Patent Publication Number: US-2022222616-A1

Title: Sensor based item level determination and communication

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part Application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/640,035 titled SENSOR BASED INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD filed on Dec. 17, 2009. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/640,035, in turn, claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/925,709 titled CAPACITIVE SENSOR BASED INVENTORY CONTROL filed on Oct. 26, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,130 on Aug. 17, 2010, PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/082749 titled CAPACITIVE SENSOR BASED INVENTORY CONTROL also filed on Oct. 26, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/854,997 titled CAPACITIVE SENSOR BASED INVENTORY CONTROL filed on Oct. 26, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/854,799 titled APPARATUS AND METHOD OF WEIGHING INDISCREET VOLUME USING A CAPACITIVE SENSING TECHNIQUE filed on Oct. 27, 2006. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/925,709 and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/082749 also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/854,997 and 60/854,799. 
     The contents of all of the abovementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein in entirety thereof. 
    
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     This disclosure relates generally to the technical field of inventory management systems and, more particularly, to sensor based item level determination and communication. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A supplier (e.g., a manufacturer, a distributor, a vendor) may be tasked with maintaining an adequate inventory stock level (e.g., raw material inventory, Work in Progress (WIP) inventory, a finished goods inventory). For example, the supplier may need to maintain adequate inventory levels at a point-of-use site of a customer. To accommodate this, the supplier may have to employ dedicated personnel. The personnel may spend time searching for and/or counting inventory levels. Counting inventory levels may take long periods of time. Thereby, leading to the consumption of time. 
     Further, the supplier may have to incur increased labor costs to pay and/or compensate the personnel performing manual inventory counts. In addition, the manual inventory counts may be inaccurate, since people involved in performing the tasks may have to physically move pallets creating work place hazards. For example, the physical tasks involved may lead to delay in order, to ship more inventories. 
     Furthermore, delayed inventory counts may lead to forecasting problems, insufficient production, excess production, and/or a loss of revenue. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sensor based item level determination and communication is disclosed. 
     In one aspect, a method includes automatically sensing a level of a number of items through a number of sensors, each of which corresponds to an item of the number of items, by measuring a change in an output parameter of the number of sensors as a consequence of placement of each corresponding item of the number of items directly or indirectly on the each of the number of sensors. The level is a quantity, a weight and/or a volume. The method also includes communicating a signal indicative of the level of the number of items through the number of sensors to a data processing device in response to the automatically sensed level of the number of items, and updating, through the data processing device, another data processing device associated with a consumer, a distributor and/or a supplier with the level of the number of items in accordance with the communicated signal. The another data processing device is communicatively coupled to the data processing device through a computer network. 
     In another aspect, a method includes automatically sensing a level of a number of items through a number of sensors, each of which corresponds to an item of the number of items, by measuring a change in an output parameter of the number of sensors as a consequence of placement of each corresponding item of the number of items directly or indirectly on the each of the number of sensors. The level is a quantity, a weight and/or a volume, and the number of items includes one or more solid items, one or more liquid items and one or more gaseous items. The method also includes communicating a signal indicative of the level of the number of items through the number of sensors to a data processing device in response to the automatically sensed level of the number of items, and updating, through the data processing device, another data processing device associated with a consumer, a distributor and/or a supplier with the level of the number of items in accordance with the communicated signal. The another data processing device is communicatively coupled to the data processing device through a computer network. 
     In yet another aspect, a method includes automatically sensing a level of a number of items through a number of sensors, each of which corresponds to an item of the number of items, by measuring a change in an output parameter of the number of sensors as a consequence of placement of each corresponding item of the number of items directly or indirectly on the each of the number of sensors. The level is a quantity, a weight and/or a volume. The method also includes wirelessly communicating a signal indicative of the level of the number of items through the number of sensors to a data processing device in response to the automatically sensed level of the number of items, and updating, through the data processing device, another data processing device associated with a consumer, a distributor and/or a supplier with the level of the number of items in accordance with the communicated signal. The another data processing device is communicatively coupled to the data processing device through a computer network. 
     Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram of a local inventory module associated with a plurality of container modules based on capacitive sensor modules, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of a bin having a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional view of a shelf having a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional diagram of a pallet having a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor device having at least one sensor capacitor and a reference capacitor, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6B  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device having a single printed circuit board (PCB), according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a process view of measuring a force, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a network enabled view of a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system capable of processing a set of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies herein, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a system view of an inventory control system using a capacitive sensor device and a database management program, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor device having at least one sensor capacitor and a reference capacitor, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a process view of measuring a force, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor assembly which may be used to weigh an indiscrete volume of a dispenser, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a three-dimensional view of an upper housing of a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a three-dimensional view of an upper housing having a container  1606  of a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a three-dimensional view of a dispenser device having a data processing system, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a network enabled view of a capacitive sensor device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a conceptual diagram of a service associated with a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  is a three-dimensional view of an inventory management system having a container to measure a weight of at least one item, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a three-dimensional view of the inventory management system having a scale formed with a set of plates having inserted between the set of plates the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 22A  is a process flow of generating a measurement of weight based on change in distance between the conductive surfaces, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 22B  is a continuation of the process flow of  FIG. 22A  illustrating additional processes, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a system view illustrating an automatic inventory management system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 24  is an exploded view of an inventory management server, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic view of an inventory bin, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a diagrammatic process flow illustrating the inventory management system, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic view that illustrates a wired backbone for communication in the inventory management system, according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 28  is a user interface view generated by the inventory management server to an administrator providing information associated with inventory items in the inventory system(s), according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  is a diagrammatic system view of a data processing system in which any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be performed, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 30A  is a process flow of real time inventory management, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 30B  is a continuation of  FIG. 30A  illustrating additional operations, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 31  is a process flow of the inventory system management, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying Drawings and from the Detailed Description that follows. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A sensor based item level determination and communication is disclosed. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a system diagram of a local inventory module  102  associated with a plurality of container modules  106  based on capacitive sensor modules  108 , according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 1  illustrates a network  100 , the local inventory module  102 , a supplier inventory module  104 , a manufacturer inventory module  105 , the container module  106 , the capacitive sensor module  108 , a local inventory database  110 , a supplier inventory database  112 , and/or a manufacturer inventory database  114 . 
     The network  100  may be an Internet, an Ethernet, a Radio Frequency (RF) network, a telecommunications (e.g., mobile) network, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN) (e.g., using USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc.), a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, etc.), and/or a storage area network (SAN), etc. The local inventory module  102  may be an on-site database management system which oversees an inventory control of parts and/or components necessary for a production of goods being manufactured locally. The local inventory module  102  may include a communication module to interact (e.g., transmit and/or receive data) with the container module  106  (e.g., especially with the capacitive sensor module  108 ) and a data processing system (e.g., a data processing system  804  of  FIG. 8 ) as well as the local inventory database  110 . For example, the communication module may use technology such as USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and/or Zigbee, etc. to communicate between the capacitive sensor modules  108 , the container modules  106 , interface devices and the data processing system  804 . 
     The supplier inventory module  104  may be a database management system of a supplier which oversees an inventory control of parts and/or components necessary for a production of goods being manufactured in a business entity (e.g., a manufacturing plant, a laboratory, etc. using goods and/or services of the supplier). The supplier inventory module  104  may include a communication module to interact (e.g., transmit and/or receive data) with the local inventory module  102  as well as the supplier inventory database  112 . 
     The manufacturer inventory module  105  may be a database management system kept by a manufacturer which oversees an inventory control of parts and/or components necessary for a supply of parts and/or goods being used in a business entity (e.g., a supplier). The manufacturer inventory module  105  may include a communication module to interact (e.g., transmit and/or receive data) with the supplier inventory module  104  as well as the manufacturer inventory database  114 . 
     The container module  106  may be a bin (e.g., the bin  200  of  FIG. 2 ), a shelf (e.g., the shelf  300  of  FIG. 3 ), a pallet (e.g., the pallet  400  of  FIG. 4 ), and/or other containers, each having a capacitive sensor module  108 . The capacitive sensor module  108  may be a load-sensing (e.g., weight, force, etc.) device using capacitive sensing techniques, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6 , and/or  7 . In alternate embodiments, the capacitive sensor module  108  (e.g., the load sensing device used for inventory control) may be based on various capacitive load sensing techniques (e.g., area-change, gap-change and/or cylindrical capacitive sensors). 
     The capacitive sensor module  108  may include an alarm circuit which may initiate an alarm sound (e.g., light a warning light and/or communicates an email and/or instant message alert) when the parts and/or components in the container module  106  having the capacitive sensor module  108  fall below a critical value (e.g., which may be set by an administrator). 
     The local inventory database  110  may be a database (e.g., relational, hierarchical, etc.) detailing a quantity, a status, and/or order information of parts and/or components located in the container module  106  (e.g., based on a measurement data of the capacitive sensor module  108 ). 
     The supplier inventory database  112  may be a database (e.g., relational, hierarchical, etc.) detailing a quantity, a status, and/or order information of parts and/or components of the business entity (e.g., based on a measurement data of the capacitive sensor module  108  and/or a partiality and/or an entirety of the local inventory database  110 ). The manufacturer inventory database  114  may be a database (e.g., relational, hierarchical, etc.) detailing a quantity, a status, and/or order information of parts and/or components by a supplier. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the capacitive sensor module  108 A of the container module  106 A may communicate a status (e.g., a quantity of parts in the container module  106 A) to a local inventory module  102  wirelessly and/or through a wire. A data (e.g., which may be based on an analog signal and/or a digital signal) containing the status of the local inventory module  102  may be processed through the data processing system (e.g., which may convert, decipher, format, etc.) to store into the local inventory database  110 . 
     The local inventory database  110  may indicate any shortage of the parts and/or the components when the capacitive sensor module  108 A senses a weight of the parts and/or a load of the parts in the container module  106 A goes below a critical value (e.g., which may be used to determine a time to replenish the container module  106 A with the parts). 
     The local inventory module  102  may communicate with the supplier inventory module  104  through the network  100 . When an order of any component shortage is communicated from the local inventory module  102  to the supplier inventory module  104 , the supplier inventory module  104  may initiate a command for a vehicle to deliver the order to a client which initiated the order. In an alternative example, when an order of any component shortage is communicated from the supplier inventory module  104  to the manufacturer inventory module  105 , the manufacturer inventory module  105  may initiate a command for a vehicle to deliver the order to the supplier which initiated the order. 
       FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of a bin  200  having a capacitive sensor device  208 , according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 2  illustrates a bin  200  having a cylindrical body  202 , a bottom surface  204 , a capacitive sensor device  208 , a contact zone  210 , and/or a sensor mounting kit  212 . The bin  200  may be a container to measure (e.g., automatically and/or continuously) a weight of a discrete component (e.g., a nut, a bolt, a screw, etc.) and/or an indiscrete volume (e.g., a beverage, a liquid chemical, etc.) and/or communicate (e.g., via a cable, via a wireless RF network, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, USB, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.) its inventory level (e.g., of the discrete component and/or the indiscrete volume) to the local inventory module  102  of  FIG. 1 . The bin  200  may also alert for specific conditions which includes a threshold value (e.g., for reordering of the discrete component and/or the indiscrete volume), an out of stock warning, a malfunction of the bin  200 , etc. 
     The cylindrical body  202  may prevent the discrete component and/or the indiscrete component from escaping the bin  200 . The bottom surface  204  may be a medium between the discrete component (e.g., and/or the indiscrete component) and the capacitive sensor device  208 . A weight of the discrete component may depress the bottom surface which may in turn press down the contact zone  210  of the capacitive sensor device  208 . The capacitive sensor device  208  may be a variable sensor based on a measurement of capacitance as will be illustrated more in details in  FIGS. 5, 6 and/or 7 . 
     The contact zone  210  may be a junction point (e.g., which may be a nut mounted on the capacitive sensor device  208 , a single and/or multiple mounds of the capacitive sensor device  208 , etc.) which may be depressed when a weight of discrete and/or indiscrete components is applied on the bin  200 . The sensor mounting kit  212  may be a mechanical mechanism (e.g., which may includes fasteners, chambers, supports, etc.) to mount the capacitive sensor device  208  under the bottom surface  204  such that an optimum contact may be realized between the bottom surface  204  and the contact zone  210  when a weight (e.g., of the discrete components and/or indiscrete volume) is applied on the bottom surface  204 . 
       FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional view of a shelf  300  having a capacitive sensor device  308 , according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 3  illustrates the shelf  300  having a shelf space  302 , a shelf support  304 , a capacitive sensor device  308 , a contact zone  310 , and/or a sensor mounting kit  312 . The shelf  300  (e.g., which may be in multiple levels) may determine a number of components on the shelf  300  based on a weight of the components using the capacitive sensor device  308 . The shelf  300  may also communicate (e.g., via a cable, via a wireless RF network, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, USB, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.) its inventory level (e.g., of the components, contents and/or parts) to the local inventory module  102  of  FIG. 1 . The shelf  300  may also alert for specific conditions which includes a threshold value (e.g., for reordering of components), an out of stock warning, a malfunction of the shelf  300 , etc. 
     The shelf space  302  may be a surface (e.g., made of a rectangular, square, round and/or other shapes of a steel, wooden, plastic, etc. material) where the components may be placed. The shelf support  304  may be used to support the shelf space  302 , and there may be three or more supports (e.g., legs, poles, beams, etc.) supporting the shelf  300 . Each of the shelf support  304  may be made up of one and/or more parts. The capacitive sensor device  308  may be placed below the shelf space  302  but above a part of the shelf support  304 . The contact zone  310  may be a junction point which may be pressed down when the shelf space  302  is depressed due to a weight of the components placed on the shelf space  302 . The sensor mounting kit  312  may be a mechanism which may be used to mount the capacitive sensor device  308  such that the contact zone  310  of the capacitive sensor device  308  makes an optimum contact with the shelf space  302 . 
       FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional diagram of a pallet  400  having a capacitive sensor device  408 , according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 4  illustrates a pallet  400  having a top surface  402 , a pallet support  404 , a capacitive sensor device  408 , and/or a contact zone  410 . The pallet  400  may be small, low, portable platform on which goods are placed for storage or moving (e.g., as in a warehouse or vehicle). The pallet  400  may determine a number of the goods on the pallet  400  based on a weight of the goods using the capacitive sensor device  408 . The pallet  400  may also communicate (e.g., via a cable, via a wireless RF network, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, etc.) its inventory level (e.g., of the goods) to the local inventory module  102  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The top surface  402  may be a surface (e.g., made of a rectangular, square, round and/or other shapes of a steel, wooden, plastic, etc. material) where the goods may be placed. The pallet support  404  may be used to support the top surface  402 , and there may be three or more supports (e.g., legs, poles, beams, etc.) supporting the pallet  400 . The capacitive sensor device  408  may be placed below each corner of the top surface  402 . The contact zone  410  may be a junction point which may be pressed down when the top surface  402  is depressed due to a weight of the goods placed on the top surface  402 . 
       FIG. 5  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor device  500  having at least one sensor capacitor (e.g., a sensor capacitor  614 ) and a reference capacitor (e.g., a reference capacity  616 ), according to one embodiment. 
     The capacitive sensor device  500  includes a top plate  502 , a bottom plate  504 , a contact zone  508 , a cable  510 , and a stress relief  512  (e.g., made of plastic, elastomeric material, etc.). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the contact zone  508  may provide a substantial contact surface for a force (e.g., a force  506 ) being applied on the capacitive sensor device  500 . The cable  510  may be used to harvest (e.g., read, analyze, process, communicate, etc.) a measurement of the sensor capacitor where the stress relief  512  may be used to promote longevity of the cable  510  by absorbing a stress (e.g., shock, strain, etc.) applied on the cable  510 . 
     In one example embodiment, the force  506  (e.g., a load, a weight, a pressure, etc.) may be applied on each of the contact zone  508  of the capacitive sensor device  500 . For instance, the force  506  may be applied on the contact zone  508 . The contact zone  508  contacted by the force  506  may move down an upper conductive surface the sensor capacitor  614  toward a lower conductive surface of the sensor capacitor  614  producing a change in capacitance. In another embodiment, a housing (e.g., which may include the top plate  502 , the bottom plate  504 , the contact zone  508 , and/or a different structure) may be made of a conductive and/or a nonconductive material. In case the nonconductive material is being used, the nonconductive material may be painted (e.g., sputtered, coated, etc.) with the conductive material. The various components of the capacitive sensor device  500  may be best understood with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device (e.g., the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 , the capacitive sensor device  800  of  FIG. 8 , etc.), according to one embodiment. The capacitive sensor device encompasses a sensor capacitor, a reference capacitor, and a layered circuit in a housing (e.g., made of a conductive material and/or a nonconductive material to isolate any electronic module in the housing from an external electromagnetic noise). 
     In an example embodiment, a housing  600  includes a printed circuit board 1 (PCB 1)  602 , an upper conductive surface  604 , a PCB 2  606 , a lower conductive surface  608 , a upper reference surface  610 , a lower reference surface  612 , a PCB 3  613 , a fastener  614 , a PCB 4  616 , and/or a groove  620 . The sensor capacitor may be formed between the upper conductive surface  604  and the lower conductive surface  608 . The housing  600 , the PCB 2  606 , and/or the PCB 3  613  may be adjoined together via fastening with the fastener  614 . 
     A deflection of a top part of the housing  600  may cause a change in a distance between two parallel conductive surfaces of the sensor capacitor when a force  618  is applied on the top part of the housing  600 . The change in the distance may bring about a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor. In one embodiment, the two parallel conductive surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and have the same physical area and/or thickness. The change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor may be inversely proportional to the change in the distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces in one embodiment. 
     In another example, a reference capacitor may be formed between the upper reference surface  610  and the lower reference surface  612 . The reference sensor may experience a change in capacitance only for environmental factors (e.g., humidity in a gap between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a temperature of the capacitive sensor device, and an air pressure of an environment surrounding the capacitive sensor device, etc.). Therefore, the environmental factors can be removed from a measurement of a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor when the force  618  is applied to the capacitive sensor device (e.g., thereby allowing a user to determine the change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor more accurately). 
     In yet another example embodiment, the PCBs where the sensor capacitor and the reference capacitor are formed (e.g., the PCB 2  606  and the PCB 3  613 ) may be suspended in the air such that a measurement of the sensor capacitor as well as a measurement of the reference capacitor may be minimally affected by an expansion and/or a compression of the housing  600  (e.g., a bottom part of the housing  600 ) due to the environmental factors. 
     In addition, a thickness of the PCB 1  602  may be same as a thickness of the PCB 2  606  and a distance between the upper conductive surface  604  and the lower conductive surface  608  may be equal to a distance between the upper reference surface  610  and the lower reference surface  612 . This may minimize an error in the measurement of the sensor capacitor as well as the reference capacitor due to the expansion and/or the compression of the housing  600  due to the environmental factors. Furthermore, the groove  620  may minimize an effect of a deflection of the housing  600  (e.g., the top part) on the PCB 1  602  when the force  618  is applied on the housing  600  such that a downward movement of the upper conductive surface  604  may be minimized. 
       FIG. 6B  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device (e.g., the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 , the capacitive sensor device  800  of  FIG. 8 , etc.) having a single printed circuit board (PCB)  652 , according to one embodiment. The capacitive sensor device encompasses a sensor capacitor, a reference capacitor, and a layered circuit in a housing (e.g., made of a conductive material and/or a nonconductive material to isolate any electronic module in the housing from an external electromagnetic noise). 
     In an example embodiment, a housing  650  includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  652 , a lower conductive surface  654 , an upper reference surface  656 , a conductive surface  658 , a fastener  660 , and/or a groove  664 . The sensor capacitor may be formed between an inner side of a top part of the housing  650  and the lower conductive surface  654 . The housing  650 , the PCB  652 , and/or the conductive surface  658  may be adjoined together via fastening with the fastener  660 . 
     A deflection of a top part of the housing  650  may cause a change in a distance between two parallel conductive surfaces of the sensor capacitor when a force  662  is applied on the top part of the housing  650 . The change in the distance may bring about a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor. In one embodiment, the two parallel conductive surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and have the same physical area and/or thickness. The change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor may be inversely proportional to the change in the distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces in one embodiment. 
     In another example, a reference capacitor may be formed between the upper reference surface  656  and a top part of the conductive surface  658 . The reference sensor may experience a change in capacitance only for environmental factors (e.g., humidity in a gap between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a temperature of the capacitive sensor device, and an air pressure of an environment surrounding the capacitive sensor device, etc.). Therefore, the environmental factors can be removed from a measurement of a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor when the force  662  is applied to the capacitive sensor device (e.g., thereby allowing a user to determine the change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor more accurately). 
     In yet another example embodiment, the PCB  652  and the conductive surface  658  where the sensor capacitor and the reference capacitor are formed may be suspended in the air such that a measurement of the sensor capacitor as well as a measurement of the reference capacitor may be minimally affected by an expansion and/or a compression of the housing  650  (e.g., a bottom part of the housing  650 ) due to the environmental factors. In addition, the groove  664  may minimize an effect of a deflection of the housing  650  (e.g., the top part) on the PCB  656  when the force  662  is applied on the housing  650  such that a downward movement of the upper conductive surface (e.g., formed on the inner side of the top part of the housing  650 ) may be minimized. 
       FIG. 7  is a process view of measuring a force  706 , according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , an electronic circuitry (e.g., a software and/or hardware code) may apply an algorithm to measure a change in a distance  702  between two conductive plates of the sensor  700  (e.g., the sensor capacitor  614  of  FIG. 6 ) when the force  706  is propagated to the sensor  700 . In an alternate embodiment, a change in area between the plates may be considered rather than the change in the distance. 
     Next, a change in capacitance  704  may be calculated based on the change in the distance  702  between the two plates forming the sensor  700 . The change in capacitance  704 , a change in voltage  708 , and/or a change in frequency  710  may also be calculated to generate a measurement (e.g., an estimation of the force  706  applied to the sensor  700 ). The change in capacitance  704  may be changed into the change in voltage  708  using a capacitance-to-voltage module. The change in capacitance  704  may also be converted into the change in frequency  710  using a capacitance-to-frequency module. 
     Furthermore, the capacitance-to-frequency module may be based on a circuit which produces a wave data with a frequency proportional to the change in capacitance  704 . Thus, a higher resolution of the measurement may be possible when the frequency results in a high value (e.g., in million cycles per second) and/or is modulated to the high value. Thus, one may be able to obtain the change in frequency  710  of the sensor  700  by subtracting a number of wave forms per second when there is no force present from a number of wave forms per second when the force  706  is applied on the sensor  700 . 
     Data which encompasses the change in capacitance  704 , the change in voltage  708 , and/or the change in frequency  710  may be provided to a digitizer module  712  (e.g., an analog-to-digital converter). Lastly, the digitizer module  712  may work with the processing module  714  (e.g., a microprocessor which may be integrated in a signaling circuit of the layered PCB of  FIG. 6 ) to convert the change in capacitance  704 , the change in voltage  708 , and/or the change in frequency  710  to a measurement  716  (e.g., a measurement of the force  706  applied to the sensor  700 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a network enabled view of a capacitive sensor device  800 , according to one embodiment. The capacitive sensor device  800 A is connected to a data processing system  804  through a cable  802  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The capacitive sensor device  800 A is also connected to a network (e.g., an internet, a local area network, etc.). The capacitive sensor device  800 B is wirelessly connected to the network through an access device  806  (e.g., a device which enables wireless communication between devices forming a wireless network). 
     The capacitive sensor device  800 B includes a transmitter/receiver circuit  808  and a wireless interface controller  810  (e.g., for wireless communication), a battery  812  (e.g., to sustain as a standalone device), and an alarm circuit  814  (e.g., to alert a user when a force to the capacitive sensor device  800  B is greater than a threshold value and/or when the battery is almost out). The transmitter/receiver circuit  808  and/or the wireless interface controller  810  may be integrated into the processing module  714  of  FIG. 7 . 
     A data processing system  804  may receive data (e.g., output data measuring a force and/or a load, etc.) from the capacitive sensor device  800 A and/or the capacitive sensor device  800 B through the network. In one embodiment, the data processing system  804  analyzes data (e.g., measurements) generated by various operation of the capacitive sensor device  800 . In another example embodiment, a universal serial bus (USB) may be included in the circuitry of the capacitive sensor device  800 . The USB (e.g., a USB port or hub with mini sockets) may allow a hardware interface (e.g., user-friendly) for a data processing system (e.g., the data processing system  804 ) and/or a hardware interface for attaching peripheral devices (e.g., a flash drive). 
       FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system  900  capable of processing a set of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies herein, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device and/or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server and/or a client machine in server-client network environment, and/or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch and/or bridge, an embedded system and/or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential and/or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually and/or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one and/or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The example computer system  900  includes a processor  902  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or both), a main memory  904  and a static memory  906 , which communicate with each other via a bus  908 . The computer system  900  may further include a video display unit  910  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  900  also includes an alphanumeric input device  912  (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device  914  (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit  916 , a signal generation device  918  (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device  920 . 
     The disk drive unit  916  includes a machine-readable medium  922  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software  924 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies and/or functions described herein. The software  924  may also reside, completely and/or at least partially, within the main memory  904  and/or within the processor  902  during execution thereof by the computer system  900 , the main memory  904  and the processor  902  also constituting machine-readable media. 
     The software  924  may further be transmitted and/or received over a network  926  via the network interface device  920 . While the machine-readable medium  922  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium and/or multiple media (e.g., a centralized and/or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding and/or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the various embodiments. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals. 
       FIG. 10  is a system view of an inventory control system using a capacitive sensor device and a database management program, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 10  illustrates a network  1000 , a plant  1002 , a supplier  1004 , a manufacturer  1005 , a bin  1006 , a shelf  1008 , a pallet  1010 , a data processing system  1012 , a laptop  1014 , a bin  1016 , a shelf  1018 , a data processing system  1020 , a desktop  1022 , a bin  1024 , a telephone  1026 , a desktop  1028 , a telephone  1030 , a vehicle  1032 , a desktop  1034 , and/or a telephone  1036 . 
     The network  1000  may be an Internet, an Ethernet, a Radio Frequency (RF) network, a telecommunications (e.g., mobile) network, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, etc.), and/or a storage area network (SAN), etc. The plant  1002  may be a building and/or group of buildings for the manufacture of a product. The supplier  1004  may be a person and/or an entity engaging in a business to supply a particular service and/or commodity. The manufacturer  1005  may be someone and/or an entity whose business is to manufacture a particular part and/or component. The bin  1006  (e.g., the bin  200  of  FIG. 2 ) may be the container module  106  (e.g., wireless) of  FIG. 1  having the capacitive sensor module  108  (e.g., the capacitive sensor device  800 B of  FIG. 8 ). 
     The capacitive sensor module  108  may be a sensor based on a capacitive sensing technique as was illustrated in more details in  FIGS. 5, 6 , and/or  7 . The shelf  1008  (e.g., the shelf  300  of  FIG. 3 ) may be the container module  106  (e.g., wireless) having the capacitive sensor module  108 . The pallet  1010  (e.g., the pallet  400  of  FIG. 4 ) may the container module  106  (e.g., wireless) having the capacitive sensor module  108 . The data processing system  1012  may receive data (e.g., output data measuring a force and/or a load, etc.) from a capacitive sensor device (e.g., the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 ) through the network  1000 . 
     The laptop  1014  may be a computer (e.g., a data processing system as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) which may run a database management program (e.g., the local inventory module  102  of  FIG. 1 ) to conduct an inventory control of parts and/or components being used by the plant  1002 A. An application server may be needed when the database management program requires a larger memory space and/or an extended operational capability. 
     The bin  1016  (e.g., the bin  200  of  FIG. 2 ) may be the container module  106  (e.g., wired via an interface cable) of  FIG. 1  having the capacitive sensor module  108  (e.g., the capacitive sensor device  800 A of  FIG. 8 ). The capacitive sensor module  108  may be a sensor based on a capacitive sensing technique as was illustrated in more details in  FIGS. 5, 6 , and/or  7 . The shelf  1018  (e.g., the shelf  300  of  FIG. 3 ) may be the container module  106  (e.g., wired through an interface cable) having the capacitive sensor module  108 . 
     The data processing system  1020  may receive data (e.g., output data measuring a force and/or a load, etc.) from a capacitive sensor device (e.g., the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 ) through the network  1000 . The desktop  1022  may be a computer which may runs a database management program (e.g., the local inventory module  102  of  FIG. 1 ) to conduct an inventory control of parts and/or components being used by the plant  1002 B. 
     The bin  1024  (e.g., the bin  200  of  FIG. 2 ) may be the container module  106  (e.g., wireless enabled) of  FIG. 1  having the capacitive sensor module  108  (e.g., the capacitive sensor device  800 B of  FIG. 8 ). The capacitive sensor module  108  may be a sensor based on a capacitive sensing technique as was illustrated in more details in  FIGS. 5, 6 , and/or  7 . The telephone  1026  may be used to order parts and/or services from the supplier  1004 . 
     The desktop  1028  may be a computer which may runs a database management program (e.g., the supplier inventory module  104  of  FIG. 1 ) to obtain and/or execute an order of the plant  1002 . The telephone  1030  may be used to communicate with the plant  1002  to receiver an order of parts and/or services. The vehicle  1032  may be used to deliver the parts and/or the services to the plant  1002 . The desktop  1034  may be a computer which may runs a database management program (e.g., the manufacturer inventory module  105  of  FIG. 1 ) to obtain and/or execute an order of the supplier  1004 . The telephone  1036  may be used to communicate with the supplier  1004  to receiver an order of parts and/or services. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the bin  1006 , the shelf  1008 , and/or the pallet  1010  may continuously and/or periodically communicate (e.g., wirelessly) a signal data indicating a status of parts and/or goods associated with them. The signal data may determine the status based on a weight measurement of the parts and/or the goods (e.g., against a threshold value). The signal data may be processed via the data processing system  1012 . 
     The signal data then may be processed via the laptop  1014  which may have a database management program overseeing an inventory control of the parts and/or the goods. The database management program may display a status of the parts and/or the goods and/or warns the plant  1002 A to replenish and/or order the parts. A local inventory data maintained by the database management program may be shared with the supplier  1004  through the network  1000 . This may allow the supplier  1004  to promptly deliver the parts using the vehicle  1032 . 
     In another example embodiment, the bin  1016  and/or the shelf  1018  may continuously and/or periodically communicate (e.g., using an interface cable) a signal data indicating a status of components associated with them. The signal data may determine the status based on a weight measurement of the components (e.g., against a threshold value). The signal data may be processed via the data processing system  1020 . 
     The signal data then may be processed via the desktop  1022  which may have a database management program overseeing an inventory control of the parts and/or the goods. The database management program may display a status of the parts and/or warns the plant  1002 B to replenish and/or order the parts. A local inventory data maintained by the database management program may be shared with the supplier  1004  through the network  1000 . This may also allow the supplier  1004  to promptly deliver the parts using the vehicle  1032 . 
     In yet another example embodiment, the bin  1024  may continuously and/or periodically oversee a status of components contained in the bin  1024  and/or warn a user of the bin  1024  when a number of the components falls below a critical value. When the user is alerted, the user may replenish the bin  1024 . Alternatively, the user may call out via the telephone  1026  to order more components from the supplier  1004 . In addition, the manufacturer  1005  may interact with the supplier  1004  to replenish the parts where an order of the supplier  1004  may be processed automatically through an inventory system shared between the manufacturer  1005  and the supplier  1004 . Furthermore, the plant  1002 , the supplier  1004 , and the manufacturer  1005  may share an inventory control system to automatize a replenishment of the parts and/or the components. 
       FIG. 11  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor device  1100  having at least one sensor capacitor (e.g., a sensor capacitor  1214 ) and a reference capacitor (e.g., a reference capacity  1216 ), according to one embodiment. 
     The capacitive sensor device  1100  includes a top plate  1102 , a bottom plate  1104 , a contact zone  1108 , a cable  1110 , and a stress relief  1112  (e.g., made of plastic, elastomeric material, etc.). As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the contact zone  1108  may provide a substantial contact surface for a force (e.g., a force  1106 ) being applied on the capacitive sensor device  1100 . The cable  1110  may be used to harvest (e.g., read, analyze, process, communicate, etc.) a measurement of the sensor capacitor where the stress relief  1112  may be used to promote longevity of the cable  1110  by absorbing a stress (e.g., shock, strain, etc.) applied on the cable  1110 . 
     In one example embodiment, the force  1106  (e.g., a load, a weight, a pressure, etc.) may be applied on each of the contact zone  1108  of the capacitive sensor device  1100 . For instance, the force  1106  may be applied on the contact zone  1108  (e.g., may be a vector force). The contact zone  1108  contacted by the force  1106  may move down an upper conductive surface the sensor capacitor  1214  toward a lower conductive surface of the sensor capacitor  1214  producing a change in capacitance. In another embodiment, a housing (e.g., which may include the top plate  1102 , the bottom plate  1104 , the contact zone  1108 , and/or a different structure) may be made of a conductive and/or a nonconductive material. In case the nonconductive material is being used, the nonconductive material may be painted (e.g., sputtered, coated, etc.) with the conductive material. The various components of the capacitive sensor device  1100  may be best understood with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
       FIG. 12  is a two dimensional cross-sectional view of a capacitive sensor device  1200 , according to one embodiment. The capacitive sensor device  1200  encompasses a sensor capacitor  1214 , a reference capacitor  1216 , and a layered circuit in a housing (e.g., made of a conductive material and/or a nonconductive material to isolate any electronic module in the housing from an external electromagnetic noise). 
     In an example embodiment, the housing includes a top plate  1202 , a bottom plate  1204 , a contact zone  1208 , a printed circuit board  1210 , a spacer  1212 , a sensor capacitor  1214 , and/or a reference capacitor  1216 . The sensor capacitor  1214  may be formed between a painted conductor surface on a top center of the printed circuit board (PCB)  1210  and a painted cavity created on a bottom surface of the top plate  1202 . The top plate  1202 , the PCB  1210 , and the spacer  1212  may be adjoined together via fastening with a screw. 
     A deflection of the top plate  1202  may cause a change in a distance between two parallel conductive surfaces of the sensor capacitor  1214 . The change in the distance may bring about a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor  1214 . In one embodiment, the two parallel conductive surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and have the same physical area and/or thickness. The change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor  1214  may be inversely proportional to the change in the distance between the two parallel conductive surfaces in one embodiment. 
     In another example, the reference capacitor  1216  may be formed between a painted conductor surface on a bottom center of the PCB  1210  and a painted cavity created on a top surface of the bottom plate  1204 . The reference sensor may experience a change in capacitance only for environmental factors (e.g., humidity in a gap between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a temperature of the capacitive sensor device  1200 , and an air pressure of an environment surrounding the capacitive sensor device  1200 , etc.). Therefore, the environmental factors can be removed from a measurement of a change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor when the force  1206  is applied to the capacitive sensor device  1200  (e.g., thereby allowing a user to determine the change in capacitance of the sensor capacitor more accurately). 
       FIG. 13  is a process view of measuring a force  1306 , according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 13 , an electronic circuitry (e.g., a software and/or hardware code) may apply an algorithm to measure a change in a distance  1302  between two conductive plates of the sensor  1300  (e.g., the sensor capacitor  1214  of  FIG. 12 ) when the force  1306  is propagated to the sensor  1300 . In an alternate embodiment, a change in area between the plates may be considered rather than the change in the distance. 
     Next, a change in capacitance  1304  may be calculated based on the change in the distance  1302  between the two plates forming the sensor  1300 . The change in capacitance  1304 , a change in voltage  1308 , and/or a change in frequency  1310  may also be calculated to generate a measurement (e.g., an estimation of the force  1306  applied to the sensor  1300 ). The change in capacitance  1304  may be changed into the change in voltage  1308  using a capacitance-to-voltage module. The change in capacitance  1304  may also be converted into the change in frequency  1310  using a capacitance-to-frequency module. 
     Furthermore, the capacitance-to-frequency module may be based on a circuit which produces a wave data with a frequency proportional to the change in capacitance  1304 . Thus, a higher resolution of the measurement may be possible when the frequency results in a high value (e.g., in the order of million cycles per second) and/or is modulated to the high value. Thus, one may be able to obtain the change in frequency  1310  of the sensor  1300  by subtracting a number of wave forms per second when there is no force present from a number of wave forms per second when the force  1306  is applied on the sensor  1300 . 
     Data which encompasses the change in capacitance  1304 , the change in voltage  1308 , and/or the change in frequency  1310  may be provided to a digitizer module  1312  (e.g., an analog-to-digital converter). Lastly, the digitizer module  1312  may work with the processing module  1314  (e.g., a microprocessor which may be integrated in a signaling circuit of the layered PCB  1210  of  FIG. 12 ) to convert the change in capacitance  1304 , the change in voltage  1308 , and/or the change in frequency  1310  to a measurement  1316  (e.g., a measurement of the force  1306  applied to the sensor  1300 ). 
       FIG. 14  is a three-dimensional view of a capacitive sensor assembly  1450  which may be used to weigh an indiscrete volume of a dispenser, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 14  illustrates the capacitive sensor assembly  1450  having a capacitive sensor  1400  (e.g., the capacitive sensor device  1100  of  FIG. 11 ), a contact zone  1408 , a strip spacer  1412 , a body strip  1414 , a head strip  1416 , and an assembly rest  1418 . The capacitive sensor device  1400  may have a sensor capacitor (e.g., the sensor capacitor  1214  of  FIG. 12 ) and/or a reference capacitor (e.g., the reference capacitor  1216 ). The contact zone  1408  may provide a junction point where a load and/or a force may be applied so that a capacitance may be measured on the capacitive sensor device  1400 . 
     The strip spacer  1412  may be a block (e.g., which may be a same material as the body strip  1414  and the head strip  1416 ) which is used to form a gap between the body strip  1414  and the head strip  1416 . The gap may be adjusted to provide an optimal position of the capacitive sensor device  1400  which may be used to weigh a measurement of an indiscrete volume. The body strip  1414  may be a board (e.g., made of a plastic, a metal, a wood, a plexiglass, etc.) where the capacitive sensor device  1400  may be mounted (e.g., using a fastener). The head strip  1416  may be a board (e.g., which may and/or may not be made of a same material as the body strip  1414 ) which may me smaller in size than the body strip  1414  such that the head strip  1416  may come in contact with a bottom of an upper housing (e.g. an upper housing  1560  of  FIG. 15 ) of a dispenser device (e.g., a dispenser device  1780 ) to provide a grip of one end of the capacitive sensor assembly  1450 . 
     The assembly rest  1418  (e.g., which may be made of a plastic, a plexglass, a metal, a wood, etc.) may provide a grip for the other end of the capacitive sensor assembly  1450 . In one embodiment, the assembly rest  1418  may be a single flap which may be folded underneath of the capacitive sensor assembly  1450 . In another embodiment, the capacitive sensor assembly  1450  may be multiple flaps (e.g., the assembly rest  1418 A, the assembly rest  1418 B, etc.) which may be folded underneath of the capacitive sensor assembly  1450 . 
       FIG. 15  is a three-dimensional view of an upper housing  1560  of a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 15  illustrates an upper housing  1560  having a capacitive sensor device  1500 , a cavity  1502 , a partition  1504 , a body strip  1514 , a head strip  1516 , an assembly rest  1518 , and/or a capacitive sensor assembly  1550 . The upper housing may be an upper part of a dispenser device (e.g., a dispenser device  1780  of  FIG. 17 ). The capacitive sensor device  1500 , the body strip  1514 , the head strip  1516 , the assembly rest  1518 , and/or the capacitive sensor assembly  1550  may be associated (e.g., same and/or similar in functions and/or features) with the capacitive sensor device  1400  of  FIG. 14 , the body strip  1414 , the head strip  1416 , the assembly rest  1418 , and/or the capacitive sensor assembly  1450 , respectively. 
     The cavity  1502  may provide an opening of a container holding a content (e.g., which may be in an indiscrete volume as in the container  1606  of  FIG. 16 ) where the content may be dispensed through the cavity  1502 . The partition  1504  may separate one discrete volume (e.g. of the container  1606 ) from another discrete volume. A number of the partition  1504  used may be in multiple numbers. In one example embodiment, if four discrete volumes are in a dispenser device, three partitions may be used to separate the four discrete volumes. 
     Furthermore, the capacitive sensor assembly  1550  may be placed at bottom of the upper housing  1560  where the capacitive sensor device  1500  may be facing downward. The capacitive sensor device  1500  may have a single contact zone (e.g., the contact zone  1108  of  FIG. 11 , the contact zone  1208  of  FIG. 12  and/or the contact zone  1408  of  FIG. 14 ) or multiple contact zones which may be pressed when a load (e.g., an indiscrete volume of the container  1606  of  FIG. 16 ) is applied on top of the capacitive sensor assembly  1550 . 
     The head strip  1516  may provide a grip which may be used to prevent the capacitive sensor assembly  1550  from slipping laterally (e.g., when the load is applied on top of the capacitive sensor assembly  1550 ) and/or to provide an optimum contact between the capacitive sensor device  1500  and a bottom surface of the upper housing  1560 . The assembly rest  1518  may provide another grip which may be used to prevent the capacitive sensor assembly  1550  from slipping laterally (e.g., when the load is applied on top of the capacitive sensor assembly  1550 ) and/or to provide an optimum contact between the capacitive sensor device  1500  and the bottom surface of the upper housing  1560 . 
       FIG. 16  is a three-dimensional view of an upper housing  1660  having a container  1606  of a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 16  illustrates an upper housing  1660  having a capacitive sensor device  1600 , a cavity  1602 , a partition  1604 , a container  1606 , and/or a capacitive sensor assembly  1650 . The container  1606  may have a neck  1608  and/or a fastener  1610 . The capacitive sensor assembly  1650  may include a capacitive sensor device  1600 , a body strip  1614 , a head strip  1616 , and/or an assembly rest  1618 . 
     The capacitive sensor device  1600 , the body strip  1614 , the head strip  1616 , the assembly rest  1618  of the capacitive sensor assembly  1650  may be associated (e.g., same and/or similar in functions and/or features) with the capacitive sensor device  1500  of  FIG. 15 , the body strip  1514 , the head strip  1516 , the assembly rest  1518  of the capacitive sensor assembly  1550 , respectively. The cavity  1602  and the partition  1604  of the upper housing  1660  may be similar and/or identical with the cavity  1502  and the partition  1504  of the upper housing  1560  of  FIG. 15 . 
     The container  1606  may be used to hold an indiscrete volume of a content (e.g., a beverage, a liquid, a fluid, a condiment, etc.). The container  1606  may be made of a vinyl, a plastic, a synthetic material, and/or other materials which may vary its shape due to the nature of the content (e.g., having an indiscrete volume). The neck  1608  of the container  1606  may extend out of the upper housing  1660  through the cavity  1602 . The fastener  1610  (e.g., a cap, a cork, etc.) may be used to control a flow of the content (e.g., a beverage, a condiment, etc.). Thus, when a dispenser device (e.g., a coffee dispensing machine, a soda dispensing machine, a milk dispensing machine, etc.) is on, the fastener  1610  may remain open. 
       FIG. 17  is a three-dimensional view of a dispenser device  1780  having a data processing system  1704 , according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 17  illustrates a dispenser device  1780  having an upper housing  1760  and/or a lower housing  1770 . The upper housing  1760  may have a capacitive sensor device  1700 , a cavity  1702 , a fastener  1710 , and/or other components (e.g., See  FIG. 16 ). 
     The lower housing  1770  may have a data processing system  1704 , a volume indicator  1706 , and/or a status indicator  1708 . The data processing system  1704  may process a measurement data from the capacitive sensor device  1700 . The volume indicator  1706  may be a light emitting diode (LED) (e.g., and/or other lighting source) which may be turned on when a volume of a content (e.g., in the container  1606  of  FIG. 16 ) in the dispenser device  1780  is less than a threshold value (e.g., a weight which may be set by a user and/or a maintenance person of the dispenser device  1780 ). The status indicator  1708  may be a light emitting diode (LED) (e.g., and/or other lighting source) which may be turned on when the dispenser device  1780  is in use. 
     In one example embodiment, the capacitive sensor device  1700  may communicate (e.g., periodically and/or continually) with the data processing system  1704  of the dispenser device  1780  when the dispenser device  1780  is active (e.g., which may be indicated by the status indicator  1708 ). The capacitive sensor device  1700  may communicate a measurement (e.g., which may be an analog and/or a digital signal in a form of a capacitance, a voltage, and/or a frequency value of the content being measured by the capacitive sensor device  1700 ) to the data processing system  1704 . 
     The data processing system  1704  may then process the measurement (e.g., through comparing the measurement with a threshold value set by the user) and communicate a command data to control the volume indicator  1706 . The status indicator  1708  may be turned on when a load applied on top of the capacitive sensor device  1700  (e.g., mounted on the capacitive sensor assembly  1650 ) is measured to be less than a threshold value (e.g., which may be 1/10 th  of the load in full capacity). 
     In another example embodiment, the data processing system  1704  may be positioned outside of the dispenser device  1780 . The capacitive sensor device  1700  in this case may communicate the measurement to the data processing system  1704  wirelessly, and the data processing system  1704  may control the status indicator  1708  wirelessly once the data processing system  1704  processes the measurement as will be illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 18  is a network enabled view of a capacitive sensor device  1800 , according to one embodiment. The capacitive sensor device  1800 A is connected to a data processing system  1804  through a cable  1802  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The capacitive sensor device  1800 A is also connected to a network (e.g., an internet, a local area network, etc.). The capacitive sensor device  1800 B is wirelessly connected to the network through an access device  1806  (e.g., a device which enables wireless communication between devices forming a wireless network). 
     The capacitive sensor device  1800 B includes a transmitter/receiver circuit  1808  and a wireless interface controller  1810  (e.g., for wireless communication), a battery  1812  (e.g., to sustain as a standalone device), and an alarm circuit  1814  (e.g., to alert a user when a force to the capacitive sensor device  1800  B is greater than a threshold value and/or when the battery is almost out). The transmitter/receiver circuit  1808  and/or the wireless interface controller  1810  may be integrated into the processing module  1314  of  FIG. 13 . 
     A data processing system  1804  may receive data (e.g., output data measuring a force and/or a load, etc.) from the capacitive sensor device  1800 A and/or the capacitive sensor device  1800 B through the network. In one embodiment, the data processing system  1804  analyzes data (e.g., measurements) generated by various operation of the capacitive sensor device  1800 . In another example embodiment, a universal serial bus (USB) may be included in the circuitry of the capacitive sensor device  1800 . The USB (e.g., a USB port or hub with mini sockets) may allow a hardware interface (e.g., user-friendly) for a data processing system (e.g., the data processing system  1804 ) and/or a hardware interface for attaching peripheral devices (e.g., a flash drive). 
       FIG. 19  is a conceptual diagram of a service associated with a dispenser device, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 19  illustrates a service headquarters  1900 , a transceiver  1902 , a service vehicle  1904 , a transceiver  1906 , a school  1908 , a beverage machine  1910 , a transmitter  1912 , a vending machine  1914 , a transmitter  1916 , a convenience store  1918 , a condiment dispenser  1920 , a transmitter  1922 , a restaurant  1924 , a beverage dispenser  1926 , a transceiver  1928 , a hospital  1930 , a beverage dispenser  1932 , a transmitter  1934 , a vending machine  1936 , and/or a transmitter  1938 . 
     The service headquarters  1900  may be a place where the service (e.g., installment, and/or maintenance of the dispenser device and/or delivery of supply items associated with the dispenser device) is conducted. The service vehicle  1904  may be a transportation device which may be used by an agent of a service provider associated with the dispenser device. The transceiver  1906  may be a communication device on the service vehicle which may be used to communicate between the service vehicle  1904  and the service headquarter  1900 . 
     The school  1908  may be a private and/or public educational institution. The beverage machine  1910  may be an electromechanical apparatus which may be used to vend a beverage (e.g., coffee, orange juice, cola, etc.). The transmitter  1912  may communicate a status (e.g., the machine on, the machine off, the beverage running out, the beverage filled, etc.) of the beverage machine  1910  to the service headquarter  1900 . The vending machine  1914  may be a dispenser device having a capacitive sensor device weighing a load in indiscrete volume (e.g., a beverage measured in units of cups) and/or in discrete volume (e.g., a beverage measured in units of cans, bottles, etc.). The transmitter  1916  may communicate a status (e.g., the machine on, the machine off, beverage running out, beverage filled, etc.) of the beverage machine  1910  to the service headquarter  1900 . 
     The convenience store  1918  may be a private (e.g., retail) business. The condiment dispenser  1920  may be an electromechanical apparatus which may be used to dispense one or more condiments (e.g., a ketchup, a mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, etc.). The transmitter  1922  may communicate a status (e.g., the machine on, the machine off, the beverage running out, the beverage filled, etc.) of the condiment dispenser  1920  to the service headquarter  1900 . 
     The restaurant  1924  may be a business entity where a food and/or a beverage may be served for profit. The beverage dispenser  1926  may be an electromechanical apparatus which may be used to dispense a beverage (e.g., a coffee, an orange juice, a cola, etc.). The beverage dispenser  1926  (e.g., which may not have a wireless communication capability) may be monitored by the user (e.g., the owner and/or the employee of the restaurant  1924 ). The transceiver  1928  of the restaurant  1924  may be used to communicate with the service headquarter  1900 . 
     The hospital  1930  may be a profit and/or nonprofit health organization. The beverage dispenser  1932  may be an electromechanical apparatus which may be used to vend a beverage (e.g., coffee, orange juice, cola, etc.). The transmitter  1934  may communicate a status (e.g., the machine on, the machine off, beverage running out, beverage filled, etc.) of the beverage dispenser  1932  to the service headquarter  1900 . 
     The vending machine  1936  on a street corner may be a dispenser device having a capacitive sensor device weighing a load in indiscrete volume (e.g., a beverage measured in units of cups) and/or in discrete volume (e.g., a beverage measured in units of cans, bottles, etc.). The transmitter  1938  may communicate a status (e.g., the machine on, the machine off, the beverage running out, the beverage filled, etc.) of the vending machine  1936  to the service headquarter  1900 . 
     In one example embodiment, a service headquarter  1900  may be a branch office of a service provider who may be in a business of installing and/or maintaining a number of dispenser devices (e.g., the dispenser device  1780  of  FIG. 17 ) and/or supplying contents (e.g., a beverage, a condiment, etc.) of the dispenser devices. The service headquarter  1900  may provide a service of a partial and/or an entire area of a city. When a signal data indicating a low level of a content of any one of the beverage devices is communicated from a client&#39;s place (e.g., the school  1908 , the convenience store  1918 , the restaurant  1924 , etc.) to the service headquarter  1900  through a transmitter (e.g., transmitter  1912 , the transmitter  1916 , the transmitter  1922 , the transmitter  1938 , etc.) and/or a transceiver (e.g., the transceiver  1928 , etc.), the service headquarter  1900  may communicate with the service vehicle  1904  (e.g., which may and/or may not be on the road) to deliver the content to the client&#39;s place through the transceiver  1902  and/or the transceiver  1906 . 
     In another example embodiment, a user of the beverage dispenser  1926  may communicate with the service headquarter  1900  through a wireless device and/or a telephone when the user learns that a content of the beverage dispenser  1926  has run out of the content. The example embodiments illustrate a cost and/or time-efficient way of maintaining dispenser devices as well as providing clients of products dispensed through the dispenser devices in fresh and/or better quality. 
       FIG. 20  is a three-dimensional view of an inventory management system  2050  having a container  2006  (e.g., a receptacle, a transportable bin, etc.) to measure a weight of at least one item  2008  (e.g., a liquid, a solid, a discrete part, a fluid, a gas, a powder, etc.). The container is illustrated as being placed above a base  2002  (e.g., a base plate, a floor, a surface, a sidewall, etc.) having a scale  2004  (e.g., a platform). A shortage of the item  2008  may be indicated by the inventory management system when the measurement of the item varies (e.g., from a tolerance weight). A force (e.g., the force  1106  of  FIG. 11 ) may be applied when items are placed in the container and a top surface of the scale is deflected. This may cause a distance between capacitive plates forming the capacitive sensor in the scale (as illustrated in  FIG. 22 ) to change, thereby causing a change in capacitance. 
       FIG. 21  is a three-dimensional view of the inventory management system  2150  having a scale  2004  formed with a set of plates having inserted between the set of plates the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface (e.g., creating the capacitive sensor  1100  as illustrated in  FIG. 21 ), according to one embodiment. The scale  2004  may include a set of conductive plates having the capacitive sensor device (e.g., the capacitive sensor device  1100  of  FIG. 11 ). For example, the capacitive sensor device may be created through an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface that is inserted (e.g., sandwiched) in the scale  2004  of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 22A  is a process flow of generating a measurement of weight based on change in distance between the conductive surfaces (e.g., of a capacitive sensing device such as the capacitive sensor device  1100  of  FIG. 11  and/or the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 , etc.), according to one embodiment. In operation  2202 , a measurement of weight (e.g., load, force, etc.) may be generated automatically based on a change in a distance between a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface forming a variable capacitor when an item is placed on a surface of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). 
     In operation  2204 , the measurement (e.g., a data signal) may be communicated (e.g., via cable, through a network, wirelessly, etc.) to an inventory management system associated with the variable capacitor (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ). In operation  2206 , a scale formed with a set of plates (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 21 ) may be formed having inserted between the set of plates the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     In operation  2208 , a container (e.g., the container  1606  of  FIG. 16 ) may be placed adjacent to (e.g., on, in contact with, etc.) the scale such that an item of the container  1606  (e.g., may include a liquid, a solid, a discrete part, a powder, and a gas) is weighed through the measurement (e.g., may be of a force applied to a surface above the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface) as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 20 . In operation  2210 , a shortage of the item may be indicated when the measurement of the item varies from a tolerance weight. 
       FIG. 22B  is a continuation of the process flow of  FIG. 22A  illustrating additional processes, according to one embodiment. In operation  2212 , an algorithm may be applied that converts a change in capacitance to a change in voltage and a change in frequency to generate the measurement (e.g., using the capacitive sensor module  108  of  FIG. 1 ). In operation  2214 , the measurement based on environmental condition (e.g., humidity, temperature, air pressure, etc.) may be adjusted by analyzing data of a reference capacitor (e.g., the reference capacitor  216  of  FIG. 2 ). In operation  2216 , the variable capacitor and the reference capacitor may be fabricated in any geometric shape, including a rectangular shape, an oval shape, and a shape having sides that are not all the same length. In operation  2218 , the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface may be painted on nonconductive printed circuit boards (PCBs), as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     For example, the local inventory module  102 , the supplier inventory module  104 , the container modules  106 A-N, the capacitive sensor modules  108 A-N, the digitizer modules  712  and  1312  and/or the processing module  714  and  1314  and other modules of  FIGS. 1-21  may be enabled using a local inventory circuit, a supplier inventory circuit, container circuits, capacitive sensor circuits, digitizer circuits, processing circuits and other circuits using one or more of the technologies described herein. 
       FIG. 23  is a system view illustrating an automatic inventory management system, according to one or more embodiments. In particular,  FIG. 23  illustrates inventory system(s)  2300   1-N , advanced communication device(s)  2302   1-N , master interface device  2304 , sensor units  2306   1-N , an inventory management server  2308 , an inventory database  2310 , a client device  2312 , a network  2314 , a manufacturer interface  2316 , a manufacturer record database  2318 , a supplier interface  2320 , a supplier record database  2322 , a client device  2324 , a battery module  2326   1-N , a wireless module  2328 , a wireless module  2330 , and a processor  2332 , according to one or more embodiments. 
     The inventory system  2300   1-N  may be a system that is used for managing a stock of collection of goods and materials (e.g., inventory items) in an enterprise (e.g., an industry, a shopping mall, a departmental store). In one or more embodiments, the inventory system  2300   1-N  described herein may be portable in nature with wireless communication capability. The management of goods and materials include, but not limited to auditing of the stock, determining requirements, excess goods, updating goods, generating statistics and consumer behavior. In one or more embodiments, the aforementioned inventory system  2300   1-N  may be used manage the quantity of stock. As illustrated, the inventory system  2300   1-N  may include sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  for measuring weight of the goods in an inventory bin (e.g., industrial standard scales). The sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may be devices that generate a signal proportional to weight of the inventory item in the container of the inventory bin. The aforementioned sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may be structurally coupled to the inventory bins (not shown in figure) to form a weighing machine on the portable inventory system  2300   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the sensors in the sensor unit  2306   1-N  may include, but are not limited to a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, and an inductance sensor. In one or more embodiments, the sensor may be a load cell. 
     In one or more embodiments, the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may also include the battery module(s)  2326   1-N . The battery module  2326   1-N  may be used to power the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the battery module  2326   1-N  inter alia may include a power regulator, a battery (e.g., lithium-ion), and power indicator. The power regulator may regulate the input power to the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  such that the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  receives adequate power for proper functioning. In addition, the power regulator may also prevent excess power from damaging the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the battery described herein may be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged through a power chord provided thereof. In one or more embodiments, the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may also be operated on direct power supply. 
     The sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may generate a signal based on the weight of the inventory item placed in the container of the inventory bin  2502 . The signal generated by the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may be communicated to inventory management server  2308  through the advanced communication device  2302   1-N  via the master interface device  2304 . The sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may communicate the signal through an interface (not shown in figure) in the sensor unit  2306   1-N . The interface may include, but not limited to a RS-232 interface, a RS-422 interface, a RS-485 interface, an Ethernet interface, a daisy chain port, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. 
     The advanced communication device  2302   1-N  (e.g., switch) may be a device to route the incoming signals from the sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  to inventory management server  2308 . In one or more embodiments, the master interface device  2304  (e.g., switch) may be required to route the signals from the advanced communication device  2302   1-N  to inventory management server  2308 . The master interface device  2304  may be an optional device. The master interface device may not be required if there are limited number of inventory systems. 
     In one or more embodiments, the advanced communication device  2302   1-N  may include the wireless module  2328  to communicate signals from the sensor units  2306   1-N  to the inventory management server  2308 . The wireless communication may be through any of, but not limited to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Bluetooth interface, a Zigbee interface, a WiFi interface, a WiMax interface, and a Wibree interface. In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may be supported by use of appropriate inventory management software. The inventory management software may be used to manage the inventory system. In one or more embodiments, the inventory management software functionalities may include, but not limited to may collection of data from the sensor units  2306   1-N , processing the collected data into machine readable format, analyzing the converted data, comparing with the standard data in the inventory database  2310 , updating the inventory database  2310  with the temporary data, analyzing the user/administrator requests, responding to the user/administrator requests, generate request for updating inventory system  2300   1-N , communicate the requests to the supplier interface  2320  and manufacturer interface  2316 , updating the status of the inventory system  2300   1-N  by updating the values in the inventory database  2310  and generating statistics and reports. The inventory management server  2308  may be communicatively coupled with the inventory database  2310 . The inventory database  2310  may be a database (e.g., relational, hierarchical, etc.) that is used to support and manage information associated with inventory system  2300   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the inventory database  2310  may include a database management system which oversees an inventory control of parts and/or components necessary for a management of inventory items in the inventory system  2300   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the aforementioned information may include standard data associated with each of the inventory items in the inventory system  2300   1-N , conversion scale of weights and number of items, etc. Furthermore, the inventory database  2310  may include details of quantity of inventory items, a status, and/or order information of inventory items and/or the quantity of the inventory items located in the inventory system  2300   1-N . 
     The inventory management server  2308  may include several modules that is described in  FIG. 24 . An administrator (not shown in figure) of the enterprise may manage the inventory system  2300   1-N  manually through the client device  2312  (e.g., a computer) by accessing the inventory management server  2308 . In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may provide communicational interfaces to users to enable communication with the inventory management server  2308 . The communicational interface may include, but not limited to an internet based Graphical User Interface (GUI), and a program based GUI. The inventory management server  2308  may provide secure access to the administrator to access administrative tools. The administrative tools may be functionalities provided to manage and control the working of the inventory management server  2308 . Furthermore, the administrative tasks may include managing settings, managing configurations, addition, removal and updating of new sensor based inventory bins and associated inventory items, controlling flow of data and reports, etc. 
     The inventory management server  2308  may determine the quantity of the inventory item in the container of the inventory bin of the inventory system automatically and almost periodically (e.g., every 15 min, every 1 hour). In one or more embodiments, current status of the inventory items may be obtained from the inventory management server  2308  and request for updating may be sent to the administrator. The administrator may inspect the status of the inventory items to forward the request for updating the inventory item to a supplier of the inventory item. The aforementioned request for updating the inventory item may include a request for addition of inventory items, a request for retaking excessive items, a request for complete replacement, etc. A threshold quantity value may be set. For example, the threshold quantity value may include a maximum threshold, a minimum threshold and a critical value. The request for updating the inventory items may be generated when the value of the inventory items are lesser than a minimum threshold and/or critical threshold, and/or greater than a maximum threshold. In one or more embodiments, the administrator may define more threshold values or reduce the number of threshold values. 
     In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may provide options to the administrator to configure the inventory management software in inventory management server  2308  to directly communicate the request for updating the stock to the supplier/manufacturer. In one or more embodiments, there may be separate suppliers for the goods. The inventory management server  2308  may be configured to communicate separate requests to separate suppliers. In one or more embodiments, the request to update the stock may be communicated through the network  2314 . The network  2314  may be an Internet, an Ethernet, a Radio Frequency (RF) network, a telecommunications (e.g., mobile) network, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN) (e.g., using USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc.), a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, etc.), and/or a storage area network (SAN), etc. The communication of request to the supplier/manufacturer may be performed through an electronic update (such as email, updating a social network page (facebook etc.), a Short Message Service (SMS), a voice message, etc. 
     The supplier interface  2320  upon receiving the request communication from inventory management server  2308  may evaluate the requirements of the inventory system  2300   1-N . The supplier interface  2320  may be a communication end of the supplier. For example, the supplier interface  2320 /the manufacturer interface  2316  may be an email system, a mobile phone device, etc. The supplier record database  2322  may be a database detailing a quantity, a status, and/or order information of parts and/or components from the enterprise. The manufacturer record database  2318  may be a database (e.g., relational, hierarchical, etc.) detailing a quantity, a status, and/or order information of parts and/or components by a supplier/enterprise. 
     In one or more embodiments, the supplier interface  2320  upon evaluation may update the inventory system  2300   1-N  or may communicate a new request to the manufacturer interface  2316  for updating the inventory item in the inventory system  2300   1-N . The manufacturer of the inventory items may directly update the inventory system  2300   1-N  or update the inventory system  2300   1-N  through the supplier. The updating process described herein may include, but not limited to replenishing the quantity of goods, replacing the quantity of goods, and reducing the quantity of goods. The inventory system  2300   1-N  may be updated by the supplier or the manufacturer. While performing updating process, an acknowledgement is provided to the inventory management server  2308  through the inventory system  2300   1-N . The sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may generate signals indicating current status, thereby indicating the inventory management server  2308  about the quantity of the inventory item in the inventory bin. 
     In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may be configured to store relevant transactions and communications in the inventory database  2310 . In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may generate reports and/or statistics on sales, consumer behavior, consumption pattern, fast sales, trends, etc. based on data and transactions stored in the local inventory. The statistics and/or reports may enable the administrator to maximize profit and organize accordingly. In addition, the reports may provide data to surveys and consumers about the trends and sales, according to one embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the sensor unit  2306   1-N  may be provided with optional additional sensors to detect and provide drift correction. The additional sensors may include proximity sensors, vision sensors, etc. The drift may be because of sudden change in weight due to external factors such as loading or unloading. The drift can be detected by using additional sensors that detect presence of any object at the time of drift. The signal generated during drift may be generally ignored. In addition, a tilt correction may be provided in the sensor unit  2306   1-N  to enable the sensor unit to generate accurate signals based on weight of the inventory item. Tilt correction may enable correction of errors that may be caused due to imbalance or concentration of weight on one side of the inventory bin. 
       FIG. 24  is an exploded view of the inventory management server  2308 , according to one or more embodiments. Particularly,  FIG. 24  illustrates a measurement module  2402 , an analysis module  2404 , a communication module  2406 , a record update module  2408 , a client interface module  2410 , an authentication module  2412 , and a manual override module  2414 , according to one embodiment. 
     The incoming signal from the sensor unit  2306   1-N  (e.g., through the advanced communication device  2302   1-N , via the master interface device) may be converted into a digital value. In one or more embodiments, the measurement module  2402  may convert the signal to a digital value. In one or more embodiments, the measurement module  2402  may also manually acquire the signals from the sensor units  306   1-N . The generated value may be communicated to the analysis module  2404 . The analysis module  2404  may apply an algorithm to process the value based on a standard scale provided by vendor. For example, a bolt may weigh 1 ounce as per manufacturer specification, therefore 10 bolts weighs 10 ounces, 10 ounces as per standard scale indicates presence of 10 bolts. 
     The algorithm may compare the generated value with the standard values stored in the inventory database  2310  to determine the quantity of the inventory items in the inventory system  2300   1-N . The quantity value of the inventory items obtained may be uploaded into the inventory database  2310  by the record update module  2408 . Based on the quantity of the goods, a report may be generated by the analysis module  2404 . The report may be communicated to the enterprise administrator, the supplier interface  2320 , and/or the manufacturer interface  2316 . However, the administrator can configure the inventory management server  2308  to communicate directly to the supplier interface  2320  or the manufacturer interface  2316  or only to the administrator module for approval for communication. The inventory management server  2308  may also include the client interface module  2410  that enables client devices to communicate with inventory management server  2308 . The client devices may include the client device  2312  of the enterprise and/or the client device  2324  via the network  2314 . The client devices may include a computer, a mobile phone, etc. 
     In one or more embodiments, the administrator may access the inventory management server  2308  to view the status of the goods, for performing updates (e.g., including changing configurations, adding new goods and values, etc.). The inventory management server provides access based on authentication using the authentication module  2412 . The inventory management server  2308  may also provide a manual override module  2414  to enable the administrator to control and manage the process and activities of the inventory management server  2308 . The administrator may communicate with the inventory management server  2308  using the client device such as computer, a mobile phone, etc. In one or more embodiments, the administrator may also communicate with inventory management server  2308  through the network  2314  (e.g., via the internet) from any part of the world. In one or more embodiments, individuals outside the enterprise (e.g., consumers, suppliers, manufacturers) may also view the goods and the quantity of goods available in the enterprise through the network  2314  (e.g., via the internet) using the client device  2324 . In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may provide Graphical User Interface to access and view the goods in the inventory system  2300   1-N . 
     In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may also support plug and play configuration to enable addition of bins in the inventory system instantly. Necessary data associated with the good in the bin may be uploaded into the inventory management server  2308  through the client device  2312 . Also, in one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  other software such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to provide an ease of use. 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic view of an inventory bin  2502 , according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 25  illustrates complete view and an assembled view of the inventory bin. The inventory bin  2502  may be constructed by mounting a container  2510  on the scale  2508 , the scale being coupled with the sensor unit  2506  in an arrangement such that whenever any inventory items are placed in the container  2510 , there is a displacement within the sensor unit  2506  varying the capacitance based on the weight in the container  2510 . The sensor unit  2506  may be based on a pallet  2504 . The container  2510 , the scale  2508 , and the sensor unit  2506  may all be supported by the pallet  2504 . One or more of the inventory bins may be used to form the inventory system  2300   1-N . In addition, the inventory bin includes an interface for communication. The interface may include, but not limited to a RS-232 interface, a RS-422 interface, a RS-485 interface, an Ethernet interface, a daisy chain port, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. 
     The inventory system  2300   1-N  may be structurally constructed as inventory kiosk, rails and racks, etc. However, it should be noted that the inventory system  2300   1-N  described herein are portable, mobile, and light weight. The inventory system  2300   1-N  described herein is structurally designed to fit into small areas, constant location changes, etc. However, the aforementioned inventory system  2300   1-N  may also be used in larger areas. 
       FIG. 26  is a diagrammatic process flow illustrating an inventory management system, according to an example embodiment. An inventory item  2602  (e.g., goods as described before) may be transferred into the inventory bin  2502 . The inventory bin  2502  may be placed in an inventory level kiosk  2608 . Furthermore, the inventory bin  2502  placed in the inventory level kiosk  2608  may be communicatively coupled to the advanced communication device  2302  that is structurally coupled to the inventory level kiosk  2608 . The wireless module  2328  in the advanced communication device  2302  may communicate the signal generated by the sensor unit(s) of the inventory bin  2502  to the inventory management server  2606 . The inventory management server  2606  may receive the signal and may generate a request based on requirements on comparison with standard values in the inventory database. Furthermore, the request may be communicated to the supplier interface/the manufacturer interface (e.g., through an electronic update (such as email, updating a social network page (facebook etc.), message, SMS, etc.) through the network (e.g., internet). The supplier/manufacturer may respond by updating the inventory item  2602  in the inventory system thereby acknowledging the request through updating the values in the inventory management system software via the inventory system (the inventory level kiosk  2608 ). 
       FIG. 27  is a schematic view that illustrates a wired backbone for communication in the inventory management system, according to one or more embodiment. The sensor unit(s)  2306   1-N  may be communicatively coupled the advanced communication device  2302   1-N  through an USB interface but not restricted to the USB interface. In one or more embodiments, the advanced communication devices  2302   1-N  in turn may be communicatively coupled to the master interface device  2304 . In one or more embodiments, the master interface device  2304  may be required only when there are more than one advanced communication devices  2302   1-N  to couple with the inventory management server  2308 . The master interface device  2304  may communicate the signals from each of the advanced communication devices to the inventory management server  2308 . 
       FIG. 28  is a user interface view generated by the inventory management server  2308  to the administrator providing information associated with the inventory items in the inventory system(s), according to one or more embodiments. 
     The administrator may communicate with the inventory management server  2308  to view the status of the inventory system  2300   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2300   1-N  may provide options and choices to the administrator to view the information. In an example embodiment, the inventory portal  2800  may provide an option  2818  to view the status of each of the inventory items in the inventory system. In the example embodiment, the inventory portal  2800  illustrates “all parts, critical and low parts and critical parts”  2816  option that enables the user to select an option to view the status of inventory items. Fields  2802 - 2816  illustrate details of the inventory items, and in particular to all parts, according to the example embodiment. The field  2802  may illustrate part ID of the inventory item, the part code  2804  field may illustrate the code name of the inventory tem, the description  2806  may provide information about the inventory item, and the weight per piece  2808  field provides information about weight of the piece for each of the inventory item in the inventory bin. 
     The max/min/critical quantity  2810  field may provide the vendor defined threshold quantities of the inventory items required to be in the inventory bin, otherwise which a request be generated for updating the quantity. The field total weight  2812  may illustrate the current weight in the inventory bin. The quantity in stock  2814  field may illustrate the stock within the enterprise. The status field  2816  may provide the status report of the inventory items in the inventory bin. In one or more embodiments, the inventory management server  2308  may provide a different user interface for different users. For example, the inventory management software may provide a user interface to a consumer illustrating only available stocks in the enterprise. 
       FIG. 29  is a diagrammatic system view  2950  of a data processing system in which any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be performed, according to one embodiment. Particularly, the diagrammatic system view  2950  of  FIG. 29  illustrates a processor  2902 , a main memory  2904 , a static memory  2906 , a bus  2908 , a video display  2910 , an alpha-numeric input device  2912 , a cursor control device  2914 , a drive unit  2916 , a signal generation device  2918 , a network interface device  2920 , a machine readable medium  2922 , instructions  2924 , and a network  2926 , according to one embodiment. 
     The diagrammatic system view  2950  may indicate a personal computer and/or the data processing system in which one or more operations disclosed herein are performed. The processor  2902  may be a microprocessor, a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, etc. The main memory  2904  may be a dynamic random access memory and/or a primary memory of a computer system. 
     The static memory  2906  may be a hard drive, a flash drive, and/or other memory information associated with the data processing system. The bus  2908  may be an interconnection between various circuits and/or structures of the data processing system. The video display  2910  may provide graphical representation of information on the data processing system. The alpha-numeric input device  2912  may be a keypad, a keyboard and/or any other input device of text (e.g., a special device to aid the physically handicapped). 
     The cursor control device  2914  may be a pointing device such as a mouse. The drive unit  2916  may be the hard drive, a storage system, and/or other longer term storage subsystem. The signal generation device  2918  may be a bios and/or a functional operating system of the data processing system. The network interface device  2920  may be a device that performs interface functions such as code conversion, protocol conversion and/or buffering required for communication to and from the network  2926 . The machine readable medium  2922  may provide instructions  2924  on which any of the methods disclosed herein may be performed. The instructions  2924  may provide source code and/or data code to the processor  2902  to enable any one or more operations disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 30A  is a process flow of real time inventory management, according to one embodiment. In operation  3002 , a communication backbone may be provided between the inventory system  2300   1-N  and the inventory management server  2308 . In operation  3004 , a maximum threshold, a minimum threshold and a critical value may be configured in the inventory management server  2308  for each of the inventory item  2602  in the inventory bin  2502  in the inventory system  2300   1-N . In operation  3006 , the signal from the sensor unit  2306   1-N  may be generated based on weight of the inventory item  2602  in the inventory bin  2502  of the inventory system  2300   1-N . In operation  3008 , a signal generated by the sensor unit  2306   1-N  of the inventory bin  2502  of the inventory system  2300   1-N  may be communicated to the inventory management server  2308  through an interface (e.g., USB). 
     In one or more embodiments, the inventory bin described herein is a sensor based inventory bin. In operation  3010 , a quantity of an inventory item  2602  may be determined in the sensor based inventory bin by processing the signal using an algorithm through a processor of the inventory management server  2308 . In operation  3012 , a request may be generated to the supplier to update the quantity of the inventory item  2602  of the inventory system  2300   1-N  when the signal communicated to the inventory management server  2308  is lesser than the minimum threshold, greater than the maximum threshold and/or around the critical value. In operation  3014 , a request may be communicated to a supplier for updating the quantity of the inventory item  2602  in the inventory bin  2502  of the inventory system  2300   1-N . In one or more embodiments, the request may be communicated to the supplier through any of an electronic update (such as email, updating a social network page (facebook etc.), a Short Message Service (SMS), and a voice message. 
       FIG. 30B  is a continuation of  FIG. 30A  illustrating additional operations, according to one embodiment. In operation  3016 , the quantity of the inventory item  2602  may be updated in the sensor based inventory bin of the inventory system. In operation  3018 , an acknowledgement to the request may be provided to the inventory management server  2308  through the inventory system  2300   1-N  by updating the quantity of the inventory item  2602  in the inventory bin  2502  of the inventory system  2300   1-N . In operation  3020 , a communicational interface may be provided (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 28 ) to enable communication with the inventory management server. In operation  3022 , access to users may be provided based on authentication to access administrative tools to perform administrative tasks. In operation  3024 , a report may be generated that includes one or more of inventory count, replenishment, and/or periodic consumption pattern. 
       FIG. 31  is a process flow of the inventory system  2300   1-N  management, according to one embodiment. In operation  3102 , the sensor unit  2306   1-N  of the inventory bin  2502  may be provided with an interface to communicate a signal to the advanced communication device  2302  based on a weight of an inventory item  2602  in the inventory bin  2502 . In operation  3104 , the signal generated by the sensor unit  2306   1-N  of the inventory bin  2502  may be communicated to the advanced communication device  2302  through a communication line coupled between the advanced communication device  2302  and interface of the sensor unit  2306   1-N  of the sensor based inventory bin. In operation  3106 , the signals generated by each of the sensor based inventory bins  2502  may be communicated to the inventory management server  2308  by the advanced communication device  2302  through a wired communication and/or a wireless communication. In operation  3108 , a tilt correction may be implemented in the sensor unit  2306   1-N  to enable the sensor unit  2306   1-N  to generate accurate signals based on weight of the inventory item  2602 . In operation  3110 , additional sensors may be optionally provided in the sensor unit to detect and provide drift correction. 
     Last but not the least, it should be noted that network  100  discussed above may be a wireless network, a distributed computer network, a distributed hybrid cloud-based network, a distributed sensor and/or a short range communication network, and the sensor interface discussed above may also be compatible with LoRa/LoRa based networks. All reasonable variations are within the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein. 
     In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may be performed in any order (e.g., including using means for achieving the various operations). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. For example, the various devices, modules, analyzers, generators, etc. described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry (e.g., CMOS based logic circuitry), firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g., embodied in a machine readable medium). 
     In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may be performed in any order (e.g., including using means for achieving the various operations). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.