Spout apparatus, systems and methods

摘要

A spout is disclosed capable of detecting if it is properly “on” or “off” the container according to tilt characteristics of the spout as determined by accelerometer and other sensor data. The tilt characteristics can be applied to one or more sets of coupling criteria, which if met, can provide an indication that the spout is “on bottle” or “off bottle”.

主权项

1. A dispensing spout comprising:
a tilt sensor configured to generate an orientation attribute having an orientation attribute value, wherein the orientation attribute value comprises an instant measured orientation angle of the spout with respect to a reference orientation; and a detector circuit coupled with the tilt sensor, the detector circuit having a processor programmed to:
derive a duration attribute having a duration attribute value, wherein the duration attribute value comprises a measured duration of time of the spout at a particular instant measured orientation;obtain a spout coupling criteria defined as a function of the orientation attribute and the duration attribute, wherein the spout coupling criteria is satisfied if the orientation attribute value generated by the tilt sensor exceeds a threshold angle for a particular duration;generate a detected profile as a function of the orientation attribute value and the duration attribute value; andgenerate a spout coupling state message upon the detected profile satisfying the spout coupling criteria, wherein the spout coupling state message provides an indication of the spout being off of a container.