Patent Description:
Food waste is a significant problem with approximately thirty percent of food in the United States spoiling between production and consumption. Spoiled food may also need to be separated from non-spoiled food to prevent further spoilage. Therefore, there is a need to reduce food waste and identify food once it has spoiled.

<CIT> discloses a method of determining food freshness in a refrigerator using image data obtained with a camera.

<CIT> discloses a food storage unit where food spoilage is determined with a color sensor and a gas sensor.

<CIT> discloses a food apparatus for detection of food type, with a battery charged by a solar cell.

According a first aspect the invention, a food monitoring assembly according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, at least one solar cell may be in electrical communication with a battery for powering the assembly.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the color sensor may be configured to measure a wave length of light to determine the color of the food product.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the controller may include a microprocessor and memory for storing food product data.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the communicator may include a wireless connection for communicating with the remote location.

In a further embodiment, a refrigerated cooler may be in combination with the food monitor assembly, wherein the food monitor assembly may be located adjacent to the refrigerated cooler.

In a further embodiment, a food transport trailer may be combined with the food monitor assembly, wherein the food monitor assembly may be located within the food transport trailer.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of monitoring a condition of a food product according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the step of signaling to the user may include illuminating a light.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the user may be signaled if the gas emissions level is outside of a predetermined gas emissions range.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the current color of the food product may be compared with a previously measured color of the food product to determine a color change of the food product.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, a refrigerated system may be adjusted to reduce food spoilage if the color change of the food product exceeds a predetermined level.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, food product data for the food product may be accessed after the type of food product has been identified.

<FIG> illustrates a refrigerated cooler <NUM> for storing a plurality of food products <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the plurality of food products <NUM> can include produce, seafood, and/or dairy products. The refrigerated cooler <NUM> includes a cooler housing <NUM> that supports shelves <NUM> for displaying the food products <NUM> to customers, such as in a supermarket. The refrigerated cooler <NUM> also includes a refrigeration system <NUM> integrated into the cooler housing <NUM> to provide conditioned air to each of the plurality of shelves <NUM> through vents <NUM> in fluid communication with the refrigeration system <NUM> to extend a shelf life of the food products <NUM>.

Food monitors <NUM> are located on the cooler housing <NUM> adjacent the plurality of food products <NUM> with at least one food monitor <NUM> located adjacent one of the vents <NUM>. The food monitors <NUM> can identify the food product <NUM> in the vicinity of the food monitor <NUM> and then monitor a condition of the food product <NUM>.

To identify the food product <NUM> in the vicinity of the food monitor <NUM>, each of the food monitors <NUM> includes a RFID tag reader <NUM> (<FIG>) for reading a RFID tag <NUM> associated with each individual food product <NUM> or type of food product <NUM>. In one example, the RFID tag <NUM> is a sticker and is located directly on the individual food product <NUM>. In another example, the RFID tag <NUM> is located on a container <NUM> storing the food product <NUM>. Although the illustrated example only shows three food monitors <NUM> associated with each shelf <NUM>, the number of food monitors <NUM> associated with the refrigerated cooler <NUM> can vary depending on the number of different food products <NUM> stored in the refrigerated cooler <NUM> or the quantity of food products <NUM> stored in the refrigerated cooler <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of the food monitor <NUM> located on an underside of the shelf <NUM> and adjacent the food product <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the food product <NUM> includes the RFID tag <NUM> attached directly to the food product through the use of a sticker. The food monitor <NUM> is attached to an underside of the shelf <NUM>. However, the food monitor <NUM> could be located on another portion of the cooler housing <NUM> of the refrigerated cooler <NUM> that provides the food monitor <NUM> an unobstructed view of the food product <NUM>.

In the illustrated non-limiting example, the food monitor <NUM> includes a monitor housing <NUM> that is attached directed to the shelf <NUM>. The monitor housing <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> having a microprocessor <NUM> and memory <NUM> for managing operation of the food monitor <NUM>. The food monitor <NUM> can be powered in at least one of two ways. In one example, the food monitor <NUM> receives power directly from the refrigerated cooler <NUM>. In another example, the food monitor <NUM> utilizes at least one solar cell <NUM> to harvest energy from the environment surrounding the refrigerated cooler <NUM>. The energy generated from the at least one solar cell <NUM> can directly power the food monitor <NUM> or charge a battery <NUM> in electrical communication with the at least one solar cell <NUM>. The battery <NUM> allows the food monitor <NUM> to continue operating when the at least one solar cell <NUM> is not generating enough power such as during night time operations.

The food monitor <NUM> also includes the RFID tag reader <NUM> in electrical communication with the controller <NUM> for identifying the food product <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can access food product data stored in the memory <NUM> to determine an appropriate color range and pesticide level for the food product <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can access data stored remotely, such as cloud data <NUM> stored in the cloud, through a communicator <NUM> having an antenna <NUM> through a Bluetooth or other wireless connection. Alternatively, the communicator <NUM> can be hard wired into a network for accessing the food product data stored remotely.

Once the food monitor <NUM> has identified the adjacent food product <NUM> and accessed the associated food product data, the food monitor <NUM> can measure a current color of the adjacent food product <NUM> with a color sensor <NUM>. The color sensor <NUM> is configured to measure a wave length of light reflected off of the food product to determine the current color of the adjacent food product <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can compare the current color of the food product <NUM> with a previously measured color of the food product <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and with an acceptable food product color range stored in the memory <NUM> to determine a condition of the food product <NUM>. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> can compare the current color of the food product <NUM> with a previously measured color of the food product stored in the cloud data <NUM> and with an acceptable food product color range stored in the cloud.

The food monitor <NUM> also includes a biosensor <NUM> for measuring gas emissions from the food products <NUM> and/or determining a pesticide level associated with the food product <NUM>. The biosensor <NUM> includes at least one chemical sensor for measuring food product gas emissions and pesticide levels. The at least one chemical sensor includes a reactive bio-component element 38A, a sensor element 38B, and an interface element 38C disposed there between. The bio-component element 38A includes a bio-agent, such as bioactive species or biomimetic species, selected to interact specifically with a particular analyte to be sensed. The bio-agent, typically through a biochemical process, acts to bind or convert the analyte into a measurable component. The bio-component element 38A used in the illustrated example includes biological species such as enzymes, antigens, antibodies, receptors, tissues, whole cells, cell organelles, bacteria, and nucleic acids.

The sensor element 38B includes a physical component operative to generate a measurable output, usually an electrical or optical signal, indicative of the presence of the analyte and, in certain instances, the actual amount of the analyte that is received by the controller <NUM>. The sensor element 38B includes at least one of an electrochemical device, an optical device, an acoustical device, or a calorimetric device.

The interface element 38C includes a membrane or coating that separates the sensor element 38B from the bio-component element 38A and serves as a link between the elements. In the illustrated example, the interface element 38C includes at least one of a polymer membrane, an electropolymerized coating, or a self-assembling monomers.

The biosensor <NUM> can monitor gas emissions from the food products <NUM> in the vicinity. Alternatively, the food monitor <NUM> can be located adjacent one of the vents <NUM> to determine if one of the food products <NUM> somewhere associated with the refrigerated cooler <NUM> is spoiling. The food monitor <NUM> sends a notification to a user regarding a possible food spoilage issue and directs the refrigeration system <NUM> to operate at a lower temperature to decrease the rate of spoilage or prevent the spoilage of the food products <NUM> from spreading. Alternatively, the food monitor <NUM> can illuminate a light <NUM> to indicate an undesirable condition of the food product <NUM>. For example, the light <NUM> can illuminate red if risk of food spoilage is present or illuminate green if no risk is identified for spoilage.

It is also possible that the food products <NUM> may not be fit for consumption due to unacceptable levels of pesticides present with the food products <NUM>. If the food monitor <NUM> determines that the food products <NUM> include an unacceptable level of pesticides, the food monitor <NUM> sends a notification to the user, such as a seller of the food products <NUM>, of the possibility of pesticide contamination. The notification can be sent through the communicator <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> to the user or the food monitor <NUM> can illuminate the light <NUM> to indicate that the particular food product <NUM> is not fit for consumption. For example, the light <NUM> can illuminate red to indicate that the food product <NUM> is not acceptable for consumption or the light <NUM> can illuminate green to indicate that the food product <NUM> is acceptable for consumption.

<FIG> illustrates an example refrigerated container <NUM> including multiple individual compartments <NUM> separated by divider walls <NUM> to allow the food products <NUM> to be stored at different temperatures. Each of the individual compartments <NUM> include at least one food monitor <NUM> that operates in a similar manner as the food monitors <NUM> described above with respect to the refrigerated cooler <NUM>.

In particular, the food monitor <NUM> can use the color sensor <NUM> and biosensor <NUM> to monitor a condition of the food products <NUM> in each of the individual compartments <NUM> and communicate the condition of the food products <NUM> to the user as described above. However, because the individual compartments <NUM> rely on a greater degree of air circulation than the refrigerated cooler <NUM> above, positioning one of the food monitors <NUM> adjacent a vent <NUM> may be more effective in capturing the circulation of gas emissions from spoiling food. Additionally, the at least one solar cell <NUM> on the food monitor <NUM> may be less effective for the refrigerated container <NUM> because the individual compartments <NUM> for the refrigerated container <NUM> have less light exposure than the refrigerated cooler <NUM> described above.

The food monitors <NUM> in the refrigerated container <NUM> can work in conjunction with refrigeration systems <NUM> to adjust a temperature for the individual compartments <NUM>. By adjusting the temperature for the individual compartments <NUM> separately and based on information obtained from the food monitors <NUM> regarding the condition of the food products <NUM> located within the individual compartments <NUM>, the food products <NUM> stay fresh for longer periods of time, which reduces waste of the food products <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a method of operating the food monitors <NUM> with either the refrigerated cooler <NUM> or the refrigerated container <NUM> to extend the freshness of the food products <NUM> and reduce waste. The food monitor <NUM> initially identifies the food product <NUM> located in the vicinity of the food monitor <NUM> through the use of the RFID tag reader <NUM>. Block <NUM>. Once the RFID tag reader <NUM> has identified the specific food product <NUM> associated with the RFID tag <NUM>, the food monitor <NUM> is able to access food product data for the specific food product <NUM>. The food product data can either be stored in the memory <NUM> in the food monitor <NUM> or accessed remotely by the food monitor <NUM>, such as by accessing the cloud data <NUM>.

Once the food monitor has identified the specific type of the food product <NUM> and accessed the associated food product data, the food monitor <NUM> measures a pesticide level associated with the food product <NUM> with the biosensor <NUM>. Block <NUM>. The food monitor <NUM> then determines if the measured pesticide level for the particular food product <NUM> is below a predetermined safe pesticide level for the food product <NUM>. Block <NUM>. If the measured pesticide level for the food product <NUM> exceeds the predetermined safe pesticide level, the food monitor <NUM> notifies the user of the possibility of pesticide contamination of the food product <NUM>. Block <NUM>.

If the pesticide level is below the predetermined safe pesticide level, the food monitor <NUM> will then determine a current food color for the food product <NUM> with the color sensor <NUM>. Block <NUM>. The current food color is then stored in at least one of the memory <NUM> or the cloud data <NUM> for analyzing changes in the food products <NUM>. Block <NUM>.

The food monitor <NUM> then determines if the current food color is within an acceptable food color range for the particular food product <NUM>. Block <NUM>. If the current food color is not within the acceptable food color range, the food monitor <NUM> notifies the user of the possibility of spoiled food products <NUM>. Block <NUM>.

The food monitor <NUM> then determines a change in color for the food product by comparing the current food color with a previously measured food color stored in the cloud data <NUM> or the memory <NUM>. The food monitor <NUM> can communicate with the refrigeration system <NUM>, <NUM> to adjust the temperature in the vicinity of the food products <NUM> to extend the life of the food product <NUM> if the change in color between the current food color and the previously measured food color is larger than a predetermined valve. Block <NUM>.

The food monitor <NUM> also measures for the presence of a gas emission indicative of the food product <NUM> spoiling in the vicinity of the food monitor <NUM> and if the gas emission level exceeds a predetermined level. Block <NUM>. If the measured gas emission level exceeds the predetermined level, the food monitor <NUM> notifies the user of the possibility of food product <NUM> spoilage. Block <NUM>. The food monitor <NUM> can communicate with the refrigeration system <NUM>, <NUM> to adjust the temperature in the vicinity of the food products <NUM> to extend the life of the food product <NUM> if the gas emission level exceeds the predetermined level.

If the biosensor <NUM> does not identify gas emissions beyond the acceptable emissions level, the method <NUM> returns to block <NUM> and will determine a new current food color for the food product <NUM> with the color sensor <NUM> and will repeat the above described comparisons to monitor for the food products <NUM> spoiling.

Claim 1:
A food monitoring assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a color sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure a color of a food product (<NUM>);
a RFID tag reader (<NUM>) configured to identify a RFID tag (<NUM>) on the food product (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) in electrical communication with the color sensor (<NUM>) and the RFID tag reader (<NUM>) and configured to identify a type of the food product (<NUM>) based on data from the RFID tag reader (<NUM>); and
a communicator (<NUM>) in electrical communication with the controller (<NUM>) for communication with a remote location,
characterised in that the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
determine an acceptable color range for the food product (<NUM>) based on the identification of the type of the food product (<NUM>); and
determine if a current color of the food product (<NUM>) measured by the color sensor is within the acceptable color range.