APPARATUS AND METHOD TO MONITOR THE OCCUPIED VOLUME WITHIN A FIXED OR VARIABLE VOLUME

• US 20150241209A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Jouper, Jeffrey A., Peabody, Mark
• Application Number:
  US14/189,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20150241209A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/003 Stowage devices for passengers' personal luggage
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/285 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 17/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/00 Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels G01C3/20, G01C3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/00 Details of weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring a storage container. Sensors and a control circuit are used to determine the amount of occupied space in the interior of a container or set of containers. Information regarding the occupied space within the container can be presented on a display, which may optionally be local to the container or at a centralized location. The determination may accommodate varying volume of the container depending on whether it is open or closed. Further inputs may adjust for variations in sensor operation depending on environmental factors such as temperature and altitude.

Claims

1. A storage container monitoring system, comprising:

at least one sensor configured to communicate with a control circuit; and

wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an amount of occupied space in an interior of a container having a closeable opening using input from the sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the control circuit is configured to communicate with a display; and

the display is configured to present an amount of information regarding the occupied space.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the display is a centralized display.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the display is a local display.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a weight sensor configured to communicate with the control circuit; and

the control circuit is further configured to determine a cumulative measured weight of at least one object contained within the interior of the container; and

the display is further configured to present the measured weight.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the container is a passenger storage unit on a commercial aircraft.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is further configured to adjust the determination of the occupied space according to a measured temperature input and a measured altitude input.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a securement sensor configured to monitor whether the closeable opening is in an open state or a closed state; and

the display being further configured to present the state of the closeable opening.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the container has a first volume when the closeable opening is in a closed state and a second volume when the closeable opening is in an open state.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein a type of the sensors is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic, infrared, photo, LED, and laser.

11. A system for monitoring the available space in stowage bins each having a securable door, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring units, each associated with a particular stowage bin and having a control circuit and at least one sensor array having a plurality of sensors;

each particular sensor being effective to measure the distance between the particular sensor and the nearest surface in a direction of interest;

the control circuit associated with each bin being configured to determine an amount of available space in the particular bin using the measurements of its associated sensors and communicate the amount of available space to at least one display; and

the display being configured to present an amount of space information regarding the amount of available space.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one weight sensor located in each particular stowage bin that is configured to measure the weight of at least one object contained within the particular stowage bin; and

the display is configured to present an amount of weight information regarding the weight of the objects.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein each particular stowage bin has a latch sensor configured to detect the securement state of the particular stowage bin;

and

the display is configured to present an amount of securement information regarding the securement state of the stowage bins.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is configured to utilize at least one of a temperature input, an altitude input and a securement state input in determining the amount of available space.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor arrays include sensors of a type from the group consisting of ultrasonic, infrared, photo, LED, and laser.

16. A method of monitoring the available volume in a container, comprising:

providing a control circuit and at least one sensor;

measuring a total available volume when the container is empty;

measuring a presently available volume using the sensors;

determining an amount of occupied space;

communicating the amount of occupied space from the control circuit to a display; and

presenting on the display an amount of information regarding the occupied space.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining using at least one weight sensor a measured weight of at least one object contained within the container; and

presenting on the display an amount of weight information regarding the measured weight.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the container is an overhead storage unit on a commercial aircraft.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

receiving to the control circuit a measured temperature input and a measured altitude input; and

wherein during the step of determining the occupied space, accounting for the measured temperature and measured altitude inputs.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing a door sensor;

monitoring a securement state of a closeable opening of the container; and

presenting on the display an amount of securement information regarding the state of the closeable opening.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the container has a first volume when the closeable opening in is in a closed securement state and a second volume when the closeable opening is in an open securement state; and

during the step of determining the occupied space, adjusting the presently available volume according to the securement state.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein a type of the sensors is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic, infrared, photo, LED, and laser.