and interchangeably referred to as compartment 204 hereinafter, environment/temperature/conditions for which can independently be controlled. In an exemplary implementation, each compartment 204 of the cold storage 202 can include a valve(s) 206, thermal control unit 208, sensors 210, and independent PLC 212 for independently controlling the environmental condition of respective compartments 204 based on the commands received from the micro-controller. For example, compartment-1 204-1 includes valve 206-1, thermal control unit 208-1, sensors 210-1, and PLC 212-1, compartment-2 204-2 includes valve 206-2, thermal control unit 208-2, sensors 210-2 and PLC 212-2, and so on.
[00073] In an exemplary implementation, opening/closing valves 206 can be configured to selectively opened or closed by the control signal of the micro-controller, and can be positioned on a refrigerant conduit connected to the evaporators, and control the supply of refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporators, wherein the valves are selectively opened and closed based on the command signal received from the controller. The thermal control unit 208 can be configured to receive minimum and maximum temperature for a selected profile from the micro-controller and maintain the environment of the compartment with the selected range. The sensors 210 can be configured to receive and execute activation and deactivation commands from the micro-controller, based on the control profile. In an example implementation, the PLC 212 of the selected compartment can be configured to receive and execute the control commands from the micro-controller to adjust other environmental parameters of the compartment 204. One may appreciate that different compartments may be designed for different types of products. For example, a compartment 204 may be designed to store food products, another compartment 204 may be designed to store drugs, another compartment may be designed to store dairy product, yet another compartment can be designed to store fruits and another compartment can be designed to stored vegetables. Material used to design, size and operating parameters of these compartments may vary depending on the product that is designed
[00074] In an exemplary implementation, each compartment 204 may include one or more sensors 210 of different types, such as temperature sensors, smell sensor, IR sensors, visual sensor etc. Data collected by these sensors can be collected from the micro-controller, which may also make the data available to user over the user interface device in a user readable format. Exemplary implementations of the present disclosure allow a user to monitor the environmental condition of one or more compartments of the cold storage from a remote location.
[00075] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary functional modules of cold storage control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, system 300 can include a centralized device 304 that can be operatively coupled with a user controller device 302 and a cold storage 306, wherein the system 300 can include a product selection module 308 configured to, at a controller device 302, receive, from a user, at least one product selection from a set of listed products for which the user would desire to control the environmental conditions of at least one compartment of the cold storage in which the selected at least product is stored.
[00076] System of the present disclosure can further include a selected product based optimal environment condition retrieval module 310 configured to, at the centralized device/server 304, receive the selected at least product from the controller device 302, and retrieve optimal environmental conditions for the selected at least product based on stored mapping information. System can further include a retrieved optimal environment condition based cold storage control module 314 configured to, at a microcontroller 312 that is operatively coupled with the cold storage 306, receive the retrieved optimal environmental conditions from the centralized device, and control the environmental conditions at least one compartment where the selected at least product is stored based on the retrieved optimal environmental conditions.
[00077] In an aspect, in case the cold storage 306 comprises a single compartment, environmental conditions of the single compartment can be changed. On the other hand, in case the cold storage 306 comprises a plurality of compartments, the user, through the product selection module 308, can select the compartment of whose the environmental conditions are to be changed/controlled. In another aspect, in case the cold storage 306 comprises a plurality of compartments with each compartment having a defined mapping with a product to be stored therein, selection of the at least one product from a set of listed products enables controlling of the environmental conditions of the compartment that is mapped to the at least one product.
[00078] In another aspect, the mapping information can be configured in a database that can store a list of products that can be mapped to respective optimal environmental conditions. In an aspect, the controller device can be a portable device that can be configured to enable controlling environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another aspect, the controller device can be selected from any or a combination of a Mobile Phone, Laptop, Computer, Tablet PC, Smart Phone, and a computing device, wherein the controller device is configured with an application that enables selection of the at least one product, and controlling of environmental conditions of one or more compartments of a cold storage. In another aspect, the application can be any or a combination of a client-server based application, a standalone application, a web-based application, and an online application.
[00079] In an aspect, the controller device 302 can be operatively coupled with the microcontroller 312 that receives the selected at least one product, retrieves optimal environmental conditions for the at least one product from a memory that is operatively coupled with, and issues instructions to control the environmental conditions, wherein the environmental conditions can be selected from one or a combination of temperature, moisture, and humidity. In an aspect, the cold storage 306 can include one or a combination of valves, thermal controls, sensors, PLC/PID systems to enable change to the desired environmental conditions. In another aspect, the proposed system enables the user to change the environmental conditions manually at desired configurations.
[00080] In an exemplary implementation, the cold storage 306 can be configured to receive status of one or more environmental parameters for each of the one or more compartment of the cold storage. The environmental parameters may include temperature, humidity, moisture, smell, power status, occupancy status of the compartments. In an exemplary implementation, cold storage micro-controller can collect such environmental parameters from one or more sensors placed in the each of the one or more compartments of the cold storage send the collected environmental parameters to the controller device 302 to enable the device 302 to see current conditions and change the same if desired. The controller device 302 can therefore have a user interface to receive and view power status information that can include source of energy, such as solar, battery, and direct AC transmission line, powering the one or more compartments of the cold storage from the cold storage controller. The user interface can be used to control the power source as well, and allow the user to choose alternative power sources. For example, the user interface can allow user to select that the cold storage has to run through solar power, or grid power, or in an auto mode where the controller can automatically make the decision of power sources to use.
[00081] In an exemplary implementation, user controller device can be configured to display environmental parameters in the user readable format or through visual indication. The controller device may be configured to display the environmental parameters over a user screen or visually representing the environmental parameter through a series of LEDs. The controller device can also display the source of energy currently being used by each of the one or more compartments of the cold storage.
[00082] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary control interface for regulating different control parameters of compartments of cold storage in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the control interface 402can be configured in a controller device and can include a power button 404 for starting the user interface 402, a list of products against one or more compartments such as compartment-1 406-1, compartment-2 406-2, compartment-3 406-3 and compartment-4 406-4, and indicators for showing the source of power being used by the cold storage. For example, user interface 402 of the controller device can include LEDs 418-1, 418-2 and 418-3 respectively to show power source mode, for example auto mode, represented by button “A” 412, where the power source can be automatically and intelligently be chosen by the controller, solar 414, and direct AC grid power 416. As show in FIG. 4, the user interface may also include a manual settings button, such as manual setting 408-1, manual setting 408-2, manual setting 408-3, and manual setting 408-4 respectively for different compartments. The user interface 402 can allow a user to select a product button to indicate to the cold storage micro-controller that product that is stored inside the compartment so as to enable the micro-controller to select an appropriate control profile for regulating the environment control parameters of the compartment against which the product was selected by the user. The exemplary user interface 402 can be used for a multi compartment cold storage having four separate compartments for storing different types of products. For example, a compartment, represented as compartment-1 406-1 over the user interface 402 can be designed to store solid fruit product, a compartment, represented as compartment-2 406-2 can be designed to store pulpy fruits, compartment-3 406-3 can be designed to store solid vegetable products and so on. When a user selects a particular fruit or vegetable button, the user interface 402 can send the selection details indicating the compartment ID and product ID to the controller, so as to enable the controller to select a appropriate setting for controlling the environment control parameters of the selected compartment.
[00083] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[00084] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

ADVANTAGE S OF INVENTION

[00085] The present disclosure provides control systems and control interfaces for regulating different control parameters of one or more compartments of cold storage depending on product stored inside each of these different compartments.
[00086] The present disclosure provides a remote control interface that allows a remotely placed user to monitor and control environmental parameters of one or more compartments of cold storage.
[00087] The present disclosure provides a wired or wireless user interface that allows automatic detection and execution of pre-stored environmental parameters for controlling environmental parameters inside the compartments of the cold storage based on user selection.
[00088] The present disclosure provides a wired or wireless user interface that allows manual setting of one or more parameters for one or more compartments of cold storage.
[00089] The present disclosure provides a user friendly control interface that allows even a normal operator to be able to perform the control setting for one or more compartments depending on the product stored inside the one or more compartments.
[00090] The present disclosure provides a control interface that can be operated even by a blind person.
[00091] The present disclosure provides an automatic visual indication of the environmental parameters of one or more compartments to the user.