Patent Publication Number: US-10329061-B2

Title: System and methods for managing a container or its contents

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/901,133 filed Nov. 7, 2013, U.S. Design application No. 29/486,557 filed Mar. 31, 2014, U.S. Design application No. 29/486,563 filed Mar. 31, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/974,230 filed Apr. 2, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/003,409 filed May 27, 2014, and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/499,405 filed Aug. 14, 2014, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a container management system, embodiments of which are configured to communicate with or include a computer system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Consumers often use containers to store food, beverages, other consumable products, cleaning products, and other non-consumable products. Basic containers permit the consumer only to store a product, but typically provide little information about the current status or historical status of the product. 
     For example, a basic beverage container may be configured to store a beverage. However, to obtain information about the current status of the beverage or its container, the consumer typically must physically manipulate the beverage container. As an example, to test the temperature of the beverage in the container, the consumer might touch the outside of the container, drink some of the beverage, pour a small amount of the beverage onto their hand, or dip a finger into the beverage. If the beverage is too hot, such “testing” methods might cause a burn. Also, such testing methods may be unsanitary or otherwise contaminate the beverage. 
     Some more advanced containers may include a thermometer positioned within the container so that the consumer can assess the temperature without risking a burn or contaminating the beverage. However, even such advanced containers generally permit the consumer to view the temperature reading only from the thermometer itself or an integrated thermometer output display. Such containers generally lack the ability to track the temperature readings over time or permit the consumer to ascertain the temperature of the beverage from a remote location (e.g., while container is in a car and consumer is running errands). 
     Another disadvantage of known beverage containers is the possibility of spilling or otherwise inadvertently releasing some of the beverage from the container. Certain types of lids are designed to minimize spilling. For example, such lids may include a removable barrier positionable over a pour spout or drinking opening. However, such lids do not effectively minimize spillage if the barrier is not in place when the container tips over. 
     Clearly, there is a need for a container management system configured to permit detecting, tracking, recording, and communicating information about the container or its contents, such information which may include temperature of the container contents or instructions to automatically cover a lid opening. Certain embodiments of the present invention satisfy this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain embodiments of a container management system and related methods include a container system having a lid or a retainer, either of which may be configured to communicate with or include a computer system. The container management system also may be comprised of various sensors, action elements, computer elements, and additional components, which are described in more detail below. 
     For purposes of this application, a “retainer” is any item configured to generally hold in place a consumable product or a non-consumable product. A retainer may contain not only products, but also other contents, e.g., ambient air, vacuum space, etc. Examples of a retainer include a bottle, cup, mug, tumbler, flask, pitcher, carafe, pump pot, coffeepot, teapot, canteen, decanter, cup-holder, jar, can, drum, vial, syringe, box, cooler, lunch kit, or bag. 
     A retainer may include a retainer body configured to receive a product. More specifically, a retainer body may be sized and shaped to define a retainer space. The retainer body may be made from any suitable material, including a generally rigid material, a generally flexible material, a generally insulated material, or a generally non-insulated material. Examples of retainer body materials include metal (e.g., stainless steel), glass, rubber, silicone, plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), or any combination thereof. An insulated material may include a double-wall vacuum insulated construction or foam insulation. 
     The retainer body may terminate at a retainer edge, which generally defines a retainer opening. A retainer opening may be sized and shaped to permit inserting or pouring a product into the retainer space. 
     For purposes of this application, a “lid” is any item configured to partially or completely cover a retainer opening and, together with the retainer, generally create an enclosed retainer space. The components of the lid may be made from any suitable material. Examples of lid materials include metal (e.g., stainless steel), glass, rubber, silicone, plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), or any combination thereof. The lid and the retainer may be made from the same material or different materials relative to one another. 
     Certain embodiments of a lid may be configured to removably connect to a retainer, usually near the retainer edge. Examples of removable connections between a lid and a retainer include complementary threads, snap engagement, or a frictional configuration. 
     A lid may be configured to permit dispensing or releasing the product out of the retainer space without removing the lid from the retainer. Such lids may have a first lid edge defining a first lid opening configured as a dispensing aperture. The dispensing aperture may include a pour aperture, pour spout, drink aperture, drink spout, faucet spout, spray spout, straw, push-pull cap, nozzle, other aperture, to name a few examples. Certain embodiments of a lid may have additional lid edges defining additional lid openings such as a vent aperture, or system output aperture such as a display element aperture, lid input element aperture, or a computer element aperture. Any aperture configured to receive another element may be sized and shaped such that an appropriate sealing element may be positioned to generally seal (or minimize leakage in) the space between the lid edge and the other element. 
     In certain embodiments, the lid includes a lid body having a single unit construction, while in other embodiments the lid body has multiple components. A multi-component lid body may include a lid shell element, a lid handle element, and a lid support element. A lid shell element may form the uppermost or outermost part of the lid. A lid handle element is a component configured to permit a user to easily grip or lift the container system. A lid support element may be configured to provide a frame for certain other elements of the system, if present, such as the lid shell, any sensors, action elements, or computer elements. 
     Certain embodiments of a retainer or lid include a vent aperture configured to release pressure from the retainer space. Each vent aperture may include a valve configured to minimize spilling of the beverage from the container system. Also a vent aperture may be positioned to minimize spilling of the beverage from the container system. 
     The system and methods of the present invention may include one or more sensors, each configured to detect a characteristic or event related to the retainer, lid, or contents of the retainer. Each sensor may be disposed in or on a lid or a retainer or may be suspended from a lid or retainer. Each sensor may be configurable to detect some condition at certain regular or irregular time intervals, upon response to detecting a first condition (e.g., upon detecting change in orientation, detecting a certain volume; upon detecting a change in GPS location; detecting a certain temperature; etc.), upon receiving a request for information, upon response to user instructions provided via user input, or some combination of these or other circumstances. 
     Examples of a sensor include a temperature sensor, orientation sensor, capacity sensor, volume sensor, location sensor, pressure sensor, image sensor, thermal image sensor, float sensor, lid removal sensor, strain gauge or force sensor, optical recognition sensor, pH sensor, evaporative gas sensor, inductive sensor, Hall effect sensor or switch, resistive sensor, or other type of sensor known in the art. Certain sensor embodiments are discussed in more detail below. 
     More specifically, a temperature sensor may be disposed to detect, for example, the temperature of the product in the retainer, the temperature of the retainer, the temperature of the lid, or the temperature of ambient air in the retainer space. Examples of a temperature sensor include a thermocouple, thermistor, resistance temperature detector, platinum resistance thermometer, organic-liquid-filled thermometer, or other type of thermometer. 
     An orientation sensor may be disposed to detect, for example, the orientation of the container system or the contents therein. Examples of an orientation sensor include an accelerometer, gyroscope, piezoelectric sensor, tilt sensor, or tilt switch. 
     A volume sensor may be disposed to detect, for example, how much product is present in the retainer. A volume sensor may include a sensor configured to measure the distance between the sensor itself and a top surface of a product. For example, ultrasonic waves may be emitted from a wave initiator and a wave receiver may measure how long it takes for such waves to bounce back. Another type of volume sensor may use capacitive sensing in which a first capacitance element creates an electrostatic field that interacts with a surface of the product. Then, a field analyzing element measures the field after such interaction and such measurement can be used to calculate the distance between the volume sensor and a surface of the product. 
     In other embodiments, multiple volume sensors may be positioned along the inside of the retainer or a descending portion of the lid, such that if a certain volume sensor is in contact with the product, the retainer is at least as full as the height of the volume sensor. Embodiments of such sensing may be termed “point level measurement”. 
     In still additional embodiments, a volume sensor may be sized and shaped to be disposed along the entire or partial length or height of a retainer to sense whether the product is present or not, and if so, how much is present. When the product is a liquid or other conductive substance, a volume sensor may employ continuous capacitance or parasitic capacitance. Such a capacitance volume sensor may use indirect capacitance such that the sensor does not need to be directly in contact with the liquid, and instead, the sensor is protected by some layer of material or protection element. 
     A location sensor may be configured to detect the geographic location of the container system. Examples of a location sensor include a global positioning system (GPS), other satellite navigation system, other triangulation systems, compass, or magnetic field sensor. A location sensor also may be used, in combination with map information, by the system to ascertain and alert the user if they are close to a beverage vendor, other restaurant, vending machine, drinking fountain, or other location related to a product. The location sensor also may be used to indicate on a display or computer system whether other container management systems are located nearby, and possibly generate a map showing the location or number of other users in a certain geographic region (e.g., in a park, building, neighborhood, city, etc.) The users shown in the map may be those previously identified as friends via some social network or other users regardless of whether they are known to the user. Also, in certain embodiments, a user may export the map or other indicator showing their own location to a social network. 
     A pressure sensor may be configured to detect and possibly cause a release in pressure when the pressure reaches a certain threshold or range. For example, if a soup or beverage is spoiling and causing release of gasses, thereby causing a build-up of pressure, the pressure sensor could detect this build up, and, possibly open a vent cover or vent valve to permit release of excess gas. 
     Any of the sensors may generate a sensor output, which includes detected information in digital or analog format. (If some detected information is in analog format, the system may include an analog to digital converter to facilitate such conversion.) The sensors, or another component in the system, may send the detected information to one or more of the computer elements. The sensors may communicate with the computer elements via any wired or wireless communication system known in the art. Some examples of a wireless communication system may include a system configured to implement Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Near Field Communication, Infrared, ANT+, Wireless USB, Z-wave, IEEE Standard 802.15.4, IEEE Standard 802.22, RFID, or other short-range wireless communication technology, or long-range wireless communication technology. 
     The computer elements may convert the sensor output into a system output such as visual output (e.g., representations or light) to be displayed in a display element, audio output (e.g., sounds including tones, beeps, music, songs, words, etc.) to be produced by an audio output element, or tactile output (e.g., vibration) to be caused by a tactile output element. Also, one or more of the computer elements may send instructions back to the sensor, possibly regarding when to start or stop detecting information, when to send detector information to a computer element, instruction to turn on or off, or other information. 
     The container management system also may be configured to receive, store, or analyze non-detected information such as information input from an external source. Examples of such external source information include weather in the location near the user (as determined by the location sensor or user input of location); map information including vehicle/walking navigation information, site information for restaurants, water fountains, beverage vendors, retailers of container systems/container managements systems, and other places related to a product which may be used in or with the container system, and other system user location information (e.g., locate other users of the same type/brand of container system via a map display); restaurant information including a menu or price information (in addition to restaurant location information identified above); or standards information such as the standard temperature at which people usually wish to consume a beverage, standard temperature at which a beverage is too hot or too cold for safe consumption, standard time after which a beverage or other product is considered stale or otherwise no longer desirable, standard amount of beverage (e.g., water) considered as healthy or hydrated, standard amount of disposable water bottles used by consumers, standard cost of coffee at restaurant or coffee shop; standard amount of cardboard used in typical to-go coffee/tea cup, etc. 
     The system and methods of the present invention also may include certain action elements configured to cause some physical or chemical change to the retainer, lid, product, or other contents of the retainer. Action elements may be disposed in or on the retainer, lid, or both. Certain embodiments of an action element may be configured to be activated automatically, manually, or both. Examples of an action element include an open/close lid opening assembly, a lid removal assembly, a heating element, a cooling element, a stirring element, an inner compartment door element, a treatment element, or other. 
     An open/close lid opening assembly may be configured to block or unblock a lid opening according to whether the lid opening is open (unblocked) or closed (blocked). Certain embodiments of the open/close lid opening assembly are configurable to automatically open or close the lid opening in response information detected by one or more sensors or in response to a user input. Such “automatic” embodiments of an open/close lid opening assembly may include a motor configured to rotate a crank, which is in mechanical communication with an actuator element. The actuator element may be disposed to directly block or unblock the lid opening or may be configured to cause movement of a lever arm assembly, which is disposed to block or unblock the lid opening. Automatic embodiments of an open/close lid opening assembly may include a lid input element such as a touchscreen, touch surface (e.g., push button, capacitive surface), roller-ball, keyboard key, switch, or other element configured to permit a user to input information, such as settings of the automatic embodiments, into the system. 
     Other embodiments of the open/close lid opening assembly may be configured to permit opening or closing the lid opening manually. For example, such embodiments may include a push button, which, when depressed, is disposed to physically change the position of a lid opening obstruction element. 
     Overall, many configurations of an open/close lid opening assembly are possible and within the scope of the present invention. 
     Additional types of action elements are described below. 
     A lid removal assembly may be one or more components configured to automatically or manually disconnect the lid (either partially or completely) from the retainer or removably connect the lid to the retainer. As an example, in certain embodiments, a lid removal assembly may be configured to cause a lid hinged to a retainer to disengage from the retainer at all points except the hinge and may removably reconnect the lid and retainer as well. In another example, a lid removal assembly may be configured to completely remove a threadably connectable lid from a retainer. 
     A heating element may be a resistive heater, heating wire or coil, thermoelectric heater, or other type of heater configured to increase the temperature of the retainer, lid, product, or other contents of the retainer. 
     A cooling element may be a refrigerant, ice unit, fan, or other cooling mechanism configured to decrease the temperature of the retainer, lid, product, or other contents of the retainer. 
     A stirring element may be configured and disposed to mix a product or move around a product within the retainer. Examples of a stirring element include a stirring rod, a straw, a magnetic stirrer, a vibration unit, or other. 
     An inner compartment door element may be a wall section or flap configured to divide the retainer or lid into one or more separate compartments. Upon activation, the wall section or flap may be configured to automatically or manually change position to provide access or prohibit access to the compartment. 
     A treatment element may include a filtering element, ultraviolet element, other purifying element, flavor emitting element, fragrance emitting element, liquid conditioning element, cleaning element, or other treatment of the lid, retainer, product, or other contents of the retainer. 
     Certain embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention include one or more computer elements. Examples of computer elements include a processor, system memory, cache, system bus, chasses, fan, power source, basic input/output system (BIOS), hard disk drive, optical disk drive, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and USB or serial port. 
     Computer elements disposed in or on the lid or retainer are termed “internal computer elements,” and computer elements that are generally separate from the lid and retainer are termed “external computer elements” for purposes of this application. A group of internal computer elements or a group of external computer elements may form an internal computer system or an external computer system, respectively, or “computer systems” generally. The system and methods of the present invention may include any type of computer system. 
     Examples of an external computer system include a desktop computer, laptop computer, netbook computer, personal digital assistant, tablet, smartphone, certain other types of cellular telephone, MP3 player, wearable computer unit (e.g., head-mounted unit such as a Google Glass® unit, computerized wristwatch, computerized glove, computerized shoe, e-textiles, etc.), or other handheld or personal computing device. Also, two or more external computer systems may be networked to form a cloud computing system. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention may include additional components. For example, embodiments of the present invention may include a power source, such as a battery, capacitor, flywheel, RFID circuit, solar cell, generator (e.g., micro generator, thermoelectric generator, inductive generator, piezoelectric generator, etc.), or power plug (e.g., two prong, three prong, European standard). Embodiments of the present invention also may include a power distributor such as a lithium-ion power distributor. 
     Also, embodiments of the present invention may include a system output element, such as a lid output element configured to be physically integrated in the lid, a retainer output element configured to be physically integrated in the retainer, or an external computer output element, not configured to be physically integrated with the lid or retainer, but possibly configured to be physically integrated with or connected to certain external computer elements. 
     Examples of a system output element include a display element, an audio output element, or a tactile output element. A display element may be a touchscreen, non-touch display screen (e.g., LCD screen or LED screen), analog display element, projector, or a single or small group of light emitting diodes. (A user may access a user interface via a display element.) An audio output element may be any kind of speaker. A tactile output element may be a vibration element or other component configured to cause motion or tactile response of some other component. 
     Method embodiments of the present invention may include using a sensor to detect information (e.g., location, fill volume, access status of lid opening, etc.) about the lid, retainer, or contents of the retainer. Once certain information is detected, that detected information may be used, sometimes in conjunction with externally sourced information, to calculate or compile second level information—termed “calculated information”—that generally cannot be or was not measured directly by the sensors. Calculated information includes computed information and statistical information, each of which is described in more detail below. Sometimes, before or after a sensor is used to detect information, the sensor may be calibrated to a zero reading to promote accuracy. 
     Additional method embodiments of the present invention may include detecting a condition using a sensor and then, possibly, repeating the detecting step several times in a short period of time (e.g., a burst of multiple detection events in a short period of time such as a fraction of a second or a second). The sensor may send the information to an internal processor located in the container system, where the internal processor determines whether there is a significant difference between the readings received from the burst of detection events and calculates which reading (or mean or median of the readings) to send to an external processor (e.g., located in a smartphone). Alternatively, the one or more sensors may take a number of readings and an internal processor may receive multiple readings separated by a meaningful period of time (e.g., a fraction of a minute, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, an hour, etc.). The internal processor may calculate the difference between the time-separated readings. The computed information may be sent to the external computer elements via wired communication system (e.g., USB cord) or wireless communication system (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Near Field Communication, Infrared, ANT+, Wireless USB, Z-wave, IEEE Standard 802.15.4, IEEE Standard 802.22, RFID, or other short-range wireless communication technology, or long-range wireless communication technology). The computed information may be sent to the external computer elements upon completion of the computation by the internal processor, at certain time periods, after a certain amount of information is gathered, or only if the computed information is different relative to the most recently generated computed information. 
     In certain embodiments, the internal computer elements send detected information that has not been processed (e.g., is raw), rather than computed information, directly to certain external computer elements. 
     Whether the transmitted information is processed or raw, the external computer elements may include an application software, a database, a system memory, or a whole computer system. (For purposes of this patent application, the term “application software” means a set of one or more programs executed by a processor designed to carry out operations for a specific purpose.) 
     Examples of information that may be detected or calculated by the container management system includes: total value or average of how much product has been consumed or otherwise dispensed from the retainer over a certain period of time (e.g., an hour, a day, time since user started a timer, time since container system first used, a current time period, an earlier time period); how long the product is within certain temperature ranges and related averages; current status (e.g., temperature or volume) of product in retainer; current status or historical status of lid opening (e.g., open or closed); current status or historical status of retainer (e.g., tipped over or upright); number of times retainer has been refilled; current or historical geographic location of retainer or lid; how often, for how long, and where the container system is used; resources (e.g., paper, plastic, money) saved by using container system compared to using a disposable water bottle or disposable restaurant to-go cup; how strong a signal is received from an external computer system or external computer element; etc. 
     The detected information and/or calculated information may be stored in an external computer element (e.g., system memory possibly part of a smartphone or an application software) or an internal computer element (e.g., internal system memory possibly part of the container system) or other system location. 
     In addition, the detected information or computed information (which may include volume information, temperature information, and container system use information, any of which may also include the respective times of detection) may be further analyzed to provide additional statistical information. For example, a user (e.g., restaurant owner or franchise owner) may aggregate the detected information to generate statistics on how long after brewing coffee is typically served, how much coffee is served during optimal period after brewing, how long after brewing coffee is typically discarded, how much coffee is brewed and then discarded, whether and how often franchisee complies with certain guidelines for beverage service, or what times (in a day, month, or year) is coffee or water consumed and in what quantities. A user also may cross reference the volume information or volume/time information with its sales information to see whether the dispensed amounts and rates match the sales amounts and rates. Any statistical information may be organized and displayed by a selected time period, a pre-set time period such as an individual shift (e.g., 9 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 11 pm) or business quarter, or tied to an entity such as an individual employee or manager, restaurant, franchisee, or an entire franchise. Clearly, certain embodiments may be adapted to permit a restaurant manager or franchisor to quickly obtain, calculate, and manage certain information about volume, temperature, and time measurements related to beverage dispensing or consumption. 
     Also, the detected information, calculated information, or statistical information also may be sent from a first external computer element such as the application software to, for example, a second external computer element such as a second application software. In one example, the detected information may be the volume of liquid in a retainer measured at a number of time points. The calculated information may be the amount of liquid that a user presumably consumed based on the detected volume measurements. The statistical information may be a comparison of the liquid consumed over a time period vs. a recommendation or goal for consumption of liquids or that liquid (e.g., water consumed vs. doctor recommended water intake or water consumption goal). Any of this information may be sent from a sensor or internal computer elements to a first application software (e.g., an application software executed by processor and configured specifically for communication with the internal computer elements), which then may be sent to a second application software (e.g., an application software configured to collect or store general health-related information from multiple sources). 
     The system also may permit the user to view the detected information, calculated information, or statistical information from an external computer system that may be in a remote location. (For purposes of this application, the term “remote” means spaced apart, not physically touching, but does not require any specific distance.) For example, if a user wishes to identify the temperature of contents in a retainer, the user could access their smartphone and obtain a reading via the user interface. If desired, the user could send instructions for the container management system to close the lid opening to maximize hot temperature retention or open the lid opening to permit cooling. 
     Detected information also may be illustrated as a representation in the display element via the user interface (the user interface is possibly part of an application software). In certain embodiments, the representation illustrates the current status (e.g., the most recently detected information), which is updated generally in real-time or as close to real-time as possible. In other embodiments, the representation is updated only at certain time intervals or illustrates a set of detected information gathered over time. A representation may illustrate information obtained from a single sensor, multiple sensors of the same type, multiple different kinds of sensors, or one or more sensors combined with one or more external data sources. Examples of a representation include a stylized numeric value of detected information, written description of detected information, or symbol or code (e.g., drawing of fire to indicate “hot” status or ice/snow to indicate “cold” status; diagram showing lid removed from retainer or lid opening as closed; picture showing relative amount of product in retainer; skull to indicate dangerous condition; clock to show time of event or current time; visual depiction of retainer or type of retainer, color coding for temperature, content type, or volume information), graph (e.g., bar graph, pie graph, line graph, etc.), or infographic (e.g., group of drawings possibly with text). Two or more representations may be created to show two or more sets of detected information. 
     In addition, if the detected information includes some notice-triggering information, the user interface may provide a notification such as a push notification, email, text message, alert, alarm, change in representation on display element, or other message configured to communicate that notice-triggering information to the user. Examples of notice-triggering information may include that the temperature of the retainer or retainer contents have reached a certain temperature (for example, the temperature at which the contents may have less appeal (e.g., tea or coffee is too cold) or have more appeal (e.g., tea or coffee is cool enough to minimize burn hazard); certain period of time has passed (e.g., coffee in coffeepot has sat out too long and become too bitter or over-oxidized; tea bag should be removed after ideal steeping time; replace filter element after so many refills). 
     The user interface also may be configured to permit the user to enter, track, or predict information related to a container system or its likely contents. For example, a user interface may permit entry of goals about hydration (e.g., drink certain number of ounces of water per day) or caffeine reduction (e.g., limit amount of coffee/tea consumed per day). A user interface may also be configured to permit entry of goal-determining information (e.g., age, weight, sex, weight loss plans, diet, lifestyle activity level, exercise activity level, home location, altitude, weather, current hydration level), which may permit the system to estimate an appropriate goal (e.g., hydration goal) for the user. Also, a user interface may be configured to permit the user to track consumption of beverages or food for dieting, hydration, blood sugar regulation, insulin regulation, or other purposes, or, for example, tracking consumption of medication, calories, or carbohydrates. 
     In addition, a user interface may be configurable to display predictions of when a beverage will reach a certain temperature if certain actions are taken (e.g., lid remains on retainer with drink opening closed, lid used in line with typical user use, container system put in a specific temperature environment such as outdoors or refrigeration unit). 
     A user interface also may include a rewards element. A rewards element may permit delivery of rewards (e.g., points or coupons) after a user has logged or the system detects certain reward-worthy-events. Examples of reward-worthy-events include achieving a certain number of refills, a certain volume of liquid consumed or otherwise dispensed, a certain number of visits to a gym, or a certain goal is achieved once or multiple times. 
     Embodiments of the user interface (and computer system) also may be configured to permit the user to export information to a secondary format such as a word processing document, a spreadsheet, a facsimile, an email, a text message, a social media post (e.g., Facebook post, Twitter post, Instagram post, Tumblr post, LinkedIn post), or other secondary format known in the art. 
     A user interface also may include a manufacturer or retail element configured to permit a user to easily contact (e.g., via email, system message, text message, webpage, etc.) a retailer or manufacturer of a container system or container management system. 
     Certain embodiments of the system and methods are configured to permit a user to monitor and manage one or more than one container system. Such embodiments may permit assigning a name or title to each container system in the user interface. Also, embodiments of the present invention may be configured for personal use (e.g., one user manages their personal water bottle and personal insulated mug), for family use (e.g., one user manages personal mug, spouse&#39;s tumbler, plus kids&#39; water bottles), for restaurant or business use (e.g., one or more users manage multiple coffee pitchers/pump pots at a restaurant or business location), or for franchise use (e.g., franchise owner can track and review coffeepot volume/refill/temperature/cleaning information at various locations). 
     One object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to permit a user to manage one or more container systems or components thereof. 
     Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to automatically close a lid opening upon detecting certain sensor detected information. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention may be configured to automatically close a lid opening upon detecting certain spilling conditions such as the associated retainer is falling over or otherwise is in a spilling orientation. As another example, certain embodiments of the present invention may be configured to automatically close a lid opening upon detecting a temperature is above or below a certain threshold temperature or within a certain undesirable temperature range (e.g., threshold temperature or temperature range may be set by user or by manufacturer). 
     Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to automatically open a lid opening upon detecting certain sensor detected information. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention may be configured to automatically open a lid opening upon detecting certain “drinking” conditions such as the associated retainer is in a drinking orientation, the user&#39;s lips are touching a lid surface, or the temperature is within a certain temperature range or above or below a certain threshold temperature. Drinking conditions may be identified by detecting the orientation, the speed with which the orientation was reached, the speed of travel, whether the orientation is typical for drinking (e.g., if the drinking opening is off-center the user would typically orient the beverage container in such a manner that the beverage travels the least distance to reach the user&#39;s mouth), whether the a person&#39;s lip is touching a lid surface, the temperature of the beverage, other information detected by the sensors, a combination of information gathered by the sensors, or user input information. 
     Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to permit a user to identify the geographic location of a container system (for example, to facilitate finding a lost container system). 
     Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to permit a user to detect, track, record, review, and communicate information about a container system or its contents. 
     The present invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of presently contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a general depiction of an embodiment of a container management system; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a general depiction of another embodiment of a container management system; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a general depiction of an additional of a container management system; 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a general depiction of yet another embodiment of a container management system; 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a general depiction of an additional embodiment of a container management system; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a container management system including a lid and a retainer; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a side perspective view of another embodiment of a container management system including a lid and a retainer; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a side perspective view of an additional embodiment of a container management system including a lid and a retainer; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of portions of a retainer; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded isometric view from below of an embodiment of a lid; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of an inner frame element; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of an inner frame element, a lid shell element, and certain additional components of a container management system; 
         FIG. 4D  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of an inner frame element, a lever arm assembly, and various other components of a container management system; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of an outer frame element; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of an outer frame element; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of part of an outer frame element; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an open/close lid opening assembly; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of an open/close lid opening assembly; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a lid, outer frame element, and lever arm assembly of a container management system; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a profile perspective view of an embodiment of a crank; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a crank; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a computer system; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a flowchart showing a method embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a flowchart showing another method embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a user interface according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A - FIG. 12M  illustrate various examples of a user interface page according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13A  illustrates another embodiment of a container management system; 
         FIG. 13B  illustrates another embodiment of a retainer; 
         FIG. 13C  illustrates a partial perspective view of a lid; 
         FIG. 13D  illustrates a partial back view of a lid; 
         FIG. 13E  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a lid; 
         FIG. 13F  illustrates a top perspective view of an outer frame element and certain computer elements; 
         FIG. 13G  illustrates a top perspective view of an outer frame element; 
         FIG. 13H  illustrates a side perspective view of an inner frame element; 
         FIG. 13I  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an inner frame element; 
         FIG. 14A  illustrates a top perspective view of a lid having a lid shell element including a lid base and a lid base cover configured to be released by a mechanical push button assembly; 
         FIG. 14B  illustrates a cross section view of a lid shell element and part of a lid support element; 
         FIG. 14C  illustrates a side perspective view of part of a lid support element and a lid shell element having a mechanical button assembly in which the button is removed; 
         FIG. 14D  illustrates a side view of a lid base cover and a button; 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a container management system in which the retainer is a creamer carafe; 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates an bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a lid for the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 15C  illustrates an top perspective view of an embodiment of part of a lid for the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a container management system in which the retainer is a coffee carafe; 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a close-up view of a lid and portion of a retainer for the container management system illustrated in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 17A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a container management system in which the retainer is an insulated hydration bottle and the lid includes a lid shell element having a lid base and a lid base cover; 
         FIG. 17B  illustrates the container management system of  FIG. 17A  in which the lid base cover is released from the lid base such that a user can drink from the lid opening; 
         FIG. 17C  illustrates the upper base surface on the lid base in the container management system of  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 18A  illustrates a side perspective view of another embodiment of a container system in which the retainer is a carafe; 
         FIG. 18B  illustrates a close-up view of part of the embodiment of a container system illustrated in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18C  illustrates a top perspective view of the embodiment of a container system illustrated in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18D  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of a container system illustrated in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates a lid configured for use at least with the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 19B  illustrates the lid of  FIG. 19A  without the handle and handle collar elements; 
         FIG. 19C  illustrates the lid of  FIG. 19B  without the lid shell element; 
         FIG. 19D  illustrates a top perspective view of an outer frame element of the lid of  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19E  illustrates a side perspective view of the inner frame element, a display element, USB port, integrated circuit board, a filler element, and a sensor of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19A ; and 
         FIG. 19F  illustrates a side perspective view of the inner frame element, display element, integrated circuit board, and a sensor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     For purposes of this application, certain embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are directed to container systems configured specifically to contain beverages, but the discussion is merely exemplary. The present invention is applicable to any type of container system known in the art. 
     Also for purposes of this application, any terms that describe relative position (e.g., “upper”, “middle” “lower”, “outer”, “inner”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, etc.) refer to an embodiment of the invention as illustrated, but those terms do not limit the orientation in which the embodiments can be used. 
       FIG. 1A - FIG. 1C  include simplified illustrations of certain general system embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments include a container management system  50  having a container system  100  and a computer system  500 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the container system  100  is a retainer  200 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the container system  100  is a lid  300 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the container system  100  is comprised of a retainer  200  and a lid  300 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1D  includes one or more computer elements  502  rather than an entire computer system  500 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1E  includes computer system  500 , a first container system  100 A (having a first retainer  200 A and a first lid  300 A) and a second container system  100 B (having a second retainer  200 B and a second lid  300 B). 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrates a container system  100  including a retainer  200  and a lid  300 .  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  illustrate a retainer  200  without a lid. The retainer  200  includes a retainer body  202  configured to receive a product. With general reference now to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 3A , and  FIG. 3B  and initially  FIG. 2A , the illustrated retainer body  202  includes an outer retainer body  202 A, an inner retainer body  202 B, and a base retainer body  202 C. The retainer body  202  may terminate at a retainer edge  204 , which generally defines a retainer opening  206 . A retainer opening  206  may be sized and shaped to permit inserting or pouring a product into the retainer space  208 . The illustrated retainer  200  is configured to removably connect to a lid  300  via a set of complementary retainer threads  210  corresponding to a set of complementary lid threads  310 , but embodiments of the retainer  200  may have any complementary elements configured to facilitate a removable connection between the retainer  200  and the lid  300 . 
     The lid  300  is configured to permit dispensing or releasing the product out of the retainer space  208  without removing the lid  300  from the retainer  200 . The lid  300  includes a lid body  302  having a lid shell element  304  and a lid support element  306 . (An embodiment of a lid support element is shown in  FIG. 4A , and is discussed in more detail below.) The lid shell element  304  has a first lid edge  301  defining a first lid opening  303  configured as a drink aperture. The lid shell element  304  also has a second lid edge  305  defining a second lid opening  307  configured as a computer element aperture, specifically, a USB port aperture sized and shaped to fit a USB port  309 . The lid shell  304  also may include a third lid edge  311 A or  311 B defining a third lid opening configured as a display element aperture. The display element aperture may be sized and shaped to fit a first display element  312 A such as a light emitting diode (LED) shown in  FIG. 2B  or a second display element  312 B such as a display screen shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     The lid shell element  304  generally forms the uppermost or outermost part of the lid  300 . A lid shell element  304  may include a lid side wall  314 , a lid rim wall  316 , and a lid top wall  318 . The lid side wall  314  may include a lid input element  308  configured as a touch surface. The lid top wall  318  may have a generally frustoconical shape or a funnel shape in which the lid opening  303  is off-center and generally at the bottom of the funnel shape. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , a lid support element  306  is configured to provide structural support for certain other elements of the system, if present, such as sensors, action elements, or computer elements. The illustrated lid support element  306  includes an inner frame element  322  (shown in  FIG. 4B  in isolation and shown in  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 4D  with certain other components) and an outer frame element  324  (shown from a top perspective view in  FIG. 5A  and a bottom perspective view in  FIG. 5B ). When the components are positioned for use, the outer frame element  324  generally surrounds the inner frame element  322 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper inner frame element  322 A is configured to support one or more components of an open/close lid opening assembly  315 . The illustrated embodiment of an open/close lid opening assembly  315  (also shown apart from the upper inner frame element  322 A in  FIG. 6A ) includes a motor  326  configured to rotate a crank  328 , which is in mechanical communication with an actuator element  330 . The actuator element  330  is configured to cause movement of a lever arm assembly  332 , which is disposed to block or unblock the drink aperture or other lid opening. Upon activation of the motor  326 , the crank  328  rotates, causing the actuator element  330  to move, for example, downward. The downward movement of the actuator element  330  causes the actuated side  334  of the lever arm assembly  332  to also move downward. Because the lever arm assembly  332  is mounted on one or more fulcrum ridges  336  on the outer frame element  324  (see  FIG. 7 ), moving the actuated side  334  downward causes the opposite side—that is, the aperture blocking side  338 —to move upward and block the drink aperture itself or block the entrance to the product tube  350  leading to the drink aperture. The aperture blocking side  338  may include an aperture blocking configuration  339 , for example, a sealing element  339 A (e.g., a rubberized or flexible stopper unit). 
     To unblock the drink aperture (or other lid opening), the motor  326  is activated (e.g., by a lid input element, push button, or computer system) to rotate the crank  328 , causing the actuator element  330  to move, for example, upward. The upward movement of the actuator element  330  causes the actuated side  334  of the lever arm assembly to also move upward. When the actuated side  334  moves upward, the aperture blocking side  338  is lowered such that it is no longer physically blocking the drink aperture or the entrance to the product tube  350  leading to the drink aperture. In addition, the body of the illustrated actuator element  330  is sized and shaped, possibly with a vent indentation  333 , such that when the actuator element  330  is positioned to unblock the drink aperture, a vent path is open to permit release of pressure from the retainer space during drinking or pouring. 
     In certain embodiments, the crank  328  includes one or more crank magnets  329  shown in  FIG. 8A , which permit a magnet sensor to detect the status or orientation of the crank (and therefore, calculate the orientation of the other components in the open/close lid opening assembly  315 ). For example, if a crank magnet  329  is close by the magnet sensor, the lid opening may be known to be blocked/closed. If the crank magnet is rotated away from the magnet sensor, the lid opening may be known to be unblocked/open. The crank  328  may include a motor interface element  327 A and an actuator interface element  327 B. As shown in  FIG. 8B , the motor interface element  327 A may include a stop configuration element  331  to impede the crank  328  from rotating past a certain point. 
     In certain embodiments, the open/close lid opening assembly  315  may be configured to partially block the lid opening such that the flow rate of the beverage may be controlled or to completely block the lid opening such that beverage is generally completely impeded from passing through the lid opening. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the upper inner frame element  322 A may include a cut-out section  325  to permit a product tube  350  to pass therethrough. Also, the upper inner frame element  322 A may provide support for a power source  340  such as the battery as illustrated in  FIG. 4C . In addition, the upper inner frame element  322 A may provide support for a small computer system  500  or various computer elements  502 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , an integrated circuit board  342  (which may contain at least a processor and system memory) may be secured to the upper inner frame element  322 A via securement elements  319  shown as screws in the illustrated embodiment. However, other examples of securement elements include nails, bolts, staples, complementary hook and loop components, adhesive, and other known in the art. The upper inner frame element  322 A may include one or more securement element holders  321 . 
     Also, adjacent to or affixed to the integrated circuit board  342  is a user input receiver  344 , which is disposed to sense any input from the lid input element  308  on the lid side wall  314 . In the illustrated embodiment, the user input receiver  344  is an upper portion of a flexible printed circuit board. In addition, a light pipe element  345  may be disposed to enclose or position a display element such as an LED such that the user can see, for example, whether the LED is on or off or a certain color from outside of the lid  300 . The color or on/off/blinking status of an LED may indicate: whether the container management system is on or off; whether the lid opening is blocked or unblocked; whether any information is being detected by a sensor; whether certain information has been detected by a sensor (e.g., low volume of liquid in retainer or temperature is out of the comfort/safety zone for consumption); whether the open/close lid opening assembly is locked (e.g., cannot change position) or unlocked (e.g., can change position automatically upon detecting spill conditions or drinking conditions); whether there is a notification present (e.g., near a water fountain, met or near meeting a goal, reminder to refill or consume more/less); whether there is a warning (e.g., too hot to consume, bad weather approaching); whether the container system is has sufficient power or low battery; whether the container system is connected to an external computer system; or some other information. 
     The lower inner frame element  322 B supports a lower portion of the flexible printed circuit board which may be configured to operate as a volume sensor  346 . The lower inner frame element  322 B and the volume sensor  346  are sized and shaped such that when the lid  300  is connected to the retainer  200 , at least some portion of the volume sensor  346  extends into the retainer space  208 . In certain embodiments, the volume sensor  346 , lower inner frame element  322 B and lower outer frame element  324 B may be configured to extend into the bottommost portion of the retainer space  208  or may be configured to extend only into the middle or upper portions of the retainer space  208 . More specifically, the lower inner frame element  322 B or lower outer frame element  324 B may be configured to extend through one quarter, one half, three-quarters, five-sixths, or the entire retainer space  208  by height. 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate an outer frame element  324 . The interior surface  323  of the outer frame element  324  together with the bottom surface  313  of the lid shell element  304  defines an interior lid compartment  348 . The interior lid compartment  348  is configured such that minimal or no liquid (or other product) enters the interior lid compartment  348 . To permit a user to drink liquid from the retainer, the upper outer frame element  324 A may include a product tube  350 , which is configured to permit the product to flow from the retainer to the drink aperture or other lid opening without coming into contact with the components within the interior lid compartment  348 . The upper outer frame element  324 A may be generally cup shaped. As illustrated in  FIG. 5C , there may be a sealing grommet, sealing gasket, or other tube sealing element  349 A positioned around or inside the upper edge of the product tube  350  to minimize or prevent liquid or other product from entering the interior lid compartment  348 . The upper outer frame element  324 A also may include an actuator element tube  352  configured to permit an actuator element  330  to pass therethrough. A second sealing grommet, sealing gasket, or other tube sealing element  349 B may be positioned around or inside the actuator element  330  or the actuator element tube  352  to minimize or prevent liquid or other product from entering the interior lid compartment  348 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the interior lid compartment  348  is generally formed by two pieces secured together, but in other embodiments, an interior lid compartment may be formed by a single piece construction (which may possibly include a closeable opening to permit items to be inserted into the interior lid compartment, but the compartment still sealed or generally water-tight); a three-piece construction or alternative construction. Alternatively, a retainer may include an interior retainer compartment (not shown) configured to store internal computer elements, a sensor, or other components and possibly may be configured to be water-tight. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 5C , a third sealing grommet, sealing gasket, or other sealing frame element  351  may be positioned around the bottom frame edge  355  of the upper outer frame element  324 A. The frame sealing element  351  is configured to minimize liquid in the thread space between the complementary threads  210 ,  310  when the complementary retainer threads  210  are connected to the complementary lid threads  310 . Accordingly, when a user tips the container system to drink from it, no or minimal liquid leaks out between the retainer  200  and the lid  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B  and  FIG. 7 , the lower outer frame element  324 B includes a first fulcrum ridge  336  on a first side and is a second fulcrum ridge on the second side (not shown). The lever arm assembly  332  can be mounted on the respective ridges. Also shown in  FIG. 5B  and  FIG. 7  is a temperature sensor  354  configured to detect the temperature of a product (e.g., a beverage) contained in the retainer while the lid  300  is connected to the retainer  200 . The lower outer frame element  324 B may be generally cylindrical, generally parabolic-shaped, generally cubical, or generally triangular, to name a few. The lower outer frame element  324 B generally extends from the center of the upper outer frame element  322 B in the illustrated embodiment, but the lower outer frame element  324 B also may extend from the edge, the side, or just a little off-center as well. 
     The system and methods of the present invention may include one or more additional sensors, each configured to detect a characteristic or event related to the retainer, lid, or contents of the retainer. For example, an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer, may be incorporated in or by the flexible printed circuit board or the integrated circuit board  342 . 
     The container management system  50  also may include a location sensor configured to detect the geographic location of the container system. Examples of a location sensor include a global positioning system (GPS), other satellite navigation system, other triangulation systems, compass, or magnetic field sensor. In certain embodiments such location sensor may be a system application run by the computer system  500  rather than a separable component. A location sensor may permit the system  50  to detect (and alert the user) if and when the container system  100  is being carried away or left behind relative to a computer system  500  (e.g., a smartphone). A location sensor also may permit a user to identify a location of their container system  100  possibly via a map element in the user interface. 
     Certain embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention include one or more computer elements  502  that may or may not form a full computer system  500 . An example of a computer system  500  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The computer system  500  may be a part of the described container management system  50  or may be used to implement related methods. The example hardware and operating environment of  FIG. 9  for implementing the described technology includes a computing device, such as a computing device in the form of a processing device, such as a computer, server, or other type of processing device. The computer system  500  illustrated in  FIG. 9  includes a processor  510 , a cache  560 , a system memory  520 , and a system bus  590  that operatively couples various system components including the cache  560  and the system memory  520  to the processor  510 . There may be only one or there may be more than one processor  510 , such that the processor of the computer system  500  comprises a single central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a plurality of processing units, commonly referred to as a parallel processing environment. The computer system  500  may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, or any other type of computer; the disclosure included herein is not so limited. 
     The system bus  590  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a switched fabric, point-to-point connections, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory  520  may also be referred to as simply the memory, and includes read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS)  572 , which may contain basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer system  500  such as during start-up may be stored in ROM. The computer system  500  may include a hard disk drive  520 A for reading from and writing to a persistent memory such as a hard disk (not shown) and an optical disk drive  530  for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk such as a CD ROM, DVD, or other optical medium. 
     The hard disk drive  520 A and optical disk drive  530  are connected to the system bus  590 . The drives and their associated computer-readable medium provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program engines, and other data for the computer system  500 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type of transitory and non-transitory computer-readable medium, which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may be used in the example operating environment. In various embodiments, the system memory  520  or hard drive disk  520 A store threshold data for various parameters, states, or conditions of the container system  100 . By way of example, the threshold data may relate to the pressure, temperature, angle of rotation, and position, among others, of the container system  100  and any contents therein. The threshold data may be retrieved and/or modified by one or more processor(s)  510  of the computer system  500 . 
     The computer system  500  also may include a network interface element  550  such that it can send and receive information via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared, ZigBee, Near Field Communication, ANT+, Wireless USB, Z-wave, IEEE Standard 802.15.4, IEEE Standard 802.22, RFID), local area networks, wide area networks, intranets, or other short-range wireless communication technology or long-range wireless communication technology. More specifically, a network interface  550  may provide a two-way data communication coupling via a network link. For example, a network interface  550  may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem, a local area network (LAN) card, or a cable modem or wireless interface. In any such implementation, the network interface  550  sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals which carry digital data streams representing various types of information. 
     A number of program engines may be stored on the hard disk, optical disk, or elsewhere, including an operating system  582 , a system application  584 , and one or more other application program modules  586 . A user may enter commands and information into the computer system  500  through input devices such as a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., mouse, mini-mouse, mole, trackball, touchpad, trackpoint, touchscreen, stylus, dance pad, remote controller, etc.), any of which may be connected to the USB or Serial Port  540  or may be communicate wirelessly. These and other input devices are often connected to the processor  510  through the USB or serial port interface  540  that is coupled to the system bus  590 , but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port. A monitor, touchscreen, LED device, or other type of display element may also be connected to the system bus  590  via an interface (not shown). In addition to the monitor, computers may include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, facsimile machines, game controller (e.g., joystick, wand, etc.), microphone, web camera, other type of camera, etc. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a method embodiment  600 A of the present invention. Specifically, a user may place a product (such as a beverage) in a retainer  602 . Then, the user may removably connect a lid having at least one or more sensors to the retainer  604 . The system may then detect information about the lid, the retainer, or any contents in the retainer  606 . Then, the system may activate an action element in response to the detected information  608 . An action representation may be generated to show a status of the action element retainer, lid, or lid contents  610 . The action representation may be shown or displayed via a display element  612 . 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates another method embodiment  600 B of the present invention. Specifically, a user may place a product (such as a beverage) in a retainer  602 . Then, the user may removably connect a lid having at least one or more sensors to the retainer  604 . The system may then detect information about the lid, the retainer, or any contents in the retainer  606 . Next, the system may produce a detected information representation to illustrate certain of the detected information  614 . The detected information representation may be shown or displayed via a display element  616 . 
     The display element may be configured to show or display one or more user interfaces  700 , an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The user interfaces  700  may include graphical user interfaces, text-based user interfaces, or combinations thereof. A page of a user interface refers to one or more user interfaces  700  of a series of user interfaces. The pages may be linked or otherwise retrieved from a database and displayed in response to a user action on another user interface in the series. The user interface  700  shown in  FIG. 11  includes a user interface menu  702 , a representation  704  configured as a drawing of the container system with a fill line  705 A that shows the approximate volume of liquid  705  in the retainer that was detected by a sensor, and a system identification symbol  706  configured to identify which container system the representation is referencing. 
       FIG. 12A - FIG. 12J  illustrate additional embodiments of a page  701  of a user interface  700 . A user may navigate the user interface by selecting various icon elements  703 . Examples of an icon element  703  include a menu icon  703 A (selecting causes display of an extended user interface menu  702 A), a container system icon  703 B (selecting causes display of information or fields about a container system), or a user icon  703 C (selecting causes display of information or fields about a user). Other components of the user interface, e.g., representations, may be a type of icon element  703  such that selecting that icon element causes display of different information. 
     Certain of the illustrations in  FIG. 12A - FIG. 12K  show a variety of representations  704  including a “time that product has been in the retainer” representation  704 A, “how many times the user has sipped from the retainer” representation  704 B, “temperature change over period of time” representation  704 C, “progress toward goal” representation  704 D, a refill information representation  704 E, a time frame representation  704 F, combined time frame and consumption amount representation  704 G, average calculation over a period of time representation  704 H, temperature status representation  704 I, weather representation  704 K, an ounces in most recent sip representation  704 L, and an ounces per sip representation  704 M. Each page  701  of a user interface  700  may include any combination of representations. 
     The user interface  700  also may include a system identification symbol  706 . The system identification symbol  706  may include a temperature reading element  706 A, an “ounces dispensed or consumed” element  706 B, or other elements. The system identification symbol  706  also may be configured as a volume representation  704 J, such that the fill line  705 A represents the relative amount of liquid in the retainer. 
       FIG. 12C  illustrates an extended user interface menu  702 A. 
       FIG. 12G - FIG. 12I  illustrate various pages  701  configured to permit a user to set up alarms or notifications, for example, when a beverage has reached the user&#39;s preferred temperature for consumption or a temperature at which consumption is considered safe (e.g., not likely to cause burn). 
       FIG. 12L  and  FIG. 12M  illustrate various pages  701  configured to permit entry of goals about hydration (e.g., drink certain number of ounces of water per day) or caffeine reduction (e.g., limit amount of coffee/tea consumed per day). A user interface page  701  may also be configured to permit entry of goal-determining information (e.g., age, weight, sex, weight loss plans, diet, lifestyle activity level, exercise activity level, home location, altitude, weather, current hydration level), which may permit the system to estimate an appropriate goal (e.g., hydration goal) for the user. 
       FIG. 13A - FIG. 13I  illustrate another embodiment of a container system  100  including a retainer  200  and a lid  300 . As shown in  FIG. 13B , the retainer  200  includes a retainer body  202  configured to receive a product. The illustrated retainer body  202  includes an inner body surface  203 A and an outer body surface  203 B. The retainer body  202  may terminate at a retainer edge  204 , which generally defines a retainer opening  206 . A retainer opening  206  may be sized and shaped to permit inserting or pouring a product into the retainer space  208 . The illustrated retainer  200  is configured to removably connect to a lid  300  via a set of complementary retainer threads  210  corresponding to a set of complementary lid threads  310 , but embodiments of the retainer  200  may have any complementary elements configured to facilitate a removable connection between the retainer  200  and the lid  300 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13A , the lid  300  includes a lid body  302  having a lid shell element  304  and a lid support element  306 . (Other views of the lid support element  306  are shown in  FIG. 13E - FIG. 13I , and is discussed in more detail below.) 
       FIG. 13C  illustrates an embodiment of a lid shell element  304  having a first lid edge  301  defining a first lid opening  303  configured as a drink aperture. The drink aperture in this embodiment is elevated via a drink spout  320 .  FIG. 13D  illustrates lid shell element  304  having a second lid edge  305  defining a second lid opening  307  configured as a computer element aperture, specifically, a USB port aperture sized and shaped to fit a USB port  309 . The lid shell  304  also may include another lid edge defining another lid opening configured as a securement element aperture  311 C. 
     A lid shell element  304  may include a lid side wall  314 , a lid base cover receiving wall  380 , and a lid top wall  318 . The lid side wall  314  may include an indented section  382  configured to protect the USB port  309 . The lid top wall  318  may have a generally linear shape. 
     The lid shell element  304  may include a hinged lid base cover  370  and a lid base  372 . Such embodiments may include a pivot element  371  configured to pass through a cover pivot element  371 A of the hinged base cover  370  and a base pivot element  371 B of the lid base  372 . A pivot element  371  may be, for example, a pin. The hinge also may include a cover biasing element, such as an o-ring, configured to bias the lid base cover toward an open position if it is not latched to the lid base  372 . In addition, the hinge also may be the axis connection for a handle  373 . 
     The hinged lid base cover  370  may be configured to be released into an open position or latched into a closed position by a mechanical push button assembly  360 . As shown in  FIG. 14A ,  FIG. 14C , and  FIG. 14D , the mechanical push button assembly  360  may include button  368 , a button biasing element  362  configured to bias the button  368  in a certain direction, button fulcrum  363  against which the button  368  may be biased and which connects the button  368  to the lid shell. A button biasing element  362  may include a spring. As illustrated in  FIG. 14D , the button  368  may include a front button surface  361 , fulcrum receiving opening  364 , button latch element  367 , and a bias contact element  369 . Also shown in  FIG. 14D , the lid base cover  370  may include a lid catch element  374  configured to accept the button latch element  367  and thereby secure the lid base cover  370  in a generally closed position. Then, pushing the button typically releases the button latch element  367  from the lid catch element  374  such that the lid base cover  370  transitions to a generally open position. As discussed above, the hinge between the lid base cover  370  and the lid base  372  may have a cover biasing element, such as an o-ring, configured to bias the lid base cover  370  toward an open position if it is not latched to the lid base  372 . 
     The mechanical push button assembly  360  optionally may include a button lock  365  configured to prohibit the button  368  from releasing the lid base cover  370  from the lid base  372  when in the engaged position as shown in  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 14A . When not engaged, the button lock does not affect the relationship between the lid base cover and the lid base. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13F , a lid support element  306  is configured to provide structural support for certain other elements of the system, if present, such as sensors, action elements, or computer elements  502 . The illustrated lid support element  306  includes an inner frame element  322  (shown from a side perspective view in  FIG. 13H  and a bottom perspective view in  FIG. 13I ) and an outer frame element  324  (shown in  FIG. 13G  in isolation). When the components are positioned for use, the outer frame element  324  generally surrounds at least part of the inner frame element  322 . 
     The inner frame element  322  may support a lower portion of the flexible printed circuit board which may be configured to operate as a volume sensor (not shown). The inner frame element  322  and the volume sensor  346  are sized and shaped such that when the lid  300  is connected to the retainer  200 , at least some portion of the volume sensor extends into the retainer space  208 . In certain embodiments, the volume sensor  346  may be configured to extend into the bottommost portion of the retainer space  208  or may be configured to extend only into the middle or upper portions of the retainer space  208 . 
     The upper outer frame element  324 A may be generally disc shaped as shown in  FIG. 13G . An upper surface  390  of the upper outer frame element  324 A together with the bottom surface (not shown for this embodiment) of the lid shell element  304  defines an interior lid compartment. The interior lid compartment is configured such that minimal or no liquid (or other product) enters the interior lid compartment. To permit a user to drink liquid from the retainer, the upper outer frame element  324 A includes a product tube opening  347  sized and shaped to receive a product tube  350  (which may include a drink spout  320 ). The product tube  350  is which is configured to permit the product to flow from the retainer to the drink aperture or other lid opening without coming into contact with the components within the interior lid compartment. There may be one or more sealing grommet, sealing gasket, or other tube sealing element positioned around or near the lower tube edge of the product tube  350  to minimize or prevent liquid or other product from entering the interior lid compartment. A sealing element—such as a sealing frame element—may be positioned around the bottom frame edge of the upper outer frame element  324 A. The frame sealing element is configured to minimize liquid in the thread space between the complementary threads  210 ,  310  when the complementary retainer threads  210  are connected to the complementary lid threads  310 . Accordingly, when a user tips the container system to drink from it, no or minimal liquid leaks out between the retainer  200  and the lid  300 . 
     Certain embodiments of the lid base cover  370  may include a sealing element opening configured to receive an aperture sealing element  392  shaped like a mushroom and positioned to completely or partially seal the drink aperture when the lid base cover  370  is latched to the lid base  372 . The aperture sealing element  392  may be suspended from a sealing element opening of the lid base cover  370 . 
       FIG. 15A - FIG. 15C  illustrate perspective views of a container system and its components in which the retainer is a creamer carafe. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal user interface is configured to display the temperature of the liquid inside the carafe and the time since the carafe was last filled. 
       FIG. 16A - FIG. 16B  illustrate perspective views of an embodiment of a container management system in which the retainer is a coffee carafe. 
       FIG. 17A - FIG. 17C  illustrate perspective views of an embodiment of a container management system or components thereof in which the retainer is an insulated hydration bottle and the lid includes a lid shell element  304  having a lid base  372  and a lid base cover  370 . Also, the lid base  370  includes a display element configured to display certain detected information. 
       FIG. 18A - FIG. 18D  illustrates various views of another embodiment of a container system in which the retainer is a carafe. As illustrated in  FIG. 18D , the base of the carafe includes a vent aperture  250 . 
       FIG. 19A - FIG. 19F  illustrates various components of a lid configured for use at least with the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 18A . The illustrated embodiment (and other embodiments) may be configured to detect and report only information about temperature and volume or only temperature or only volume of the beverage in the container. The illustrated embodiment does not include an open/close lid opening assembly. A filler element (e.g., foam or plastic block section) may be used to fill certain space between the inner frame element and the outer frame element  383 . 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention may be configured to quickly signal the user about the contents of the retainer. For example, a certain representation may be displayed or a certain component may be different (e.g., different color or shape) to designate whether the retainer is carrying decaffeinated or caffeinated coffee. 
     While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.