Patent Description:
Electronic circuits are generally mounted on items for providing various functionalities to the items. An electronic circuit comprises one or more sensors, communication modules, location modules and other components. An electronic circuit is powered by a battery and as it operates, till the battery gets drained. For instance, an electronic circuit may consume power from the battery while performing data transmission or while processing data. Hence a battery associated with an electronic circuit has a limited life span and can only be used until it is not depleted. After the battery gets consumed or exhausted, items cannot perform any operation, thus making them non-operational. Currently, there are solutions available to save power of a battery and to prevent an item from becoming non-operational due to lack of power in a battery. However, such solutions fail to provide an effective approach to preserve power of a battery or to prevent electronic circuits with items from becoming non-operational.

In view of the afore-mentioned problems in the existing solutions, there is a need of an efficient and effective system and a method for preserving power of a battery associated with an item. There is also a need to extend life of a battery by saving power. There is also a requirement for preventing electronic circuits associated with an item from becoming non-operational due to lack of power in a battery. In order to solve problems in the existing solutions, a system and a method are disclosed.

<CIT> discloses a collaborative method for a node including forming a local network with at least one other node using a lower power subsystem; selecting a master node based on a first set of criteria; and communicating with a back end server using a higher power subsystem.

"<NPL> et al. discloses a new technique to design energy-efficient large-scale tracking systems based on mobile clustering. The new technique optimizes the formation of mobile clusters to minimize energy consumption in large-scale tracking systems
<CIT> discloses a multi-antenna container node methods and systems. The container node's controller may generate a location control message related to the package ID node and send it to one of the node's transceivers. The controller determines a location of the package ID node relative to the logistics container based upon the detected reception information.

According to a first aspect of the invention a system for saving power of a battery associated with item/s is provided. The system comprises a container, one or more items placed inside the container and a server. The container comprises a beacon adapted to broadcast a signal inside the container. The one or more items placed inside the container comprise a location detection module adapted to determine a location based on the signal received from the beacon. The one or more items also comprise a battery level determination module adapted to determine a charged status of a battery associated with each of the one or more items and a transmitter adapted to transmit the location and the charged status of the battery associated with each of the one or more items to the server. The server comprises a receiver adapted to receive the location and the charged status of the battery associated with each of the one or more items from the transmitter of the one or more items. The server further comprises a clustering unit adapted to assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items based on the location of each of the one or more items and a processor adapted to identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. The server also comprises a transmitter adapted to transmit a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container for the group of items in the cluster and the receiver further adapted to receive a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message. The signal from the beacon is utilized to determine: a first factor related to a height of each of the one or more items from bottom of the container; a second factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and a top wall of the container; and a third factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and the beacon in the container.

The location detection module may be adapted to determine the location of each of the one or more items in the container based on an angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon.

The clustering unit may be adapted to assign a same cluster to a group of items when a first factor, a second factor and a third factor of the one or more items fall within a threshold value.

The processor may be adapted to identify the master item by ranking the group of items in the cluster based on a charged status of a battery associated with each item in the cluster. Further, the master item is ranked higher than other items in the cluster.

The charged status of a battery associated with the master item may be higher than each of charged status of a battery associated with other items in the cluster.

The master item may transmit the sensed parameter to the server on behalf of other items in the cluster.

Each of the group of items in the cluster may act in a pre-defined behavior.

The master item may collect sensed parameter from other items in the cluster and transmit the sensed parameter to the server when the other items in the cluster do not act in a pre-defined behavior.

The parameter may comprise a temperature parameter, a humidity parameter, a fire parameter, or a gas parameter.

According to another aspect of the invention a method for saving power of a battery associated with item/s is provided. The method comprises steps of receiving a location and a charged status of a battery associated with each of one or more items placed inside a container. The method further comprises assigning a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items based on the location of each of the one or more items and identifying a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. The method also comprises transmitting a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container for the group of items in the cluster and receiving a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message. The method comprises utilizing a signal from a beacon of the container to determine: a first factor related to a height of each of the one or more items from bottom of the container; a second factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and a top wall of the container; and a third factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and the beacon in the container.

The location of each of the one or more items may be determined based on an angle of arrival of the signal transmitted by the beacon of the container.

The group of items may be assigned a same cluster when a first factor, a second factor and a third factor of the one or more items fall within a threshold value.

The master item may be identified by ranking the group of items in the cluster based on a charged status of a battery associated with each item in the cluster. Further, the master item is ranked higher than other items in the cluster.

In The master item may transmit the sensed parameter to the server on behalf of other items in the cluster.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer readable medium is provided for saving power of a battery associated with item/s. The computer readable medium comprises one or more processors and a memory is coupled to the one or more processors, the memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors. The memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors are configured to receive a location and a charged status of a battery associated with each of one or more items placed inside a container. The memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors are further configured to assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items based on the location of each of the one or more items and identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. The memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors are also configured to transmit a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container for the group of items in the cluster and receive a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message. A signal from a beacon of the container is utilized to determine: a first factor related to a height of each of the one or more items from bottom of the container; a second factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and a top wall of the container; and a third factor related to a distance between each of the one or more items and the beacon in the container.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Certain exemplary embodiment will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Described herein is the technology with a system and a method for saving power of a battery associated with an item/s. One or more items may be placed inside a container and each of the items may be in communication with a server through a network. Each of the one or more items may determine a location in the container and also determine a charged status of a battery associated with each of the one or more items. Each of the one or more items may transmit the determined location and the charged status of the battery to the server. The server may assign a cluster to a group of items based on the location of each of the one or more items. The server may select the group of items from the one or more items to assign the cluster. The server may further identify a master item from the group of items based on a charged status of a battery associated with each item in the group. For identifying the master item, the server may rank each item in the group based on the charged status of the battery with a highest rank i.e. an item having highest battery than other items in the cluster. Then, the server may transmit a message to the master item to sense a parameter inside the container for the group of items in the cluster. The master item may then transmit sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster to the server. By doing this, only the master item in the cluster may sense the parameter inside the container for the other items in the cluster and transmit sensed parameter to the server on behalf of other items in the cluster. As a result, the other items in the cluster would not sense any parameter or communicate with the server resulting in preservation of power of a battery associated with each of the other items in the cluster.

As used herein, the item/s includes content for consumption or usage by an end customer. Each of the item/s may have an associated battery for supplying power to an electronic device associated with the item. The electronic device of the item/s may comprise, but is not limited to, a transmitter, a receiver, a location detection module, a battery level determination module, one or more sensor/s, a processor, and/or a memory. Such item/s may be a bottle or a box having liquid content, solid content or semi solid content or any such item known in the art. The content in the item/s may be for any kind of consumption/usage and may be a pharmaceutical content, a liquid content, an eatable content, a lotion, a cream, tablets or any such content known in the art.

As used herein, the container may be used for storing, holding or keeping the item/s. The container may communicate with the item/s and/or the server through a network. The container may comprise, but is not limited to, a beacon and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit of the container may perform same operations and functions as performed by the electronic device of the item. The electronic circuit may comprise, but is not limited to, a transmitter, a receiver, a location detection module, a battery level determination module, one or more sensor/s, a processor, and/or a memory. Such a container may be a reefer, a box, a receptacle, a storage unit, a cold storage unit or any such unit that is well known in the art.

As used herein, the battery associated with the item/s may be a lithium battery, a lithium-air battery, a mercury battery, an aluminum-air battery, a zinc-air battery or any such any primary cell battery that is well known in the art.

As used herein, the server has processing capabilities as disclosed further in the specification. The server may be a cloud storage, a remote database, or any such storage known in the art.

As used herein, the parameter/s may be sensed by one or more sensor/s. The parameter/s may include, but are not limited to, a temperature parameter, a humidity parameter, an air pressure parameter, a fire parameter, a gas parameter or any such parameter that is known in the art.

As used herein, the one or more sensor/s may possess capability of sensing/monitoring one or more parameters inside the container. The one or more sensors can sense the temperature, humidity, fire, gas, or air pressure inside the container where the item is placed or present. The one or more sensors may include, but are not limited to, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a fire sensor, a gas sensor, an air pressure sensors or any such sensor that are obvious to a person skilled in the art.

As used herein, the network may refer to a mesh network, Global System for Mobile (GSM) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, a code-division multiple access (CDMA) network, a narrow-band internet of thing (NB-IoT) technique or category M1 technique, a bluetooth network, a Wi-Fi network, a ZigBee network or any such network/technique that is known in the art.

Throughout the specification, reference numeral <NUM> depicts a single item. The reference numerals 108A, 108B, 108C. <NUM> may be considered as one or more items. Likewise, throughout the specification, reference numeral <NUM> depicts a single electronic device coupled to an item. The reference numerals 110A, 110B, 110C. <NUM> may be considered as one or more electronic devices coupled to the one or more items.

<FIG> depicts a system architecture <NUM> for saving power of a battery associated with an item/s, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As depicted in <FIG>, a container <NUM>, a beacon <NUM> associated with the container <NUM>, an electronic circuit <NUM> coupled with the container <NUM>, one or more items 108A-<NUM> placed inside the container <NUM>, and one or more electronic devices 110A-<NUM> coupled with the one or more items 108A-<NUM>. As depicted, the container <NUM> and/or the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may communicate with a server <NUM> through a network <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic circuit <NUM> coupled with the container <NUM> may be same as the electronic device <NUM> coupled with an item <NUM>.

The beacon <NUM> associated with the container <NUM> may broadcast signal/s inside the container <NUM>. The signal/s may be advertisement/s broadcasted by the beacon <NUM> in the container <NUM>. Each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> in the container <NUM> may detect the signal/s broadcasted by the beacon <NUM> and may determine a location of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> based on the signal/s broadcasted by the beacon <NUM>. Each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may determine the location based on an angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon <NUM>. In particular, the beacon <NUM> in the container <NUM> may transmit a special direction finding signal using a single antenna of the beacon <NUM>. Each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> in the container <NUM> may have multiple antennae arranged in an array. As the signal transmitted by the beacon <NUM> crosses the array of the one or more items 108A-<NUM>, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may determine a signal phase difference due to the difference in distance from each of the antenna in its array relative to the transmitting antenna of the beacon <NUM>. Each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may take into consideration IQ (i.e. I = Amplitude*cos(angle), Q = Amplitude*sin(angle)) samples of the signal phase difference while switching between the active antenna in the array. Based on the IQ sample data, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may calculate a relative signal direction. Since each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may identify its distance (d2) from the beacon <NUM> based on signal strength and the angle of arrival, a height (h) of the each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may be calculated using trigonometry to measure remaining distances (d1) from each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> to the beacon <NUM>. Also, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may identify location by considering a total measurements (such as height, width and length) of the container <NUM> as explained below.

Each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> utilizes the signal/s from the beacon <NUM> to determine a first factor related to a height ("h") of each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> from bottom of the container <NUM>. Also, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> further utilizes the signal/s from the beacon <NUM> to determine a second factor related to a distance ("d1") between each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> and a top wall of the container <NUM>. Further, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> utilizes the signal/s from the beacon <NUM> to determine a third factor related to a distance ("d2") between each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> and the beacon <NUM> of the container <NUM>. By using the determined first factor, the determined second factor and/or the determined third factor, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> in the container <NUM> may determine their location. For an instance, as depicted in <FIG>, an item 108A determines a height ("h") (i.e. first factor) from bottom of the container <NUM> up to a place where an electronic device 110A of the item 108A is present. Similarly, the item 108A determines a distance ("d1") (i.e. second factor) between the item 108A and a top wall of the container <NUM>. The item 108A also determines a distance ("d2") (i.e. third factor) between the item 108A and the beacon <NUM> in the container <NUM>. Based on the first factor, the second factor and/or the third factor and total measurements (such as height, width and length) of the container <NUM>, the item 108A may determine an approximate or an exact location three-dimensionally (using three factors).

In addition, when any item inside the container <NUM> gets displaced from a location or when a location of any item changes during the transit of the container <NUM>, then, such displacement of the item that can be identified by comparing a previous angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon <NUM> with a current angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon <NUM> to the item. Alternatively, the displacement of the item can also be identified by a previous angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon <NUM> with a threshold limit of angle of arrival defined for a particular item. For instance, if the current angle of arrival of the signal does not fall within the threshold limit of a <NUM> degree angle and a <NUM> degree angle, in such a situation, the item may again transmit an updated location to the server.

Further, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may also determine a charged status of a battery associated with each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM>. The charged status of the battery corresponds to a level of power or charge stored in the battery. Several approaches well known in the art may be used to detect the charged status of the battery. In an embodiment, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may determine the charged status of the battery based on an occurrence of an event. For an example, the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may detect the charged status of the battery when the one or more items 108A-<NUM> receives an instruction to determine a charged status of the battery from the server <NUM> through the network <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may determine the charged status of the battery when the one or more items 108A-<NUM> receives an instruction from the container <NUM>.

After each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> determines the associated location and the charged status of the battery, each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> may transmit the location and the charged status of the battery to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM>.

On receiving the location and charged status of the battery of one or more items 108A-<NUM>, the server <NUM> may assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-<NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the server <NUM> may assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-<NUM> based on a relative distance between two items. In another embodiment, the server <NUM> may assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-<NUM> based on an approximate or exact location of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> where the one or more items 108A-<NUM> are placed inside the container <NUM>. In another embodiment, the server <NUM> may assign a cluster to a group of items when the first factor ("h"), the second factor ("d1") and the third factor ("d2") of each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> fall within threshold values. Such threshold values may be defined by a manufacturer of an item, a manufacturer of content inside the item etc. The server <NUM> may use any one or two of these embodiments or all of these embodiments to assign a cluster to a group of items.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary scenario for clustering of items 108A-<NUM>. The server <NUM> may group item 108A, item 108F and item <NUM> in a cluster <NUM>. Similarly, the server <NUM> may group item 108B, item 108C, item <NUM> and item 108I in a cluster <NUM>. Likewise, the server <NUM> may group item 108D, item 108E, item 108J and item <NUM> in a cluster <NUM>. In order to assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-<NUM>, the server <NUM> may consider the factors described above. The present invention also encompasses the server <NUM> to iteratively assign cluster to an item when any item of a cluster inside the container <NUM> gets displaced from a location during the transit of the container <NUM>. Based on an updated location of the item, the server <NUM> assign a cluster to an item again.

Once each of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> in the container <NUM> assigned a cluster, the server <NUM> may identify a master item from a group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. For this, considering <FIG> and an exemplary Table <NUM> below showing the three clusters, respective group of items in a cluster, a charged status of battery of each items in each cluster, and a master item in each cluster.

As provided in exemplary Table <NUM> above, the exemplary Cluster <NUM> may have item 108A, item 108F and item <NUM>. The server <NUM> may rank these item 108A, item 108F and item <NUM> in the Cluster <NUM> based on a charged status of battery of each item 108A, item 108F and item <NUM>. As can be seen in Table <NUM>, the item 108A (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) may be ranked higher than the item 108F (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) and the item <NUM> (i.e. with <NUM>% charge). Accordingly, the server <NUM> may identify the item 108A as a master item in Cluster <NUM> based on the charged status (i.e. <NUM>%) of battery of the item 108A.

Similarly, the exemplary Cluster <NUM> may have item 108B, the item 108C, the item <NUM> and item <NUM>. The server <NUM> may rank these item 108B, the item 108C, the item <NUM> and item 108I in the Cluster <NUM> based on a charged status of battery of each item 108B, the item 108C, the item <NUM> and item <NUM>. As can be seen in Table <NUM>, the item 108C (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) may be ranked higher than the item 108B (i.e. with <NUM>% charge), the item <NUM> (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) and item 108I (i.e. with <NUM>% charge). Accordingly, the server <NUM> may identify the item 108C as a master item in Cluster <NUM> based on the charged status (i.e. <NUM>%) of battery of the item 108C.

Also, the exemplary Cluster <NUM> may have item 108D, item 108E, item 108J and item <NUM>. The server <NUM> may rank item 108D, item 108E, item 108J and item <NUM> in the Cluster <NUM> based on a charged status of battery of each item 108D, item 108E, item 108J and item <NUM>. As can be seen in Table <NUM>, the item <NUM> (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) may be ranked higher than the item 108D (i.e. with <NUM>% charge) , the item 108E (i.e. with <NUM>% charge), and the item 108J (i.e. with <NUM>% charge). Accordingly, the server <NUM> may identify the item <NUM> as a master item in Cluster <NUM> based on the charged status (i.e. <NUM>%) of battery of the item <NUM>.

After the server <NUM> identifies the master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>), the server <NUM> may transmit a message through the network <NUM> to each of the master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>) in each respective cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) for sensing a parameter for the group of items inside the container <NUM>. Then, the master may start sensing the parameter inside the container <NUM>. The master item of each cluster may transmit sensed parameter to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM> on behalf of the other items in the cluster. Following the exemplary Table <NUM> above, the server <NUM> may transmit a message to the master item 108A in the Cluster <NUM> for sensing a parameter (such a temperature etc.) for the group of items (i.e. item 108F and item <NUM>) inside the container <NUM>. Accordingly, the master item 108A may sense the parameter (such a temperature, gas etc.) inside the container <NUM> and may transmit sensed parameter (such as sensed temperature as <NUM> degree Celsius) to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM> on behalf of the other items (i.e. item 108F and item <NUM>). Also, the server <NUM> may transmit a message to the master item 108C in the Cluster <NUM> for sensing a parameter for the group of items (i.e. item 108B, item <NUM> and item 108I) inside the container <NUM>. Accordingly, the master item 108C may sense the parameter inside the container <NUM> in the cluster <NUM> and may transmit sensed parameter to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM> on behalf of the other items (i.e. item 108B, item <NUM> and item 108I). Moreover, the server <NUM> may transmit a message to the master item <NUM> in the Cluster <NUM> for sensing a parameter for the group of items (i.e. item 108D, item 108E, item 108J) inside the container <NUM>. Accordingly, the master item <NUM> may sense the parameter inside the container <NUM> and may transmit sensed parameter to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM> on behalf of the other items (i.e. item 108D, item 108E, item 108J) in the cluster <NUM>. It is to be noted that transmitting the sensed parameter further comprises sensing multiple parameters for the items and transmitting the multiple sensed parameters to the server <NUM>.

The present invention facilitates a master item in a cluster to sense the parameter inside the container <NUM> only when all the other items in the cluster act in a same pre-defined behavior. The same pre-defined behavior may be exhibited by the items in the cluster when the sensed parameter monitored by the items in the cluster are equal or same. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by an electronic circuit <NUM> and sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the master item in the cluster are same or equal. In another exemplary embodiment, a sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the master item in the cluster and the sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the other item in the cluster are same or equal. In such a situation, the master item may transmit the sensed parameter monitored by the master item to the server on behalf of other items in the cluster. The present invention also facilitates a master item to determine if all the other items in the cluster do not act in a same pre-defined behavior. The other items in the cluster do not act in a same pre-defined behavior when the sensed parameter monitored by the other items and the master item in the cluster are not equal/same. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by an electronic circuit <NUM> and sensed parameters (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the master item in the cluster are not equal/same. In an exemplary alternative embodiment, a sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the master item in the cluster and the sensed parameter (say temperature of <NUM> degree Celsius) monitored by the other item in the cluster are not equal/same. In such a situation, the master item may collect the sensed parameters from the other items in the cluster and may transmit the sensed parameter monitored by the other items to the server <NUM>. In all the situations stated above, the other items in the cluster do not communicate with the server <NUM> resulting in power saving of a battery of other items. Moreover, the one or more items 108A-<NUM> are placed inside the container <NUM> for refrigeration. Usually refrigerated cabin temperature inside the container <NUM> goes below atmospheric temperature (may be upto minus <NUM> degree celcius which may also cause battery discharge bahviour. Thus by using the present invention, the battery of the one or more items 108A-<NUM> inside the container <NUM> will be preserved efficiently.

Moreover, the server <NUM> may iteratively identify a new master item in each cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) based on the charged status of the items in the each cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>). The server <NUM> may identify the new master item when the charged status of the battery of the existing master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>) falls below a pre-defined threshold value. For this, the server <NUM> may compare a latest charged status of the battery of the master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>) with the defined threshold value. For an example, the server <NUM> may identify a new master item for a cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) when a latest charged status of the battery of the master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>) falls below the pre-defined threshold value of <NUM>% charge. As used herein, the pre-defined threshold value may be defined by a manufacturer of the container <NUM>, a manufacturer of the item <NUM> or any such person. And, when the latest charged status of the battery of the master item (item 108A, item 108C, item <NUM>) falls below the defined threshold value, then the server <NUM> may again rank a group of item in a cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) based on a charged status of a battery of each other item in each cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) and accordingly, identify a new master item for each cluster (Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>, Cluster <NUM>) with a charged status higher than other items in the cluster. For an instance, the server <NUM> may identify item <NUM> as new master item in Cluster <NUM> as a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item <NUM> is higher than a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item 108F. For cluster <NUM>, the server <NUM> may identify item <NUM> as new master item in Cluster <NUM> as a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item <NUM> is higher than a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item 108B and than a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item <NUM>. For cluster <NUM>, the server <NUM> may identify item 108D as new master item as a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item 108D is higher than a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item 108E and than a charged status (<NUM>%) of battery of item 108J.

Although the present invention has been explained by depicting three exemplary clusters having three or more items inside each cluster; however, it is understood for a person skilled in the art that any number of cluster may be created by the present invention having any number of items.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of different components of an electronic device <NUM> coupled with an item <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The electronic device <NUM> may comprise of, but is not limited to, a transmitter <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, a location detection module <NUM>, a battery level determination module <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and/or a memory <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to receive signal/s broadcasted by a beacon <NUM> of a container <NUM>. The location detection module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to determine a location of the item <NUM> based on the signal/s from the beacon <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Specifically, the location detection module <NUM> may determine the location of the item <NUM> based on an angle of arrival of the signal from the beacon <NUM>. The location detection module <NUM> may also be adapted to utilize the signal/s from the beacon <NUM> to determine a first factor related to a height ("h") of the item <NUM> from a bottom of the container <NUM>, a second factor related to a distance ("d1") between the items <NUM> and a top wall of the container <NUM>, and/or a third factor related to a distance ("d2") between the item <NUM> and the beacon <NUM> in the container <NUM>. By using the determined first factor, the determined second factor and/or the determined third factor, the location detection module <NUM> may determine the location of the item <NUM>. The battery level determination module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to determine a charged status of a battery associated with the item <NUM>. The charged status of the battery corresponds to a level of power, charge or voltage of the battery. The location detection module <NUM> may communicate the location of the item <NUM> and the battery level determination module <NUM> may communicate the charged status of the battery associated with the item <NUM> to the transmitter <NUM>.

The transmitter <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to transmit the location of the item <NUM> and the charged status of the battery associated with the item <NUM> to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM>. Further, the receiver <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to receive a message from the server <NUM> for sensing a parameter inside the container <NUM> for a group of items in the cluster. Furthermore, the one or more sensors <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to sense one or more parameters inside the container and communicate sensed parameter to the transmitter <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM> may be adapted to transmit the sensed parameter to the server <NUM> through the network <NUM>. The memory <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> coupled with the item <NUM> may be adapted to store the location of the item <NUM>, the charged status of the battery associated with the item <NUM> and/or the sensed parameter by the item <NUM>. Moreover, the transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM>, the location detection module <NUM>, the battery level determination module <NUM>, the one or more sensors <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM> may be communicably coupled with the processor <NUM>. The different units described herein are exemplary. The invention may be performed using one or more units. For example, the tasks executed by the transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM>, the location detection module <NUM>, the battery level determination module <NUM>, the one or more sensors <NUM>, the memory <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> may be performed by a single unit. Alternatively more number of units as described herein may be used to perform the invention.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of different components of a server <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The server <NUM> may comprise of, but is not limited to, a transmitter <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, a clustering unit <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> of the server <NUM> may be adapted to receive a location of an item <NUM> and a charged status of a battery associated with the item <NUM> from the item <NUM> through the network <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may also communicate with the location of the item <NUM> and the charged status of the battery to the clustering unit <NUM>. The clustering unit <NUM> of the server <NUM> may be adapted to assign a cluster to a group of items from the item <NUM> based on the location of the item <NUM> as explained above in <FIG> above. The processor <NUM> of the server <NUM> may communicate with the clustering unit <NUM> and may be adapted to identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. For this, the processor <NUM> may rank the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. This has been explained in details in <FIG> and exemplary Table <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may also communicate a unique identifier associated with the master item of each cluster to the transmitter <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM> of the server <NUM> may be adapted to transmit a message to the master item (through the network <NUM>) using the unique identifier for sensing a parameter inside the container <NUM> for the group of items in each cluster. Further, the receiver <NUM> of the server <NUM> may be adapted to receive a sensed parameter from the master item for the group of items in the cluster. Alternatively, the transmitter <NUM> of the server <NUM> may also be adapted to transmit a message to the one or more items <NUM> in the container <NUM> for sensing the parameter in the container <NUM> when the one or more items <NUM> in the cluster do not act in a pre-defined behavior. Accordingly, the receiver <NUM> of the server <NUM> may be adapted to receive the sensed parameter from the one or more items <NUM> through the network <NUM>. Also, the transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM>, the clustering unit <NUM>, and/or the memory <NUM> may be communicably coupled the processor <NUM>. The different units described herein are exemplary. The invention may be performed using one or more units. For example, the tasks executed by the transmitter <NUM>, the receiver <NUM>, the clustering unit <NUM>, the memory <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> may be performed by a single unit. Alternatively more number of units as described herein may be used to perform the invention.

<FIG> depicts a flowchart outlining the features of the invention in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The method flowchart <NUM> describes a method being for saving power of a battery associated with an item/s. The method flowchart <NUM> starts at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may receive a location and a charged status of a battery associated with each of one or more items 108A-108I placed inside a container <NUM>. The server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may receive the location and the charged status of the battery from the one or more items 108A-108I. This has been explained in details in <FIG> above.

At step <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-108I based on the location of each of the one or more items 108A-108I. This has been explained in details in <FIG> and exemplary Table <NUM> above.

At step <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. This has been explained in details in <FIG> and exemplary Table <NUM> above.

At step <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may transmit a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container <NUM> for the group of items in the cluster. This has been explained in details in <FIG> and exemplary Table <NUM> above.

At step <NUM>, the server <NUM> or the container <NUM> may receive a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message as explained above. Then, the method flowchart <NUM> may end at <NUM>.

The present invention is applicable to various fields such as, but not limited to, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics industry, food industry and any such field that is well known in the art and where an item can be utilized.

The present invention provides the following technical advantages over the existing solutions a) preserves power of a battery associated with an item, b) extends life of a battery by saving power, c) prevents an item from becoming non-operational due to lack of power in a battery, d) employs clustering technique to identify a master item for sensing parameters, e) avoids communication of other items in a cluster with a server, and (f) enabling the other items in the cluster to save power of a battery by not communicating with the server.

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention can be operated using the one or more computer readable devices. The one or more computer readable devices can be associated with a server <NUM> or a container <NUM>. A computer readable medium comprises one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to receive a location and a charged status of a battery associated with each of one or more items 108A-108I placed inside a container <NUM>. The memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items 108A-108I based on the location of each of the one or more items 108A-108I and identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster. The memory stores instructions executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors also configured to transmit a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container <NUM> for the group of items in the cluster and receive a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message.

The embodiments of the invention and the tables discussed herein are exemplary and various modification and alterations to a person skilled in the art are within the scope of the invention. Exemplary computer readable media includes flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media are tangible and mutually exclusive to communication media. Computer storage media are implemented in hardware and exclude carrier waves and propagated signals. Computer storage media for purposes of this invention are not signals per se. Exemplary computer storage media include hard disks, flash drives, and other solid-state memory. In contrast, communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media.

Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, examples of the invention are capable of implementation with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments, configurations, or devices.

Examples of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the Figures/Tables and described herein. Other examples of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein. Aspects of the invention transform a general-purpose computer into a special-purpose computing device when configured to execute the instructions described herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term "processor" can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. " The phrase "one or more of the following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C".

Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claim 1:
A system comprising:
a container (<NUM>) with a beacon (<NUM>), the beacon (<NUM>) adapted to broadcast a signal inside the container (<NUM>);
one or more items (<NUM>) placed inside the container (<NUM>), the one or more items (<NUM>) comprising:
a location detection module (<NUM>) adapted to determine a location based on the signal received from the beacon (<NUM>);
a battery level determination module (<NUM>) adapted to determine a charged status of a battery associated with each of the one or more items (<NUM>);
a first transmitter (<NUM>) adapted to transmit the location and the charged status of the battery associated with each of the one or more items (<NUM>) to a server (<NUM>); and
a first receiver (<NUM>) adapted to receive a message from the server (<NUM>); and
the server (<NUM>) comprising:
- a second receiver (<NUM>) adapted to receive the location and the charged status of the battery associated with each of the one or more items (<NUM>) from the first transmitter (<NUM>) of the one or more items (<NUM>);
- a clustering unit (<NUM>) adapted to assign a cluster to a group of items from the one or more items (<NUM>) based on the location of each of the one or more items (<NUM>);
- a processor (<NUM>) adapted to identify a master item from the group of items in the cluster based on the charged status of each item in the cluster;
- a second transmitter (<NUM>) adapted to transmit a message to the master item for sensing a parameter inside the container (<NUM>) for the group of items in the cluster; and
- the second receiver (<NUM>) further adapted to receive a sensed parameter for the group of items in the cluster from the master item in response to the message
characterized in that the signal from the beacon (<NUM>) is utilized to determine:
a first factor (h) related to a height of each of the one or more items (<NUM>) from bottom of the container (<NUM>);
a second factor (d1) related to a distance between each of the one or more items (<NUM>) and a top wall of the container (<NUM>); and
a third factor (d2) related to a distance between each of the one or more items (<NUM>) and the beacon (<NUM>) in the container (<NUM>).