Storage locations with inflatable bladders
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of storage locations each having a respective volume;
a plurality of bladders, at least a portion of the plurality of storage locations being associated with at least one respective bladder of the plurality of bladders; and
a sensor associated with the at least one respective bladder of the plurality of bladders, the sensor configured to output sensor data representing an inflation level of the at least one respective bladder, the sensor comprising at least one of a light sensor positioned on an exterior surface of the at least one respective bladder, a strain gauge positioned on the exterior surface of the at least one respective bladder, or an optical sensor oriented towards the portion of the plurality of storage locations and the at least one respective bladder;
wherein each bladder is selectively inflatable and deflatable to change an amount of the volume of a respective storage location that is occupied by the at least one respective bladder, and is configured for fluid communication with an inflation network operable to change an amount of pressurized fluid present in the at least one respective bladder, based at least in part on the sensor data, so as to selectively change the amount of the volume of the respective storage location occupied by the at least one respective bladder.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems may include a storage location and a bladder. The storage location may have a volume. The bladder may be selectively inflatable and deflatable to change an amount of the volume of the storage location that is occupied by the bladder. Fluid communication between the bladder and an inflation network may change an amount of pressurized fluid present in the bladder so as to change the amount of the volume of the storage location occupied by the bladder. For example, this may cause the bladder to press against an item in the storage location, such as to secure the item or to facilitate a determination of an amount of space that is occupied in the storage location and/or an amount of space that is available for receipt of additional items.
7 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of storage locations each having a respective volume; a plurality of bladders, at least a portion of the plurality of storage locations being associated with at least one respective bladder of the plurality of bladders; and a sensor associated with the at least one respective bladder of the plurality of bladders, the sensor configured to output sensor data representing an inflation level of the at least one respective bladder, the sensor comprising at least one of a light sensor positioned on an exterior surface of the at least one respective bladder, a strain gauge positioned on the exterior surface of the at least one respective bladder, or an optical sensor oriented towards the portion of the plurality of storage locations and the at least one respective bladder; wherein each bladder is selectively inflatable and deflatable to change an amount of the volume of a respective storage location that is occupied by the at least one respective bladder, and is configured for fluid communication with an inflation network operable to change an amount of pressurized fluid present in the at least one respective bladder, based at least in part on the sensor data, so as to selectively change the amount of the volume of the respective storage location occupied by the at least one respective bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of storage locations each having a respective volume; and a plurality of bladders, at least a portion of the plurality of storage locations being associated with at least one respective bladder of the plurality of bladders, the at least one respective bladder comprising a first flexible section and a second flexible section, wherein the first flexible section is more flexible than the second flexible section, and wherein inflation of the at least one respective bladder causes the first flexible section to expand before the second flexible section expands; wherein each bladder is selectively inflatable and deflatable to change an amount of the volume of a respective storage location that is occupied by the at least one respective bladder, and is configured for fluid communication with an inflation network operable to change an amount of pressurized fluid present in the at least one respective bladder so as to selectively change the amount of the volume of the respective storage location occupied by the at least one respective bladder.
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Specification