Patent Description:
It is well understood that various types of solids may be carried within containers, and may be dispensed over extended time periods in discreet quantities from such containers, such as in servings or doses. In general, the solids placed ultimately placed within the container may be tracked, in bulk, prior to delivery to or purchase by the ultimate consumer. For example, bulk tracking may be performed on farmed goods as they are farmed, and as they are shipped for distribution; warehoused solids may be tracked by production date, such as by UPC code or the like, and/or such as by warehoused pallet, and so on; once the goods reach a sales center, such as a grocery store, they may be tracked, such as by UPC code or the like, from an inventory perspective; but, once the solids reach the consumer and are placed into a container, such as for consumption, or consumed from a purchased container, there are no longer readily available tracking methodologies at present.

Thus, in embodiments such as the aforementioned, it is often the case that the only way for a user/consumer to monitor how much remains in the container is to periodically shake, lift, or otherwise manipulate the container to allow for a qualified guess by the user as to how much remains therein. Further, there is historically no methodology whereby proper dosing for use of the solid in a container may be readily assessed. Yet further, there is presently no mechanism whereby a seller of a solid can assess a consumer's need for additional solids.

For instance, <CIT>discloses a level sensor system including a level sensor label configured to be associated with a container containing a material whose level is to be sensed. Furthermore, <CIT> is directed to an inventory management device to monitor a volume of a material in a container and including a capacitive level sensor. Furthermore, <CIT> is directed to a device for monitoring the consumable levels in a storage container. <CIT>is directed to a device for the determination of an amount of material in a plastic container including a plurality of light sensors, and <CIT> relates to a digital level sensor assembly for bulk chemical refill delivery systems including a control unit.

Therefore, the need exists for a system of monitoring solid levels within a container, of dosing a solid within a container, and of automatically indicating (herein referred to as "autoreplenishment"), such as to at least one of a consumer and a seller, when the need for additional solid and/or a container thereof occurs.

The embodiments are and include a system providing a consumable level monitor for association with a solid content-filled consumable. The embodiments include a sensing module embedded in a label associated with the consumable suitable to sense the consumable level; a visual indicator suitable to receive the consumable level from the sensing module, and for communicating the consumable level to a user; and a dispensing base for accommodating the consumable, wherein the sensing module is embedded in a label associated with the consumable and comprises a plurality of sensors at various volume levels of the content-filled consumable, and the plurality of sensors includes a light sensor, and wherein the visual indicator is provided in the dispensing base.

The visual indicator may be a color changing indicator.

The sensing module may be a passive sensing module. Alternatively, the sensing module may be an active sensing module.

Preferably, the sensing module is provided on an outside aspect of the label. The label may further comprise an electronic communication module. The communication module may comprise a processor.

The plurality of sensors may comprise a plurality of photo conductive material sensors.

The plurality of sensors may comprise photoresistors.

The plurality of sensors may vary with the uniformity of the contents.

Preferably, a dispensing base is provided for electrical association with the label.

Preferably, the sensing module is, in part, in the dispensing base, and, in part, in the label.

Preferably, the dispensing base includes a dispenser in physical communication with the solid content and capable of dispensing the content from the consumable to modify the content level.

The dispenser may comprise one of a crank, a spout, or a spigot.

Preferably, a power module is provided for powering at least the sensing module.

Preferably, the communication to the user comprises a display over at least one network.

Preferably, the sensing module comprises firmware for converting signals associated with the content level.

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:.

The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical similar devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. But because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

Processor-implemented modules, systems and methods of use are disclosed herein that may provide networked access to a plurality of types of digital content, including but not limited to video, image, text, audio, metadata, algorithms, interactive and document content, and which track, deliver, manipulate, transform and report the accessed content. Described embodiments of these modules, systems and methods are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. As such, it is contemplated that the herein described systems and methods may be adapted and may be extended to provide enhancements and/or additions to the exemplary modules, systems and methods described. The disclosure is thus intended to include all such extensions.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the term "module" as used herein does not limit the functionality to particular physical modules, but may include any number of tangibly-embodied software and/or hardware components having a transformative effect on at least a portion of a system. In general, a computer program product in accordance with one embodiment comprises a tangible computer usable medium (e.g., standard RAM, an optical disc, a USB drive, or the like) having computer-readable program code embodied therein, wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed by a processor (which may work in connection with an operating system) to implement one or more functions and methods as described below. In this regard, the program code may be implemented in any desired language, and may be implemented as machine code, assembly code, byte code, interpretable source code or the like (e.g., via C, C++, C#, Java, Actionscript, Objective-C, Javascript, CSS, XML, etc.).

Examples not according to the claimed invention may include a solids level monitoring apparatus, system, and method, as well as an auto replenishment apparatus, system, and method for solids typically within a container, for which monitoring of the level of those solids has not historically occurred. Examples not according to the claimed invention may include a stand-alone base that is distinct from the one or more containers, and which may include one or more printed circuit boards, firmware, network communication capabilities, user interfaces and indicators, provided power, and/or a dispenser for dispensing solids from a container associated with the base. The examples of the base may be associated with one or more types of containers, such as may be formed of plastic, cardboard, or glass, and may extend upward into contact, in part or in whole, with one or more aspects of the container placed into the base, such that the container is brought into contact with aspects of the base in order that the functionality discussed herein may be provided. Of note, the container may have associated there with one or more aspects, such as electronic labels, to provide the functionality herein, either discretely or in conjunction with the encompassing and electronic aspects of the base, as described throughout.

Further, included in examples not according to the claimed invention may be: cloud based storage and communication with one or more of the bases; one or more smartphone apps for communication with the one or more bases and/or the cloud based communication site; and an analytics dashboard, which may be app and/or web-based, such as may be used by a consumer or seller of the solids. As used herein, a "solids level" monitored in the disclosed apparatuses, systems and methods is indicative of the amount of solids consumed from or remaining in a container associated with aspects of the embodiments; a "dose" is an amount of solid dispensed for a given purpose, such as to be eaten or for medicinal purposes; and an "auto replenishment" is that which may occur when the level in a container reaches a point at which a reorder is required.

In accordance with the foregoing, the embodiments provide the tracking of solids upon use of the solids from a container. This tracking may allow for reordering of the solids in a container, tracking of individual doses of the solids upon use, tracking of the unused portions of a solid after dosing, and/or bulk tracking of the solids, by way of non-limiting example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, tracking of the solids may be performed while the solids reside in a container. The container may be a container <NUM> in which the solids <NUM> were purchased in the example of <FIG>, although other containers may be employed as discussed throughout. The container may include one or more active or passive capabilities for sensing <NUM> of the contents of the container, and/or sensing of doses dispensed from the container. By way of non-limiting example, the container may be a cereal box and hence the contents may be cereal, and additionally the active or passive sensing aspect may be one or more smart labels placed upon the cereal box.

The sensing employed herein is embodied by photo conductive material sensors, which may be printed around at least a portion of the label of the container. Thereby, as portions of the label are uncovered, i.e., as the amount of solids within the container decreases, the photo conductive material senses the additional light that now hits the photo conductive label sensor. Thereby, the level of solids is sensed as indicated by the light received by the photo conductive label.

Of course, other types of light sensing may be employed as well. According to further embodiments, which are not part of the present inventive concept, a variety of other sensing methodologies may be employed, such as, but not limited to, infrared, ultrasound, proximity sensing, derivative sensing, weight sensing, sound sensing, or resistance/conductance sensing, by way of non-limiting example. Needless to say, one or more of the foregoing sensing methodologies may vary in the uniformity of the sensing output, such as in accordance with the type of bulk solid <NUM> item placed within the container. Therefore, adjustments may be necessary in the type of sensing used, and/or in the processing of the sensor output, in order to properly sense different types of bulk items.

In accordance with the foregoing, the sensor output may be active or passive, as discussed. In either case, the output of the sensor must be provided to a processing system <NUM>. This may be done by any of a variety of methods. For example, a highly simplistic processor may be included on the container in association with the sensor. In such cases, the processor may include some wireless communication capabilities, such as RF, infrared, blue tooth, Wi-Fi, or the like, or communication with the processing chip may occur based on an active external interrogation of the processing chip. Alternatively, the one or more processors may be off-container, and hence may form part of a system that actively interrogates the container to obtain the requisite sensing output, as is also discussed further hereinbelow with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which either a container <NUM> is placed into a dispensing base unit <NUM>, or the bulk solids <NUM> to be sensed are dispensed into a container physically associated with a dispensing unit. As such, the cereal dispensing unit may include a container, or may encompass a container placed therein, in whole or in part.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, and as discussed above with respect to <FIG>, the sensing capabilities <NUM> may be provided on a container placed into the dispensing unit. Additionally and alternatively, the sensing may be provided in association with the container of the dispensing unit, or in association with the dispensing unit itself, such as wherein the sides of the dispensing unit rise a substantial amount up to encompass a container placed therein and allow association of sensing capabilities placed within the dispensing unit with a container placed therein. Likewise, the processing discussed above with respect to <FIG> and/or the external communications discussed above with respect to <FIG> may be provided in the dispenser unit of <FIG>. As is the case with the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, after processing the sensed information may be wired or wirelessly communicated to one or more information processing systems, such as telephonic or desktop applications, suitable to convey information regarding the need to replenish or the state of dispensing of the solids associated with the container. This communication may occur directly with a proximate device <NUM>, or may occur remotely, such as via the internet, cloud communications, the cellular network, or the like.

The dispensing base may include a dispenser <NUM>, such as a crank, spout with spigot, or the like, for the dispensing of the solids from the container received into the base. The dispenser base and the dispenser may be, by way of non-limiting example, plastic in composition, and/or may be substantially injection molded, such as with one or more actuation elements, such as a handle, switch, button, or the like.

The base may include one or more indicator LEDs <NUM> to indicate dosage and auto replenishment; one or more network communication capable modules, such as for communicating with a smart phone, local area network, cellular network, or the like; one or more power modules to provide power to the base modules, and which may include batteries that may be permanent/semipermanent (i.e., rechargeable) or replaceable; and or other optional elements, such as one or more audio alarms to support or replace the LED indicators of correct dosage or auto replenishment.

Further included may be firmware and software to provide the functionality discussed throughout. For example, firmware may sense the solids level based on the intercommunication of the sensing and the processing, and may use this information to indicate dosing or auto replenishment. Likewise, dosing, and/or auto replenishment, may be information provided remotely from cloud-based algorithms, such as to the firmware of the base.

As referenced, the disclosed communication capabilities may include communication with one or more smartphone apps <NUM> having user information associated therewith, and which may receive user feedback regarding levels, dosing, auto replenishments, and so on. Such a smart phone app may communicate with the base via, for example, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, or cellular communication methodologies, and further, the firmware of the base may be suitable to batch information and data and/or otherwise piggyback to a smart phone having resident thereon the referenced app.

Further, a cloud-based backend <NUM> may store and serve received data to and from the aforementioned app, and to or from one or more web-based or app-based dashboards. Some or all of the additional processing discussed throughout may be performed at the cloud based backend, such as alerts or email confirmations in the circumstances of auto replenishment, such as instead of drawing on the limited resources of the dispensing base's firmware or processors.

As used herein, the disclosed system may include two aspects, as discussed throughout. More particularly, the first aspect may be a "consumable", such as the food container discussed above with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, which may include a disposable good comprised of a package which includes therein a solid or liquid for consumption by user. The consumable may be rigid or flexible, and may be or include, by way of non-limiting example, a bottle, cartridge, bag, jar, such as with a closure, a disposable dispenser, a box, such as may be formed of cardboard, or the like.

Also included within the system may be a durable aspect such as the aforementioned dispensing unit <NUM>, by way of example, such as may be physically and/or communicatively associated with a consumable. The durable may, as referenced above, also include communication capabilities to back-end <NUM>, as discussed above. Unlike the consumable, the durable aspect may have a usable life that spans the exhaustion of a plurality of consumables, such as over a predetermined time period, such as over the course of a month, a year, or the like.

As discussed throughout, the automatic reordering envisioned herein may reflect a need to reorder not only a consumable, but additionally a durable aspect of the disclosed system. By way of non-limiting example, durable and consumable pairs may include: razors and razor blades; a soap dispenser and a soap or shampoo bottle; a hand soap dispenser and a refill soap bag; a cereal box and a turning crank cereal dispenser; a printer and an ink cartridge; a disposable detergent bottle and an ergonomic spicket dispenser; a spice rack and a spice bottle; a centrifuge and a vial of bodily fluid; and a coffee machine and coffee, tea, or other beverage pods.

In prior efforts, the smart label of a consumable has been read by a durable with which the consumable is paired solely in order to identify the consumable. That is, a consumable may typically be associated with and RFID or NFC Tag, a Q. code, a barcode, a UPC code, or the like, which, when read by a paired durable, serves merely to identify the consumable. In contrast, the proposed embodiments may, embed semi-smart and smart labels on or in the consumables such that a wealth of information beyond identification may be sensed or otherwise conveyed to and by the paired durable, such as exclusively and only upon pairing of the consumable with the durable. That is, the durable may include a plurality of conventional electronics designed to sense/read the detailed consumable information provided by the semi-smart label of the consumable. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments may provide functionality beyond mere identification, and may provide significant cost advantages over RFID, NFC, or optical reading methods previously provided for the consumable and durable pair.

Such functionality may be provided, such as only upon pairing of the consumable with the durable, by any of a variety of methods that will be understood to the skilled artisan in light of the discussion herein. For example, discussed throughout are capacitive proximity sensing, light sensing (such as using photo resistive sensors), and conductivity or resistivity sensing (wherein electrically unconnected portions of the system are subsequently connected to indicate a content level) to provide content identification for consumable items.

By way of non-limiting example, <FIG> illustrates the use of photo resistance to provide content sensing. In the embodiment illustrated, a photo resistive element <NUM> for use on a photoresistive label, such as that illustrated in <FIG>, is comprised of an anode and cathode connective points 301a, 302b. A photoresistive label <NUM> may include effective photoresistive elements <NUM> to provide a sensing circuit, such as may be formed of a conductive trace <NUM> communicatively associated with a photo resistive trace <NUM>. As will be understood, conductive trace <NUM> may be silver based, and the photo resistive trace may be a printed zinc oxide based ink, by way of non-limiting example. The anode and cathode provided by the connectively associated traces provide a sensing circuit <NUM> which, upon variations in the level of product that blocks the photo resistive trace <NUM>, indicates a level of the contents associated with the photo resistive label <NUM>.

Additionally, and alternatively, <FIG> illustrates the use of a commoditized series of individual photo resistors <NUM>, which also may be comprised of a photo resistive film <NUM>, such as cadmium sulfide, provided between electrical contacts, wherein a series of such photo resistors <NUM> may be placed along a conductive strip <NUM> to provide similar functionality to the photo resistive printed label of <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate, schematically, and graphically, variations in content level that may be sentenced based on the progressive exposure of photo resistors. Of note, the illustrated photo resistors may comprise a strip of individual photo resistors, as discussed with respect to <FIG>, or may comprise a printed trace photo resistive label, such as is discussed with respect to <FIG>.

In the illustration of <FIG>, as the product content level <NUM> drops, more photo resistive sensors are exposed and the resistance of the circuit drops. This is also graphically illustrated in correspondence to the change in level sensing by the resistance graph shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In such embodiments, level sensing occurs at discrete levels correspondent to the presence of each individual photo resistor along the strip in <FIG>, or improved and substantially continuous resolution may be achieved by using the photo resistors strip of <FIG>.

More particularly, <FIG> illustrates, schematically and graphically, the level sentencing with the use of a photo resistive printed trace <NUM>. As shown in the illustration of <FIG>, the photo resistive strip may be printed to cover the full height of the container/consumable <NUM>. As the content level within the container <NUM> drops, the exposure locations along the strip increase and the resistance accordingly drops in a manner akin to that discussed above with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. However, in contrast to <FIG>, the embodiment of <FIG> provides continuous level sensing and a linear drop in resistance, as is illustrated graphically, in correspondence with the change in container levels. Moreover, the resistance of the overall circuit may be modified by changing the thickness of the ink layer and or the width of the print of the photo resistive strip <NUM>. Thereby, the range and/or resolution of the photo resistive sensing circuit may be modified or calibrated for different contents that may reside within the container <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments may also work for liquids having a certain opacity, as well as for bulk solids sensing discussed throughout. That is, provided herein is an inexpensive method to continuously detect change in product level by sensing a change in resistance for solids or liquids.

It will be understood that the durable discussed throughout may be generic or proprietary. That is, a proprietary durable may be operable only with a particular brand of consumables, and hence other brands of the same type of consumable will not operate with the proprietary durable. Modification of the aspects discussed herein, such as customization in aspects of a printed photo resistive label, may make it difficult to genericize a proprietary durable. Thereby, a proprietary durable may enhance brand loyalty for certain categories of consumables.

More particularly, <FIG> illustrates the association of a durable <NUM> and consumable <NUM>, such as for a proprietary durable. As illustrated, both a sensing circuit <NUM> and motherboard <NUM> may be provided in the durable, but may not be connected to one another. The printed traces <NUM>, such as photo resistive label traces, on the consumable <NUM> may connect the sensing circuit <NUM> and the motherboard <NUM> within the durable <NUM> only when the consumable <NUM> is placed within the durable. Thereafter, level sensing of the product within the consumable <NUM> may be performed as discussed throughout, such as based on the resistance of the consumable as sensed by the sensor and motherboard of the durable. As referenced above, the durable may thus be generic, or may include proprietary modifications, such as to the sensing circuit, the motherboard, the communication protocols between the sensing circuit on the motherboard, the type, size or makeup of the conductive traces, the printing label printing methods, and so on.

<FIG> illustrate a resistance-based product identification that may be provided in accordance with the embodiments. Each consumable label <NUM> may be printed with a resistive trace <NUM>, such as a polymer resistive material. The value of the resistive trace may be unique for each product identification, as shown.

The durable <NUM> may then have slots <NUM> connectively associated with power <NUM> and the input-output of one or more analog to digital convertors <NUM> associated with a microprocessor <NUM>, such as to identify the different resistance values of the resistive trace <NUM> associated with a consumable placed within the slot <NUM>. Thereby, if multiple consumable items may be used in a single durable, the resistive sensing identifies which consumable was used. If multiple consumables may be simultaneously placed within the durable at multiple slots at the same time, the disclosed embodiment may identify which consumable is in which slot. It will be appreciated that the variations in resistance of the resistive trace may be provided by any known methods, such as variations in the shape, length, thickness, or type, such as the polymer composition, of the trace used.

In relation to the proprietary or non-proprietary nature of the durables as discussed above, the aforementioned dashboard may be associated with one or more sellers or brands of the referenced solids. In such circumstances, an analytics dashboard may be available to the brand for user and use data indicative of certain geography use, global use, use at times of the day, use by demographic area, or the like. This and additional information provided at the dashboard may allow for a brand to target or otherwise send special offers, discount codes, or the like to particular users, such as high-volume users.

Dose size may be set up using the app or a web-based application, such as in small, medium, and large, increments, and those increments may be particularly associated, such as by a manufacturer's specifications. Alternatively, dosing may be hard coded into the firmware, such as for a given container size typically received by the base. Needless to say, dosing sizes may serve as portion control for solids that are eaten.

Moreover, the firmware, such as absent intercommunication with the cloud or in association with cloud communication, may indicate and/or otherwise trigger an autoreplenishment event. This auto replenishment may be automatic or semi-automatic--a semi-automatic autoreplenishment event may show a confirmation dialogue or other alert to the user, such as in the app, which may allow for the user to cancel or confirm the order; or, the auto replenishment order may be fully automated. An autoreplenishment event may be communicated to the referenced cloud backend, such as subject to an additional confirmation, such as by an app alert or an email, to the ordering consumer. Further, such an auto replenishment event may contribute to the data that may be provided to a brand, such as on the brand dashboard. Data associated with an autoreplenishment may include date, time, location, and/or user ID of the app associated with the auto replenishment, percent level for replenishment (which may be automatic as an autoreplenishment threshold, or which may be set by the user), product SKU, or the like.

Functionality for the cloud may include storage of level updates, dosage events, and auto replenishment events, by way of example. Further, cloud functionality may include user activity data, interactivity, reset capability, and the like. Decisions, such as the reaching of thresholds for discounts, may optionally occur in the cloud, and the brand dashboard may be enabled to approve such discounts to send, such as for receipt by the consumer app, discount codes and/or other targeted advertising to select consumers. Select consumers may be particular consumers meeting certain data thresholds, classes of consumers, app profile information, or the like.

Auto replenishment events available in the dashboard may be provided in list, mapped, or threshold formats, by way of non-limiting example. Accessing an auto replenishment event may open a particular consumer profile, and may make available to the dashboard all data associated with that profile. Such data, which may be in a map form as referenced above, may include latitude, longitude, location, distance from nearest seller of the brand, use date, use time, percent solids level, machine used with, and/or the like. Also included in the brand dashboard data may be typical frequency of use, recent frequency of use, time since last use, and so on.

In accordance with the foregoing, the user app may additionally include various aspects. For example, the smart phone at may be enabled to discover and pair with the firmware of the dispensing base, such as when the base is activated or on, as mentioned above. The smart phone app may display autoreplenishment requests or confirmation, such as in a user dialogue format. Further, the smart phone app may display a current solids level, and the frequency of updates for the solids level. Also indicated may be proper dosing for that solid and the ability for the user to request dosing.

The app may additionally include the capability to receive discounts and targeted advertising, such as from the brand dashboard. These may be in the form of a push notification or a user dialogue that provides an app alert to accept and/or apply the discount code, such as wherein the discount code may be saved for the next order or applied to a current order. Of course, the app may include the ability to change any one or more of the foregoing settings or any additional settings, such as autoreplenishment settings, such as wherein the level percentage threshold may be varied for an autoreplenishment indication. The foregoing may be available from a drop-down or similar menu, a pop-up window, or via any known user interaction, by way of example.

The dashboard referenced herein may additionally include particular aspects. For example, the dashboard may include autoreplenishment event data, particular user information, location-based information, and the like. Further, the dashboard may integrate third-party data, such as weather data, to allow for data fusion between sensed data and publicly available data sources, such as in order to optimize sales.

The dashboard may also include one or more search capabilities. That is, a dashboard user may search for particular data across one or more users, such as "frequent users", "fading users" (i.e., a list of users whose frequency of use has fallen relative to long-term usage), certain geographic searches, usage associated with certain events (such as snowstorms), and the like. Responsive to the search, and otherwise available from within the dashboard, may be a consumer data display. That is, dashboard events, such as autoreplenishment events, may include drill down capabilities to obtain more detail on particular consumers. The drill down may include basic information, such as delivery address or locale, and more particular information, such as dosing events or solids levels over time.

The dashboard requirements may additionally include an ability to design marketing campaigns and/or discount codes. For example, discount codes may be provided based on the meeting of certain thresholds by certain data of consumers. Thereby, the discount codes may be automatically generated upon the trigger event for one or more consumers, or may be "hard entered" by a person controlling the dashboard. Moreover, the foregoing aspects may overlap, such as wherein discount codes are readily executed, such as responsive to a single click, to all consumers that have been returned responsive to an entered search within the dashboard.

Additional functional requirements may include those of the cloud based backend. The cloud based backend may store data, including autoreplenishment events, dosing events, and solids level events, by way of example, and may be suitable to serve that data back to the smart phone app and/or to the dashboard as needed. Further, certain of the decision-making algorithms discussed herein throughout may also reside at the cloud based backend, such as rather than residing in a smart phone app or in association with the dashboard.

<FIG> illustrates a system <NUM> in which the dashboard <NUM> and/or smartphone app <NUM> housing the code to implement the method(s) discussed herein throughout may be included. As shown, a container <NUM> having associated there with sensors <NUM> is inserted into a smart dispensing base <NUM>. The illustrated dispensing base is then suitable to communicate with a smartphone app to exchange the information discussed throughout. The smartphone app may then communicate with the cloud <NUM>, although it should be noted that the smart dispenser may additionally or alternatively communicate directly with the cloud <NUM>, such as via a Wi-Fi network. The cloud based backend <NUM> may then communicate with the smartphone app <NUM> and with the brand dashboard <NUM>, as discussed herein throughout.

Claim 1:
A consumable level monitoring system (<NUM>) for association with a solid content-filled consumable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a sensing module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) suitable to sense the consumable level (<NUM>), wherein the sensing module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a plurality of sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at various volume levels of the content-filled consumable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and the plurality of sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise light sensors; and
characterized in that the system (<NUM>) further comprises:
a visual indicator (<NUM>) suitable to receive the consumable level (<NUM>) from the sensing module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and for communicating the consumable level (<NUM>) to a user, and
a dispensing base (<NUM>, <NUM>) for accommodating the consumable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>)
wherein the sensing module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is embedded in a label (<NUM>) associated with the consumable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
wherein the visual indicator (<NUM>) is provided in the dispensing base (<NUM>, <NUM>).