Systems and methods for determining fluid quality

The present invention relates to systems and methods for determining fluid quality. The system includes a sensing device. The sensing device includes an outer housing and an inner housing inserted within the outer housing. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more parameters related to a fluid stored in a receptacle and ambient parameters of the receptacle. The sensing device further includes a control circuitry configured to generate sensory data based on the parameters related to the fluid and the ambient parameters of the receptacle. Further, the system includes a central control module. The central control module predicts, by one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, the fluid quality of the fluid stored in the receptacle based on the sensory data. The AI models predict the fluid quality of the fluid based on mapping the sensory data with the set of predefined fluid quality profiles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic systems for monitoring fluid quality, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for determining quality of fluid (e.g., wine, bourbon, etc.) stored in containers.

BACKGROUND

Containers storing liquids may be configured to store for prolonged period of time ranging from several months to years. For example, alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, rum, whisky, and the like may require storage in a barrel (or a container) for an extended period of time during their production. However, some containers may not be fully airtight, whether by design or due to limitations, leading to potential loss of liquid through evaporation, leakage, or other means, which can reduce the volume over time. For example, wooden barrels containing the liquids may evaporate naturally over the time, which is a necessary part of the distillation process. Further, the airtight seal may be crucial for spirits like whiskey and bourbon, but in case of wine, airtight seal may serve to monitor the health of the liquid inside the barrel. Numerous processes are monitored by manually sampling the containers and such existing processes are costly and labor intensive. Further, infrequent testing increases the risk of adverse reactions in the containers. Furthermore, the cost and effort associated with manual testing prevent the users (e.g., winemakers) from determining concentrations of key components in real time.

In recent times, Internet-based computing networks used in combination with wireless sensors allow users to access real-time data on wireless devices. Typically, wireless sensors are used in many industries to provide convenient and useful ways of obtaining data. One such example is sensor devices used for monitoring and determining the quality of alcohol stored in the container. However, there are several potential problems and challenges associated with the existing technologies. For example, the sensors used may experience drift over time which further leads to inaccurate readings unless regularly calibrated. Further, the sensors may have limitations in their accuracy and precision, leading to errors in the recorded data. Some of the existing sensors may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in conditions or quality. However, the existing technologies may provide sensor performance of single days or hours, resembling dots on a map rather than showing trends over time. Additionally, environmental factors such as extreme temperature changes and high humidity or condensation may affect the sensor performance and accuracy, resulting in false readings and cause malfunctions.

Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for determining quality of fluid stored in containers that overcome the aforementioned deficiencies along with providing other advantages.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose systems and methods for determining quality of fluid (e.g., wine, bourbon, etc.) stored in containers.

In an embodiment, a sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device includes an outer housing. The outer housing includes a cavity extending from a bottom portion to a central portion of the outer housing along a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The cavity is adapted to receive a portion of a fluid stored in a receptacle while the sensing device is inserted into the receptacle. Further, the sensing device includes an inner housing. The inner housing includes a top part and a bottom part. The bottom part is configured in conformity with the cavity of the outer housing, for enabling the bottom part to snuggly fit onto the cavity of the outer housing while the inner housing is inserted within the outer housing through a top portion of the outer housing. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one or more parameters related to the fluid stored in the receptacle and ambient parameters of the receptacle. The sensing device further includes a control circuitry communicably coupled to the plurality of sensors. The control circuitry is configured to at least generate sensory data based at least on processing the one or more parameters related to the fluid stored in the receptacle and the ambient parameters of the receptacle. The sensory data is transmitted to a central control module for determining quality of the fluid stored in the receptacle.

In another embodiment, a system for determining fluid quality is disclosed. The system includes a sensing device. The sensing device includes an outer housing. The outer housing includes a cavity extending from a bottom portion to a central portion of the outer housing along a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The cavity is adapted to receive a portion of a fluid stored in a receptacle while the sensing device is inserted into the receptacle. Further, the sensing device includes an inner housing. The inner housing includes a top part and a bottom part. The bottom part is configured in conformity with the cavity of the outer housing, for enabling the bottom part to snuggly fit onto the cavity of the outer housing while the inner housing is inserted within the outer housing through a top portion of the outer housing. The sensing device includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one or more parameters related to the fluid stored in the receptacle and ambient parameters of the receptacle. The sensing device further includes a control circuitry communicably coupled to the plurality of sensors. The control circuitry is configured to at least generate sensory data based at least on processing the one or more parameters related to the fluid stored in the receptacle and the ambient parameters of the receptacle. Further, the system includes a central control module communicably coupled to the control circuitry. The central control module includes a memory storing machine-executable instructions, and a processor communicably coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the machine-executable instructions to cause the central control module to at least receive the sensory data from the control circuitry via a communication interface associated with the sensing device. The central control module is caused to predict, by one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models associated with the central control module, the fluid quality of the fluid stored in the receptacle based, at least in part, on the sensory data. The fluid quality is determined by the one or more AI models by mapping the sensory data with a data model comprising a set of predefined fluid quality profiles.

In another embodiment, a method for determining fluid quality is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a plurality of sensors of a sensing device, at least one or more parameters related to fluid stored in a receptacle and ambient parameters of the receptacle. The method further includes generating, by a control circuitry of the sensing device, sensory data based at least on processing the one or more parameters related to the fluid stored in the receptacle and the ambient parameters of the receptacle. Further, the method includes receiving, by a central control module, the sensory data from the control circuitry via a communication interface associated with the sensing device. The method includes predicting, by one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models associated with the central control module, the fluid quality of the fluid stored in the receptacle based, at least in part, on the sensory data. The fluid quality is determined by the one or more AI models by mapping the sensory data with a data model including a set of predefined fluid quality profiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

Various embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference toFIG.1toFIG.9.

FIG.1illustrates an example representation of an environment100related to at least some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the environment100is presented in one arrangement, other arrangements are also possible where the parts of the environment100(or other parts) are arranged or interconnected differently. The environment100corresponds to a system for determining fluid quality. In one example, the system disclosed in the environment100may be configured to determine the quality of a fluid such as, but not limited to, wine, bourbon, and the like. The present disclosure is described with reference to determining the fluid quality of the fluid, for example, wine and/or bourbon. Alternatively, the system as disclosed in the environment100may be implemented to determine the fluid quality of other fluids such as alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

The environment100includes a user102associated with a user device104. The user device104may include at least a laptop computer, a phablet computer, a handheld personal computer, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, a netbook, a Web book, a tablet computing device, a smartphone, or other mobile computing devices. Further, the environment100includes a plurality of receptacles such as a receptacle106a, a receptacle106b, and a receptacle106c. Each of the receptacles106a,106b, and106cmay be configured to store fluid such as fluid108a, fluid108b, and fluid108c, respectively. The fluids108a-108cmay be one of wine and bourbon as explained above. For example, the fluid108astored in the receptacle106amaybe wine, and the fluid108bstored in the receptacle106bmay be bourbon. Further, each of the receptacles106a-106cis equipped with a sensing device110. Typically, the sensing device110is inserted into the receptacles106a-106cstoring the corresponding fluids108a-108cvia an aperture (not shown inFIG.1) defined in the receptacles106a-106c. The sensing device110is configured to determine one or more parameters related to the fluids108a-108cstored in the corresponding receptacles106a-106c, and ambient parameters of each of the receptacles106a-106cwhich will be explained further in detail.

Various entities in the environment100may connect to a network112in accordance with various wired and wireless communication protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), 2nd Generation (2G), 3rd Generation (3G), 4th Generation (4G), 5th Generation (5G) communication protocols, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication protocols, Long Range (LoRa) Gateway Protocol or any combination thereof. In some instances, the network112may include a secure protocol (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)), and/or any other protocol, or set of protocols. In an example embodiment, the network112may include, without limitation, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet), a mobile network, a virtual network, and/or another suitable public and/or private network capable of supporting communication among two or more of the entities illustrated inFIG.1, or any combination thereof.

The environment100further includes a central control module114. In an embodiment, the central control module114may be embodied in at least one computing device in communication with the network112. In an embodiment, the central control module114may be embodied in the user device104. In another embodiment, the central control module114may be an individual entity located remotely and communicably coupled to the entities ofFIG.1via the network112. The central control module114may be specifically configured, via executable instructions to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In general, the central control module114is configured to predict the fluid quality of the fluid (e.g., the fluid108a) stored in the receptacle (e.g., the receptacle106a) which will be explained further in detail. Further, the central control module114may be configured to host and manage an application118. The application118is a set of computer-executable codes configured to allow the user102to track and/or visualize the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cstored in the corresponding receptacles106a-106c. In one embodiment, the application118may be accessed as a web-based application on the user device104. In another embodiment, the user device104may access an instance of the application118from the central control module114for installation on the user device104using application stores associated with operating systems such as Apple IOS®, Android™ OS, Google Chrome OS, Symbian OS®, Windows Mobile® OS, and the like.

In an embodiment, the user102may be an individual associated with managing the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cin the corresponding receptacles106a-106c. In another embodiment, the user102may be a worker or a technician in a winery production industry and is associated with tracking and monitoring the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cin the corresponding receptacles106a-106c. Herein, the fluid quality may correspond to determining the aging of the fluid (e.g., wine or bourbon) stored in the receptacles i.e., the receptacles106a-106c.

In particular, the sensing device110inserted in the receptacle106ais configured to determine the one or more parameters associated with the fluid108aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a. The sensing device110may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect the parameters related to the fluid108aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a. The parameters related to the fluid108a(e.g., wine) may include but are not limited to, acidic concentration/acidity, pH value, alcohol content, sugar content, phenolic compounds, volatile compounds, fluid level measurement, color, turbidity, and fluid temperature. The ambient parameters of the receptacle106amay include but are not limited to, ambient temperature and humidity. The sensing device110transmits the parameters of the fluid108aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106ato the central control module114for determining the fluid quality of the fluid108avia a communication interface (not shown inFIG.1) associated with the sensing device110. For example, the sensing device110may communicate with the central control module114using wireless communication protocols. Some examples of the wireless communication protocols may include, but are not limited to, Near-Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and the like.

Thereafter, the central control module114implements one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models116to predict the fluid quality of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106a. Specifically, the AI models116may access predefined fluid quality profiles stored in a database120associated with the central control module114to predict the fluid quality of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106awhich will be explained further in greater detail. Further, the central control module114may render the fluid quality of the fluid108ain the receptacle106aon the user device104. As such, the user102may access the real-time fluid quality of the fluid108ain the receptacle106aby providing inputs in the application118equipped in the user device104. Thus, this approach provides real-time testing of the fluid108awithout manual intervention, enables continuous monitoring of the fluid108ain the receptacle106a, provides immediate insights into the fluid108ato monitor threats throughout the life cycle, and results in improved wine quality tracking. Similarly, one or more operations performed for determining the fluid quality of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106amay be implemented to the fluids108band108cstored in the corresponding receptacles106band106c, therefore they are not reiterated herein for the sake of brevity.

The number and arrangement of systems, devices, and/or networks shown inFIG.1are provided as an example. There may be other systems, devices, and/or networks; fewer systems, devices, and/or networks; different systems, devices, and/or networks, and/or differently arranged systems, devices, and/or networks than those shown inFIG.1. Furthermore, two or more systems or devices shown inFIG.1may be implemented within a single system or device, or a single system or device shown inFIG.1may be implemented as multiple, distributed systems or devices.

FIG.2Aillustrates an exploded view of the sensing device110, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing device110includes an outer housing202. The outer housing202is configured to be an elongated structure or a cylindrical structure. Alternatively, the outer housing202may be configured in various structural configurations as per the design feasibility and requirements. The outer housing202may be made of food-grade materials, for example, steel, aluminum, or any other materials as per the design feasibility and requirements. In an embodiment, the outer housing202may be a unitary structure. In another embodiment, the outer housing202may include two semi-circular structure that are detachably coupled to each other to form the outer housing202. It is to be noted that the components (e.g., the outer housing202) of the sensing device110that are in contact with the fluid108ashould be made of materials that are unreactive or non-responsive to the fluid108a. As a result, the fluid quality of the fluid108ais predicted accurately.

Further, the sensing device110includes an inner housing204. The inner housing204may be configured to be inserted within the outer housing202. The inner housing204may be configured to support at least one or more components and electronic circuitry of the sensing device110which will be explained further in detail. Furthermore, the sensing device110includes an enclosure206. The enclosure206includes a second coupling member (see,404ofFIG.4) on a bottom surface (see,406ofFIG.4) of the enclosure206. The enclosure206may be removably secured to a top portion208of the outer housing202.

FIG.2Billustrates an exploded view of the sensing device110depicting the inner housing204, a cross-section of the outer housing202along a cross-sectional axis A-A′, and a first coupling member210of the sensing device110, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the outer housing202includes a cavity212extending from a bottom portion214to a central portion216of the outer housing202along a longitudinal axis X-X′ of the outer housing202. The cavity212includes open configuration218at the bottom portion214for receiving a portion of the fluid (e.g., the fluid108a) stored in the receptacle (e.g., the receptacle106a) while the sensing device110is inserted into the receptacle106a. Further, the cavity212includes a closed configuration220proximate to the central portion216of the outer housing202. In other words, the cavity212configured in the outer housing202conforms to an inverted U-shaped structure. The outer housing202includes at least one air vent226configured proximate to the closed configuration220of the cavity212. The at least one air vent226is adapted to allow the outflow of air while the portion of the fluid108aenters the cavity212. In other words, the air vents226allow the air to flow outside of the cavity212for allowing the portion of the fluid108ato enter the cavity212. In an embodiment, two air vents (such as the air vents226) are configured on diametrically opposite sides of the outer housing202. Further, the first coupling member210is mounted to the top portion208of the enclosure206(as shown inFIG.2C).

Referring toFIG.3in conjunction withFIG.2B, the inner housing204includes a top part302and a bottom part304. The top part302and the bottom part304are detachably coupled to each other to form the inner housing204. Alternatively, the inner housing204including the top part302and the bottom part304may be configured to a unitary structure. Similar to the outer housing202, the inner housing204may be made using food-grade materials, for example, steel, aluminum, or any other materials as per the design feasibility and requirements.

The sensing device110further includes a control circuitry324. The control circuitry324may be mounted to the top part302of the inner housing204. In an embodiment, the control circuitry324may be located remotely and may be communicably coupled to a plurality of sensors of the sensing device110. The control circuitry324includes suitable logic and/or circuitry for performing one or more operations described herein. Typically, the control circuitry324may be configured to control operating conditions, data transmission, etc., associated with the sensing device110which will be explained further in detail.

Further, the bottom part304is configured in conformity with the cavity212of the outer housing202. In other words, the bottom part304of the inner housing204is configured to be the inverted U-shaped structure similar to the cavity212. This allows the bottom part304to snuggly fit onto the cavity212of the outer housing202while the inner housing204is inserted within the outer housing202through the top portion208of the outer housing202. It is to be noted that a width dimension ‘W1’ of the inverted U-shaped structure of the bottom part304is slightly greater than a width dimension ‘W2’ of the inverted U-shaped structure of the cavity212. The width dimensions ‘W1’ and ‘W2’ are defined such that an inner circumferential surface ‘S1’ of the bottom part304of the inner housing204abuts an outer circumferential surface ‘S2’ of the cavity212while the bottom part304of the inner housing204is inserted into the outer housing202(as shown inFIG.2C).

Furthermore, the bottom part304of the inner housing204is configured with a first chamber306and a second chamber308. As shown, the first chamber306and the second chamber308are configured on opposite sides of the bottom part304. Alternatively, the first chamber306and the second chamber308may be configured at any other location of the inner housing204as per the design feasibility and requirements.

The sensing device110may include a radiating light source310. The radiating light source310may be disposed in a second chamber308configured in the bottom part304. As shown inFIG.2C, the second chamber308is positioned in parallel to a second window (see,224ofFIG.2B) defined in the cavity212while the inner housing204is secured in the outer housing202. The radiating light source310is communicably coupled to the control circuitry324. The control circuitry324may operate the radiating light source310to emit radiating light onto the portion of the fluid108astored in the cavity212through the second window224of the cavity212. The radiating light source310may include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) configured to emit the radiating light of different wavelengths between the visible light region to the infrared region. Alternatively, the radiating light source310may include, but not limited to, Tungsten-Halogen Lamps, Laser Diodes, and the like. The radiating light emitted by the radiating light source310is directed toward the portion of the fluid108ain the cavity212through the second window224. The radiating light penetrates through the fluid108aand interacts with the molecules of the fluid108a. Typically, specific wavelengths of the radiating light emitted by the radiating light source310are absorbed by different molecular bonds (such as O—H, C—H, and N—H bonds) of the fluid108a(e.g., wine) stored in the cavity212.

Furthermore, the bottom part304of the inner housing204is configured to accommodate the plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors may include at least a first sensor unit312, a second sensor unit314, a third sensor unit316, a fourth sensor unit318, and a fifth sensor unit (see,402ofFIG.4).

The first sensor unit312and the third sensor unit316may be disposed in the first chamber306configured in the bottom part304of the inner housing204. As shown inFIG.2C, the first chamber306is positioned in parallel to a first window (see,222ofFIG.2B) of the cavity212while the inner housing204is secured in the outer housing202. The first sensor unit312and the third sensor unit316may be mounted onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)322. The PCB322including the first sensor unit312and the third sensor unit316is disposed in the first chamber306. In this way, the first sensor unit312and the third sensor unit316may be configured to monitor the one or more parameters of the portion of the fluid108ain the cavity212through the first window222of the cavity212which will be explained further in detail.

The first sensor unit312is configured to detect at least acidic concentration, alcohol content, sugar content (i.e., sugars and residual sugars), pH value, phenolic compounds, and volatile compounds related to the fluid108astored in the receptacle106a. The first sensor unit312detects the aforementioned parameters of the fluid108abased at least on processing the radiating light received at the first sensor unit312upon interaction with the portion of the fluid108ain the cavity212. For example, the first sensor unit312may be an Infrared (IR) sensor or a Near Infrared (NIR) sensor. In this scenario, the radiating light source310may be operated to emit radiating light of wavelength between 700 nanometers (nm) to 2500 nm). The radiating light upon interaction with the fluid108ais received at the first sensor unit312, The first sensor unit312may measure the absorption intensity of the radiating light by molecular bonds, particularly C—H, O—H, and N—H bonds of the fluid108ain the cavity212. The first sensor unit312may generate an absorption spectrum, which is a plot of absorbance (or transmittance) versus wavelength for each of the parameters (such as the acidic concentration, the alcohol content, pH value, phenolic compounds, and volatile compounds) associated with the fluid108a. The acidic concentration of the fluid108amay include detecting the level of acetic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and titratable acid of the fluid108a. Further, the volatile compounds may include Sulfur dioxide (SO2).

The third sensor unit316may be configured to determine the color and turbidity of the one or more parameters related to the fluid108a. The third sensor unit316determines the color and turbidity of the fluid108abased at least on processing the radiating light received at the third sensor unit316upon interaction with the portion of the fluid108ain the cavity212. For example, the third sensor unit316may be a visible light sensor. In this scenario, the radiating light source310may be operated to emit the radiating light of wavelength between 380 nm to 750 nm. The radiating light upon interacting with the fluid108ain the cavity212is received at the third sensor unit316through the first window222. The third sensor unit316measures the absorption, reflection, and transmission of the radiating light by the portion of the fluid108ain the cavity212to determine the color and clarity of the wine (i.e., the fluid108a). It is to be noted that the first window222and the second window224may be provided with a cover member (not shown in FIGS.) made of transparent or translucent materials for enabling transmission of the radiating therethrough.

Further, the second sensor unit314is disposed in the inner housing204. Typically, the second sensor unit314is mounted to a bottom side320of the top part302and positioned at the closed configuration220of the cavity212. For example, the second sensor unit314is an ultrasonic sensor. The second sensor unit314may emit ultrasonic waves and measure the time it takes for the waves to reflect from the surface of the fluid108a. Further, the second sensor unit314computes the distance based on the time delay between the emitted and received waves to determine the fluid level measurement.

The fourth sensor unit318is disposed in the bottom part304of the inner housing204. The fourth sensor unit318may be mounted to the PCB322that is disposed in the first chamber306. The fourth sensor unit318is communicably coupled to the control circuitry324. The fourth sensor unit318may include a temperature sensor. The fourth sensor unit318is configured to detect a fluid temperature of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106a.

Referring toFIG.4in conjunction withFIG.2B, the fifth sensor unit402is disposed in the enclosure206. The fifth sensor unit402is communicably coupled to the control circuitry324. The fifth sensor unit402is configured to determine at least the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a. The ambient parameters of the receptacle106amay include, but not limited to, an ambient temperature and humidity. The enclosure206further includes the second coupling member404. The second coupling member404is configured at the bottom surface406of the enclosure206. The second coupling member404is configured to detachably couple with the first coupling member210while the enclosure206is removably secured to the top portion208of the outer housing202. The first coupling member210and the second coupling member404may be made of magnetic materials. This allows a magnetic coupling of the first coupling member210and the second coupling member404.

The sensing device110further includes a power source408. The power source408is disposed in the enclosure206. The power source408is operatively coupled to the second coupling member404. Further, detachably coupling the first coupling member210and the second coupling member404enables power transmission from the power source408to at least the control circuitry324and the plurality of sensors (i.e., the first sensor unit312, the second sensor unit314, the third sensor unit316, the fourth sensor unit318, and the fifth sensor unit402). The power source408may provide one of an alternating current output or a direct current output. In an embodiment, the power source408includes a direct current power source, such as a rechargeable battery (for example, a lithium-ion battery), operable to provide the required electrical power for the operation of the sensing device110. Further, the power source408may include electrical and/or electronic components or circuits for enabling the use of wired or wireless charging. Alternatively, the power source408may include electrical and/or electronic components or circuits for enabling the use of alternating current to provide the required electrical power for the operation of the sensing device110. Further, the sensing device110may include a charging port410to plug an electric line for receiving electric power for charging the power source408.

Further, the sensing device110includes a fastening member. The fastening member may be configured proximate to the top portion208of the outer housing202. The fastening member is snuggly secured to an aperture of the receptacle106awhile the outer housing202is being inserted into the receptacle106athrough the aperture. The structural configuration of the fastening member and its functionality is explained with reference toFIGS.5A-5B,FIGS.6A-6B, andFIG.7.

Referring toFIG.5A, the sensing device110includes a fastening member502. In this scenario, the fastening member502may include a portion504configured with a tapered profile. The portion504(i.e., the tapered profile) of the fastening member502snuggly secures to an aperture (see,508) while the outer housing202is inserted into the receptacle106athrough the aperture508(as shown inFIG.5B). The fastening member502may be made of flexible materials such as silicone. The tapered profile (i.e., the portion504) allows the insertion of the sensing device110to the receptacle configured with an aperture of various dimensions. In this scenario, as the sensing device110(or the outer housing202) secured with the fastening member502is being inserted into the aperture508, the fastening member502is snuggly secured to the aperture508to form an air-tight seal between the sensing device110and the aperture508. In this way, the sensing device110is suspended in the receptacle106a. It is to be noted that the enclosure206removably secured to the top portion208of the outer housing202and a portion506of the fastening member502are positioned outside the receptacle106awhile the sensing device110is secured to the receptacle106a. In other words, the dimensions of the tapered profile (i.e., the portion504) of the fastening member502configured in conformity with the dimensions of the aperture508enable the snug mount between the portion504of the fastening member502and the aperture508. As a result, the enclosure206and the portion506of the fastening member502are positioned outside the receptacle106a. The portion506of the fastening member502may be dimensioned greater than the dimensions of the tapered profile (i.e., the portion504) and the aperture508. As explained above, once the sensing device110is suspended in the receptacle106a, the portion of the fluid108aenters the cavity212(as shown inFIG.7). Further, the sensing device110disposed in the receptacle106ais configured to track the one or more parameters of the fluid108ain the receptacle106aas explained above.

Referring toFIG.6A, the sensing device110includes a fastening member602. In this scenario, the fastening member602may include a plurality of engagement members604configured at the top portion208of the outer housing202. The engagement members604of the fastening member602is configured to removably engage with an aperture (see,508) while the outer housing202is inserted into the receptacle106athrough the aperture508(as shown inFIG.6B). Specifically, the aperture508may be configured with a plurality of complementary engagement members (not shown in FIGS.). The engagement members604is configured to removably engage with the complementary engagement members of the aperture508for disposing the sensing device110within the receptacle106a(as shown inFIG.6B). It is to be noted that the enclosure206removably secured to the top portion208of the outer housing202and a portion606of the fastening member602are positioned outside the receptacle106awhile the sensing device110is secured to the receptacle106a. The portion606of the fastening member602may be dimensioned greater than the dimensions of the plurality of engagement members604and the aperture508.

Referring toFIG.7, a mounting structure702may be secured over the fastening member502of the sensing device110. In particular, the mounting structure702may be secured onto the tapered profile of the fastening member (as shown inFIG.7). The mounting structure702may be used to suspend the sensing device110in a receptacle (such as a receptacle706). In this scenario, the aperture of the receptacle706may be dimensioned greater than the dimensions of the fastening member502, thus preventing the fastening member502from being secured to the aperture of the receptacle706. The mounting structure702may be further secured with a securing means708secured to a fixed object (not shown in FIGS.). The securing means708holds the mounting structure702when secured to the fastening member502and the sensing device110when inserted into the receptacle706. In particular, the mounting structure702is positioned on the surface of the receptacle706while the sensing device110is inserted into the receptacle706. In this way, the sensing device110is suspended in the receptacle706for real-time tracking of the parameters of a fluid704(e.g., wine or bourbon) in the receptacle706. In other words, the sensing device110is freely suspended in the receptacle706due to a combined operation of the mounting structure702supported on the receptacle706, and the securing means708secured onto the mounting structure702and the fixed object.

FIG.8illustrates a schematic representation of the sensing device110inserted into the receptacle106aand the central control module114, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As explained above, the sensing device110is inserted into the receptacle106afor real-time tracking of the fluid108ain the receptacle106a. Further, a portion (see,802) of the fluid108aenters the cavity212as the outer housing202of the sensing device110is inserted into the receptacle106a. The plurality of sensors (i.e., the first sensor unit312, the second sensor unit314, the third sensor unit316, the fourth sensor unit318, and the fifth sensor unit402) determines the one or more parameters of the fluid108aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a. In one scenario, the parameters of the fluid108a(e.g., wine or bourbon) may be acidic concentration/acidity, pH value, alcohol content, sugar content, phenolic compounds, volatile compounds, fluid level measurement, color, turbidity, and fluid temperature. The ambient parameters of the receptacle106amay include, but not limited to, ambient temperature and humidity. Thereafter, the control circuitry324generates the sensory data based at least on processing the one or more parameters related to the fluid108astored in the receptacle106aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a. Further, the control circuitry324transmits the sensory data to the central control module114via a communication interface804housed in the enclosure206.

The central control module114includes at least one processor, such as a processor806and a memory808. It is noted that although the central control module114is depicted to include only one processor, the central control module114may include more processors therein. In an embodiment, the memory808is capable of storing machine-executable instructions. Further, the processor806is capable of executing the machine-executable instructions to perform one or more operations described herein. In an embodiment, the processor806may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor806may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In an embodiment, the processor806may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, the processor806is embodied as an executor of software instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically configure the processor806to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

The memory808may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory808may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM, Erasable PROM (EPROM), flash memory, Random Access Memory (RAM), etc.), magnetic storage devices (such as hard disk drives, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, etc.), optical magnetic storage devices (e.g., magneto-optical disks), Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disc Rewritable (CD-R/W), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and BLU-RAY® Disc (BD).

The central control module114further includes an Input/Output (I/O) module810(hereinafter referred to as an ‘I/O module810’) and at least one communication module such as a communication module812. In an embodiment, the I/O module810may include mechanisms configured to receive inputs (or sensory data from the plurality of sensors) and provide outputs to the user102.

In an embodiment, the processor806may include I/O circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the I/O module810, such as, for example, a speaker, a microphone, a display, and/or the like. The processor806and/or the I/O circuitry may be configured to control one or more functions of the one or more elements of the I/O module810through computer program instructions, for example, software and/or firmware, stored on a memory, for example, the memory808, and/or the like, accessible to the processor806.

The communication module812may include communication circuitry such as for example, a transceiver circuitry including antenna and other communication media interfaces to connect to a wired and/or wireless communication protocol. The communication circuitry may, in at least some example embodiments, enable the transmission of data signals and/or reception of signals from other network entities, such as the plurality of sensors, the user device104, the control circuitry324, or other entities ofFIG.1.

In an embodiment, the processor806receives the sensory data from the control circuitry324via a communication interface (such as the communication interface804) associated with the sensing device110. The processor806is configured to predict, by the one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models116, the fluid quality of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106abased at least on the sensory data. In particular, the fluid quality is determined by the AI models116by mapping the sensory data of the fluid108awith a data model (i.e., a database814) including a set of predefined fluid quality profiles816.

It is understood that the AI models116are trained to predict the fluid quality of the fluid108a. Typically, the central control module114may receive data samples related to the fluid quality of a set of fluid samples. In other words, a large group of fluid samples (ranging from old to fresh samples) of various wines or spirits (i.e., the fluid) are collected. Further, the processor806may determine a threshold range for each of the one or more parameters related to the set of fluid samples. The threshold range may include minimum and maximum values of each of the parameters. Further, the processor806may obtain reference values of the one or more parameters determined for the set of fluid samples. The reference values for each of the parameters for the set of fluid samples may be determined by an external computing device (e.g., an enzymatic analyzer). The processor806further generates the set of fluid quality profiles816based at least on the reference values and their corresponding threshold range determined for the one or more parameters associated with the set of fluid samples. The processor806creates the data model based at least on the set of fluid quality profiles816for training the AI models116. The set of fluid quality profiles816corresponds to the predefined fluid quality profiles816.

Similarly, the central control module114may be configured to receive the sensory data from the sensing device110equipped in the receptacles106b-106c. The central control module114is configured to predict the fluid quality of the fluids108b-108cin the receptacles106b-106c. It is to be noted that the central control module114is capable of connecting to multiple sensing devices (such as the sensing device110). Further, the processor806is configured to retrain the AI models116and update the set of predefined fluid profiles based on the real-time prediction of the fluid quality and the parameters of the fluid. The fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cmay be accessed through the application118equipped in the user device104. In other words, the processor806may render the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cand the parameters of the fluids108a-108cin the application118to provide access to the user102.

Additionally, the processor806is configured to determine if the parameters and/or the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cis greater or less than the threshold range. In this scenario, the processor806is configured to transmit an alert notification to the user102in response to determining the parameters and/or the fluid quality of the fluids108a-108cis greater or less than the threshold range. In one example, the alert notification may be transmitted to the user device104in the form of a text message. In another example, the alert notification may be rendered in the application118.

FIG.9illustrates a flow diagram of a method900for determining the fluid quality of the fluid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method900depicted in the flow diagram may be executed by, for example, the sensing device110and the central control module114. Operations of the flow diagram of the method900, and combinations of the operations in the flow diagram of the method900, maybe implemented by, for example, hardware, firmware, a processor, circuitry, and/or a different device associated with the execution of software that includes one or more computer program instructions. The method900starts at operation902.

At operation902, the method900includes detecting, by the plurality of sensors of the sensing device110, at least one or more parameters related to fluid (e.g., the fluid108a) stored in a receptacle (e.g., the receptacle106a) and ambient parameters of the receptacle106a.

At operation904, the method900includes generating, by the control circuitry324of the sensing device110, sensory data based at least on processing the one or more parameters related to the fluid108astored in the receptacle106aand the ambient parameters of the receptacle106a.

At operation906, the method900includes receiving, by the central control module114, the sensory data from the control circuitry324via a communication interface (such as the communication interface804) associated with the sensing device110.

At operation908, the method900includes predicting, by the one or more artificial intelligence (AI) models116associated with the central control module114, the fluid quality of the fluid108astored in the receptacle106abased, at least in part, on the sensory data. The fluid quality is determined by the one or more AI models116by mapping the sensory data with a data model including the set of predefined fluid quality profiles816. Further, the one or more operations for predicting the fluid quality are already explained with reference toFIGS.1-8, therefore they are not reiterated herein for the sake of brevity.

Various embodiments of the disclosure, as discussed above, may be practiced with steps and/or operations in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations, which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based on these exemplary embodiments, it is noted that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions may be apparent and well within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.