Provided is a method for process monitoring in automation technology based at least on one capacitive and/or conductive measuring probe for determining at least one process variable of at least one medium in a container, an apparatus suitable for executing the method, as well as a computer program and a computer readable medium. The method includes method steps of ascertaining whether the measuring probe is at least partially in contact with the medium and registering as a function of time at least an electrical conductivity of the medium, a dielectric constant of the medium and/or a degree of coverage of the measuring probe by the medium. The method also includes a step of monitoring the process running within the container based on the electrical conductivity, the dielectric constant and/or the degree of coverage as a function of time.

The test lab set-up includes a test flow bench for mounting one or more test devices, an adjustable nozzle for simulating urine flow, and a sensor for collecting data associated with the simulated urine flowing through the test device(s). A computing device for measuring and/or calculating various parameters associated with the simulated urine flow may also be included. The test device may have a shape corresponding to a handheld uroflowmeter subject to testing. The angle of the adjustable nozzle may be adjusted to test for various angles of urine flow. Similarly, the angle, pitch, and roll of the test device may be adjusted to test for various angles at which a uroflowmeter is held. As fluid flows through the test device, the sensor collects information such as, for example, flow rate, duration, volume, and the like. The sensor transmits the data collected to a computing device for additional processing.

The test lab set-up includes a test flow bench for mounting one or more test devices, an adjustable nozzle for simulating urine flow, and a sensor for collecting data associated with the simulated urine flowing through the test device(s). A computing device for measuring and/or calculating various parameters associated with the simulated urine flow may also be included. The test device may have a shape corresponding to a handheld uroflowmeter subject to testing. The angle of the adjustable nozzle may be adjusted to test for various angles of urine flow. Similarly, the angle, pitch, and roll of the test device may be adjusted to test for various angles at which a uroflowmeter is held. As fluid flows through the test device, the sensor collects information such as, for example, flow rate, duration, volume, and the like. The sensor transmits the data collected to a computing device for additional processing.

A smart hydration reservoir includes a flexible sensor which can be attached to the outer surface of any kind of the hydration reservoir and monitor changes of capacitive data of the hydration reservoir while user drinks the liquid which makes changes of the liquid level. The capacitive data is inputted into the controller; the controller will calculate the liquid level and then send out the information of the liquid level to the hand held device, such as specified display or mobile phone. Thus, the user can easily notice the liquid level of the hydration reservoir. The whole hydration detecting assembly can be easily installed to any hydration reservoir bought from the market.

Methods and systems for monitoring fluid levels and electrolyte levels used in a dialysis machine. A receptacle, configured to receive a container, comprises a plurality of curved side panels and a base to form a cylindrical shaped cavity for receiving a container. Each panel includes a conductive material on its inner surface and, optionally, a shielding on its outer surface. An electronics component housed within, or near, the receptacle drives the capacitive process and interprets generated data to determine fluid levels and compositions. An alternate receptacle includes one or two coils wrapped about the container and uses induction to determine fluid level.

A device for controlling an optical recognition unit with the help of a capacitive filling level measurement in liquid containers having a sensor with a measuring electrode, a conductive base plate suitable for arranging at least one liquid container or a carrier unit having at least one receptacle for receiving a liquid container, a sensor electronics unit that is connected to the measuring electrode and the base plate adapted to determine a capacitance between the measuring electrode and base plate, an evaluation unit, and a control unit for controlling the optical recognition unit, is disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided for anesthetic agent level sensing. In one embodiment, a system for an inductive level sensor for an anesthetic vaporizer includes a measurement target positioned around a rod that extends within a chamber configured to hold liquid anesthetic agent, the rod configured to be at least partially submerged in the liquid anesthetic agent and the measurement target configured to slide vertically along a length of the rod and rest on a surface of the liquid anesthetic agent, and a strip of inductive transmitter coils and receiver coils positioned external to the chamber, a length of the strip aligned with the length of the rod, the transmitter coils configured to generate a magnetic field that surrounds the rod and the measurement target and the receiver coils configured to sense changes in the generated magnetic field at a vertical location of the measurement target on the rod.

Systems and methods are provided for anesthetic agent level sensing. In one embodiment, a system for an inductive level sensor for an anesthetic vaporizer includes a measurement target positioned around a rod that extends within a chamber configured to hold liquid anesthetic agent, the rod configured to be at least partially submerged in the liquid anesthetic agent and the measurement target configured to slide vertically along a length of the rod and rest on a surface of the liquid anesthetic agent, and a strip of inductive transmitter coils and receiver coils positioned external to the chamber, a length of the strip aligned with the length of the rod, the transmitter coils configured to generate a magnetic field that surrounds the rod and the measurement target and the receiver coils configured to sense changes in the generated magnetic field at a vertical location of the measurement target on the rod.

Disclosed is a method for diagnosis of a two-conductor field instrument and a corresponding two-conductor field instrument. In a normal operating mode, an input voltage is provided and an output current is output. In a diagnostic operating mode, the method includes: providing a first diagnosis-input voltage and outputting a first diagnosis-output current during a first time interval, providing a second diagnosis-input voltage and outputting a second diagnosis-output current during a second time interval, determining the second time interval from the first time interval, registering a first and second diagnosis-output voltage as a function of the first and second diagnosis-output current, and checking the functionality of the two-conductor field instrument by the first and second diagnosis-input voltage, the first and second time interval, the first and second diagnosis-output electrical current, the first and second diagnosis-output voltage based on the input voltage and/or based on the output electrical current.

A method of generating feedback for a container load process includes: during a load process for a container at a load bay, controlling a sensor assembly disposed at the load bay to capture sensor data depicting an interior of the container; at a computing device connected to the sensor assembly, detecting, based on the sensor data, a wall of items placed in the container interior; determining, at the computing device from the sensor data: (i) a boundary attribute of the detected wall, and (ii) a composition attribute of the detected wall; comparing, at the computing device, (i) the boundary attribute to a boundary criterion, and (ii) the composition attribute to a composition criterion; and responsive to at least one of the boundary attribute not meeting the boundary criterion, or the composition attribute not meeting the composition attribute, generating an alert for transmission to a client computing device.