Apparatus and method for automatic gauge reading in an inventory control and management system
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- raising or lowering a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material, the probe raised or lowered using a connector, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector;
digitally capturing information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector;
determining a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, wherein determining the level reading comprises compensating for contamination or damage associated with the connector; and
wirelessly transmitting the determined level reading.
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Abstract
A system includes a probe configured to be raised and lowered in a tank that is configured to receive a material. The system also includes a connector coupled to the probe and having at least one type of coding encoded on the connector. The system further includes a main unit configured to raise and lower the probe using the connector, digitally capture information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector, determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, and wirelessly transmit the determined level reading.
14 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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raising or lowering a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material, the probe raised or lowered using a connector, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector; digitally capturing information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector; determining a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, wherein determining the level reading comprises compensating for contamination or damage associated with the connector; and wirelessly transmitting the determined level reading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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raising or lowering a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material, the probe raised or lowered using a connector, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector; digitally capturing information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector; determining a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information; determining a confidence level or confidence interval associated with the determined level reading; and wirelessly transmitting the determined level reading and the confidence level or confidence interval.
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10. A method comprising:
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raising or lowering a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material, the probe raised or lowered using a connector, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector; digitally capturing information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector; determining a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information; and wirelessly transmitting the determined level reading; wherein; digitally capturing the information comprises capturing an image of the connector; and determining the level reading comprises performing pattern matching using the image.
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11. A system comprising:
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a probe configured to be raised and lowered in a tank that is configured to receive a material; a connector coupled to the probe, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector; and a main unit configured to; raise and lower the probe using the connector; digitally capture information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector; determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information; and wirelessly transmit the determined level reading. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus comprising:
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a sensor configured to digitally capture information associated with at least one type of coding encoded on a connector, the connector configured to raise and lower a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material; a processor configured to determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information; and a wireless interface configured to wirelessly transmit the determined level reading. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a probe configured to be raised and lowered in a tank that is configured to receive a material; a connector coupled to the probe, the connector comprising at least one type of coding encoded on the connector; and a main unit configured to; raise and lower the probe using the connector; digitally capture information associated with the at least one type of coding on the connector; determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank using the captured information, wherein the main unit is configured to compensate for contamination or damage to the connector by performing a neighbor tracking process using the captured information; and wirelessly transmit the determined level reading.
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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a sensor configured to digitally capture information associated with at least one type of coding encoded on a connector, the connector configured to raise and lower a probe in a tank that is configured to receive a material; a processor configured to determine a level reading identifying a level of the material in the tank, wherein the processor is configured to compensate for contamination or damage to the connector by performing a neighbor tracking process using the captured information; and a wireless interface configured to wirelessly transmit the determined level reading.
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Specification