Patent Publication Number: US-2021186296-A1

Title: System and method for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables

Description:
The present application claims the priority of the following US provisional patent applications, incorporated herein by reference:
         62/509,762, filed 23 May 2017;   62/522,103, filed 20 Jun. 2017:   62/584,828, filed 12 Nov. 2017; and   62/597,948, filed 13 Dec. 2017.       

    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of consumption and inventory supervision. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     There have been a number of disclosures for methods and sensors that monitor appliances and supervise consumption of consumables: 
     US2004/112917A discloses a drink dispensing cart apparatus. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor in an outlet line, extending between the pump and drink dispensing machine, which senses when water is needed by the dispenser; and a pressure sensor in an inlet line, extending between the pump and the container of water, which senses when the container of water is empty and needs replacing. 
     KR2011/0003737A discloses a plate for supporting a water bottle to accurately sense an amount of water in the water bottle and to display the water amount in stages. 
     WO2009/023007A1 discloses a supply system for providing water from a bottled water cooler. The system includes a control device comprising a microcontroller that monitors upper and lower sensors. The microcontroller controls the operation of a pump so that the water level goes no lower than the lower sensor and no higher than the higher sensor. 
     US2015/294553A discloses an apparatus that detects sounds of potential interest from appliances and sends a notification to a user. The signals produced are compared with a database of signals, producing a notification to a user when a match is found. 
     US2014085100A discloses a remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to each other and to a PC or wireless device. 
     RU2539340C2 discloses a dispenser with a level gage to determine of the level of consumable paper article in dispenser. A sensor unit incorporates two sensor elements, each detecting the light reflected from reflecting field located at paper article, or reveals the absence of paper. Data from sensors are transmitted via wireless line to server for further processing, for example, for notification of cleaner who services the lavatory. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,381 discloses a system for collecting data on individual and aggregate use of toilet tissue or other types of rolled absorbent paper in a public washroom. The system includes a sensing system for sensing one or more characteristics of paper use at a particular dispensing location, and a recording system for receiving and recording data from said sensing system, whereby paper use at the dispensing location can be monitored and studied. The system further analyzes the data to determine such things as the total amount of paper used, the duration of time over which paper is used, the number of discrete pulls on the paper taken by a user and the amount of paper taken by a user per discrete pull. 
     US2014/0367401A1 discloses a dispenser for dispensing paper or non-woven sheet product for wiping, the dispenser comprising an ultrasonic level sensor for determining the level of the sheet product contained in the dispenser, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is arranged to direct the ultrasonic beam toward a surface associated with the sheet product, wherein a distance that the beam travels to the surface changes progressively as the level of the sheet product in the dispenser changes from a full condition to an empty condition. 
     GB2489965A discloses a system for indicating paper dispensing status of a paper dispenser located in a toilet compartment. The system includes a sensor unit comprising a sensor, which detects at least one characteristic relating to toilet paper consumption in the paper dispenser; a processing unit, which receives data from the sensor unit and estimates current dispensing status of the paper dispenser, where the data includes the paper consumption characteristic; and a presentation unit, which indicates the current dispensing status. The presentation unit is located in vicinity of the toilet compartment in a manner which allows a user to view the dispensing status indication prior to entering the respective toilet compartment. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for indicating paper dispensing status. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the invention is directed to a system and method for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables. The system features a novel appliance module that is placed on or next to an appliance that expends a consumable and/or wears out in the course of a utilization cycle. The appliance module includes one or more sensors that measure physical properties affected by one or more operational modes of the appliance, such as temperature and/or vibration. The appliance module includes a processor and memory configured to determine in which operational mode an appliance is operating. 
     A server receives and aggregates data of operational modes of the appliance and identifies, as a function of a run of one or more operational modes, a utilization cycle of the appliance. The server further determines an amount of consumption of the consumable or wear of the appliance connected with the utilization cycle. The server tracks an inventory (typically located at a site of the appliance) of the consumable or total wear of parts of the appliance, and can respond accordingly by automatically placing an order for delivery of a new supply of the consumable or a call by a service representative to the appropriate site. 
     The appliance monitor and the server can be configured to support one or more of a large variety of appliances, such as different manufacturers and models of refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee machines, and water coolers. The system can also monitor non-electrical devices, such as mousetraps and paper-towel dispensers. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for supervising consumption and inventory of a consumable expended through utilization of an appliance; the system comprising an appliance monitor ( 105 ) and a server ( 190 ), with the appliance monitor ( 105 ) comprising
         a. one or more sensors configured for obtaining measurements of one or more physical properties; the one or more sensors are disposed on or next to the appliance and   b. a microcontroller configured to receive the measurements and determine one or more operational modes of the appliance as a function of the measurements; and   c. a reporting module, configured to send a report of the one or more operational modes to the server;   the appliance monitor is non-integral and electrically unconnected with the appliance; and the server ( 190 ) comprising:   d. a communication module configured to receive the operational mode reports of the one or more sensors ( 120 ) from the reporting module; and   e. an inventory module configured to
           i. track an inventory amount of the consumable associated with the appliance;   ii. update the inventory amount by deducting a consumption amount—corresponding to the one or more operational modes—from the updated inventory amount; and   iii. determine a need for a service message, according to a the updated the inventory amount; and   
           f. a service module configured to issue the determined service message to a recipient, in cooperation with the communication module;   wherein the microcontroller is normally in a sleep mode; at least one of the one or more sensors is a triggering sensor; and the microcontroller wakes up from the sleep mode upon receiving a threshold output from the triggering sensor.       

     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, the server ( 190 ) further comprising
         a. an aggregation module configured to receive the operational mode reports and store one or more of the operational modes into an operational mode aggregation;   b. a utilization cycle database storing a utilization cycle specification for one or more utilization cycles of the appliance; the utilization cycle specification comprising an expected consumption amount for each the utilization cycle; and   c. a correlation module, configured to match the operational mode aggregation with a the utilization cycle in the utilization cycle specification;   wherein the consumption amount is specified in the utilization cycle specification for the utilization cycle matched to the operational mode aggregation.       

     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, the server further comprising a personalization database ( 250 ) configured to provide a personalization specification ( 255 ) for the appliance ( 110 ), specifying one or more of a personalized consumption amount, a personalized rate of consumption, a personalized surplus, wherein the inventory module ( 230 ) is further configured to employ a the personalization specification ( 255 ) in order to update the inventory amount. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the one or more sensors is selected from a group comprising an accelerometer, barometer, acoustic sensor, thermometer, gyroscope, photodetector, camera, magnetometer, water conductivity sensor, water hardness sensor, salts detector, TDS sensor, turbidity sensor and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the server employs a multi-sensor fusion function of a plurality the sensors to determine the operational modes. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the server is selected from a group comprising a cloud server, a dedicated server, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the service message is an alert to a user device  240  about a status of the inventory amount. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the service message is an electronic purchase order for the consumable, deliverable to a location associated with the appliance  110 . 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the inventory module is further configured to make an inventory prediction as a function of the personalization specification. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the inventory module is further configured to estimate when the inventory status will reach zero inventory of the consumable. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the inventory module and the service module are further configured to arrange that the ordered consumable is delivered before the estimated time when inventory reaches zero. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the server is further configured to determine a servicing requirement of the appliance. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the appliance monitor further comprising a power source selected from a group consisting of a disposable battery, a rechargeable battery, a built-in battery, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the appliance is a coffee machine. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision system, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an acoustic vibration sensor and an accelerometer. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision system, wherein the physical properties are selected from a group consisting of a frequency, volume, amplitude, duration, and any combination thereof; and the operational modes are selected from a group consisting of filling a cup with a quantity of coffee, grinding of coffee beans, expending a coffee cartridge, dispensation of a coffee additive, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision system, wherein the consumable is selected from a group comprising an inventory of ground coffee, coffee beans, coffee cartridges, a coffee additive, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision system, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the inventory module is further configured to calculate a remaining service life of a heating element of the coffee machine, as a function of aggregated temperature measurements of the heating element by the temperature sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision system, further comprising a photodetector or turbidity sensor, wherein the message is in regard to coffee strength. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the appliance is a mousetrap. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an acoustic vibration sensor, an accelerometer, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein the operational modes comprise: the mousetrap is open, a mouse is trapped in the mousetrap, and the mousetrap is closed with no mouse trapped therein. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein a set of one or more of the mousetraps with the appliance monitor is arranged in one or more facilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein the server is further configured to process the operational modes in the set of mousetraps at the facilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein the message is an alert that attention needed for the mousetraps at one of the facilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein the alert is issued a fixed time after a mouse is first trapped in a the mousetrap at the facility. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision system, wherein an alert indicates that a predetermined number of mice have been trapped at the facility. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the appliance is a water-bottle cooler. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision system, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer and an acoustic sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision system, wherein the operational mode has an identifying acoustic waveform; the physical property selected from a group comprising frequency, volume, duration, and any combination thereof, of the acoustic waveform. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision system, wherein the operational modes comprise are selected from a group comprising a quantity of water being dispensed from the water cooler, changing a bottle of the water cooler, operation of a cooling system of the water cooler, and any combination thereof; the inventory amount comprises a total amount of water remaining in a bottle of the water cooler, a number of unopened bottles remaining, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision system, wherein the server is further configured to calculate inventories of water bottles for a plurality of water coolers. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned system, wherein the appliance is a paper dispenser. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of a magnetometer, accelerometer, and acoustic sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the microcontroller computes an operational mode of “the dispenser was refilled with paper” when the microcontroller receives a first response of one of the sensors followed by a second response of the sensor within a minimum time lapse between the first response and the second response. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the microcontroller determines the operational mode “the dispenser was refilled with paper” when there is a minimum time lapse between the first response and the second response. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the minimum time lapse is selected according to an expected amount of time to refill the dispenser with paper. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the minimum time lapse is configured to be about 2 seconds. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision system, wherein the minimum time lapse is configured to be about 5 seconds. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for supervising consumption and inventory of a consumable expended through utilization of an appliance; the method comprising steps of
         a. obtaining a system for supervising consumption and inventory of an appliance consumable;   b. obtaining measurements of one or more physical properties from one or more sensors of an appliance monitor of the system disposed on or next to the appliance;   c. determining one or more operational modes of the appliance as a function of the measurements, by a microprocessor of the appliance monitor;   d. receiving reports of the operational modes by a server of the system;   e. tracking an inventory amount of a consumable;   f. updating the inventory amount by deducting a consumption amount, corresponding to the one or more operational modes, from the inventory amount;   g. determining a need for a service message, according to the updated inventory amount; and   h. issuing the determined service message to a recipient;   wherein the microcontroller is normally in a sleep mode; at least one of the one or more sensors is a triggering sensor; and method further comprises steps receiving a threshold output from the triggering sensor by the microcontroller and of waking up from the sleep mode by the microcontroller upon the receiving the threshold output.       

     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising steps of
         a. storing the operational mode reports as an operational mode aggregation;   b. storing a utilization cycle specification for one or more utilization cycles of the appliance; the utility cycle specification comprising an expected consumption amount for each of the one or more utilization cycles;   c. matching the operational mode aggregation with one of the utilization cycles; and   d. specifying a consumption amount of the consumable associated with the utilization cycle matched to the operational mode aggregation.       

     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of providing a personalization specification for the appliance, specifying one or more of a group comprising a personalized consumption amount, a personalized rate of consumption, a personalized surplus, and any combination thereof; wherein the method ( 700 ) further comprises a step of employing a the personalization specification for the step of updating the inventory amount. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the one or more sensors is selected from a group comprising an accelerometer, barometer, acoustic sensor, thermometer, gyroscope, photodetector, camera, magnetometer, water conductivity sensor, water hardness sensor, salts detector, TDS sensor, turbidity sensor and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of employing a multi-sensor fusion function of a plurality the sensors for the step of determining the operational modes ( ). 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the server is selected from a group comprising a cloud server, a dedicated server, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the service message is an alert to a user device about a status of the inventory amount. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the service message is an electronic purchase order for the consumable, deliverable to a location associated with the appliance. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of making an inventory prediction as a function of the personalization specification. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of estimating when the inventory status will reach zero inventory of the consumable. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the inventory module and the service module are further configured to arrange that the ordered consumable is delivered before the estimated time when inventory reaches zero. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of determining a servicing requirement of the appliance. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, further comprising a step of providing a power source to the appliance monitor, the power source selected from a group consisting of a disposable battery, a rechargeable battery, a built-in battery, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the appliance is a coffee machine. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision method, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an acoustic vibration sensor and an accelerometer. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision method, wherein the physical properties are selected from a group consisting of a frequency, volume, amplitude, duration, and any combination thereof; and the operational modes are selected from a group consisting of filling a cup with a quantity of coffee, grinding of coffee beans, expending a coffee cartridge, dispensation of a coffee additive, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision method, wherein the consumable is selected from a group comprising an inventory of ground coffee, coffee beans, coffee cartridges, a coffee additive, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision method, wherein the sensors further comprise a temperature sensor and the method further comprises a step of calculating a remaining service life of a heating element of the coffee machine as a function of aggregated temperature measurements of the heating element by the temperature sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned coffee machine supervision method, wherein the sensors further comprise a photodetector or turbidity sensor, wherein the message is in regard to coffee strength. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the appliance is a mousetrap. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an acoustic vibration sensor, an accelerometer, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, wherein the operational modes comprise: the mousetrap is open, a mouse is trapped in the mousetrap, and the mousetrap is closed with no mouse trapped therein. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, further comprising a step of arranging one or more of the mousetraps with the appliance monitor in one or more facilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, further comprising a step of identifying the operational modes in the set of mousetraps at the facilities. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, wherein the message is an alert that attention is needed for the mousetraps at a the facility. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, wherein the alert is issued a fixed time after a mouse is first trapped in a the mousetrap at the facility. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned mousetrap supervision method, wherein a the alert indicates that a predetermined number of mice have been trapped at the facility. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the appliance is a water-bottle cooler. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision method, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer and an acoustic sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision method, wherein the operational mode has an identifying acoustic waveform; the physical property selected from a group comprising frequency, volume, duration, and any combination thereof, of the acoustic waveform. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision method, wherein the operational modes are selected from a group comprising a quantity of water being dispensed from the water cooler, changing a bottle of the water cooler, operation of a cooling system of the water cooler, and any combination thereof; the inventory amount comprises a total amount of water remaining in a bottle of the water cooler, a number of unopened bottles remaining, and any combination thereof. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned water-bottle cooler supervision method, further comprising a step of calculating inventories of water bottles for a plurality of water coolers. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned method, wherein the appliance is a paper dispenser. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of a magnetometer, accelerometer, and acoustic sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, further comprising a step of determining an operational mode of “the dispenser was refilled with paper” when receiving a first response of one of the sensors followed by a second response of the sensor. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, further comprising a step of determining the operational mode of “the dispenser was refilled with paper” when receiving a first response of one of the sensors followed by a second response of the sensor within a minimum time lapse between the first response and the second response. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, further comprising a step of selecting the minimum time lapse according to an expected amount of time to refill the dispenser with paper. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, further comprising a step of configuring the minimum time lapse to be about 2 seconds. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the abovementioned paper dispenser supervision method, further comprising a step of configuring the minimum time lapse to be about 5 seconds. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an operational block diagram of a system for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  shows non-limiting examples of the system, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of a method for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. 
     In this application, a “utilization cycle” refers to a utilization of an appliance that can be matched with an expected amount of a consumable dispensed during the utilization. Matching may take into account behavior patterns of dispensation of the consumable by a typical or specific user of the appliance. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a consumables supervision system  100  comprises an appliance monitor  105  and a server  190 . 
     Appliance monitor  105  comprises one or more sensors  120 , at least one of which is a triggering sensor  120 ′; a power source  125 ; a processor  130 ; and a reporting module  160 . In a preferred embodiment, all components of appliance monitor  105  are disposed in a single unit (box), as shown. Alternatively, one or more components of appliance monitor  105  may be disposed in physically separated locations. 
     Appliance monitor  105  is disposed in proximity with an appliance  110 , either on or next to appliance  110 . Appliance monitor  105  is non-integral and electrically unconnected with appliance  110 . Placement of appliance monitor  105  requires special skills, and may be performed, for example, by a consumer user of appliance  110 . Appliance monitor  105  may be adhered to appliance  110 ; for example, magnetically, by gluing, with a hook-and-loop fastener (i.e., Velcro), or simply placed on or alongside appliance  110 . 
     Sensors  120  may all be disposed together in a single unit. Alternatively, any of sensors  120  may be separately disposed; for example, where optimal positions of each of sensors  120  are in different places in relation to appliance  110 . 
     Sensors  120  each measure one or more physical quantities. The measured physical quantities are affected by one or more operational modes of appliance  110 . For example, two sensors of a dishwasher monitor are placed near a dishwasher. One sensor  120 , an accelerometer, measures vibrations, which are affected by spraying of water and rotation of the dishwasher&#39;s spraying arms. Another sensor  120  measures temperature, which is affected by water temperature. 
     Operational modes are associated, individually or in their aggregate, with consumption of a consumable  107  used with appliance  110 . A method of determining consumption of consumable  107  as a function of operational mode(s) of appliance  110  is further described herein. 
     Microcontroller  140  can be an equivalent IC, such as an FPGA, for receiving data and performing computational functions. Microcontroller  140  may be accompanied with a non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM)  150 , such as RAM and/or flash memory. Microcontroller  140  is programmed with instructions. The programming instructions may be stored in CRM  150  or in microcontroller  140  itself. The programming instructions are configured for microcontroller  140  to receive measurement signals from sensors  120 . Preferably, digitization of signals from a sensor is performed internally by microcontroller  140 ; alternatively an external A/D converter may be used. The instructions are further determine an operational mode of appliance  110  as a function of the received sensor 
     Microcontroller  140  is a power-saving microcontroller with at least two modes of operation: an awake (active) mode and a lower-power sleep mode. In the sleep mode, microcontroller  140  consumes relatively little power. Such power-saving microcontrollers are well known in the art. 
     In system  100 , microcontroller  140  is normally in the sleep mode. Optionally, non-transitory computer readable medium  150  and/or some of sensors  120  are also normally in a sleep  55  mode. One of sensors  120  is a triggering sensor  120 ′ that is normally awake and continuously monitors a triggering physical quantity. 
     A predefined output of triggering sensor  120 ′—for example, a measurement exceeding a certain predefined threshold—wakes up microcontroller  140  from the sleep mode. While in awake mode, microcontroller  140  begins digitally recording measurements from some or all of the sensors  120 . From the recordings of sensor outputs, microcontroller  140  determines an operational mode of appliance  110 . 
     Continuing with the example of the dishwasher monitor, the accelerometer is a trigger sensor  120 ′. The accelerometer measures vibrations caused by a spraying cycle of the dishwasher and converts the vibrations into a signal. The signal exceeds a threshold and therefore wakes up microcontroller  140  from the sleep mode. While in awake mode, the microcontroller  140  records measurements from the microphone and the temperature sensor, thereby determining a spray cycle of the dishwasher. Alternatively, to further reduce power consumption, the accelerometer signal exceeding the threshold can cause microcontroller  140  wake up periodically for a short time (e.g., 50 ms every second) to monitor the signals from the accelerometer and temperature sensor, and then return to sleep mode. Upon conclusion of the vibrations induced by the spraying cycle, the accelerometer signal goes below the threshold and microcontroller  140  returns to its normal sleep mode. 
     In an alternative embodiment, while the accelerometer signal is below the threshold microcontroller  140  can be in the sleep mode and wake up periodically for a short time (e.g., 50 ms every second) to sample the sensors, and then in the awake mode when the accelerometer signal is exceeds the threshold. 
     Appliance monitor  105  may be pre-configured with information for converting signals from sensors  120  into operational modes of appliance  110 . CRM  150  can store an operational mode profile  155  of appliance  110 , such as data (e.g., a sequence) of operational modes of appliance  110  and/or expected signals from sensors  120  for onset and continuing operation at operational modes of appliance  110 . Microcontroller  140  can be configured (by design or by programming) to dynamically adjust the threshold of triggering sensor  120 ′, according to an expected operational mode of appliance  110 . Microcontroller  140  can be configured to employ measurement signals from sensors  120  in order to verify or determine a present operational mode. Microcontroller  140  can be configured to employ feature extraction techniques to determine a present operational mode from a waveform of a sensor output signal. Microcontroller  140  can be configured to employ a multi-sensor fusion function of a plurality of signals from sensors  120  in order to determine a present operational mode. 
     In some embodiments, microcontroller  140  configuration (e.g., its firmware, or instructions or operational mode profile  155  in CRM  150 ) is updated automatically from server  190 . Updated configurations can include an improved operational mode profile  155 , obtained through ongoing training data from a plurality of appliance monitors  105  each monitoring the same model of appliance  110 . Additionally, from individualized training data of single instances of appliance  110 , to compensate for idiosyncratic behavior of appliance  110 . 
     After determining an operational mode, microcontroller  140  encapsulates operational mode data, which can include a time stamp. Microcontroller may store operational mode data in CRM  150  and/or send operational mode data to reporting module  200 . 
     Reporting module  160  receives operational modes data and sends operational mode reports  260  to one or more computing devices external to appliance monitor  105 . Reporting module  160  may send reports  260  of operational modes one-by-one for each an operational mode determined by microcontroller  140 , or may send reports  260  in groups of operational modes. Operational mode reports  260  may include identifying metadata such as an ID of appliance  110  and/or user thereof, manufacturer and model of appliance  110 , an address of appliance  110 , etc. 
     Reporting module  160  may employ any suitable cellular, wireless, or cabled network protocols to facilitate communication with the computing device. Communication may be physically direct (e.g. using Bluetooth or WiFi), transmitted through a LAN, or routed through a WAN (e.g., using a VPN over the Internet). 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a consumables supervision system  100  comprises an appliance monitor  105  and a server  190 . Additional processing of operational mode reports  260  is made by server  190 . However, it is understood that some or all of this processing may be performed by microcontroller  140  of appliance module  105 . Alternatively, or in addition, some computational functions of appliance monitor  105  described herein may be performed by server  190 ; for example, so as to reduce computations and power consumption by appliance monitor  105 . 
     Server  190  is preferably a cloud server  190  accessed through a cloud infrastructure  170 , as shown, but can also be a dedicated server or any combination of cloud and dedicated server(s). 
     For purposes of clarity, the function of server  190  is described through a utilization of one appliance  110 . However, it is understood that server  190 , or a plurality thereof, may be configured to serve multiple instances of the same model of appliance  110 . Additionally, server  190  may service a number of different models and types of appliances (e.g., server  190  may receive operational mode reports from appliance monitors  105  monitoring washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, etc.). 
     Server  190  comprises a communication module  200 . Communication module  200  is in communicative connection with a reporting module  160  of appliance monitor  105 . Communication module  200  receives operational mode reports  260  from reporting module  160  of appliance monitor  105 . Communication between reporting module  160  and communication module  200  can be through any combination of hardware and software protocols known in the art. In some embodiments, the communication is made through Internet of Things (IoT) protocols. 
     In some embodiments, server  190  comprises an aggregation module  210 . Aggregation module  210  receives operational mode reports  260 . Aggregation module assembles and stores the operational modes into an operational mode aggregation  215 . 
     In some embodiments, server  190  comprises a utilization cycle database  225 . Utilization cycle database  225  stores one or more specifications  227  of one or more utilization cycles of appliance  110 . Utilization cycle specification  227  may specify a sequence of operating modes of appliance  110 , and their durations, for various kinds of utilization. Utilization cycle specification  227  may specify an operating mode duration as a function of service level of a utilization. For example, for a dishwasher that adjusts the wash duration depending on the quantity of dirty dishes. Utilization cycle specification  227  may specify an amount of consumable  107  expected to be used in the utilization cycle. For example, how much dishwashing detergent powder is recommended or expected by a typical user to dispense of dishwashing soap for a particular quantity of dishes. 
     Utilization cycle specification  227  may be supplied by a manufacturer of appliance. Alternatively, or in addition, utilization cycle specification  227  may be constructed or improved by training data taken during testing of different utilization types on a number of different appliances  110  of the same model. 
     In some embodiments, server  190  further comprises a personalization database  250 . Personalization database  250  stores one or more personalization specifications  255 , which are specific to each instance of an appliance  110  and its users. Personalization specification  255  may comprise data of patterns of consumption of consumable  107  by one or more users of appliance  110 . Personalization specification  255  can specify average or expected consumption amounts of consumable  107  used for particular utilization cycles of appliance  110 . Personalization specification  255  may store patterns of consumption and ordering of consumables for appliance  110 . Personalized information may be improved by testing a number of utilizations by a user of appliance  110  monitored by appliance monitor  105 , where the user specifies how much of disposable  107  was used; either for each use or over a period of time as determined, for example, by frequency of placing orders for consumable  107 . 
     In some embodiments, server  190  further comprises a correlation module  220 . Correlation module  220  receives operational mode aggregations  215 . Correlation module  220  seeks patterns for matching an operational modes aggregation  215  with a utilization cycle specification  227  in utilization cycle database  225 . Correlation module determines the expected consumption amount of consumable  107  during the utilization cycle, either taken directly from utilization cycle specification  227  or, if available, from personalization specification  255 . 
     Correlation module  210  may conclude that a particular utilization cycle and consumption has occurred on the basis of matching one or more operational modes in aggregation  215  with operational modes specified in a utilization cycle specification  227 . 
     If a match is not found, correlation module  220  may employ statistical models to determine a utilization cycle and consumption of consumable  107 . 
     Correlation module  210  may conclude that no utilization or consumption was made, if a set of one or more operational modes is not corroborated by other operational modes expected to occur during a utilization cycle. 
     Server  190  further comprises an inventory module  230 . Inventory module  230  maintains and updates an inventory  235  of consumable  107  for said appliance  110 . Where a known consumption amount is dispensed in a single operational mode (e.g., in an example described further herein, a setting of a spring of a mousetrap is “consumed” in a single snap of the spring), operational mode reports  260  received by inventory module  230  from communication module  200  are sufficient for updating of inventory  235 . Where a utilization cycle must first be determined from operational modes before determining a consumption amount, then correlation module  220  determines consumption amount as a function of one or more aggregations  215  and a utilization cycle specification  227 , and, optionally, a personalization specification  255 . 
     After receiving a consumption amount, inventory module  230  adjusts an inventory amount  235  of consumable  107 . Inventory amount  235  can include number of unopened units of consumable  107  remaining (e.g., at a facility or home where appliance  110  is located). Inventory amount  235  can include a quantity remaining in packages already opened. 
     Based on a present inventory amount  235 , inventory module  230  may make predictions of when inventory of consumable  107  will reach zero, or a margin of surplus. Inventory module  230  may make employ personalization specification  255  of said appliance  110  to determine a rate of use and/or a desired margin of surplus of consumable. 
     As a result of a present inventory or a prediction, inventory module  230  determines a kind of service message  270 , if any, is needed. A service message  270  can be a notification to a user device  240  that stock of consumable  107  is low or depleted. A service message  270  can be an online order for a specified quantity of consumable  107  to an online store server  800 . A service message  270  can be a service request to a server  900  of an appliance service center. 
     Server  190  further comprises a service module  240 . Service module  240  receives requests from inventory module  230  to send service messages  270 . Service module  240  prepares the requested service message to the appropriate recipient. Communication module  200  receives and sends service message  270 . 
     If necessary, service module  240  monitors service requests initiated by service message  270 . For example, service module  240  may receive a message reporting that an order for consumable  170  was delivered. Service module  240  receives this message and notifies inventory module  230 , in order for inventory module  230  to update inventory amount  235  accordingly. Service module  240  may receive manual orders and cancellations from user devices  240 . Service module  240  tracks dispositions of the orders and cancellations and upon final disposition closes the order and informs inventory module  230  of the final disposition. 
     Non-limiting examples are now provided for different appliances in order to further elucidate functions and utility of the invention. 
     Coffee Machine 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2A , showing a coffee-machine monitor  310  monitoring a coffee machine  300  as part of a consumption supervision system  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Coffee-machine monitor  310  comprises an accelerometer or acoustic sensor. Coffee-machine monitor  310  measures characteristics of vibrations of coffee machine  300 , such as frequency, amplitude, and/or duration of vibration. Coffee-machine monitor  310  determines what operations of coffee machine are performed during the vibrations. Optionally, a microphone  320  can be placed near a receiving cup  330 , in order to monitor sounds of coffee pouring into cup  330 . Operations can include grinding of coffee beans and dispensing a particular quantity and type of coffee, such as espresso or cappuccino. Correlation module of server  190  can determine an amount coffee beans, ground coffee, coffee cartridges, and/or coffee additives such as milk were consumed during a series of operations in a utilization of coffee machine  300 . Inventory module  230  of server  190  can maintain an inventory of the consumables and take appropriate actions to ensure that uninterrupted supplies of the consumables will be available. Correlation module  220  and inventory module  230  can take into account patterns of how users of a particular coffee machine  300  consume and stock coffee and coffee additives. 
     Water-Bottle Cooler 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2B , showing a water-bottle cooler monitor  420  monitoring a water cooler  400  as part of a consumption supervision system  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Water-bottle cooler  400  comprises a water bottle  410  and base unit  425 . Water-bottle cooler monitor  420  is adhered base unit  425 , preferably near bottle  410 . Water-bottle cooler monitor  420  measures characteristics of vibrations of water-bottle cooler  400 , such as frequency, amplitude, and/or duration of vibration. Water-bottle cooler monitor  420  determines what operations of water-bottle cooler  400  are performed during the vibrations. Water-bottle cooler monitor may measure vibrations caused by pouring water, air bubbles rising in water bottle  410 , vibrations of machinery in base unit  425 , sound of replacement of water bottle  410 , and any combination thereof. Operations can include pouring a quantity of water and replacing water bottle  410 . Correlation module of server  190  can determine an amount of water poured and/or a replacement of water bottle  400 . Inventory module  230  of server  190  can maintain an inventory of water remaining in water bottle  410  and/or number of water bottles  410  in an inventory of water bottles  410  and take appropriate actions to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water bottles  410  will be available. Correlation module  220  and inventory module  230  can take into account patterns of how users of a particular water cooler  400  consume and stock water bottles  410 . 
     Mousetrap 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2C , showing a mousetrap monitor  505  monitoring a mousetrap  500  as part of a consumption supervision system  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Mousetrap monitor  505  comprises an accelerometer or acoustic sensor  510  and microcontroller  550 . Optionally, mousetrap monitor further comprises a motion detector  530  (for example, a passive infrared mammalian body motion sensor). Mousetrap monitor  505  is adhered to mousetrap  500 . A mousetrap  500 /mousetrap monitor  505  combination may be placed in each of a plurality of locations of a home or other facility. 
     Sensor  510  generates a signal in response to a snapping shut of a spring-bar  560  of mousetrap  500 , caused by a mouse  540  stepping on a trip  520  of mousetrap  500 . Signal of accelerometer  510  above a threshold will wake up microcontroller  550  from sleep mode, whereupon processor receives measurements from accelerometer  510  and, optionally, from motion detector  530 . Threshold may be set at or below a signal level received from accelerometer  510  from force of a kick reaction to beginning of spring-bar  560  motion. Optionally, microcontroller  550  is programmed to discern between sensor signals from a “soft” snap of spring-loaded bar  560  against mouse  540  (indicating successful trapping of mouse  540 ) and the “hard” snap of spring-bar  560  against trip  520  (indicating spring-loaded bar  560  was tripped with no mouse  540  trapped). 
     Mousetrap monitor  505  periodically reports to server  190  its status: a) the mousetrap is still open; b) a mouse is trapped in the mousetrap; and c) the mousetrap is closed with no trapped mouse. 
     A mousetrap  500 /mousetrap monitor  505  combination may be placed in each of a plurality of locations of a home or other facility. Statuses of mousetraps  500  may be stored in aggregation module  210 . When a pre-determined number of mousetraps  500  have been closed or mice  540  have been trapped, server  190  may send an alert to a computing device  240 ; for example, to notify a proprietor of the warehouse. Alternatively, or in addition, an alert is sent to a user device  240  some fixed time after a first time a mouse is trapped, in order to minimize decay odors. Alternatively, or in addition, communication module  200  of server  190  notifies an external server  900  of an extermination service that mousetraps  500  should be reset/emptied. Alternatively, or in addition, an order for more mouse bait may be placed with an online store  800 . 
     Paper Dispenser 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2D , showing a paper-dispenser monitor  605  monitoring a paper dispenser  600  as part of a consumption supervision system  100 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Paper-dispenser monitor  605  is adhered to a moveable part—in  FIG. 2D , a flap  645 —of paper dispenser  600  that is swung or moved in order to open paper dispenser  600  for filling paper dispenser  600  with a new supply of paper  615 . A sensor  620  of paper-dispenser monitor  605 , such as a magnetometer or accelerometer, is responsive to the motion. When flap  645  is opened, sensor  620  responds to motion of sensor module. Microcontroller  640  is awaken by a threshold signal of sensor  620  and receives a first response from sensor  620 . When flap  645  is closed after replacing paper  615 , microcontroller  640  receives a second response from sensor  620 . Microcontroller  640  determines that paper  615  in paper dispenser  600  was refilled. Preferably, microcontroller  140  determines a refill only if at least a minimum time required to refill dispenser  610  elapses between the first and second responses. For example, the minimum elapsed time can be set somewhere between around two seconds and around five seconds. Optionally, the minimum time can be set by a user. In some embodiments, if a second response is not received within a maximum time after a first response, microcontroller  640  will ignore the first response. Paper dispenser monitor  605  may communicate each refill to server  190 , for updating of paper inventory in inventory module. Alternatively, paper dispenser monitor  605  may record how many times paper  615  was refilled and periodically report to server  190 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , showing a flow diagram of a method  700  for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     Method  700  comprises a step of obtaining a system for automated supervision of consumption and inventory of appliance consumables  705 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of receiving, by a microcontroller of an appliance monitor of the system, a threshold output from a triggering sensor among one or more sensors of the appliance monitor disposed on or near an appliance  710 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of waking up from a sleep mode by the microcontroller upon receiving the threshold output  715 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of obtaining measurements of one or more physical properties from the one or more sensors  720 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of determining one or more operational modes of the appliance as a function of the measurements  725 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of receiving reports of the operational modes by a server of the system  730 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of storing the operational mode reports as an operational mode aggregation  735 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of storing a utilization cycle specification for one or more utilization cycles of the appliance; the utility cycle specification comprising an expected consumption amount for each of the one or more utilization cycles  740 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of matching the operational mode aggregation with one of the utilization cycles  745 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of specifying a consumption amount of the consumable associated with the utilization cycle matched to the operational mode aggregation  750 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of storing a personalization specification  755 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of specifying a personalized consumption amount  760 . 
     In some embodiments, method  700  further comprises a step of specifying a personalized rate of consumption and/or personalized surplus of the consumable  765 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of tracking an inventory amount of the consumable  770 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of updating the inventory amount by deducting a consumption amount, corresponding to the one or more operational modes, from the inventory amount  775 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of determining a need for a service message, according to the updated inventory amount  780 . 
     Method  700  further comprises a step of issuing the determined service message to a recipient  785 .