An apparatus for measuring liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) toward the container, a plurality of sensors optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for detecting the EMR emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one temperature associated with a liquid in the container, and at least one processor for receiving data representative of the portion of the detected EMR from each of the plurality of sensors, comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to identify any temperature events associated with the received data; normalizing the received data based on any temperature events associated with the received data; and converting the normalized data into a signature representative of the EMR detected by the plurality of sensors.

A system and a method for monitoring and regulating the level of contents in a vessel is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system or the method use laser beams and photosensors to determine the level of the contents of the vessel.

Methods and systems for providing a resource dispenser status for a resource dispenser associated with a facility. One system includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive a set of signals. The electronic processor is also configured to compare a first signal included in the set of signals to a set of thresholds. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a resource dispenser status based on the comparison of the first signal to the set of thresholds. The electronic processor is also configured to generate and transmit the resource dispenser status to a remote device, wherein the remote device provides the resource dispenser status to a user.

An apparatus for determining the volume of a liquid in a container. A digital camera is provided to view the container. A processor can optically detect certain characteristics of the container as viewed by the camera and accesses a computer memory having stored characteristics of a plurality of known containers, and the compare the detected certain characteristics with the stored characteristics to identify the container from the plurality of known containers. The processor can calculate the volume of the container as a function of the distance between the first and second ends of the container as viewed by the camera. The processor can receive at least one image from the camera and determine whether the liquid in the container contains any air pockets based on the at least one image. Methods are provided, including a method for use by an apparatus having a camera and a processor electrically coupled to the camera to confirm the dosage of a medicament in a container.

The present application relates to a method for operating a dosing device with a control unit and a dosing unit. The dosing unit has a cannula with a first volume and a tip, and also a sampling container fluidically connected to the cannula. In a first step, the dosing unit is moved linearly at a predetermined speed in a first direction along an axis, such that the cannula is moved into a vessel containing at least one liquid. At the same time, fluid is aspirated constantly through the cannula with a predetermined volumetric flow by a pump device. At least one optical parameter of the aspirated fluid is measured by at least one optical sensor, which is arranged between the cannula and the sampling container. When a change of the at least one optical parameter is detected, a first position of the dosing unit on the axis is stored by the control unit and the movement of the dosing unit is interrupted. The control unit then calculates a second position of the dosing unit on the axis, at which second position the tip of the cannula has penetrated a first phase boundary, in particular upon immersion into the liquid. The calculation is performed on the basis of the first position, the predetermined speed, the first volume and the predetermined volumetric flow.

Filling unit (1) for a packaging machine (100) for filling bulk materials (50) into packages (60), and packaging machine with a filling unit (1), comprising a conveyor device (2), by means of which bulk materials (50) can be conveyed into a package (60), and a control device (3), which is suitable and configured to guide a filling stream (4) into a package (60). A fill level sensor device (5) including a sensor device (6) is provided, which is suitable and configured to detect a first fill level (7) and a second fill level (8) of bulk materials (50) in a package (60), wherein the first fill level (7) corresponds to a lower fill level than the second fill level (8). The control device (3) regulates the filling stream (4) by way of the fill levels determined by the sensor device (6). With the method according to the invention, the package is filled until the second fill level is detected. Then the filling stream is reduced until the first fill level is detected. Thereupon the filling stream is increased.

A beverage dispenser ingredient level detection system is disclosed. The system may include a container with a wall, a canister, a capsule, an infrared emitter, and an infrared receiver. The canister may be disposed within the container at a first distance from the wall and may be configured to hold a beverage ingredient. The capsule may be disposed on an interior surface of the wall. The infrared emitter and the infrared receiver may be disposed within the capsule and the infrared receiver may be configured to transmit infrared light rays and the infrared receiver may be configured to detect infrared light rays reflected by the beverage ingredient in the canister to determine whether a pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister. The capsule may absorb infrared light rays that are not indicative of whether the pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister.

A level sensor assembly (552) for estimating a level of a dielectric powder (412) in a container assembly (544) includes a first electrode member (554) that is coupled to the container assembly (544); a second electrode member (556) that is coupled to the container assembly (544): and a control system (424). The second electrode member (556) is spaced apart from the first electrode member (554) and configured so that powder (512) in the container assembly (544) is positioned at least partly between the electrode members (554) (556). The control system (424) utilizes a capacitance between the electrode members (554) (556) to estimate the level of the powder (512) in the container assembly (544).

A drinking vessel has a drink container with a body that compensates for changes in the liquid level in the drink container. The compensating body includes an elastic component which, under the influence of weight forces of a liquid volume, enlarges its shape, i.e. the volume of the compensating body. When the acting weight forces cease, the compensating body returns to a smaller original shape. There is no need for a sliding-movement-based sealing action of the compensating body in relation to the inner walls of the drink container. Therefore, the user does not have to first put the drink container down in order for the liquid level to stabilize.

A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.