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    • 专利摘要:
    The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring the level of product in a container, which comprises obtaining the product level in the container by means of a product level sensing device; automatically send data related to at least one of the levels obtained from the product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network. More specifically, the present description refers to a method for ensuring that a user does not run out of product, for example in a container of packaged lpg, by means of a first stage of monitoring, a second stage of sending data through an iot network to through an automated link with your local bottled lpg distributor. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
    公开号:ES2648541A1
    申请号:ES201630904
    申请日:2016-07-01
    公开日:2018-01-03
    发明作者:Antonio Ricardo MARTÍN RUIZ
    申请人:Serviglp S L；Serviglp SL；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    DESCRIPTION
    Monitoring the level of a product in a container
    This description refers to a procedure to monitor the level of product in a container. In addition, it also refers to a system and a computer program 5 suitable for carrying out the procedure.
    STATE OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE
    Containers that store certain 10 products have been known for many years, for example LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders, such as butane cylinders.
    Due to the impossibility of knowing the level of product present in the container given the nature of these containers and the product they store (they are usually made of metallic materials due to the type of product they store and the way they store it - usually it is pressurized liquids or liquefied gases), over the years sensor devices of the level of product stored in this type of containers have been developed. Some of these require access to the interior of the container, while others are totally external, for example the sensor devices based on ultrasound.
    One of the disadvantages of some of these sensor devices is that they only measure the level of product in the container at the request of the user, so it is not possible to make a forecast of when the product is going to be finished, to be able to perform in 25 time A product order.
    Other sensing devices do have the ability to send the level of product present in the container to an external system (for example, to a computer system of a supplier / distributor), either through a wired or wireless communications network. .
    The main problem of these sensor devices is that, when the communications network is wired, the presence of cables is a nuisance, whether in domestic or industrial uses.
    On the other hand, when the communications network is wireless, the energy consumption caused by it is important and continuously the device's battery runs out of energy (therefore, the device stops monitoring the product level in the container) or there is to be recharging it in short periods of time (requires that the user be continuously aware of whether the device runs out of power, which is not always possible, mainly if the user is not at or near the location of the container). Alternatively, there is the possibility of using external power, but this option is definitely not always feasible in certain LPG container locations.
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    Consequently, there is a need for a system that at least partially solves the problems mentioned above.
    EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
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    In a first aspect, a procedure for monitoring the level of product in a container is provided. The procedure may include:
    - Obtain the product level in the container by means of a product level sensor device;
    20 - Automatically send data related to at least one of the levels
    obtained from product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network.
    In this way, a procedure is achieved that allows obtaining (either automatically or manually) the level of product in the container and automatically sending it to an external system, for its management. This management may simply be related to providing information (data related to the product level, for example, the product level itself) to the user or providing information to the supplier / distributor of the product or to the producer thereof, for example, to process them using “Big Data” and thus provide results that are useful for the supplier / distributor or the producer, such as maps of consumption by geographical areas, correlation of consumption with weather, etc.
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    On the other hand, it is important to note that, for each reading made, it is not necessary to send data related to the level of product in the container, that is, it is possible to establish conditions for sending or not the data related to the level of product. Thus, the sending of this data can be established when, for example, the product level is below a pre-established threshold, to generate a product order. This order can be generated from the system that executes the procedure, that is, it is the system itself that determines that the level is below the threshold or from the external system, based on the data it receives.
    By configuration, the monitoring system can always be in a "sleeping" state, in which practically the energy consumption is zero or very low. Periodically, the monitoring system "wakes up", measures the level of product in the container decides if it sends the data to the external system (which may be in the cloud), and goes back to sleep.
    With respect to the external system, it can be, for example, one of the following:
    - A system associated with a user, such as a mobile device (for example, a smartphone or a tablet). This system can be configured to only display data to the user through an appropriate interface (for example, the product level in the container) or it can be configured to process them and, for example, automatically generate product order orders to the supplier / distributor, or to generate an interface to the user to accept or not the generation of the order. In the latter case, the experience and knowledge of the user (for example, the user has the knowledge of how much product he will be able to consume in a more or less immediate future) may be adequate to decide to make a product order or not;
    - A system associated with a supplier / distributor or a producer of the product, such as a computer system (for example, a cloud computing system). This system, from the received data, can process them. In the event that the data received is an order, you can process them and manage the shipment of more product to the user.
    As previously mentioned, in some examples, the procedure may include:
    - Determine if the level of product obtained in the container is below a pre-established threshold value;
    in which automatically sending data related to at least one of the levels of product obtained in the container to at least a first external system through a communications network comprises:
    - Automatically send data related to the level of product obtained in the container to at least one external system through the communications network when the level of product in the container is determined to be below the pre-established threshold.
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    According to some examples, the data related to the level of product obtained in the container may comprise data related to a product order to a supplier / distributor. In this case, it is the system itself that executes the procedure that determines whether the level of product obtained is below the threshold value.
    In some examples, the container may be a cylinder for storing liquid under pressure or liquefied gas and the data related to a product order order to a supplier / distributor may comprise an order for at least one bottle 20 that stores liquid under pressure or liquefied gas.
    In some examples, the container may be a reservoir for storing liquid, liquefied gas or liquid under pressure and in which the data related to a product order order to a supplier / distributor may comprise a liquid order order, gas liquid or liquid under pressure that stores the tank.
    On the other hand, data related to the level of product obtained in the container may comprise the level obtained of product in the container.
    30 According to some examples, the communications network can be a communications network for the Internet of Things, which you can select from, for example, at least one of the following:
    - Sigfox;
    - LoRA;
    - Wightlees;
    - OnRamp.
    With the use of a communications network for the Internet of Things, the system is long-lasting (battery charging is not necessary) because these types of wireless networks send short messages, at a very slow speed (usually at less than 1 kbps), are long range (large coverage) and very low energy consumption.
    According to a second aspect, a computer program is provided. This computer program may comprise program instructions to cause a computer system to perform a procedure to monitor the level of product in a container, such as described above.
    The computer program may be stored in physical storage media, such as recording media, a computer memory, or a read-only memory, or it may be carried by a carrier wave, such as electrical or optical.
    According to another aspect, a system is provided to monitor the level of product in a container. This system may include:
    20 - A product level sensor device in the container;
    - A communications module to send data related to at least one of the levels obtained from the product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network;
    - A memory and a processor, in which memory stores instructions
    25 computer program executable by the processor, comprising these
    instructions functionalities to execute a procedure to monitor the level of product in a container, as described above.
    As discussed above, in some examples, the at least one external system 30 may comprise a device associated with a user of the container. This device associated with the user can be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone) or a tablet, or it can be any other device such as a personal computer, a laptop, etc. In any case, this device can be configured to receive data related to the product level, to
    process them To do this, a computer program can be executed on the device associated to the user (in the case of mobile devices it can have the form of an app) that, from the received data, processes them and generates a certain output. This output can be merely informative for the user (for example, the computer program may generate a graphical interface in which it shows the user, for example, the level of product in the container, a history of consumption, time consumption real, etc.), or it may require user intervention (through a graphical interface, it can indicate to the user that it is necessary to generate a product order because the level is below a pre-established threshold). This graphical interface can comprise
    10 a control element (for example, button type) for the user to act on it and accept the generation of the product order to the supplier / distributor); or it can be transparent to the user (the computer program itself, when it detects that the level is below the threshold, can automatically generate the order form).
    15 According to some examples, the at least one external system may comprise a system from a supplier / distributor or from a producer of the product.
    In some examples, the product level sensor device in the container can be selected from at least one of the following:
    20 - An ultrasonic product level sensor device;
    - A product level sensor device based on weight;
    - A temperature level product level sensor device.
    - A product level sensor device based on electromagnetic resonance-
    acoustics.
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    The ultrasonic-based sensor device can, for example, emit a wavelength and measure the echo. Depending on the time that passes between emission and reception it is possible to determine the level of product in the container.
    In addition, when the product level sensor device in the container is based on ultrasound, the system may comprise an element, which is disposed between the sensor device and the container, configured to change the direction of the emission / reception ultrasound beam . In this way, the inconvenience that the container that stores the product has a certain shape (for example, spherical) is eliminated.
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    generate problems to measure the product level in the container. This element can be arranged between the sensor device and the container and can be of any type of material or liquid (for example, a gel), as long as it causes the change of direction of the ultrasound beam described above.
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    With respect to the weight-based sensor device, you can use, for example, strain gauges arranged on the bottom of the container. From the weight detected, it is possible to determine the level of product in the container.
    10 The temperature-based sensor device can be based on the temperature difference along the vertical of the container. More specifically, normally the outside temperature on the surface of the container is lower where there is stored product. In this way, the level of product in the container can be given by a change in temperature detected in the vertical of the container. For this, 15 temperature bands arranged along this vertical can be used.
    The sensor device based on electromagnetic-acoustic resonance can be based on a device that makes the container vibrate (for example, a LPG cylinder) and by means of a microphone it measures the resonance frequency that is generated inside the container, which saves a correlation with the level of product in the known container.
    In addition, the system may comprise a product leak sensor device, from the container, to detect possible product leaks from the container and avoid unwanted accidents. This device can be found inside the monitoring system or external to it. In the latter case, the connection to the monitoring system can be made wired or wireless. In the case of wired communication, it can be done through serial ports, such as USB, micro USB, mini USB, Firewire or Ethernet or preferably through digital signals that indicate the alarm status by gas detection. In the case that the communication is wireless, it can be short-range, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.11 or Zigbee although, due to energy consumption problems, the most efficient solution could be based on the use of a type of IoT connection
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    On the other hand, the system may also comprise a container geo-positioning system. This geo-positioning system can be based on different techniques:
    - Giving known information regarding the location of the user (for example, provides them when you register in the system (via app, via web, etc.) or by any other procedure), whose data is the address of delivery of the product and the identifier of each monitoring system of the product level in a container (for example, the supplier / distributor of the product may have associated this identifier with the contract with the user, which also includes the address) , each time data related to the product level is sent in the container, the user identifier can also be sent (that is, the monitoring system identifier associated with the user). In this way, the distributor / supplier of the product can know the delivery address of the product or can associate the received data related to the product level, with the user and the rest of his data that he stores;
    - The geo-positioning system can comprise a GPS (Global Positioning System). The main problem of this solution may be its significant power consumption if GPS is known today;
    - The geo-positioning of the IoT network itself (although it is external to the system) by triangulation allows an approximate location although in no case at height, so in principle it would not be possible to locate different users in the same building at different heights . Therefore, it is possible to associate a container with a location (for example a domicile) but indirectly, that is, the triangulation system of the IoT network provides approximate positioning information that, correlated with that associated with the indirect form, allows having a high degree of security of the actual location of the container, that is, it can be useful for the distribution network (for example, of LPG) to correlate the actual position provided by the IoT network in relation to the situation of the sensor with the data of theoretical location provided by the user or that appears in the contract with the distributor.
    In some examples, the system may further comprise a mechanical fastening system to the container, such as at least one neodymium magnet. In any case, these fixing means may depend on the material with which the container is manufactured or on the type of sensor available in the monitoring system to measure the level of
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    product, because also in some cases a base on which the bottle can be placed may be needed.
    According to some examples, the system may comprise an element operable 5 by a user configured to generate and send a product order to a system of a product supplier / distributor through the communications network. In this way, the user can at any time place a product order from the supplier / distributor without the level of the product in the container being below the pre-established threshold, that is, an order can be generated without taking into account 10 count the level of product in the container. Its use may be appropriate when, for example, the user anticipates that for a while he will make continued use of the product.
    It is also possible that with the actuation of the described element the user forces a measurement of the level of product by the sensor device and sends (or not, for example, if conditions are not met) data at that moment. If the user operates, for example, twice the item described in less than a few seconds, the monitoring system understands that what the user intends is to request a product order. Additionally, an additional confirmation can be made (for example, upon a request 20 from a system associated with the product supplier / distributor) by replying to an SMS, pop-up message in an app or a phone call by the supplier / distributor. Thus, the function of this manual order element is intended to be a quick and direct way to place an order and the concept would be equivalent to a "panic button".
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    Other objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description, or can be learned with the practice of the invention.
    30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for monitoring the level of product in a container, according to some examples;
    Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring the level of product in a container, according to some examples;
    5 Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring the level of product in a container, such as that of Figure 2, arranged in a container, according to some examples;
    Figures 4a to 4e show different arrangements in the product level sensor device container, according to some examples;
    10 Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring the level of product in a container in which the level sensing device comprising is arranged in the lower part of the container, according to some examples.
    DETAILED EXHIBITION OF REALIZATION MODES
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    Next, the description of some examples will be made. Basically, a container can be, for example, a bottle or a tank. If it is a bottle, the product it stores can be liquid under pressure or liquefied gas, although it is not limited to it. If it is a deposit, the stored product can be liquid, liquefied gas or pressurized liquid, although it is not limited to it either.
    Thus, for example, among other possibilities, the container can be a domestic or industrial butane bottle, a diesel tank, a propane tank or tank, a butane tank or a tank or cylinder with a mixture of propane and butane. Even the container can be a barrel that stores beer or any other product for human or animal consumption.
    In the present examples, the container is a bottle and the product it stores is butane (in general, a LPG bottle (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)).
    As can be seen in Figure 1, a system 10 for monitoring the butane level in the bottle can comprise:
    - A butane level sensor device 11 in the bottle;
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    - A communications module 12 for sending data related to at least one of the butane levels obtained by the level sensor device 11 through a communications network 13, to at least one external system, such as a device 14 (for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet) associated with a user and / or a system 15 (for example, a server system arranged in the cloud) of a product provider / distributor (in the present examples , a supplier / distributor of butane bottles). The sending of this data can have several objectives. Thus, for example, the objective may be at least one of the following (that is, the data related to the level of product obtained in the container comprise data for):
    o Inform the user of the level of butane in the bottle;
    o Inform the user of a low level of butane in the bottle to determine whether it is necessary to place a product order (in this case, a new butane bottle);
    o Provide information to the supplier / distributor of the product about the consumption of the product by its customers. This information can be processed using “Big Data”, to provide results that are useful for supplier / distributor companies, such as maps of consumption by geographical areas, correlation of consumption with weather, etc.
    o Place a product order manually or automatically, either because the level obtained by the level sensor device 11 is below a threshold value or because the user has decided so, as will be explained later;
    - A control module 16 comprising a memory and a processor (the memory can be arranged externally or in the processor itself), the memory storing instructions of a computer program executable by the processor, these instructions comprising functionalities for executing a procedure for monitoring the level of butane in the bottle, as will be described later;
    - A module (not shown) for powering the electronics of the monitoring system (for example, batteries, photovoltaic cells, etc.)
    The level sensor device 11, which is connected to the control module (more specifically, to the processor), can have different configurations.
    Thus, the sensor device 11 can be based on ultrasound, so that the sensor device emits a wavelength and measures the generated echo. Depending on the time that passes between the emission and the reception, the device can determine the level of product (in the present examples, butane) that is left in the bottle. For this, the level sensor device 11 may comprise an electronic board that generates the pulse emitted by the sensor and measures the rebound that occurs in the bottle.
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    In addition, the ultrasonic-based sensor device 11 can pursue different objectives.
    Figure 4a shows a level sensor device 40a (which can be the sensor device 15 11 described above) arranged in a container 41a having a spherical shape
    in its lower part. This spherical shape makes it problematic to perform product level measurements 42a (eg, butane), as can be seen by representing the arrows shown in the figure. More specifically, the wave beam 43a emitted by the sensor device 40a bounces through the container through the product and 20 the wave beam 44a is not received by the sensor device 40a, so that the reading (or a reading is not obtained reliable) of the product level in the container.
    Due to this problem, a sensor device 40b can be arranged on the side wall of a container 41b so that it measures all or nothing. That is, with the arrangement of the sensor device in this position, it only detects whether the product level is above or below the position of the sensor device 40b, as can be seen in Figures 4b and 4c. In this case, an emitted wave beam 43b reaches, in the form of received waveform 44b, the sensor device 40b, so that it can be determined whether or not there is a product at the height (level) at which the device is arranged sensor. Figure 4b shows the situation in which the product level 42b is above the position of the sensor device, while in Figure 4c the product level is below the position of the sensor device on the side of the container 41b. On the other hand, the sensor device 40b could be arranged at the bottom of the wall
    side of the container so that the detection was an indicator that the gas is running out.
    If it is desired to obtain the value (for example, in real time) of the product level 42d in a container 41d (ie, a continuous measurement of the level), a sensor device 40d must be disposed at the bottom of the container. The problem is that there is usually an irregular point 45d in this lower part because it has a welding zone that makes it impossible to arrange the sensor device 40d in this position, which would be the optimum for measuring the level value. Thus, the sensor device 40d must be arranged a little displaced 10 with respect to this lower point and, in order to avoid the problem described above based on Figure 4a, between the sensor device and the container there is an element 46d configured to cause a change of direction of the emission beam 43d / reception 44d of the signal, as can be seen in Figures 4d and 4e. In these figures it is shown how a beam 43d of waves is emitted by the sensor device through the product, and a beam 44d of 15 waves is received by the sensor device, thus being able to determine the level of product 42d in the container 41d (Depending on the time between transmission and reception, the monitoring system (or the sensor device itself) can determine the product level). In this way, the spherical shape of the bottom of the container is not a problem to perform the measurement.
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    At this point it is important to emphasize that the design of the element 46d can allow changing the angle of the beam 43d of emitted waves so that the signal is as dampened as possible when passing through said element. This damping of the signal can basically be given by the fact that the element 46d, by its shape and / or material, can absorb an important part of the emitted wavelength and it is necessary to increase the emission signal so that the received signal is above the reception sensitivity level of the sensor device 40d. Therefore, the less the emission signal has to be increased, the lower the power consumption, the battery life being lengthened.
    On the other hand, the element 46d can also have a configuration that absorbs the different manufacturing and use uniforms of the different types of containers. For example, the same manufacturer can have containers of different shapes and designs,
    since these characteristics may change over the years and different container models may coexist.
    Figure 5 shows an example of arrangement of a sensor device 50 in the lower part 5 of a container 51, as described above. In this example, this
    The sensor device is located outside the housing of the product level monitoring system 52 in a container and is connected to it by a wired connection 53 (for example, a cable using the serial protocol).
    10 Another possible configuration of the level sensor device 11 may be based on the weight of the
    bottle. By providing, for example, strain gauges at the base of the bottle it is possible to obtain its weight and, from this value, determine the amount of product (and its level) that is stored in the bottle.
    In another configuration, the level sensor device 11 can obtain the level of butane in the bottle from the measurement of the temperature on the outer surface of the bottle (the temperature of the outer surface of the bottle is lower where there is product on its inner surface). In this way, it is possible, for example, to provide a temperature measuring band along the height of the bottle, with the intention of determining a temperature change at some point thereof.
    In addition, the measurement of the level of butane in the bottle can be performed automatically (from time to time and / or more frequently when the level is below a threshold established for it) or it may be the intervention of a user that causes the Take the measurement of the level of product in the container.
    On the other hand, in the present examples, the communications network 13 used by or to which the communications module 12 is connected is a communications network for Internet of Things (loT), the Internet of Things. which uses technology with low energy consumption and high coverage. The fact that its energy consumption is so low allows the system to operate for very long periods of time, without requiring recharging of batteries. This communications network can be selected, for example, from a Sigfox, LoRA, Wightlees or OnRamp loT network.
    In the present examples, the communications network 13 is a Sigfox loT network, which is a free-use network that operates within the 868Mhz band and is used for the interconnection of IoT device. More specifically, Sigfox uses the "Ultra Narrow Band" (UNB), based on radio technology.
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    For this, the communications module 12 may comprise a Sigfox transceiver that, for example, comprises the hardware and communications protocol necessary for its operation. In the present examples, this transceiver can be from the Atmel company, more specifically its ATA8520D model.
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    As for the computer program executed by the processor, it is stored in the described memory (for example, it may be stored in physical storage media, such as recording media, computer memory, or read-only memory, or it can be carried by a carrier wave, such as electric or optical 15).
    The computer program may be in the form of source code, object code or in an intermediate code between source code and object code, such as partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the 20 procedures described.
    The carrier medium can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.
    For example, the carrier medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk (for the present examples, it could be the own solid state drive). In addition, the carrier means may be a transmissible carrier medium such as an electrical or optical signal that can be transmitted via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.
    When the computer program is contained in a signal that can be transmitted directly by means of a cable or other device or medium, the carrier medium may be constituted by said cable or other device or medium.
    Alternatively, the carrier means may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is encapsulated (embedded), said integrated circuit being adapted to perform or for use in performing the relevant procedures.
    5 Alternatively, the control module 16 may have a non-fully computer configuration as described above. Thus, its configuration can be purely electronic or an electronic and computer combination.
    In the event that the control module 16 has a fully electronic configuration, this module may be formed by a programmable electronic device such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC ( Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).
    If the control module 16 has a combined computer and electronic configuration, 15 may comprise a memory and a processor, in which the memory stores computer program instructions executable by the processor, these instructions comprising functionalities for executing at least part of a procedure to monitor the level of product in a container, as will be described later. In addition, the module may comprise electronic circuits designed to execute those parts of the procedure that are not implemented by the computer instructions.
    Additionally, the monitoring system 10 may also comprise a sensor device (not shown) of product leakage (in the present examples, butane) of the container (ie, of the bottle in the present examples). Thus, with the presence of this leak detection device, it is intended to minimize the possible accidents that may be caused by a product leak, since most of the products stored in the types of containers described can be highly flammable, highly explosive or highly harmful to human health or, 30 basically, that can lead to safety risks.
    On the other hand, the monitoring system 10 may also comprise a container geo-positioning system. This geo-positioning system can be based on different techniques:
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    - Giving known information regarding the location of the user (for example, provides them when you register in the system (via app, via web, etc.) or by any other procedure), whose data is the address of delivery of the product and the identifier of each monitoring system of the product level in a container (for example, the supplier / distributor of the product may have associated this identifier with the contract with the user, which also includes the address) , each time data related to the product level is sent in the container, the user identifier can also be sent. In this way, the distributor / supplier of the product can know the delivery address of the product or can associate the received data related to the product level, with the user and the rest of his data that he stores;
    - The geo-positioning system can comprise a GPS (Global Positioning System). The main problem of this solution may be its significant power consumption if GPS is known today;
    - The geo-positioning of the IoT network itself (although it is external to the system) by triangulation allows an approximate location although in no case at height, so in principle it would not be possible to locate different users in the same building at different heights . Therefore, it is possible to associate a container with a location (for example a domicile) but indirectly, that is, the triangulation system of the IoT network provides approximate positioning information that, correlated with that associated with the indirect form, allows having a high degree of security of the actual location of the container, that is, it can be useful for the distribution network (for example, of LPG) to correlate the actual position provided by the IoT network in relation to the situation of the sensor with the data of theoretical location provided by the user or that appears in the contract with the distributor.
    Additionally, the monitoring system 10 may comprise an element (for example a physical button or button or a button or button generated in a user interface that can be displayed on a screen (for example, LCD) comprised in the monitoring system) operable by a user configured to generate and send a product order order to a system of a product supplier / distributor through the communications network. In this way, the user can at any time place a product order from the supplier / distributor without the level of the product in the container
    is below the pre-established threshold, that is, an order can be generated without taking into account the product level in the container. Its use may be appropriate when, for example, the user anticipates that for a while he will make continued use of the product. A practical application of this situation is to place orders quickly when the user has several household equipment that uses butane or any other product (stove, heater, kitchen) autonomously but only has a single device measuring the level of product in the container.
    It is also possible that with the actuation of the described element the user forces a measurement of the level of product by the sensor device and sends (or not, for example, if conditions are not met) data at that moment. If the user operates, for example, twice the item described in less than a few seconds, the monitoring system understands that what the user intends is to request a product order. Additionally, an additional confirmation can be made (for example, before a request 15 from a system associated with the product supplier / distributor) by replying to an SMS, pop-up message in an app or a phone call by the supplier / distributor. Thus, the function of this manual order element is intended to be a quick and direct way to place an order and the concept would be equivalent to a "panic button".
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    On the other hand, the presence of these devices and / or systems described so far, that is, the level sensor device 11, the leakage sensor device, the geo-positioning system or any other one not described, may imply their connection at least the communications module 12 (more specifically, to the processor) described above.
    25
    At this point it is important to note that some of these devices and / or systems may be arranged in the system or external to it. In the case of this last scenario, the connection to the communications module 12 can be made wired or wireless. In the case of wired communication, the connection can be made through serial ports, such as USB, micro USB, mini USB, Firewire or Ethernet. In the case of wireless communications, the connection can be made by means of short-range wireless communications modules, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.11 or Zigbee, although they may have excessive energy consumption for the intended objective. If the communications are not long
    scope, the connection can be made through communications modules based on GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G technology or satellite technology (for example, if the communication is done through a global communication network, such as the Internet), although they also have excessive energy consumption, or even through the communications network for 5 IoT described above.
    With respect to the external systems described above to which the data related to the level of butane in the bottle can be sent, they can basically be a device associated with the user (for example, a mobile device, such as a smartphone 10 or a tablet , or a laptop or desktop computer), a system (usually computer) associated with the distributor / supplier of butane or a system (also normally computer) associated with the company producing LPG packaging.
    In the first case, the data related to the level of butane in the bottle are received, in the present examples, by a mobile phone of the user, which, through an app configured for it, can show different interfaces to the user. Thus, for example, it can show an interface that indicates to the user data related to the consumption made (they can be generated by the app itself or they can be given by the supplier / distributor system or the producer system, as will be described below) or 20 an interface that indicates to the user that the level of butane in the bottle is below a threshold and that an order has been automatically generated from a new bottle or gives the user the option to place this order order of manually (for example, through a button-type control element shown in the interface).
    25 In the second or third case, that is, if the external system is a system associated with the supplier / distributor or the producer (for example, a gas company), respectively, the data related to the level of butane in the bottle are received , in the present examples, by a computer system, which, from a suitable computer program, can process them by means of, for example, "Big Data" and thus provide results that are useful both for the supplier / distributor and for the producer (even for the user), such as maps of consumption by geographic areas, correlation of consumption with weather, etc. In addition, these results can be sent from the computer system of the supplier / distributor or the producer, to the user's mobile phone.
    A schematic representation of a monitoring system 20 (could be the monitoring system 10 described above) according to some examples can be seen in Figure 2. In this representation, this monitoring system 20 comprises a housing 21, within which all the elements described above can be found (although all or some of them could be arranged external to the housing); an antenna 22, which is part of the communication module, to communicate the monitoring system 20 with external systems, through a communication network for IoT, as also described above; a button 23, 10 also described above, for manual generation, when operated by the user, of a product order (for example, of a new butane bottle); and a light emitting diode (LED) 24 indicating the correct operation of the monitoring system 20 (for example, a green light could indicate a correct operation, a red light could indicate a malfunction, a flashing red light 15 could indicate a disconnection of the system from the IoT communications network, etc.). It is important to note that, for reasons of energy consumption, normally the LED 24 can be turned off and briefly illuminated intermittently at the time of sending automatic or manual information (by means of the button incorporated to the device) to the IoT network.
    twenty
    Figure 3 shows a view in which a monitoring system 30 (could be, for example, any of the monitoring systems 10; 20 described above) is arranged in a butane cylinder 31. The system can be fixed to the cylinder by mechanical fixation, for example, by means of at least one neodymium magnet, although this fixing may depend on the material from which the bottle is made.
    Based on everything described so far, the description of a procedure to monitor the level of product in a container (in the present examples, a butane bottle), which will be executed by a stored computer program will be carried out below. in the memory of the communications module 12, as described above.
    Thus, the procedure can be as follows:
    - Obtain the product level in the container by means of a product level sensor device, as described above;
    - Automatically send data related to at least one of the levels of product obtained in the container to at least one external system through
    5 a communications network.
    The product level can be obtained automatically or manually (for example, from the intervention of the user). When performed automatically, this obtaining can be done from time to time, it can be done in 10 pre-established hours or it can be carried out more continuously after a level that is below a previously established threshold has been detected (this threshold nothing has to do with the established threshold from which a product order is recommended or placed).
    With respect to the automatic sending of data, it can be done every time a reading of the product level is made or only in those cases in which, for example, a pre-established condition is met, such as that the level is found by below a pre-established threshold, to place a product order.
    20 In addition, this data may only be sent to a system associated with the user, a system associated with the supplier / distributor or a system associated with the producer. It is also possible to send this data to more than one of the external systems described.
    On the other hand, the shipment can be made to the different systems in different situations. For example, each time a level reading is performed, the data related to the reading can be sent to the producer's system and / or to the supplier / distributor's system, for processing. However, the user's system only receives data when the level obtained from the product in the container is below a pre-established threshold, so that, for example, it makes a product order, whether 30 is manual (requires the participation of the user) or automatically.
    The procedure may further comprise:
    - Determine if the level of product obtained in the container is below a pre-established threshold value;
    in which automatically sending data related to at least one of the levels of product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network comprises:
    - Automatically send data related to the level of product obtained in the
    5 container at least one external system through the communications network
    when the level of product in the container is determined to be below the pre-set threshold.
    That is, as previously mentioned, if the level is below a threshold, the data associated with the level is sent to a system of those described.
    In any case, the data related to the level can have, for example, two formats:
    - The level of product obtained in the container (in the present examples, the level of
    15 butane in the bottle). In this case, it may be the external system that receives these
    data that determines whether the level is below the pre-established threshold for placing a product order;
    - A product order order from a supplier / distributor. In this case, the monitoring system itself is the one that performs the check to determine if the
    20 level obtained is below this threshold.
    In addition, the sending of this data may be accompanied by the sending of the user identifier (that is, the monitoring system associated with the user) in front of the supplier / distributor company. It is important to note that the amount of data that can be sent on an IoT network is so small that information such as the location or address of the user cannot be sent. The sending of this identifier, which the supplier / distributor company already has associated with the rest of the user's data, is sufficient.
    At this point it is important to note that if the container is a bottle for storing liquid under pressure or liquefied gas, the data related to a product order to a supplier / distributor may comprise an order for at least one bottle that Store liquid under pressure or liquefied gas. That is, the product request is the request for a new bottle.
    On the contrary, if the container is a reservoir for storing liquid, liquefied gas or liquid under pressure, the data related to a product order order to a supplier / distributor may comprise an order for liquid, liquefied gas or low liquid order pressure that stores the tank. That is to say, it is not necessary to request a new 5 deposit but rather a product is requested to fill in this deposit.
    Although only some particular embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein, the person skilled in the art will understand that other alternative embodiments and / or uses of the invention are possible, as well as obvious modifications and equivalent elements. In addition, the present invention encompasses all possible combinations of the specific embodiments that have been described. The scope of the present invention should not be limited to specific embodiments, but should be determined only by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.
    fifteen
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1]
    1. Procedure for monitoring the level of product in a container, comprising:
    - Obtain the product level in the container using a sensor device
    5 product level;
    - Automatically send data related to at least one of the levels of product obtained in the container to at least one external system through a communications network.
    Method according to claim 1, further comprising:
    - Determine if the level of product obtained in the container is below a pre-established threshold value;
    wherein automatically sending data related to at least one of the levels of product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network 15 comprises:
    - Automatically send data related to the level of product obtained in the container to at least one external system through the communications network when the level of product in the container is determined to be below the pre-established threshold.
    twenty
    [3]
    3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the data related to the level of product obtained in the container comprises data related to a product order to a supplier / distributor.
    Method according to claim 3, wherein the container is a bottle for
    storing liquid under pressure or liquefied gas and in which the data related to a product order order to a supplier / distributor comprise an order order of at least one cylinder that stores liquid under pressure or liquefied gas.
    Method according to claim 3, wherein the container is a container for
    storing liquid, liquefied gas or liquid under pressure and in which the data related to a product order order to a supplier / distributor comprises an order for liquid, liquefied gas or liquid under pressure that stores the tank.
    5
    10
    fifteen
    twenty
    25
    [6]
    Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the data related to the level obtained of product in the container comprise the level obtained of product in the container.
    [7]
    7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communications network is a communications network for the Internet of Things.
    [8]
    8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the communications network for Internet of Things is selected from at least one of the following:
    - Sigfox;
    - LoRA;
    - Wightlees;
    - OnRamp.
    [9]
    9. Computer program comprising program instructions to cause a computer system to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to monitor the level of product in a container.
    [10]
    10. Computer program according to claim 10, which is stored on recording media.
    [11]
    11. Computer program according to any one of claims 9 or 10, which is carried by a carrier signal.
    [12]
    12. System for monitoring the product level in a container, comprising:
    - A product level sensor device in the container;
    - A communications module to send data related to at least one of the levels obtained from the product in the container to at least one external system through a communications network;
    - A memory and a processor, in which the memory stores computer program instructions executable by the processor, these instructions comprising functionalities for executing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for monitoring the product level in a container.
    [13]
    13. System according to claim 12, wherein the at least one external system comprises a device associated with a user of the container.
    [14]
    14. System according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the at least one external system comprises a system from a supplier / distributor / producer of the product.
    [15]
    15. System according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the product level sensor device in the container is selected from at least one of the following:
    10 - An ultrasonic product level sensor device;
    - A product level sensor device based on weight;
    - A temperature level product level sensor device.
    - A product level sensor device based on electromagnetic resonance-
    acoustics.
    fifteen
    [16]
    16. System according to claim 15, which, when the product level sensor device in the container is based on ultrasound, further comprises an element, which is disposed between the sensor device and the container, configured to change the direction of the beam of emission / reception ultrasound.
    twenty
    [17]
    17. System according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising a product leak sensing device, of the container.
    [18]
    18. System according to any one of claims 12 to 17, further comprising a container geo-positioning system.
    [19]
    19. System according to any one of claims 12 to 18, further comprising a mechanical fastening system to the container.
    20. System according to claim 19, wherein the mechanical fastening system to the
    Container comprises at least one neodymium magnet.
    [21]
    21. System according to any one of claims 12 to 20, further comprising an element operable by a user configured to generate and send an order of
    Product order to a system from a product supplier / distributor through the communications network.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP3479080B1|2021-08-11|
    EP3479080A1|2019-05-08|
    WO2018002363A1|2018-01-04|
    MA45545A|2021-05-26|
    ES2648541B1|2018-10-10|
    ES2896910T3|2022-02-28|
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    ES201630904A|ES2648541B1|2016-07-01|2016-07-01|MONITORING OF THE LEVEL OF A PRODUCT IN A CONTAINER|ES201630904A| ES2648541B1|2016-07-01|2016-07-01|MONITORING OF THE LEVEL OF A PRODUCT IN A CONTAINER|
    PCT/EP2017/066383| WO2018002363A1|2016-07-01|2017-06-30|Monitoring a product level in a container|
    MA045545A| MA45545A|2016-07-01|2017-06-30|MONITORING A PRODUCT LEVEL IN A CONTAINER|
    EP17737752.0A| EP3479080B1|2016-07-01|2017-06-30|Monitoring a product level in a container|
    ES17737752T| ES2896910T3|2016-07-01|2017-06-30|Monitoring the level of a product in a container|
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