Apparatus and method to monitor the occupied volume within a fixed or variable volume

摘要

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring a storage container (102; 502). Sensors (103; 306; 506) and a control circuit (104; 302; 504) are used to determine the amount of occupied space in the interior of a container or set of containers (102; 502). Information regarding the occupied space within the container (102; 502) can be presented on a display (106; 312; 402; 507), which may optionally be local to the container (102; 502) 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.