Method and system for switching between packages in a diffusion device based on a liquid level sensor

• US 9,452,234 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scentbridge Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Conroy, Thomas G. Siegel, Todd H. Becker
• Inventors: Conroy, Thomas A., Becker, Todd H., Siegel, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hwu, Davis
• Application Number:
  US14/689,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20150297777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 239/303, 239 67- 71, 239/74.001
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/135 Vaporisers for active components
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/20 Method-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/54 Mixing liquid fragrances with air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/213 by spraying or atomising of the liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/08 responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2416 characterised by the means for producing or supplying the atomising fluid, e.g. air hoses, air pumps, gas containers, compressors, fans, ventilators, their drives
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2424 the carried liquid and the main stream of atomising fluid being brought together downstream of the container before discharge B05B7/2435 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2489 an atomising fluid, e.g. a gas, being supplied to the discharge device B05B7/2402, B05B7/2483, B05B7/262 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/262 a liquid and a gas being brought together before entering the discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/30 : by floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/72 : using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 : Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 : Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 : Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 : Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

The disclosure herein concerns an atomizing diffusion device including at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with the atomizing diffusion device, a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in the package, and a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package in the diffusion device.

Claims

1. An atomizing diffusion system, comprising:

at least two packages with liquid in fluid communication with at least one diffuser;

a liquid level sensor that determines the liquid level in at least one of the packages; and

a processor, operatively coupled to the liquid level sensor, for generating a signal indicative of the liquid level and a control instruction for altering a state of the diffusion system;

wherein the liquid level sensor comprises a floating magnet disposed within a track inside at least one of the packages, wherein as a liquid level inside the package changes, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, and a Hall effect sensor or a Hall effect switch is disposed outside the package at a position to enable sensing the position of the floating magnet in the track.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a switch, operatively coupled to the processor, receives the control instruction from the processor, and wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion system to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion system to utilizing a different package in the diffusion system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system switches between a first diffuser and a second diffuser.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system switches packages associated with a single diffuser.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid level inside the package is exposed through at least one of a transparent wall and a transparent window of the package.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the switch is a solenoid switch.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the state of the diffusion system is turned off.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising, a communication facility that enables the processor to transmit the signal to a remote computer.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote computer uses the signal to generate an alert if the signal indicates a need for replacement of a package or when an unexpected signal is obtained.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote computer uses the signal to predict when the package will be depleted of liquid.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote computer uses the signal to determine a package replenishment schedule.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the atomizing diffusion device is a scent diffusion device.

13. A method of operating an atomizing scent diffusion device, comprising:

configuring the atomizing scent diffusion device with a package adapted to store a liquid, wherein the liquid level inside the package is determined with a liquid level sensor;

generating a signal indicative of the liquid level with the liquid level sensor;

transmitting the signal to a remote computer with a communications facility of the atomizing scent diffusion device; and

initiating an event remotely at the remote computer based on the signal;

wherein the liquid level sensor comprises a floating magnet disposed within a track inside the package, wherein as a liquid level inside the package changes, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, and a Hall effect sensor or a Hall effect switch disposed outside the package at a position to enable sensing the position of the floating magnet in the track.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is scheduling a replenishment.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is predicting a time until depletion.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, scheduling a replenishment based on the time.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein predicting comprises performing a days of supply calculation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the calculation involves taking the measured current liquid level and dividing it by the average usage rate per day to determine a number of days of supply remaining.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the average usage rate per day is defined for a time period.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is the dispatch of a replenishment technician.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the event is the transmission of an alert/email to on-site personnel.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising, generating a control instruction for a switch based on the signal, wherein the control instruction causes the diffusion device to switch from utilizing one package in the diffusion device to utilizing a different package also configured in the diffusion device.