Patent Publication Number: US-9895014-B2

Title: Sound-emitting cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/212,750 filed Sep. 1, 2015. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention. 
     Food and nutrition are at the core of a child&#39;s growth and development. Indeed, healthy eating and healthy drinking contribute to overall healthy growth and development in children, which includes, for example, healthy bones, skin, energy levels and cognitive development. Healthy eating and drinking also contributes to a lowered risk of, for example, dental caries, eating disorders, constipation, malnutrition, and iron deficiency anemia. 
     It can be extremely stressful for parents when a child refuses to ingest essential or nutritional fluids such as water, milk and medicine. A child tends to be even less cooperative when he or she is tired, not feeling well, being shouted at, being pressured, being rushed, etc. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a cup. The cup includes a beverage container that has a main body extending distally to form a flange and a rim at a distal end, the flange having an inner wall, a bottom having a non-conductive material and being at an elevated position from the flange and the rim, a recessed portion disposed underneath the bottom and bounded by the bottom and the inner wall, two conductive plates mounted in the bottom, the two conductive plates being dielectrically insulated by the non-conductive material at a predetermined distance to form a capacitor, and a sound-emitting base configured to attach to the beverage container, the sound-emitting base having a digital audio playback system. The digital audio playback system has a capacitive liquid sensor electrically connected to two spring loaded connectors and configured to receive a first capacitance change from the capacitor when the beverage container is filled with a beverage, and processing circuitry configured to determine that the empty beverage container is filled with a beverage based on the first capacitance change and to activate playback of one or more pre-recorded digital audio files based on the determining. 
     In certain embodiments, the sound-emitting base further includes a projection having an outer surface and the two spring loaded connectors embedded in the projection, the projection being inserted in the recessed portion such that the two spring loaded connectors contact the conductive plates, and a housing disposed underneath the projection, the housing being configured to hold the digital audio playback system. 
     In some embodiments, the digital audio playback system further includes a memory module configured to store the one or more pre-recorded digital audio files. 
     In one embodiment, the non-conductive material includes one or more types of thermoplastic. 
     In at least one embodiment, the two conductive plates have one or more materials selected from the group consisting of elemental metals, alloys, semimetals and intrinsically conductive polymers. 
     In one or more embodiments, the two conductive plates are stainless steel. 
     In some embodiments, the inner wall and the outer surface are configured to interlock with each other to attach the sound-emitting base to the beverage container. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more pre-recorded digital audio files include cartoon voice(s). 
     In certain embodiments, the capacitive liquid sensor is further configured to detect and measure a second capacitance change when the beverage container is at least partially filled then becomes empty, and the processing circuitry is further configured to determine that the beverage filled-beverage container is empty based on the second capacitance change and to deactivate playback of the one or more pre-recorded digital audio files. 
     According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a cup having the a picture- and sound-emitting base. Further to the audio circuitry and the audio output device, the digital audio and video playback system of the picture- and sound-emitting base includes a video circuitry and a video output device. 
     The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded cross-sectional view of a cup having a liquid detection system and a digital audio playback system according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of the beverage container component of a children&#39;s cup according to one embodiment, where two metal plates are flush mounted in the cup bottom and the main body of the beverage container is non-tapered. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the beverage container of a cup according to one embodiment, where two metal plates are flush mounted in the cup bottom and the main body of the beverage container is tapered from the open top to the bottom. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the sound-emitting base of a cup according to one embodiment, showing the top projection and two spring loaded connectors embedded in the projection. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a process of activating audio recording playback of the cup by detection and measurement of capacitance change according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting and activating audio recording playback of the cup by detection and measurement of capacitance change then identification of a beverage category according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a digital audio and video playback system according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a process of activating audio and video recording playback of the cup by detection and measurement of capacitance change according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting and detecting audio and video playback of the cup by detection and measurement of capacitance change then identification of a beverage category according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Reference through the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “at least one embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “in an alternative embodiment”, “in certain embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, “in at least one embodiment” and “in one or more embodiments” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Additionally, it must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearly specified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.” Further, terms such as “first”, and “second” are used to describe to various elements and features, such as capacitance values and capacitance changes, only for purposes of clarity and discriminating one element or feature from another element or feature. These terms are not intended as limiting the elements and features to a particular order of their occurrence. Therefore, the elements and features are not limited to these terms. 
     The present disclosure provides a drinking utensil that alleviates a parent&#39;s stress when a child refuses to ingest a beverage. The drinking utensil utilizes positive psychology, in the form a child&#39;s favorite cartoon characters, to motivate and encourage the child to drink, and to turn the entire drinking experience into a more enjoyable and comforting one. 
     In  FIG. 1 , an exploded, front cross-sectional of a children&#39;s cup in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Cup  100  is an assembly that includes a beverage container  110  and a sound-emitting base  140  that is configured to releasably or removably attach to the beverage container. Components of a digital audio playback system  150  in the sound-emitting base  140  are represented in block format in  FIG. 1  and are further described with regard to  FIG. 6 . The present disclosure is not limited by any dimension and size of the beverage container  110  and the sound-emitting base  140 . 
     The beverage container  110 , which is adapted to hold and carry a beverage, includes a main body  111 , an open proximal end  112  as defined by proximal rim  113 , and a solid bottom  114 . Through the open proximal end  112 , a beverage can be poured into or consumed from the container. The solid bottom  114  has a top, flat surface  115  that defines the depth of the container  110  and the maximum volume of a beverage the beverage container  110  can hold. As with most cups and mugs, the proximal rim  113  and the solid bottom  114  are round but are not so limited. Accordingly, the main body  111  is cylindrical but is also not so limited. In one embodiment, the main body  111  is tapered from a larger area or diameter to a substantially reduced area or diameter, from the open top to the bottom, or vice versa, like a frustum cone. In an alternative embodiment, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , the main body  111  is straight and non-tapered. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the main body  111  extends downwardly or distally to form, at distal end  111   a , flange  116  and distal rim  117 . The flange  116  further includes an inner wall  118  that may be threaded in select embodiments. The distal rim  117  is round in at least one embodiment. When laid on a surface such as a table surface or a kitchen countertop surface with the sound-emitting base  140  being attached thereto, the beverage container  110  rests upon the distal rim  117 , with the solid bottom  114  being at an elevated position above the flange  116  and distal rim  117  such that bottom surface  119  is not in contact with the surface. Due to the elevation, a recessed portion  120  is disposed underneath the solid bottom  114  and is bounded by the bottom surface  119  and the inner wall  118 . The recessed portion is configured to receive the sound-emitting base during assembly of the cup. 
     At least the solid bottom  114  or the entirety of the beverage container  110  is made of one or more non-conductive materials such as thermoplastics, glass and ceramic. Thermoplastics, which are non-fragile, can be used when the cup provided herein is intended for a child. Examples of suitable thermoplastic include but are not limited to polypropylene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, copolymers and mixtures thereof. 
     In certain embodiments, the main body  111  is advantageously graduated so that the volume of a beverage to be offered to a user can be measured. This is especially important when a medicine at a specific dosage is given to a child. Additionally, measuring fluids and beverages are desirable when monitoring a child&#39;s diet and ensuring that the child is sufficiently hydrated. 
     In some embodiments, the beverage container  110  further includes one or more handles attached to the main body  111  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B , the beverage container  110  contains one or more conductive plates or chips  131  (two illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B ) that are flush mounted to the solid bottom  114  such that top surface  136  and bottom surface  137  of the plates  131  are exposed and the two plates  131  are parallel to each other. These two conductive plates  131 , which can be of any geometry/shape and are electrically insulated from each other by the non-conductive dielectric material of the solid bottom  114  at a predetermined distance d, act as two electrodes that form a capacitor  132  that is part of a capacitive liquid sensing system  130 . The conductive plates are made of a metallic material (elemental metal, alloy or a combination thereof) that is non-toxic and corrosion-resistant. In one embodiment, the conductive plates are made of stainless steel. Alternatively, the conductive plates are made of other non-metallic conductive materials such as semimetals (e.g. antimony, selenium) and intrinsically conducting polymers (e.g. polyanilines, polypyrroles, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)). In some embodiments, the conductive plates are made of a combination of metallic and non-metallic conductive materials. 
     The capacitive liquid sensing system  130 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , includes: capacitor  132  comprising two conductive plates  131  that are dielectrically insulated from each other in the beverage container, at least one spring loaded connector  133  and a capacitive liquid sensor  135  in the sound-emitting base. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the sound-emitting base  140  includes a housing  141  that is adapted to contain a plurality of electronic components, and a projection  142  that is disposed on top of the housing  141 . In one embodiment, both the housing  141  and the projection  142  are generally cylindrical in shape with the projection being a smaller cylinder, as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     The projection  142  has an outer surface  143  which, in select embodiments, has a threaded finish. The projection  142  is configured to be inserted into the recessed portion  120 . The outer surface  143  and the inner wall  118  are configured to interlock with each other by twisting the sound-emitting base  140  in a predetermined rotation direction (usually counter-clockwise) so that the sound-emitting base  140  can be firmly attached to the beverage container  110  when the cup  100  is in use. Accordingly, both can the sound-emitting base  140  and the beverage container  110  can be threaded to create an interlocking mechanism. Other interlocking mechanisms such as the snap-fit mechanism may also be acceptable. The sound-emitting base  140  can be easily detached from the beverage container  110 , for example, for washing of the container or switching to a different sound-emitting base, by twisting the sound-emitting base in the opposing rotation direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , two spring loaded connectors  133  are embedded in the projection  142  and, like the aforementioned capacitor electrodes, are also separated by the predetermined distance, d. Each connector has a proximal tip  134  that is configured to retract when it is contacted with and pressed against the bottom surface  137  when the beverage container  110  and the sound-emitting base  140  are assembled to form the cup  100 . In  FIG. 1 , the proximal tips  134  are shown as rounded but spring loaded connectors having flat tips are also acceptable. 
     The spring loaded connectors  133  are electrically connected to the capacitive liquid sensor  135  in the housing  141 . The capacitive liquid sensor  135  interfaces directly with the digital audio playback system  150  through a communication and power bus  152 . Accordingly, capacitance generated by the capacitor  132  in the absence or presence of a beverage filling the beverage container  110  is detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  via the spring loaded connectors  133 . Based on the capacitance that is detected and measured, the capacitive liquid sensor  135  generates a signal that is received by a central processing unit (CPU)  153  for further processing as detailed below. 
     The digital audio playback system  150 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes: the communication and power bus  152  that is configured to link the capacitive liquid sensor  135  to the digital audio playback system  150 , link components and peripherals of the digital audio playback system  150  to transfer data, signals and electric power; one or more batteries  151  (optionally rechargeable) that are configured to provide electric power to the capacitive liquid sensor  135  and the digital audio playback system  150  through the communication and power bus  152 ; the central processing unit (CPU)  153  that is configured to process input data/signals from the capacitive liquid sensor  135  and execute instructions of a plurality of computer software programs via basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations specified by the instructions; a memory module  154  coupled to and in continuous electronic communication with the CPU  153  that is configured to store the CPU processing data, the computer program instructions and digital audio files containing pre-recordings of a child&#39;s favorite voices or sounds; audio circuitry  155  that is configured to receive commands or instructions from the CPU  153  to playback one or more pre-recorded digital audio files and generate an analog audio signal, then amplify the analog audio signal; and an audio output device  156  (e.g. a loudspeaker) that converts the analog audio signal into sound. 
     In certain embodiments, the memory module  154  is further configured to store two data libraries: a database of capacitance values that correlate with different beverage categories and a database of digital audio files containing messages pre-recorded with one or more sounds that each relate to a specific beverage category and are so categorized. Common beverages can be divided into multiple categories based on the chemical composition of their background matrices which would influence their ability to conduct electricity between the two electrodes of the capacitor  132 , resulting in different capacitances that are detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135 : water (clear background matrix); creamy beverages like milk, yogurt (background matrix has a high protein content and possibly fat content); juices (acidic background matrix); soups (background matrix has a high salt content); medicine (viscous and background matrix has a high sugar content and a high aromatics content). Accordingly, the CPU  153  is further configured to compare a measured capacitance with the database, identify a beverage category, select one or more digital audio files from the digital audio file database that are relevant to the identified beverage category and activate the playback thereof. 
     The pre-recorded digital audio files may be in compressed or uncompressed formats, with examples including but not limited to Opus, MP3, Vorbis, Musepack, AAC, ATRAC, WMA Lossy, MPEG-4 SLS, MPEG-4 ALS, MPEG-4 DSC, WMA Lossless, Shorten, ALAC, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, TTA, WavPack, FLAC, Monkey&#39;s Audio, WAV, AIFF, AU and raw header-less PCM. 
     The CPU  153  may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel of America or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be other processor types that would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the CPU  153  may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD or using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further, the CPU  153  may be implemented as multiple processors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructions of processes  400 ,  500 ,  700  and  800  that are described below. 
     The memory module  154  includes at least one portable non-transitory computer readable storage medium where the CPU processing data, instructions and pre-recorded digital audio files may be stored permanently or temporarily. Examples of such portable non-transitory computer readable storage media include but are not limited to hard disk drive (HDD), RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM and FLASH. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a process of activating audio recording playback of the cup by detection and measurement of capacitance change according to one embodiment. The process  400  begins at step S 401  where an assembled cup  100  having the beverage container  110  and the sound-emitting base  140  is provided. Throughout the process  400 , the bottom surfaces  137  of the two parallel and dielectrically insulated conductive plates  131  abut against the retracted proximal tips  134  of the two spring loaded connectors  133 , which are in turn electrically connected to the capacitive liquid sensor  135 . 
     At step S 401 , the capacitor  132  has a predetermined initial capacitance which is detected by the capacitive liquid sensor  135 . As used herein, “capacitance” refers to the electrical chargeability or the ability to store electrical charge of the capacitor. The capacitive liquid sensor  135  converts the initial capacitance to a corresponding output initial voltage signal that is received by the CPU  153 , which is pre-programmed with the initial capacitance and to interpret the initial capacitance as the beverage container  110  not carrying any fluid. 
     At step S 402 , a beverage which may be water, milk, fruit juice or medicine for example is poured into the beverage container  110  and the cup  100  is handed to a child. Consequently, at step  403 , the beverage contacts the conductive plates  131 , and serves as a conducting medium and an electric voltage becomes present between the two conductive plates, thereby creating an electric field. At the same time, as the capacitor  132  is no longer insulated and electrons stored inside the capacitor are now conducted by the beverage, the capacitance drops from the initial capacitance value. The resultant capacitance is detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  which converts the resultant capacitance to a corresponding output voltage signal that is received and interpreted by the CPU  153  as a beverage being present in the beverage container  110 . 
     Next, at step S 404 , the CPU  153  is configured to activate playback of the one or more pre-recorded digital audio files (stored in the memory module  154 ) by the audio circuitry  155 , by comparing capacitance values stored in the memory module  154 . The digital audio files contain pre-recordings of a child&#39;s favorite audio voices and sounds, such as cartoon voices reciting generic words and phrases of encouragement. 
     The process  400  proceeds to step S 405  where the CPU  153  determines if the beverage is finished and the beverage container  110  is empty. The CPU  153  is pre-programmed with to determine that the beverage container  110  is empty at step S 406 , based on restoration of the initial capacitance, or within a predetermined plus/minus range, which is detected by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  for a predetermined time period (e.g. 30 seconds or 1 min) and communicated to the CPU  153  as the corresponding initial voltage signal for the same predetermined prolonged time period. After the beverage container  110  has been determined to be empty at step S 406 , the CPU deactivates the pre-recorded digital audio file playback at step S 407  and the process  400  may conclude with a generic laudatory remark such as “Well done”, “Good job”, etc. 
     If, at step S 405 , the initial capacitance is not detected for the predetermined time period, the pre-recorded digital audio file playback continues without any interruption. 
     Relative to the process  400 , the process  500  as shown in  FIG. 5  further includes the functions of identifying a beverage category and selecting the pertinent digital audio files from a digital audio file database stored in the memory module  154  that are specific towards the identified beverage category. Steps S 501 -S 503  are same as steps S 401 -S 403  where a cup  100  having the initial capacitance is provided then a beverage is poured into the beverage container  110  causing a change in capacitance, which is detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135 . The CPU  153  is pre-programmed to interpret the capacitance change as a beverage being present in the beverage container  110 . At step S 504 , the CPU  153  is further configured to compare the detected capacitance change to a database of measured and known capacitances for the variety of beverage categories described herein and identify the category of the beverage. 
     Subsequently, at step S 505 , the CPU  153  is configured to select and activate playback of one or more pre-recorded digital audio files that are specific towards the identified beverage category from the digital audio file database stored in the memory module  154 . In addition to words and phrases of encouragement, these pre-recordings contain a child&#39;s cartoon voice(s) reciting category-specific educational messages, for example, messages that explain to a user the importance of drinking sufficient water to stay hydrated, nutritional benefits of milk or how a medicine helps him or her feel better. 
     Similar to the process  400 , the process  400  proceeds to step S 506  where the CPU  153  determines if the beverage is finished and the beverage container  110  is empty, based on restoration of the initial capacitance detected by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  for the predetermined time period. After the beverage container  110  has been determined to be empty at step S 507 , the CPU  153  deactivates the pre-recorded digital audio file playback at step S 508  and the process  500  may conclude with a category-specific remark such as “Get well soon” when the beverage is identified as medicine or “Your teeth and bones are now much stronger and healthier” when the beverage is milk. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a cup having a picture and sound-emitting, detachable base.  FIG. 6  shows components of a digital audio and video playback system  650  of a picture and sound-emitting base according to one embodiment. Besides the capacitive liquid sensor  135 , the one or more battery cells  151 , the communication and power bus  152 , the CPU  153 , the memory module  154 , the audio circuitry  155  and the audio output device  156  as described herein, the digital audio and video playback system  650  includes: video circuitry  657  that is configured to receive commands from the CPU  153  to playback one or more pre-recorded digital video files and generate an analog audio signal and an analog video signal, then amplify the analog video signal; and a video output device  658  (e.g. a liquid crystal display screen) that converts the analog video signal into picture. The picture may be one or more still images or animations of a cartoon character. To detect capacitance, the capacitive liquid sensor  135  is electrically connected with the two spring loaded connectors  133  and the connectors are in contact and pressed against the two conductive plates or electrodes  131  of the capacitor  132 . 
     Accordingly, processes for activating audio and video recording playback of the cup by detection and measurement of a capacitance change that is induced by a beverage, and optionally identifying category of the beverage, are provided in the present disclosure. In the process  700 , a cup having a beverage container  110 , a picture and sound-emitting base and initial capacitance is provided at step S 701 . A beverage is poured into the beverage container  110  and the cup containing the beverage is offered to a user to be drunk at step S 702 . At step S 703 , due to the presence of the beverage as a conducting medium, the capacitance changes, and this is detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135 . The capacitive liquid sensor  135  sends a corresponding signal to the CPU  153  which then, at step S 704 , activates the audio circuitry  155  and the video circuitry  657  to playback one or more digital audio files and one or more digital video files that are stored in the memory module  154 . At step S 705 , the CPU  153  determines if the beverage is finished and the beverage container  110  is empty, based on restoration of the initial capacitance detected by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  for the predetermined time period. Next, at step S 706  the beverage container  110  is determined by the CPU  153  to be empty, and at step S 707  the CPU deactivates the pre-recorded digital audio file and video file playback. 
     In the process  800 , steps S 801 -S 803  are same as steps S 701 -S 703  where a cup having a beverage container  110 , a picture and sound-emitting base and initial capacitance is provided then a beverage is poured into the beverage container  110 , resulting in a change in capacitance that is detected and measured by the capacitive liquid sensor  135 . At step S 804 , further to interpreting the capacitance change as the presence of a beverage in the beverage container  110 , the CPU  153  is configured to compare the detected capacitance to the beverage category-based capacitance database stored in the memory module  154  and identify the category of the beverage. At step S 805 , the CPU  153  is configured to select and activate to playback one or more digital audio files and one or more digital video files that are stored in the memory module  154  that are specific towards the identified beverage category, as described for step S 505  for the process  500 . The process  800  proceeds to step S 806  where the CPU  153  determines if the beverage is finished and the beverage container  110  is empty as previously described herein. At step S 807 , the CPU  153  determines that the beverage container  110  is empty and at step S 808 , the CPU  153  deactivates the pre-recorded digital audio file and video file playback. 
     In the processes  400 ,  500 ,  700  and  800 , the cup  100  can be configured, through pre-programming of the CPU  153 , to emit sound(s) when it is time for a child to take medicine. In a similar manner, in the processes  500  and  800 , the cup  100  can be further configured to emit picture. 
     In some embodiments, the main body  111  of the beverage container  110  includes a plurality of liquid level sensors  160  that are flush mounted at inner wall  161  and are separated apart at predetermined distances along the inner wall  161 , as indicated in  FIG. 1 . Upon contact with a fluid, such as a beverage in the beverage container  110 , each liquid level sensor is activated and is configured to send a signal via a wireless network to the CPU  153 . Examples of a wireless network include but are not limited to WLAN, WPAN, WMAN and WWAN. Therefore, as a beverage contained in the beverage container  110  is being consumed by a user and the beverage level decreases, the number of liquid level sensors  160  that is being activated and the amount of signals received by the CPU  153  also changes accordingly. Based on each change in the amount of signals received, the CPU  153  is configured to activate playback of different pre-recorded digital audio files and further, in select embodiments, different pre-recorded digital video files. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of liquid level sensors can be used to determine if a user has finished consuming all of a beverage contained in the beverage container  110 , such as but not limited to medicine and if not, a signal is sent to the CPU  153  which activates playback of a pre-recorded warning sound that is stored in the memory module  154 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the main body  111  of the beverage container  110  includes one or more motion sensors (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that are configured to detect movement (e.g. when the cup  100  is lifted by a user to ingest a beverage) and to send a signal, preferably via a wireless network as defined herein, to the CPU  153 . The CPU  153  then activates the playback of the pre-recorded digital audio files. After the user finishes consuming the beverage and the beverage container  110  becomes empty, the capacitance change is detected by the capacitive liquid sensor  135  and a signal is sent from the capacitive liquid sensor  135  to the CPU  153  to activate the playback of the pre-recorded digital video files 
     Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.