A receptacle having a programmable, interactive visual display affixed to a surface of the receptacle. The receptacle includes the visual display, a programmable memory, and a controller. The memory stores data corresponding to one or more display images and/or text, and the controller controls the display for displaying the image/text data from the memory. The receptacle may further include an input mechanism for receiving at least one input, and the controller may control the display of images/text data in response to the input. The memory can also store at least one game or other program, and the controller can execute the game or other program from the memory, operate the game or other in response to one or more inputs received via the input mechanism, and control the display based on the requirements of the game or other programs. The display may include an audio component for producing audible sound.

A beverage container includes a container body, a plurality of sensors arranged to determine information associated with liquid contained in the container body, and a processor operably coupled with the plurality of sensors for determining a beverage consumption routine of a user based on the information determined by the plurality of sensors.

Systems and methods for providing a smart hydration container or bottle which accurately tracks a user's liquid intake. The smart hydration container utilizes a new capacitive sensing technology which does not require a complicated design for capacitive conductive surfaces and provides accurate capacitive measurements which map to volume measurements. Through the use of calibrated data, the smart hydration container accurately measures capacitance as a whole of the entire container's contents even when the container is not resting upright. In some implementations, the smart hydration container utilizes a combination of capacitive sensing, motion sensing, position sensing, and/or temperature sensing to provide an accurate measure of liquid volume in the container. The capacitive sensor may be electrically shielded by a passive conductive sensor shield, a grounded conductive sensor shield, or an active conductive sensor shield.

An apparatus includes a container having an interior configured to contain a beverage, and a base configured to support the container on a support surface. A first coupler is mounted to the container. A pod having a second coupler is configured to couple with the first coupler while the pod is located in the interior of the container. The pod physically contacts the beverage and can be configured to rotate within the container.

A lid assembly for a drinking vessel holding a beverage is disclosed. The lid assembly includes a lid and a slider. The lid comprises a top wall having a port and a vent hole, each configured for communication with the interior of the vessel when the lid assembly is mounted thereon. The slider is mounted on the top wall and is slidable along an axis between a closed state and an open state, and vice versa. In the closed state, the slider seals the port. In the opened state it exposes the port, whereupon a person can drink the beverage through the port. The slider includes a slot extending transversely to the axis and is configured such that any liquid attempting to exit through the vent hole when the slider is in the open state is channeled away from the face of the user as the user drinks the beverage from the port.

A modular drinkware system includes a beverage container, a plurality of modules and in some embodiments, a software application. Each module is preferably reusable and able to be used alone with the beverage container or combined and connected to each other using mechanical connectors. Further, each module can be connected together electrically so that sensor data (or other data) can be shared between the modules and an external computing device via the software application. The plurality of modules apply a variety of different functions to the beverage container, such as sensing temperature of a beverage inside the beverage container, sensing fill time of the beverage, sensing fill level of the beverage, heating the beverage, and displaying or otherwise indicating information relating to the beverage.

A receptacle having a programmable, interactive visual display affixed to a surface of the receptacle. The receptacle includes the visual display, a programmable memory, and a controller. The memory stores data corresponding to one or more display images and/or text, and the controller controls the display for displaying the image/text data from the memory. The receptacle may further include an input mechanism for receiving at least one input, and the controller may control the display of images/text data in response to the input. The memory can also store at least one game or other program, and the controller can execute the game or other program from the memory, operate the game or other in response to one or more inputs received via the input mechanism, and control the display based on the requirements of the game or other programs. The display may include an audio component for producing audible sound.

An active foodware system includes a dining plate unit that provides visual stimuli by having a power source and a visual stimulating component to provide light emanating from the dining plate unit. Other devices can provide auditory and haptic stimuli, as well as sensing and processing. The dining plate unit can be a single component where the device and circuitry are all contained in the unit and protected from water, or can be two components: an upper translucent dining plate, and an underplate comprising the devices and circuitry for directing light through the upper translucent dining plate.

A dining plate active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight and calories. Removable dining plates are placed on an underplate comprising sensing and wireless communication components. The system may include a camera. Data related to the food is sent to the internet as well as displayed on the visual stimulating component of a handheld communication device, such as a mobile phone. Auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

A dining utensil includes a stimulating component, a sensing component, and a communication component to enhance a dining experience. The stimulating component includes one or more light sources, which may be different colors. The utensil has a processor with the computer program configured to activate the stimulating component to illuminate the eating portion of the utensil, which may display an image or video. The stimulating component may be optically coupled with a light guide to provide lighted bands, portions, and patterns. The sensing component senses a food condition, and may be configured to activate the stimulating component. The communication component provides wireless communication with a mobile phone and the internet.